Despite Christmas it seems we haven’t forgotten our pagan roots. When the dark nights close in we try to banish them with flickering candles and festive gatherings. Winter is the time when, whatever the reason, annual dinners are held and people get together to enjoy good food and good cheer.
It isn’t always for selfish reasons. There are benevolent association dinners where workers gather to raise funds for a colleague who has hit on hard times. There are fundraisers for a children’s charity or for sufferers from an illness such as cancer or heart disease. Perhaps the organisers know that in winter we have more time to think of others and suffering seems more poignant in the dark and dreary months.
On the other hand of course there are family re-unions when families travel long distances just to meet each other and to celebrate the festive season. A Christmas wedding is special simply because besides the frills and flounces we have the sparkle and staff motivational speeches perhaps because they have a captive audience. After all most of us aren’t out playing tennis or fishing in the long dark nights of winter. Clubs and societies therefore, choose to have their parties in December or January.
So if you are invited to a dinner or a gathering make the effort, dress up and go. Our ancestors were right. Fun and laughter and good company are the best possible ways to banish the dark devils of those long cold nights.

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An acceptance speech was given
T’will go down in our history
As Obama was duly elected
The new hope for democracy.
He promised troops out of Iraq
But to keep them in Afghanistan
He’d make America great once more
His party political fundraisers saw that he ran
On a ticket that promised great reform
Of tax and health and that he would storm
With his election campaign he’s surely be
In the White House claiming a victory
But McCain says the same, they’re neck and neck
Exciting times ahead surely by heck!

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There are hundreds on wonderful charities and no shortage of fundraising events. If you want to grab the attention of your audience you should speak from the heart and from your own personal experience. Say what it’s like to be in hospital for months. Tell people what a difference a special hospital unit would make to the children in your area. .Explain how difficult it is to drive miles for treatment. Wring their hearts and their purse strings.

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There are thousands of good causes and an equal number of appeals. So you should tell one story about how each member of your audience can personally make a difference to your one chosen charity. Involve them in what you are trying to do. Talk about the progress that is being made with their help. Urge them to continue helping. Then leave them with the feel good factor that comes from doing something for others.

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Have you ever been asked to speak to a charity group or a group of bee-keepers? Even if you are a tax expert your speech should relate to the interests of your audience. So you might say that there is tax relief on clothes bought specifically for their work as bee-keepers or that the charity group can claim tax free status. Making it personal is the best way to keep them interested.

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Has it ever occured to you that speaking in church is very different to giving an ordinary speech? If you are reading from the Bible the punctuation and language is totally different to that of our everyday use. So you have to practice reading aloud and you also need to check on those unfamiliar names of people and places. So ask the experts. If you are makign an appeal for a charity for instance, tell a story because that’s the best way to grab the attention of your audience and make them emphasise with the charity in question.Remember too that churches can be bigger than an ordinary hall and make sure the amplification system is working properly before you start.

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There are so many charities it is difficult to make an original type appeal for funds. Your speech needs to be motivational, showing exactly what will be done with the donations you hope to get. Make it personal too saying that the wheel chair you can buy with the funds will help Mary join the local youth club or your funds will change John’s life by enabling him to travel to Russia for the treatment he needs for his illness. Motivate your audience to make a contribution and help them to emphatise with those in need.

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