The Care and Feeding of Audience Volunteers
By Judith E. Pearson, Ph.D.
“May I have a volunteer from the audience, please?” the speaker asks. A moment of quiet hesitation falls over the listeners. The excitement is almost palpable, as audience members consider the question. “Should I?” some are wondering. Others are thinking, “No, not me!” Slowly, or perhaps eagerly, people raise their hands. The presentation suddenly takes on a new, more personal dimension! As the volunteer walks toward the platform, the speaker now has the undivided attention of every person in the audience!
Why Involve Audience Volunteers?
Recruiting audience volunteers can add interest and educational value
to a speech or seminar. Volunteers increase the impact and memorability
of the presentation. A speaker can employ volunteers to demonstrate a product
or procedure, illustrate some aspect of human behavior or teach a skill.
A volunteer’s performance can lend credence to the message. The audience
feels a sort of kinship with the volunteer and looks upon him or her as “one
of us.” So whatever happens to the volunteer on the platform, the
audience experiences it vicariously. If the volunteer’s actions exemplify
the speaker’s words, then they “prove” to the audience
that the speaker is truthful and knowledgeable.
A volunteer also can add to the sense of fun and entertainment, especially
if the speaker recruits someone who can become
“part of the act.” Sometimes, when the personality mix is right,
the speaker and volunteer can play off each other for humorous results.
Despite these advantages, calling on audience volunteers carries a risk
for the speaker. There is an element of unpredictability, because you can
never know exactly how a person will respond. You need some know-how to
employ volunteers effectively.
How to do it Right
Below are seven pointers for working with volunteers during your presentation.
These guidelines are culled from books on stagecraft and group dynamics,
my own experiences as a speaker, as well as conversations with many colleagues
who are professional trainers and seminar leaders.
- Prepare your presentation with a specific purpose for the volunteer. If you decide to use a volunteer in your presentation, have a clear purpose in mind for doing so. Make certain that what you ask the volunteer to do will clearly illustrate your point. Plan the volunteer’s task and how you will instruct him or her to accomplish it. Practice your instructions on friends, family and fellow Toastmasters to make sure your wording is clear and easy to follow, and that others can carry out the task smoothly in the desired manner. By timing your practice sessions, you can determine how much time to allow for the volunteer portion of your presentation.
- Select volunteers who seem receptive and cooperative. Get
acquainted with your audience so you can choose volunteers wisely. If
possible, be present when your audience enters the room and introduce
yourself to some of them. Engage in some friendly banter prior to your
formal presentation. In this way, you can determine those people who
seem happy to be there and agreeable toward your message - they might
make the best volunteers! When you begin your presentation, watch the
faces of your audience. When you see nods of approval and smiles of agreement,
those are good potential volunteers! Maintain eye contact with the people
you want most for volunteers, and, if it suits your style, engage them
Some speakers screen volunteers before inviting them to the platform. They ask people who raise their hands a few simple questions, and choose from among those who give the most promising answers or favorable responses. Speakers might ask about previous experience with the product or knowledge of the subject matter. Some stage entertainers and seminar leaders announce, in advance, that they reserve the right to choose the volunteers who seem best suited for the demonstration and the right to dismiss any volunteers who are not well-suited, so that the audience might derive the most benefit and/or enjoyment from the presentation. - Make your invitation sound attractive. When you ask for volunteers, indicate that their role is special. Say they will learn or benefit more from volunteering than anyone sitting in the audience. Don’t refer to volunteers in one-down terms, such as “subjects.” Make your volunteers the stars of the show! Let them anticipate that they will have fun and be treated with respect.
- When the audience member joins you on the platform, welcome her and quickly establish rapport. Shake hands. Engage in some social chitchat. Agree to call each other by your first names. If the volunteer seems nervous, smile and agree that the perspective from the platform is, indeed, different from that of the audience. Say things to compliment the volunteer and put her at ease. Attend to her comfort as much as possible.
- Ensure that your volunteer’s performance is successful,
safe and rewarding. Do whatever you can to make sure the volunteer
can carry out your instructions and complete the task satisfactorily.
Make the task easy and simple and praise the volunteer’s efforts.
Give assistance, positive feedback and encouragement where appropriate.
Do not upstage or embarrass your volunteer in any way. In fact, if
the volunteer gets a laugh at your expense, so much the better - the
As the speaker, you are responsible for the well-being and safety of the volunteers who share your platform. Never involve the volunteer in anything that is risky psychologically or physically – after all, you don’t want a lawsuit on your hands! If your platform is on a riser with stairs, make sure a hand rail is provided, or there is someone to assist the volunteer with the stairs. Don’t let a volunteer wander too near the edge of the platform, or bump into anything. If you offer a volunteer a chair, make sure it is a sturdy, stable chair. Accommodate volunteers with disabilities - for example, offer a chair to someone on crutches. Have a glass of water nearby, in case the volunteer’s mouth becomes dry. If there are obstacles on the platform, such as microphone cord or amplifiers, point these out to the volunteer and make sure he steps around them (ideally, microphone cords will be taped down).
