Keynote Speaking and Leadership Training including OPD for Marriage Celebrants

This is where you will find a fun, interactive OPD activity which has been approved by the Attorney-General's Department.

It's a hands-on training session in public speaking skills designed to help you feel confident and look professional when delivering a ceremony.

The course can be conducted in a group or individually.

One of the most important - and fun - aspects of this course is that participants are asked to bring along a ceremony script.
Participants studying to become celebrants can bring one they have prepared for their celebrant's training course.

At various times during the course a few participants will stand up and read out a section of their script.
This is then evaluated in light of the topics we have been discussing.

This is often rated as one of the most useful parts of the activity.
It's always rated as the most fun!

The skills developed in this activity are essential to any type of ceremony, religious or civil.

Here's what we will cover in the activity:

How you use your voice

Your voice is one of your most important tools and used well,
it will enhance the ceremony. The ability to engage an audience
with one's voice and speak in an appropriate manner is
essential to the professional celebrant.

The role of body language

In your work as a celebrant, you may not think that body language is particularly important. It's true that you may not be waving your arms around with expansive gestures, but body language is much more than that.

Your manner and attitude

A celebrant's manner and attitude is crucial to the success of a ceremony. The effect that these can have will be demonstrated and discussed.

Overcoming nerves

When it comes to public presentations of any sort, nerves are often part of the picture. We will discuss what you can do about it and how some top entertainers cope with nerves.

The structure and language of your ceremony scripts

A ceremony script that flows well and is constructed properly makes it easy for the audience and sounds professional.

Your personal preparation and presentation

Preparation is key to your professionalism and success.
We will look at ways to prepare and the importance of the audience's perception. We will discuss how one of Australia's top performers prepares.

All participants are given a folder which includes

course notes
a certificate
a signed Letter of Completion (for your OPD accreditation)
my contact details in case you have any further questions after the course.

Duration: Two hours OPD accreditation.

Note that the time taken to actually run the activity will vary.
For an individual celebrant, two hours is required.
For a group of celebrants together, up to three hours is recommended to allow for as many celebrants as possible to participate.

The activity title is: Speaker's Edge - public speaking skills for the professional, confident celebrant.

The activity code number is 08807 for 2008/09.

"I cannot thank you enough for the Speaker's Edge Ongoing Professional Development training course.

Of all the Marriage Celebrant Training Courses I have attended, this has been the most helpful for me.

What was particularly helpful was the instruction and correction in the use and control of the voice; I have learnt ways in which the attention of the people listening can be increased.

My sincere thanks for the skilful professional way you conducted your training"
C.Y.
Pastor & Celebrant

"I am writing to thank you for a first-class presentation at the Ongoing Professional Development (OPD) training..

There is no doubt that your presentation was well accepted by the Marriage Celebrants present and this was reflected in the encouraging comments made to me at the conclusion"
K.Lammond
President AAMCA

"Yes, it is well worth the time. One of the most important and helpful OPD"
M.W.

"Very professional, I would recommend attending any course Greg was presenting"
C.W.

"The presenter knows his subject well and uses the audience participation well"
G.B.

"I would recommend the presentation. I found it extremely valuable"
J.T.

"Very informative and personable presenter for a more successful ceremony"
D.P.

"I would recommend Greg's course for other celebrants"
S.P.