BEING A GOOD MODERATOR
Being a moderator is not difficult. Everyone can learn. The most important thing is to know what is the important role of the moderator in an event; have public speaking skills and master the language used. If at an international event, of course, you must master English.
The moderator’s job is to create an interesting discussion atmosphere that can be understood by the speaker and audience. Keeping the conversation flowing in the discussion, and ensuring the audience gets the most results of the event.
The initial steps were taken by the moderator:
- Knowing the theme and outline of the event. This will make it easier for the moderator to act as a liaison between the speaker and the audience.
- Knowing who will be the speaker. The moderator must know the curriculum vitae (CV) of the speaker. It can be asked through the organizing committee. If it is allowed, you can get an email or contact of the speaker. However, the information about the speakers is usually handled by the organizing committee.
- Get the slide of the presentation from the speaker. Although it is not in detail, however, it can help the moderator to understand what the speaker will convey.
- If there is a Co-Moderator, the moderator’s task will be lighter. Moderators can share tasks in managing the event. But the largest portion is in the moderator.
- If the event is held semi-virtually, the duties of the moderator and Co-Moderator need to be clarified. Moderators and Co-Moderators must be able to collaborate well. Although sometimes they only met the day before the event.
- If all information has been obtained by the moderator, the next step is to check the equipment that will be used by the moderator such as laptops, writing equipment, paper, and pens as well as clothes to be worn when performing, depending on the type of event (non-formal, semi-formal or formal).
- Participate in the rehearsal with the organizing committee who will cooperate with the MC or attend the rehearsal if you feel confident that you can perform well when the event is held.
When taking a role
MC will read the moderator and Co-Moderator’s CV, then invite the moderator and Co-Moderator to go to the stage or place that has been prepared.
The moderator opens the event with a greeting and greets the audience.
The moderator reads the rules or stages in the presentation, discussion, and question and answer.
Introducing the speakers who will deliver the presentation and the themes or topics that will be delivered by the speakers.
The names and topics of the speakers can be displayed on the screen, assisted by the organizing committee.
Moderator invites the speaker to the stage to sit between the moderator and the co-moderator. Moderators may invite more than one speaker to sit down.
Furthermore, before the speaker appears, the moderator reads the speaker’s CV. After reading the CV, the moderator invited him to come to the podium to start presenting.
After the presentation, the moderator invites the speaker to sit back. This series of steps is the same for other speakers.
After all the speakers have presented, the moderator begins to give the audience the opportunity to ask the designated speaker. Audience questions can be submitted directly or via chat on Zoom because it is semi-virtual (Zoom and offline). Zoom in for audiences who are not present at the event venue but are in other places, either from within the country or from abroad.
Ideally, the moderator provides an opportunity for two questions then allows the speaker/presenter to answer the question directly. If the speaker doesn’t understand the flow of the question, the moderator can clarify the audience’s question. If every two questions are answered, it will make it easier for the speaker to answer and he won’t forget the content of the question.
In practice, sometimes there is one speaker who has an interesting topic and will raise a lot of questions. The moderator should limit the number of questions for each speaker and depend on the available time allocation so that the speaker does not feel attacked. The maximum of questions for the speaker is four. If there are more than four questions, they will be recorded by the Co-moderator to be collected first and will be submitted to the speakers. The speakers can answer via email or another link.
The Co-moderator’s job is to remind each speaker of the length of the time for presenting and to allocate time for questions and answers; read out questions via chat (zoom), and other information when there is a request from the organizing committee.
After the question and answer session, the moderator asks each speaker to give the final words or closing remarks, which could be a conclusion from the material that has been delivered or expectations related to the theme of the event. Next, the Moderator closes the whole series of question and answer sessions and asked the audience to give applause to the speakers and hand the event to the MC.
Nani Kusmiyati
Jonggol, 26 September 2021
Artikel ke-37 KMAA (KARENA MENULIS AKU ADA)
