We're Off to a Busy Start!

Our Reach volunteers have been super busy! Here are some of the things they've been up to:

Wednesday, September 18th- Ana Porras gave a presentation at LaFollette high school about Colombian geography and culture.

Thursday 9/19- Sunday 9/21 several of our volunteers helped out at Madison's 10th Annual World Music Festival by introducing some of the bands. Shout out to Cecilia Wester, Jeanne Essame, Meareg Amare, Lily Khadempour, Maria Sonia Ares Gomez, and Blanca Llodra for doing an awesome job!

Jeanne introducing Christine Salem

We also have a ton of exciting upcoming events!
On October 8th from 5:30-7:00pm we're having a training social! Come join us for free food, fun, and a great, interactive presentation on intercultural dialogue.

WUD Global Connections is doing an educational event on October 16th. The event will be a discussion on Egypt/ Syria and will feature a panel of American and international students to give their opinions, experiences, and thoughts of the issue.

They are doing a similar event November 14th but with a focus on Israel/ Palestine

November 14th is also World Languages Day! Several of our volunteers are participating by doing an engaging presentation in front of 50 high schools students.

We're also looking to bring back Storytime! We ask for volunteers to read a story from their own childhood to Madison's kids. If you're interested email reach@studentlife.wisc.edu for more details!

See you all soon!

Presentation Tips 

Ensuring a Great Presentation in the First 60 Seconds
(Excerpts from an article entitled "Nailing a Great Presentation in the First 60 Seconds" by Bruce Kasanoff - http://tinyurl.com/nswtnf2) 

Whether you are making a presentation at your local library or to senior executives at your firm, the first 60 seconds set you up for success or failure.

The first 60 seconds you spend in front of an audience are pivotal. If you're nervous or too excited, time can be a blur. But this is when the audience decides whether or not they like you, and it's your best opportunity to get in a groove that will guide you through the rest of your presentation.

Here are some suggestions:

• Plan your opening in advance. You should know exactly how you are going to open your speech. Just as people do when meeting a stranger, audiences will notice your body language, confidence level and demeanor. Don't just focus on what you will say; practice your movements and tone. Look for ways to signal that you are a person with a valuable message to share.
• If at all possible, prepare the room in advance to your liking. If you like to move around, give yourself room to move. If you feel more comfortable in one place, set up any aids (water, notes, clicker...) so they are easy to access. Make sure the lighting is right. The worst thing you can do is to step in front and start fumbling around.
• Expect the unexpected. I've had 45 hung-over people show up for a "major keynote speech" (lesson: never be the first speaker of the morning in a casino) and 500 show up for a "casual little discussion." At one event in an arena, all the lights went off while I was speaking, then back on again 30 seconds later. No matter what happens, your role is to remain calm and composed. If you do this, you will win over the room. I actually rehearse how I might react to unexpected occurrences.
• Be immediately interesting. Even if you have housekeeping notes or details to go over with the audience, don't start with these! First, build a rapport and demonstrate that you are both in control and worth their attention. Audiences are happy to support a speaker, once they recognize his or her talents.
• If you are terrified, use that terror to your advantage. As part of your planned opening, say something that either acknowledges your anxiety or makes it seem like good acting. In the past, I've opened with stories that began, "If it seems like I'm nervous, it's because _____" and then wove that into a joke, cautionary tale or vivid example of what we'd be focused on in my session.

How to Nail the First 60 Seconds of Your Presentation from Bruce Kasanoff

Reach has a new Program Assistant!

Hi All!

Welcome to Madison- we are very excited to have you here! I hope you're all adjusting well, enjoying your classes and taking advantage of the beautiful, warm weather while it lasts. I'm Allison Blader- I'll be replacing Maggie Streeten at Reach because she has graduated and is leaving for Senegal with the Peace Corps soon!

I'm a senior majoring in International Studies with certificates in Global Health and Gender &Women's studies. Before working for Reach, I had my time as an international student. I spent a semester in Israel at the University of Haifa where I studied Peace & Conflict studies, attempted to speak Hebrew, and ate my weight in hummus.

                                                                             Representing UW-Madison in Haifa!

  I also spent a semester in Sri Lanka where I did a research project on women's health, explored, and ate my weight in curry.

Being an ambassador and teaching my host siblings how to dance Backstreet Boy style

 

 

 

 

I'm thrilled to be starting at Reach and I have tons of fun, new ideas for us! I can't wait to meet and work with all of you. I'm sure you are all drowning in homework already but feel free to stop by and say hi at the ISS office.

For those who don't know and to remind those who do:
Make sure to check out our Facebook page
We're also on Twitter
And we have a website !

Feel free to email me at reach@studentlife.wisc.edu with any questions or if you (or a friend) is interested in joining Reach! Also, don't forget to come to our orientation session on Tuesday, Septemper 17th at 5pm in Mezzanine C  above the ISS offices.

Can't wait to meet all of you!

Best,

Allison