Speaking Out as a Health Activist
As a health activist have you ever wanted to be at the front of a room? Have you ever had the desire to share your health passions with a group of people and have all ears focused in your direction?
Me too.
In fact, I still do, but I have also had the opportunity to do so recently and I thought I would share something with you about securing these opportunities. If you are interested in speaking publicly as a health activist then there is absolutely one rule you must follow, one rule to get your started.
Just ASK.
I am not a particularly polished speaker at this point in my life. I have not led legions in presentations or seminars, but I have stepped out and spoken up about health topics that I am passionate about. I am just at the beginning of my journey in this direction, and I look forward to following the path further. I am seeking more experience in this area, and how do I get it? By asking.
Recently, I discovered that a social media event was happening somewhat close to my home, Podcamp Topeka. As soon as I checked out the schedule I noticed that it looked as if there might be a couple of holes. I also noticed that no one was talking about health social media. So, I contacted the man in charge and I asked. I asked if they needed additional speakers/presenters and guess what? They did. Then I went about sharing my ideas for a presentation and why I believed I would do a good job. And before I knew it, a matter of days later, I was leading a session at the podcamp.
A little over a year ago I spoke up and offered to speak at the Kansas City Out of the Darkness Community Walk for Suicide Prevention. Giving the "keynote" speech, if you will, at that event was so fulfilling and even self-inspiring. It amazed me that others wanted to hear what I had to say and better yet, I felt really good about what I had to say. It felt so empowering to share my voice "out loud".
I will continue to ask for the opportunity to speak at events about the health topics I am passionate about because with practice I will be able to replace the "umm's" with proper pause or better use of words. I will continue to ask because when someone says yes I have an opportunity to inspire others. With each experience I learn something new about myself and I learn from those who I am speaking to or with. With each presentation or session, I learn more about what my efforts mean to me and to those in the world around me.
If you want to take your message further... really, just ask. You may not always get a yes, but you won't know unless you try!
P.S. I have to share, this experience, of being able to speak in public like this, is in and of itself quite momentous. Just a few years ago this would not have seemed remotely possible to me!
Me too.
In fact, I still do, but I have also had the opportunity to do so recently and I thought I would share something with you about securing these opportunities. If you are interested in speaking publicly as a health activist then there is absolutely one rule you must follow, one rule to get your started.
Just ASK.
I am not a particularly polished speaker at this point in my life. I have not led legions in presentations or seminars, but I have stepped out and spoken up about health topics that I am passionate about. I am just at the beginning of my journey in this direction, and I look forward to following the path further. I am seeking more experience in this area, and how do I get it? By asking.
Recently, I discovered that a social media event was happening somewhat close to my home, Podcamp Topeka. As soon as I checked out the schedule I noticed that it looked as if there might be a couple of holes. I also noticed that no one was talking about health social media. So, I contacted the man in charge and I asked. I asked if they needed additional speakers/presenters and guess what? They did. Then I went about sharing my ideas for a presentation and why I believed I would do a good job. And before I knew it, a matter of days later, I was leading a session at the podcamp.
A little over a year ago I spoke up and offered to speak at the Kansas City Out of the Darkness Community Walk for Suicide Prevention. Giving the "keynote" speech, if you will, at that event was so fulfilling and even self-inspiring. It amazed me that others wanted to hear what I had to say and better yet, I felt really good about what I had to say. It felt so empowering to share my voice "out loud".
I will continue to ask for the opportunity to speak at events about the health topics I am passionate about because with practice I will be able to replace the "umm's" with proper pause or better use of words. I will continue to ask because when someone says yes I have an opportunity to inspire others. With each experience I learn something new about myself and I learn from those who I am speaking to or with. With each presentation or session, I learn more about what my efforts mean to me and to those in the world around me.
If you want to take your message further... really, just ask. You may not always get a yes, but you won't know unless you try!
P.S. I have to share, this experience, of being able to speak in public like this, is in and of itself quite momentous. Just a few years ago this would not have seemed remotely possible to me!
Views: 2
Tags: health activism, health social media, podcamp, public speaking, social media, speaking, speech
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Comment by Karen Graffeo on November 11, 2010 at 8:42am -
Good for you and thanks for sharing your great advice. Believe it or not, it would never have occurred to me to volunteer to be a speaker - I would simply wait to be asked. But yes, we should all start doing the asking ourselves so we can share our insights and experiences. Thank you!!
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Comment by Amy K on November 11, 2010 at 9:53am -
Hi Karen,
Thank you for commenting. I think a lot of people think they should wait to be asked, but really, we may have to seek these opportunities for ourselves!
Amy
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Comment by Ellen S on November 11, 2010 at 5:25pm -
Amy, you are such a go-getter. I'm so glad to have you in our corner! One question - why didn't you tell me you were going to be in Topeka. Girl, I SO would have come to see you!!!
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Comment by Amy K on November 11, 2010 at 9:14pm
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Oh, I didn't think of that Ellen. It would have been so fun to have you there! You were a part of my presentation though. =) We will have to chat sometime soon so I explain how! And honestly, I had just a little more than a week's notice, so it was kind of last minute.
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Comment by Ellen S on November 11, 2010 at 10:04pm
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So I got to be there in spirit then! Yay!! Next time... okay?! :P Hey, did you have someone there to tape it so you could put it up as a vlog post? (See how I brilliantly figure out a way to be useful while I watch you next time!)
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Comment by autoimmune maven on November 14, 2010 at 8:07pm -
I enjoyed reading your post! In the past I turned down the random request to speak, preferring to remain in the background. AS I get older & sicker, I find myself speaking out more. As a nurse, I have great opportunities to teach; however, my fellow nurses need the education as much as the patients! They simply do not understand chronic pain management and the exacerbation/remission process chronic illness manifests. With that being said, I didn't "get it" either--until I turned into a chronic myself. Maybe I'll start jumping on those opportunities instead of passing them by....hmmmm.
Thanks!
Sheila, RN
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Comment by Amy K on November 14, 2010 at 11:28pm
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Great thoughts Sheila, you have a unique perspective as a nurse and a great opportunity to address two different sides of the issues. I say "Go for it!"
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Comment by Jenna Visscher on February 1, 2011 at 11:43am -
Amy, This is such a great suggestion! So the next one becomes - where and for whom? I just set up a new google alert for "social media event denver." It should give me a better idea of what is happening out there for speaking opportunities. If you have any other suggestions, I'd love to hear them. Thanks so much! Jenna
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Comment by Amy K on February 1, 2011 at 11:45am
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Ooh, I'm going to set up a similar google alert myself now! =) Great idea!
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