If your volunteers are going to engage in physical activity, such as jumping or hopping, make sure they are physically up to the feat and properly attired. Ask them to remove any gum to prevent choking. Always keep an eye on your volunteer and make sure they are safe. Some presenters go so far as to have volunteers sign waivers of liability prior to their participation. If your volunteer, or anyone in your audience for that matter, should become injured or ill, stop the presentation and obtain emergency assistance immediately.
Treat volunteers with courtesy and respect and behave in a professional, ethical manner at all times. Unless surprise or discovery is an element of your presentation, inform your volunteers in advance about what they can expect from their participation and what you want them to do. Check for their consent and understanding. Let your volunteers know how much time is allowed for their participation. If you want children to volunteer, obtain permission for their participation from parents or chaperones who are in the audience (or invite the parent or chaperone to accompany the child).
Never touch a volunteer gratuitously. Touch only when necessary. Touch gently, with courtesy and respect. Always let volunteers know where and when you plan to touch them and obtain at least tacit consent. If your demonstration involves touching, as in the case of demonstrating first aid, giving a cosmetic make-over or showing a massage technique, of course your volunteer expects to be touched. In any event, always keep your subject informed by commenting along the lines of “I am going to steady your elbow now.” - Prepare for contingencies. Since volunteers are
unpredictable, you must prepare for what could go wrong. If a volunteer
seems afraid or reluctant to undertake the task you have described, don’t
coax or prod or insist. If possible, give choices, advice and assistance
on how to proceed, or offer the option that he can return to his seat
in the audience. If a volunteer wants to opt out, be gracious and accept
his decision. Thank him for his effort. If the volunteer makes an obvious
mistake, cover for him as much as you can, help out or let him start
over. Take responsibility for the volunteer’s mistake in any way
you can. You could say, “This is not an easy task, and no one does
it perfectly.”
Perhaps you can use humor to alleviate tension, as long as it is not
at the volunteer’s expense. Say something that helps the volunteer
maintain composure and save face. Make it clear that you value participation,
One solution for a reluctant volunteer, or one who is inept, is to choose a “committee” of volunteers. Your volunteers will feel more comfortable because there is safety in numbers. Now if one volunteer does not produce the desired behavior, you always have back-ups. Just say, “That’s a good job. Now let Susan have a turn.”
Stay on task with your volunteer and don’t get side-tracked if she wants to change the task or go beyond what you have asked. As a mental health counselor who gives self-help seminars, I often invite audience members to discuss personal experiences relevant to my presentation. Sometimes I engage volunteers in a brief growth or learning exercise to demonstrate a point. I am very careful, however, not to get into intensive psychotherapy on the platform! If you give your volunteer too much latitude, you could lose control of your presentation, run overtime, and get into subject matter beyond the scope of your speech!
If a volunteer becomes disagreeable or oppositional, use your judgment to determine whether to allow the person to stay on the platform. Remain as agreeable and friendly as possible and don’t get into a power struggle. Perhaps you could say, “You make a very good point that this process (or product) is not for everyone. Only certain people can do it or benefit from it, and I am glad you have made that clear.” Another possible solution is to glance at your watch and say, “We are running out of time and I am going to move onto the next part of the presentation. Thank you so much for your participation.” Escort the volunteer off the platform, amidst a round of applause.
What if no one volunteers? This is a rare occurrence. Usually in any group there are enough “hams,” extroverts or Toastmasters that someone will volunteer. However, it is possible that in a small group no one will volunteer. If so, do this: Engage the group in a brief activity (relevant to your topic) in which some will perform better than others. Then praise the audience members with the best results and ask one or a few of them to come forward as volunteers. - Reward your volunteers! When the demonstration is complete, thank your volunteers for participating. Tell them what a great job they did! Escort them off the platform and make sure the audience gives them a round of applause. Some speakers even give small gifts as the volunteers leave the platform. If you are promoting a product, give the volunteer a free sample. Other audience members will want one too!
Conclusion
Volunteers can add an exciting dimension to your presentations! Care for them by treating them with dignity and respect. Feed them with accolades and praise. See to it that they have fun, experience success and receive applause. Look after their welfare. In the eyes of the audience, whatever happens to the volunteer could happen to one of them. So conduct yourself in a professional, courteous manner at all times, and make your volunteer’s participation worthwhile and pleasurable!
Judith E. Pearson, Ph.D. is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a practice in Springfield, Virginia, specializing in solution-oriented counseling and coaching using Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Hypnotherapy. Visit her web site at www.engagethepower.com.