Stress Free Moderating

1. Stress Free Moderating

2. Before the Event In good League Tradition, we’re sure you have: • Board adopted criteria • Invited all eligible Candidates • Found a pro-bono attorney (JUST in case) • Know the laws

3. Before the Event…

4. Before the Event…

5. Before the Event…

6. Choosing the Moderator

7. How Do I Become a Moderator?

8. Formats

9. Candidate Opening Statement • 1-5 minutes (depending on amount of time constraints and number of candidates) • Timed opening statements are drawn in lot order

10. Questions Can Be… • Prepared by the League and co-sponsors • Submitted in writing at the event and reviewed • Asked by the audience from the floor (can limit the time) • Asked by a panel of questioners • Asked by the candidates of each other • Ruled out of order by the moderator

11. the same question asked of each candidate • the same asked of one candidate with opportunity of opponents to respond • the same question asked of some candidates by random draw

12. Open “Cross-Talk” Period • Candidates discuss a given topic or question for a timed period • Period may immediately follow a timed question response on that issue • Could be used for rebuttal or elaboration

13. Cumulative Time • Candidates are timed as they speak by a timekeeper assigned to them and a cumulative time is kept • Can elect to use their time on questions on which they have a particular interest In this format, there is more open exchange, and candidates can have more give and take on the issues.

14. Candidates’ Closing Statements • 1-5 minutes • in drawn lot order • reverse order of opening statements

15. Questions: The Challenge • Pertinent to the office and the issues • Not of a personal nature • Not designed to attack a particular candidate • Not repetitive or duplicative • Asked of all the candidates/ each candidate able to respond

16. Questions: The Challenge Guideline for Questions from the Floor: • No speech, personal history, editorial or argument • Remind long winded questioners about purpose of forum • Person should stand, state their names, use a microphone if possible • Person should state which candidate is being addressed • If all candidates are addressed by the question, rotate the order of answering such questions • Encourage precision, brevity, simplicity • No repeats until all have had a chance • Question is addressed to you, and repeated by you for the candidates • May set a time limit per person

17. You should be: • Absolutely neutral • Fair but firm • Considerate and respectful of the candidates and the audience. • Dignified but relaxed

18. You should also: • Help the candidates to relax; they’re nervous • Humor is good - Smile! • Be respectful, ………but you’re in charge • Be flexible. Things come up • The audience is not the enemy or children to be disciplined • You are there to serve the public interest, not the candidates, or the media’s interest

19. Butterflies • It’s natural and normal to be nervous • Use the energy • Deep breaths • Focus on the forum, not yourself • The audience won’t notice • The audience wants you to do well • Don’t apologize for your nervousness • Imagine two hours from the start

20. Butterflies: • Think the entire evening through - from how you’ll dress - on… It helps! • Imagine what can go wrong and imagine what you will do • Start and finish strong • Know what you’re going to say “first” • “Act” • Posture • Demeanor • Tone of voice

21. Be Well Prepared

22. Be Well Prepared Know the venue! • Get there early • Plan the space for people and equipment

23. Be Well Prepared • Prepare a script/outline • Candidates correspondences • Time limits • Staffing • Timekeeping procedures • Know the rules and League policies on no-shows, party participation, stand-ins, etc.

24. Know the Race

25. Know the Candidates • Bios • Who is/is not participating & why • How to pronounce their names, how you will address them

26. Other Things to Know • Know the audience • Know the issues • Anticipate audience questions • Anticipate things that can go wrong

27. At the Event

28. Come Early! • Podium, tables, chairs are set up correctly • Timing equipment at visible location • Water • “League” branding (banners and buttons) well displayed • League information and membership materials • Name cards for candidates • Name tag for you

29. Meet the Candidates • Introductions • Name pronunciation and titles • Review the rules, time limits and timing procedures • Draw lots (or you can do this in front of the audience)

30. Dealing with Media • Any special needs • Remember to promote the League You are not operating in the interest of the media

31. Be Media Savvy • Understand FCC guidelines. • Media Deadlines • Videotape can only be shown it its entirety

32. Partnering If you’re working with a sponsoring organization or as a co-sponsor: • You might want to share the introduction and wrap-up • Agree on the time allotments on content

33. Script Elements

34. Welcoming Remarks TOOT YOUR HORN! Ask people to join. Tell your story. • Non-partisanship • Introductions • Statement about the office for which the candidates are running • Statement about the race (how many candidates, for what term, what it takes to win) • Statement about what candidates are not participating and why • Statement about how to vote in this election (when, where, how, absentee voting) • Introduction of the candidates (names, not bio)

35. Guidelines • Format • Time limit(s) • Order of presentation • Questions and questioning procedure • Audience behavior • Total expected elapsed time

36. Introduction of each candidate for his/her opening statements • Questions/Answers/Discussion • Introduction of each candidate for closing statements • Wrap-up and Closure • Statement of broadcast schedule if relevant • Encourage the audience to encourage others to vote • Invite people to join/support the League • Close the meeting, and/or hand it back over to the sponsor • “Thank you notes”

37. Maintaining Control • Meet with the candidates - format and rules • State the rules for the audience • Applause • Electioneering • Asking questions • Maintain access & control of the microphone • Microphone for audience needs monitor • Watch the time keeper’s signals and interrupt if necessary! • You have the right to: • Call for a recess • Adjourn the meeting if it gets out of control • Call for security to remove a disorderly person

38. Handling Situations What do you do when…

39. What do you do when… • Candidates that go over time • Candidates that get obstreperous • Disruptions/Hecklers • Audiences that get unruly • Questions that are really an attack

40. What do you do when… • Questioners that want to argue with a candidate • Questioners that want to make a speech • Repetitive Record Questions • People demand to see the questions afterwards

41. After the Debate

42. Here are some ideas! • Thank you notes • Follow up on sign-ins with membership information • Press release -broadcast schedules • Evaluate what worked • What you could do better?

43. Give Yourself A Hand!!

44. Other Resources LWVUS Website:http://www.lwv.org • Face to Face: A Guide to Candidate Debates, • FAQs on Debates, • Candidate Participation Legal Guidance and • Sample Script • Debate Watching Party Tips LWVMA Website:http://www.lwvma.org • Moderator’s Handbook: LWVM LWVNY Website:http://www.lwvny.org • Road to the Voting Booth: Part II Government Websites (FCC, IRS, FEC)

45. More Questions? Email LWVUS Board Members: • Dianne Wheatley-Giliotti Wheatley@tampabay.rr.com • Marcia Merrins mmerrins@netsync.net Join the Voters’ Service Discussion List Share Questions and ideas with each other!