What Fear of Public Speaking?
Know your strengths and weaknesses in communication. In preparation for my speech, I practiced privately for several hours in the bathroom in front of a mirror and timed each presentation. You will gain confidence over time as you speak to greater numbers of groups. I truly enjoy sharing my career with others, especially from a practitioner/consultant viewpoint. There is no substitute for life experiences!
As I left my session at the NSFA National Conference, several people said I should be the keynote speaker next year. These comments made me feel good, as I thought of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who said, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." This quote is much easier to process when you are confident, fearless and passionate about your message to your audience.
Whether you join Toastmasters or not, public speaking is important to your career success. Seek opportunities to speak and feel your confidence grow after each speech. It is the greatest feeling in the world!
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- Fundraiser Education
Duke Haddad, Ed.D., CFRE, is currently associate director of development, director of capital campaigns and director of corporate development for The Salvation Army Indiana Division in Indianapolis. He also serves as president of Duke Haddad and Associates LLC and is a freelance instructor for Nonprofit Web Advisor.
He has been a contributing author to NonProfit PRO since 2008.
He received his doctorate degree from West Virginia University with an emphasis on education administration plus a dissertation on donor characteristics. He received a master’s degree from Marshall University with an emphasis on public administration plus a thesis on annual fund analysis. He secured a bachelor’s degree (cum laude) with an emphasis on marketing/management. He has done post graduate work at the University of Louisville.
Duke has received the Fundraising Executive of the Year Award, from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Indiana Chapter. He also was given the Outstanding West Virginian Award, Kentucky Colonel Award and Sagamore of the Wabash Award from the governors of West Virginia, Kentucky and Indiana, respectively, for his many career contributions in the field of philanthropy. He has maintained a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation for three decades.
