Do's and Dont's

Do's 

• Know your microphone – make sure that you know how to turn on and how to turn off the microphone in use. Both microphone units used in the Council Chamber/Committee Room A and the portable microphone units used in the Cabinet Rooms all illuminate red, when your microphone is on. Remember to switch it off when you have finished your speech. 
• Think about a 'sound check' - If you are planning on speaking on a particular item, perhaps think of doing a 'sound check' before the committee meeting starts. To do this, make sure that you attend in good time, to enable a sound check can take place with officers in the committee room. 
• Speak slowly with a strong, clear voice – Remember to speak clearly into the microphone. Try not to speak too quickly, to ensure that your point is made across clearly. 
• Wait your turn –The webcasting system uses camera automation which will automatically turn the camera to you, when you turn your microphone on. Therefore please wait until the chair has finished speaking and invited you to speak. At which point, you would switch your microphone on. 
• Know the voting system – ensure that you know which voting system is in place for each committee i.e. Auditel voting system on the microphone unit, raising of hand or named vote. Be alert and prepared to register your vote at the appropriate time. 
• Watch the webcast – it is always good practice to review your performance. Re watch your speech on the webcast and note any sound quality issues, which could be improved in the way which you position yourself or use the microphones.  

Don'ts  

• Keep your distance - don’t get too close to the microphone, which could distort your voice. Work on standing (or sitting) approximately 8 to 10 inches away from the microphone. If you are too far away from the microphone, it will not pick up your voice. 
• Move the microphone – try to avoid overly moving and adjusting the microphones when the unit is switched on.  
• Moving around - Remember not to turn away from the microphone to look at colleagues or move your head around when speaking, as your voice will keep fading in and out.  
• Clothing and jewellery – Think about what you wear, which might interfere with the microphone. Don't wear clothes that rustle, and make sure that jewellery, security passes/lanyards are out of the way to avoid amplifying their sounds.  
• Coughs and sneezes – don't cough or sneeze into the microphone. Remember to turn away or switch your microphone off if you encounter any seasonal sniffles. 

Other things to consider 

• Mobile phones – remember to switch your phone to silent or aeroplane mode when in committee meetings to avoid any disruptions or interruptions whilst speaking. 
• Committee papers and other desk aids – try not to wave around committee papers near the microphone when speaking. Try to position any desk aids or prompts on the desk in front of you, rather than holding them close to the microphone. 
• Yoga's/Tablets/iPhone – think about the positioning of your yoga/tablet device, so that it doesn't interfere with the microphone or create a barrier between your voice and the microphone. If you plan to use your device as an aid to your speech, think about how you will view it or hold it. 
• Think of thy neighbour – remember that the microphones can pick up and amplify background noises, so if a colleague next to you is speaking, try to avoid any unnecessary noises.