I recently had the privilege of being involved in a delegation to Grey County, with regards to their participation in the Partners for Climate Protection program. It was organized by a local community group of concerned citizens that had had enough of global influence on local government. The entire speech was written already, so all I had to do was show up and deliver half of it alongside Jenn Shevalier, the delegation’s architect.
You can check out the link to the delegation here:
Grey County Committee of the Whole, June 12, 2025
The delegation was a success, with a councillor even approaching us afterward in support of our message. And while I am not writing this to speak on how to draft a successful delegation, I can certainly provide some useful tips on how to deliver a successful delegation. These are simple tips, that I think can help even the most nervous public speaker step up to the podium with confidence while doing the important job of representing their community.
- 1. Get familiar with your setting
Public speaking can be difficult at the best of times. Speaking in an unfamiliar setting is even tougher. Getting accustomed to the space beforehand will remove one source of anxiety on the day of delivery. If you have never been in your municipal chambers before, I recommend sitting in on a public meeting, just so you can understand where the building is, how to get to the chamber, where the speakers deliver from, what the lighting feels like, how big the room is, etc. The human brain can get overwhelmed with multiple new inputs at once, so getting that process out of the way beforehand, will only make your day of delivery easier on you.
- 2. Bring your crew to the party
We all know that numbers matter when it comes to showing up to council, but what we sometimes overlook is the immense amount of support the speaker feels when all their allies are behind them backing them up. Invite friends, neighbors, and family to come support you. Even if they are not super keen on politics, let them know that their physical presence as a friend is appreciated to get you through your ten minutes on the podium, making you feel less intimidated speaking to a bunch of strangers in suits. You will feel their positive energy.
- 3. Dress for the occasion
We want to be taken seriously, and your outfit will determine how you are judged before you even open your mouth. I’m comfortable going out in public in my bush clothes, but a nice tucked in collared shirt lets your council know that you are to be taken just as seriously as any professional consultant would be. Your dress can command the attention and respect of those listening, and consequently, your message will be treated with that same attention and respect.
- 4. Keep an eye on everyone
As you go through your prepared speech, try not to keep your eyes glued to the page the entire time. You want to establish an eye-to-eye connection with those listening. Take it slow, pause at the end of the paragraph, and take a moment to look around at everyone. By doing this, you’re creating a personal connection between the message and the listener. You’re also assessing the councillors, seeing who are not interested in what you have to say, and who are captivated by it. The captivated ones could be your allies – pick them out. I also like to keep my finger on the page as I read, so when I return my gaze to the paper, I don’t lose my spot!
- 5. Stay calm and carry on
Public speaking can cause anxiety and raise your heart rate. As more beats per minute race through your body, you may begin to have physical effects like difficulty pronouncing words and loss of fine motor control. If you watch closely, you can see where I tripped up on some words in my speaking. The antidote to this is breathing. Breathing lowers your heartrate and keeps you in control of your body, so do not be afraid to take a deep breath at any point in your delegation if you start shaking. The floor is yours; you have plenty of time, and people may just think you’re doing a dramatic pause to really let your point sink in 😉
I hope these tips are useful for you. Words are the most powerful weapon of all, and I believe we are going to have to use a lot of them as landowners if we are to turn the tide of political overreach. But don’t be discouraged by apprehension about public speaking. Delegations are not a public speaking contest. It’s just about clear communication to our elected officials on the public record. Once you’ve deployed your words in that way, you have sown an idea that will continue to grow in the minds of all who heard it. Others will begin to talk about your delegation with each other, which will propagate the idea itself. And eventually, these ideas turn into action, and action turns into positive change. Positive change that will live on longer than the original speaker themself. So take pride in your delegation – it is a great service to your fellow citizens!
And personally, I find there is a very satisfying joy in high-fiving your friends in the parking lot afterwards, soaking up your collective victory.
Happy civic engagement everyone!
Deidter Stadnyk
OLA Saugeen Regional VP