How to write neatly on a board

I asked somebody if they would write on the board during my speech at Club Officer Training. They replied that they had dreadful writing. I started writing a reply and ended up with too much for an email. But here it is in full for your benefit.

First check that any board is a public board and not left behind by the previous speaker. 

Yes, serious problem. I once wrote on a board. Later the owner returned. He was upset that I had written on it using an indelible marker I had found under the board and assumed was part of the ensemble.

Luckily another member was able to tell me that alcohol removes felt tips which are not water soluble. He knew because kids at his school often wrote rude words on boards with so-called indelible wash proof markers.

After hunting through the nearby bar and rejecting the dark rums which might stain we found some clear vodka. It would have cost a lot to buy vodka if we'd had to do that. Fortunately somebody took over as I was by now in a state of nervous collapse. 

The owner of the board said that if the writing could not be removed somebody would have to pay for a new board, needed at his workplace. Since no club or insurance magically appeared, it seemed he wanted me to pay for a new board. 

My fist thought was no. My second thought was I had no choice. Make the best of it. I'd been meaning to buy a board for myself anyway. I was now close to tears hunting for my cheque book, in such a panic it was a missing cheque book. 

I was now obliged to write a cheque for well over a hundred pounds.  So we were in a second dispute about the cost of the board, since others said one can by a similar board half the price.) We were on the point of dividing into two camps of rival clubs and rival supporters, at the amount of loss and cost on both side.  I was about to lose my lift home, about 50 miles on the motorway. 

Fortunately, the alcohol did the trick. We are now all friends - and this is told as a funny story. Coralie told it as the punchline to a humorous 'roast'.  The punchline was that I had written on the board the title of my latest book: How To Get Out Of The Mess You Are In.

So please check whose board you are writing on. Check the pens are suitable. If not, consider using water or use alcohol for removal of text which others do not want left on their board.

How to write neatly on a board:

I did this at a meeting last week when I had no other role and could not refuse somebody who had done me lots of favours. (Don’t ask. OK - he introduced to to Toastmasters and gives me lots of lifts. He was also President of the club.) 

I also had been told I had terrible writing or could not read back my own writing from my handwritten notes but I had to do it. Writing these notes for you has helped me recall what I learned in order to do it better next time or help others. 

Draw your grid at the meeting before the start of the meeting - so you know you have easel which won’t fall and suitable pens. 

IN ADVANCE

Check who owns the board and that you have permission to write.

1 The trick is to draw a frame,  You need 

a) a top space for a title or change of title or subtitle, 

b) left margin for numbers, or letters, or bullet points, 

c)  a right margin for modifiers, 

d) space under frame to write afterthoughts and corrections or modifiers. 

2 Divide the board

a) into two vertical columns 

b) then two or more oblongs. 

You’ve learned the hard part - how to write holding the marker.

You can lift your arm. You have trained your eye and hand to write slowly and level.

First time does not have to be perfect, just good enough.

WHEN ASKED TO WRITE

Do not block the board so people can’t see it. 

Stand aside whilst writing. If that is not possible, stand back after writing. Change from right to left occasionally so that you do not block the view from one direction all the time.

Smile and Listen

Smile and look enthusiastic, as if you are enjoying the job and are really pleased to add what the speaker or audience have said.

When doing nothing either look keenly at the board or at the speaker, or at the audience for their suggestions or corrections.

Get spelling right

Ask in advance for a list of words you might have to write.

If you can’t spell a word, or want to be sure, ask the speaker or audience.

a) Writing should look neat in photos promoting the speaker and the club.

    b) Large enough and clear enough for audience/presenter to read and copy. 

  

   Not so much on a small page so that readers are confused. If you have too many suggestions and feedback, if necessary stop and recap - then start new page of the flip chart. Or pause for everybody to see/take a photo, then wipe clean.

How to keep board visible to all the audience

b) Turn board if possible half way through so that those at far right and far left can see.

If you can’t turn the board - invite those who can’t see to move nearer.Then - when you are called, write slowly.  Watch the tops of the letters are level. Make all the circles and loops round, practise circles for  a o e.

practise or watch letters are same height f l th. Keep letters same length p y g, and double letters tt. 

How to write neatly

Keep any upright and horizontal lines such as capital L parallel with the margins of your oblong - matching any previous letter or word.

Writing on the board is a great non-speaking job to award to somebody who has no other role, especially a shy person who likes to half turn their back on the audience and say nothing.

If you can’t do it, coach somebody else. 

Self confidence in writing

This is what you say:

1 Hypnotise yourself and encourage yourself using NLP (near-linguistic programming -  - put negatives in the past, positives in the future: ' I had terrible writing now but by the time of the meeting I will write perfectly’.

Say it three times. (Hypnosis is saying something three times to somebody who is keen to listen. Brainwashing is saying something non stop for hours to somebody who is trying not to listen.)

Practise alone, with children, grandchildren or others

2 Start praising writing on that grandchild’s kiddie board I saw in your kitchen (tI wrote this to Mike F)

3 Ask your grandchild for help - and honest appraisal - practise together so your both learn

4 Room for improvement - I didn’t tell you that you can't write well yet - you admitted it

5 Surprise us all and impress us at how your writing has improved - take a before and after video - copy your favourite writing style using words we are likely to need

6 Write just one word a day - slowly, using a ruler to keep the lower edge straight.

When to remove the board

Stay nearby to move board out of way of next speaker or Toastmaster of the Day providing links.

Be ready to bring board back  or ask Sergeant at Arms to move board if needed for a summary  or second session.

Check board is returned to owner/cupboard because speaker may be in a hurry to remove notes from pedestal or busy answering series from audience.

Remove private notes from the easel or flip chart so that they do not distract the next speaker, nor another club or public meeting in the same hall at a later date.

Techie Alternative

If you cannot write but can use a computer/laptop/ipad - worst case scenario, you are disabled, or maybe just so used to computers you are scared of writing - or you are writing in a foreign language -
Project onto a screen and type in the letters in a font which mimics handwriting. You can find an pa which uploads one word at a time or even adds one letter at a time. This is done in lots of promotional videos made in the USA as the speaker speaks and hand appears to draw cartoons and captions one line at a time but very fast at the speed of the speaker's speech.

Follow up speech on handwriting by me or you or others

 Will somebody who can write neatly on a board (a teacher?) please give a demo/ speech about it to the club or Club Officer Training..

Note to Speaker/TM - Remember to award copious thanks and praise to the writer.

I’m going to write this on my blog. I must take up life coaching for a living. I could do this for schools and uni and businesses.

 All reasonable offer accepted. You can pay with gold, cash or chocolate biscuits.

Or buy my giant book How To Get Out Of The Mess You’re In. 

Only £7.50, for an signed copy - a bargain because I have already done the research, and paid for printing, and postage.