Presentation Tips & Templates
for Governing Board Presentations

On this page, the SFWMD is providing professionally designed PowerPoint templates that can be used for presentations at Governing Board meetings. But before deciding which template you like, we strongly recommend that all potential presenters develop their content first, in a simple text document, before preparing your PowerPoint file.

PowerPoint Presentation Tips

PowerPoint slideshows have become the norm for use in most business presentations. They are quick to produce, easy to update and effective to inject visual interest into any presentation. However, they can also make your points less clear – even for experienced presenters. The key to success is to make certain your slide show is a visual aid and not a visual distraction. Remember, PowerPoint is a great tool for presentation design, it is not a graphics editing program. Don't waste valuable time "dressing up" your presentation more than you need to.

Listed below are a few common mistakes to AVOID as you build your presentation, and some suggestions:

1. AVOID Slide Transitions and Sound Effects: Leave the fade-ins, fade-outs, wipes, blinds, dissolves, checkerboards, cuts, covers and splits to Hollywood filmmakers. Even "builds" (lines of text appearing each time you click the mouse) can be distracting. Focus on your message, not the technology. If you must...a simple wipe or dissolve is best. Also, it's good to make your transitions consistent throughout your entire presentation.


2. AVOID Standard Clipart: Make certain that you need graphics to enhance your message. If you do, use good quality photographs or better-quality graphics. For most audiences, try to keep your presentation on the formal side, so no screen beans or tacky images!


3. AVOID Text-Heavy Slides: Projected slides are a good medium for depicting an idea graphically, or providing an overview. They are a poor medium for detail and reading. Avoid paragraphs, quotations and even complete sentences. Limit your slides to five lines of text, and then in your speaking use words and phrases to make your points. The audience will be able to digest and retain key points more easily. Don't use your slides as speaker's notes, or to display an outline of your presentation.


4. AVOID The "Me" Trap: Always remember your audience. Your presentation should be created for your audience's comfort. All elements of any slide should be large enough to be easily seen – by the people in the back as well as the front of the room. Don’t scan a small-scale chart, map or graphic directly from existing print material and include it in their slide show presentations. The results are almost always sub-optimal. Print visuals are meant to be seen by one person, from 8-12 inches away – rather than by many people from several feet away. These images are often too small, too detailed and too full of text for an effective visual presentation. The same is true for font size; 12 point font works for a printed document. In a slideshow, aim for a minimum of 18-28 point font.


5. AVOID Reading: An oral presentation should focus on interactive speaking and listening, not the speaker or the audience reading displayed text. One of your goals as a presenter is to capture and hold the audience's attention. If the audience can read everything you're going to say, that element is lost, and your effectiveness is lowered.


6. AVOID Complete Reliance on Technology: You never know when an equipment malfunction will force you to give your presentation on another computer. Be prepared by having a back-up of your presentation on a CD-ROM. You should still be able to give an excellent presentation if you focus on the message. Always familiarize yourself with the presentation, practice it and be ready to engage the audience regardless of the technology that is available.

Some information noted above was derived from "The Deadly Sins of Powerpoint Presentations" by Dr. Joseph Sommerville. He is the Principal of Peak Communication Performance, a Houston-based firm working worldwide to help professionals develop skills in strategic communication.