Speech: What Do We Expect of a Renaissance Speaker?

by Bill Moon

In our Admin Scale, we define the ideal scene for our club, Renaissance Speakers. We have also set out the purpose and ideal scene for coaches, including many mechanics that deal with the application of the tools of Scientology to public speaking. But we have not defined the ideal speaker.

Thus, today, I submit my definition to you.

The ideal speaker is one who, through the total command of the mechanics of public speaking, can create any effect he/she intends upon any audience at any time.

This definition distinguishes the mechanics from the intention. Whether you are speaking to inform, persuade or just to entertain, this definition applies. It embodies Axiom 10, from L. Ron Hubbard, which says: “The highest purpose in the universe is the creation of an effect.”

Let me give you an example. When you were on a date with someone you really liked, it was a public speaking engagement! How good a speaker were you? Were you able to create the effect you intended?

Renaissance Speakers is a training ground. We are learning and practicing the mechanics of public speaking. This includes the Toastmaster mechanics of organization, body motion, working with words and props. It also includes the Scientology tools of the Art Series, the Tone Scale, all components of the Communication Formula, and the very components of matter, energy, space and time.

Each of us has a unique set of talents, education and experience that we bring to the lectern. Creativity isn’t the issue. We are all creative. What we expect is that through continual practice, you will master the mechanics more and more and, thus, be more able to utilize that creative ability to carry out your intentions.

So, guys, do we expect you to be an ideal speaker? Nope!

We do expect a Renaissance Speaker to participate, to have fun in the spirit of play and to grow. It is a gradient scale. From wherever you are on that gradient, from absolute novice to professional speaker, there is always that next higher gradient as you progress toward being the ideal speaker.

No matter how good you already are, you can always work at getting better.

So there you are, boys and girls. That’s what we expect of you. So let’s get busy. Participate! Have fun! And grow!

William C. Moon, ATMB
President, Renaissance Speakers 1996
Excerpted from a speech he gave on August 15, 1999.