Opening A Vote Of Thanks

by Ewan McCall
(Canada)

I am very worried about public speaking and have been asked to do a Vote of Thanks speech at graduation.
Can you help with some tips about opening the speech.




In Reply

This is expected to be a simple heartfelt type of speech.

If you feel particularly nervous you could stick with a formal graduation speech.

Open with "Principal (name), (name guests), Students and Families.

Before proposing the vote of thanks let me add my own congratulations to my fellow graduates.


Now go through in order the thanks you have to make. Perhaps you have an agreed list and order with the organiser.

If you do have some material on the people you are thanking you may be able to say something for some of them that lets the audience know why they have been so important.