Presentation Guide

Delivering Effective Presentations

You don’t need to be a professional speaker to deliver impactful drug awareness presentations. This guide covers how to prepare, deliver, and follow up on presentations to students and community groups.

You're Not Alone

You have excellent materials to work with, and most audiences are receptive and appreciative. Focus on sharing the message, not being perfect.

Know Your Audience

Age-Appropriate Content

Grade Level	Age	Focus Topics	Approach
K-2	5-8	Medicine safety, trusted adults, saying no to strangers	Stories, simple rules, fun activities
3-5	8-11	Peer pressure, good choices, understanding substances	Interactive discussion, scenarios, Elroy
6-8	11-14	Vaping, marijuana, peer pressure, consequences	Real scenarios, facts, open discussion
9-12	14-18	Vaping, opioids, alcohol, decision-making, goals	Frank discussion, statistics, resources
Parents	Adults	Warning signs, communication tips, current trends	Practical guidance, resources, Q&A

Topics by Grade

Elementary (K-5):

✅ Medicine is only from trusted adults
✅ Your body is yours - keep it healthy
✅ Saying no to peer pressure
✅ Trusted adults you can talk to
❌ Specific drug details or effects
❌ Addiction stories
❌ Graphic consequences

Middle School (6-8):

✅ Vaping and e-cigarettes
✅ Marijuana facts and myths
✅ Prescription drug safety
✅ Peer pressure strategies
✅ Short and long-term consequences
❌ Detailed “how to use” information
❌ Scare tactics

High School (9-12):

✅ Vaping epidemic and health effects
✅ Opioid crisis and fentanyl dangers
✅ Alcohol and decision-making
✅ Impact on goals and future
✅ Where to get help
❌ Moralizing or lecturing
❌ Assuming all students use drugs

Preparation

Before You Present

1. Coordinate with the School (1-2 weeks before)

Confirm date, time, and location
Ask about class size and grade level
Clarify time allotted (typically 30-45 minutes)
Ask about AV equipment availability
Understand the school’s photo/media policy
Ask if there are any sensitive situations to be aware of

2. Know Your Materials

Review the materials you’ll use
Practice with any videos or activities
Know where to find information if asked questions
Have backup plans if technology fails

3. Prepare Your Materials

Count handouts to ensure enough for all students
Organize materials in order of use
Bring extras (pens, paper, backup materials)
Test any digital content

Presentation Checklist

The Day Before:

Day Of - Bring:

Educational materials for students
Activity books or handouts
Sign-in sheet for your records
Business cards or contact info
Camera/phone for photos (if permitted)
Backup activity in case of extra time

Presentation Structure

Basic Framework (30-45 minutes)

Time	Segment	Purpose
5 min	Introduction	Who you are, why you’re here
15-20 min	Core Content	Key messages with interaction
5-10 min	Activity	Reinforce learning
5-10 min	Q&A / Wrap-up	Answer questions, summarize

Sample Elementary Presentation (K-5)

Introduction (5 min)

“Hi everyone! My name is [Name] and I’m here from the Elks. Has anyone heard of the Elks? We’re a group of people who help our community, and one of the ways we help is by talking to kids like you about making healthy choices.”

Core Content (15 min)

Talk about what medicine is (helps us when we’re sick)
Only take medicine from trusted adults (parents, doctor, school nurse)
What are trusted adults? (parents, teachers, police officers)
Your body is special - keep it healthy
Sometimes people might offer you something - it’s okay to say no!

Activity (10 min)

Color a page from the DAP activity book
Practice saying “No thank you!” in different ways
Role-play scenario (optional)

Wrap-up (5 min)

Review key points
Hand out materials to take home
Thank the class and teacher

Sample Middle/High School Presentation (6-12)

Introduction (5 min)

“I’m [Name] from [Lodge] Elks Lodge. I’m not here to lecture you or tell you what to do. I’m here to share some facts so you can make informed decisions. You’re smart - you deserve real information.”

