Offering thanks can seem intimidating at first, but we’re here to make it easy. In your speech, you will thank everyone who helped make your event a success, such as the organizer or guest speaker. You would usually give thanks at a public event, conference or special occasion as the event is about to end. We’ll walk you through all the steps for a great thank you vote. You’re going to do amazing things when your moment comes, so let’s get started!

[Edit]things you should know

• Open your speech by addressing your audience and introducing yourself.
• Thank the people who contributed to your event, such as guest speakers, organizers and participants.
• End your speech by thanking everyone again.
• Keep your speech short and concise.

[Edit]step

[Edit]opening speech

1. Address the audience with an opening line. One option is to start your speech with a quote about giving thanks that you find meaningful.^[1] Alternatively, you can simply greet your audience.^[2] Really draw your audience into the vote of thanks by making them a part of it.
   
   • “Maya Angelou said, ‘Be present in all things, and be grateful for all things.'”
   • “Good evening, distinguished guest.”
   • “Rumi said, ‘Wear gratitude like a cloak, and it will nourish every corner of your life.'”
   • “First of all, I want to thank everyone for being here.”
2. Introduce yourself and your role. If you haven’t already submitted your name, now is a good time!^[3] Tell your audience that you have been asked to deliver the vote of thanks, and explain your connection to the organization in 1 or 2 sentences. You can also include your role in the program.
   
   • “My name is Jane Doe, and I am the chair of the School Anti-Bullying Committee. It is my honor and privilege to thank everyone who helped make this gathering a success.”
   • “I’m Camille Harris, and I’m the host of today’s event. On behalf of the Oakville Food Bank, I have the honor of delivering my vote of thanks today.
3. Admire the organization that brought everyone together. Everyone in the room is likely to have some affiliation with the wider organization. Before you get into the main part of your speech, it’s a good idea to start with an acknowledgment of your host.^[4] Say 1 to 2 sentences about the sponsor of the event.
   
   • “We would not be here without the hard work of the Anti-Bullying Committee. Thank you to our volunteers for working so hard to make today possible.”
   • “I’ll start by thanking the Oakville City Council for bringing us all together today. Thanks to their generosity, this event has been made possible. ,

[Edit]thanks people

1. Identify the people you want to thank. This list usually includes speakers, guests, participants, organizers, volunteers, and sponsors.^[5] Before you give your speech, write down the people and groups you’ll be mentioning so you don’t forget anyone. Everyone you help wants to feel like they played an important role, so make them feel special.
   
   • “I want to thank the teachers for taking time out of their curriculum to allow students to hear this message. Without your support this gathering would be impossible.”
   • “I want to thank Mr. Gomez for speaking on tonight’s program, and I want to thank all of you for your contributions.”
   • “Thanks to our guest speaker, Dr. Wu, for sharing his research on recycling and reusing used materials. I would also like to thank our event organizers for planning dinner tonight and our volunteers for the after-event setup and clean-up. Without them, tonight would not have been possible.”
2. Be honest and concise. You don’t have to be over-the-top to show your appreciation. Ironically, a long speech can turn off your audience — including the people you’re trying to thank. Keep your thank you vote short and sweet to make a big impact.^[6]
   
   • Instead, say, “Mr. Phillips, I cannot thank you enough for letting me use your room to practice. Your generosity and kindness to our committee has been overwhelming, and we would be nothing without you,” Try: “Mr. Phillips, our committee is very grateful to you for letting us use your classroom to practice when we didn’t have anywhere else.”
3. Call back to a specific moment from the event and respond to it. Show the guest speaker that you were actively listening by referencing something they said that stuck with you. In a few sentences, mention an idea that a participant raised and indicate its relevance to the overall themes of the event.^[7] If you can, talk to the speaker ahead of time to find out what points they’re going to make.^[8]
   
   • “I really enjoyed Dr. Wu’s tips on befriending bullies because it reminded me that the goal of our club is to spread kindness.”
   • “Mr. Gomez’s comments about generosity really spoke to me. When we give, we truly create a community.”

[Edit]closing of thanksgiving

1. Outline the value of your organization. At the end of your speech, talk about what makes your organization special and give your audience something to think about.^[9] Emphasize how your group helps your community, or how your audience can become more involved. End your speech by giving the audience a positive outlook on your group.
   
   • “I want to thank everyone who helped our committee make this anti-bullying gathering a reality. We are trying to make our halls a safe, friendly place for all the students who walk beneath them, And it’s events like this that help us achieve that.
   • “I would like to extend my genuine thanks to all of you for helping our organization provide food to those in need. Without you, there would be many more hungry stomachs in our community.
2. Thanks again everyone. When you’re giving a speech, your conclusion should summarize your main points.^[10] In this case, you’re thanking people for helping make your event happen. As you end, address the entire audience with a big “thank you” because they all came together to make the day a success.
   
   • “Again, I am grateful to each and every one of you.”
   • “One last time, I want to express my appreciation to everyone who worked on this program.”
   • “I want to end by thanking you all one last time.”
3. Speak for about 2 to 4 minutes. Be brief in your thank you proposal, especially in closing. It’s the end of the event and your audience doesn’t want to wait. Be mindful of their time and limit what you say Requirements Where to go^[11]
   
   • “Thank you all for taking the time to be here today and listen to me. I am so grateful for this opportunity. Have a great weekend!”
   • “Thank you all for being here tonight.”

[Edit]Advice

• Talk to the person you’re thanking ahead of time so you can get their name correct.^[12]

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Reference