Core Content (20 min)

Start with what they already know (ask questions)
Share current facts about vaping, marijuana, or other relevant topics
Discuss short-term and long-term effects
Talk about peer pressure and ways to handle it
Connect to their goals (sports, college, careers)

Discussion/Activity (10 min)

Scenario discussions: “What would you do if…”
Small group brainstorm on refusal strategies
Share resources for help

Wrap-up (5-10 min)

Open Q&A
Summarize key takeaways
Distribute materials
Share where to get help if needed

Delivery Tips

Do’s and Don’ts

Do:

✅ Be yourself - authenticity matters
✅ Make eye contact around the room
✅ Move around (don’t hide behind a podium)
✅ Ask questions to engage students
✅ Use their names if possible
✅ Share appropriate stories or examples
✅ Acknowledge that decisions are hard
✅ Be positive about their ability to make good choices

Don’t:

❌ Lecture or moralize
❌ Use scare tactics or graphic images
❌ Share personal drug use stories
❌ Single out individual students
❌ Assume everyone uses or will use drugs
❌ Be judgmental about questions
❌ Go over your time limit
❌ Make promises you can’t keep

Engaging Different Ages

Elementary:

Use a friendly, warm tone
Incorporate movement and songs
Use visual aids and props
Keep segments short (5-7 minutes max)
Praise participation generously

Middle School:

Acknowledge they’re growing up
Be real - they can detect fake
Use scenarios they can relate to
Allow discussion but manage it
Respect their emerging independence

High School:

Treat them as young adults
Share facts, not opinions
Be open to their questions and pushback
Connect to their actual concerns (future, relationships)
Acknowledge complexity

Handling Difficult Situations

Tough Questions

Question	How to Handle
”Have you ever done drugs?"	"This isn’t about me - let’s focus on giving you information to make your own choices."
"Isn’t marijuana legal now?"	"Laws vary by state and age. Let’s talk about what the research says about effects on developing brains."
"My parent uses drugs"	"That’s a hard situation. I’m glad you felt comfortable sharing. Can we talk after class? There are people who can help.”
Something you don’t know	”Great question. I don’t know the answer, but I’ll find out and get back to your teacher.”

Disclosures

Sometimes students disclose personal situations (addiction in family, their own use, etc.).

In the moment:

Thank them for sharing
Don’t express shock or judgment
Keep the focus general: “That’s a situation some families face…”
Offer to talk after class if appropriate

After class:

Alert the teacher or school counselor
Don’t try to counsel the student yourself
Provide resources if appropriate
Follow up with school contact

Mandatory Reporting

If a student discloses abuse or immediate danger, alert school staff immediately. They are trained in mandatory reporting requirements.

Challenging Behaviors

Behavior	Response
Disruptive student	Redirect attention, involve the teacher if needed
Class clown making jokes	Acknowledge humor briefly, redirect to topic
Student argues/pushes back	”That’s an interesting perspective. Let’s hear from others too.”
No one participating	Ask easier questions, use think-pair-share, call on volunteers
Running out of time	Skip activity, summarize key points, leave materials

Using DAP Materials

Available Resources

Material	Best For	Where to Get
”What Heroes Do” activity books	Elementary students	Request from State Chair
Brochures by topic	All ages - take home	Print Catalog
Awkward Conversations videos	Parents, older teens	Videos
DEA resources	Background info, detailed content	DEA Resources
Coloring pages	Young children	Download from training site

Tips for Using Materials

Preview everything before presenting
Don’t read from materials - use them as supplements
Hand out materials at the end to avoid distraction
Highlight specific pages for students to explore
Include materials for parents when possible

After the Presentation

Immediate Follow-Up

Thank the teacher and school contact
Note attendance and any follow-up needs
Collect contact info for future visits

Within 48 Hours

Send thank-you email to school contact
Log the presentation in CLMS
Share any concerns with appropriate school staff
Note what worked and what to improve

Sample Thank-You Email

Dear [Teacher/Principal],

Thank you for the opportunity to present to your [grade] students today. I enjoyed the chance to share drug awareness information with them, and they asked great questions!

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like additional materials or if there’s anything else the Elks Drug Awareness Program can do to support [School Name].

I’d love to return for Red Ribbon Week or to promote our student contests. I’ll follow up in [month] to see if that might work.

Thank you again for your commitment to your students’ health and safety.

Best regards, [Your Name] [Lodge Name] Elks Lodge

Building Your Confidence

Practice Strategies

Practice aloud - Your living room, your car, anywhere
Present to fellow Elks - Get feedback at a lodge meeting
Start small - One classroom before a full assembly
Partner up - Present with an experienced volunteer first
Watch yourself - Record a practice run on your phone

Remember

Students are generally receptive - They appreciate adults who care
You don’t need to be perfect - Authenticity beats polish
Teachers are your allies - They want you to succeed
Every presentation matters - Even one student hearing the message makes a difference

You've Got This!

Every experienced presenter started with their first presentation. Prepare well, be yourself, and focus on the students. The more you present, the more comfortable you’ll become.