1

Thank you for your attention today. The nodding heads, the smiles—it’s very evident some of you are into assertive listening, and I’ve appreciated that. Good night and good work.

2

I wish you all good health, great happiness, and glowing success in whatever situation you find yourself.

3

Thank you for attending tonight. The concern you have shown by your presence has been a very meaningful gesture to all those involved. On their behalf, I again say thank you.

4

Well, there you have it—my news, my philosophy, my experience. It’s up to you to improve on it—and I hope you will.

5

Now comes the hard part—it’s time for you to think. I ask that you think briefly about [insert]. That you think hard about [insert]. And finally that you think creatively about the future. With all my best wishes. The rest is up to you.

6

Have a good night and a good life.

7

I hope we’ve grown together tonight in our sharing and in our understanding of this situation. Voicing the issues has certainly brought us closer to resolution.

8

As so many before me have added to my life in similar ways, I hope I’ve added to yours in some small way. God bless.

9

I don’t think I’ll ask for a show of hands of those who can now explain all the intricacies of (subject). But if you’re still confused, at least I hope it’s because of a broader knowledge base. Thank you for your patience on this complex issue.

10

I want to close by expressing my appreciation for your participation tonight. Your encouraging nods…. Your questions…. Your examples…. You have made my job very pleasant and I thank you.

11

If there’s one thing we in this room can all agree on, it’s that you’ve done an excellent job of sharing your feelings with each other. I hope I’ve been equally enlightening with new information you’ll find useful. Let’s thank each other.

12

I want to say thank you for your time and your emotional energy in listening to what I’ve had to say. Please continue to give it some thought. That’s all I can ask.

13

Thank you for your generosity in allowing me this forum today to share my ideas with you. I trust that we’ll both reap some benefits from the exchange.

14

Thank you very much for the recognition you’ve offered me by inviting me to address you tonight. With sincerity I say that it has been an honor for me.

15

As we celebrate together, let’s remember that tonight is more than an event. We are part of a much larger process—a process of learning, growing, creating. I look forward to what the future holds for all of us.

16

The food has been good, the networking better, and the program best. I thank each of you who’ve had a part in making this a memorable evening. Have a safe trip home.

17

Thank you for your enthusiastic attention—at least, it has seemed that way from my vantage point. I hope I’ve helped to make the path a little clearer and the future a little brighter.

18

This event has been our way of saying thank you for your commitment to the organization and your caring—so freely offered to the community. We hope you and your families have enjoyed the evening. Thank you for sharing with us on this occasion.

19

After this last half hour, I simply can’t identify with a former Congressman of mine. After one of his political rallies, a constituent came up to him and said, “Mr. Congressman, I’ve heard you talk for almost an hour now, and I still don’t know where you stand on the issue.”

“Fine,” the Congressman said. “It took me two days to write it that way.”
It took me almost as long to prepare for tonight, and, unlike the Congressman, I’ve intended to be very clear. This issue is important to me and to you.

20

Let me remind you of the father who always wrote a note to the teacher on his son’s first report card each semester. “The opinions expressed by this child are not necessarily those of her father’s side of the family.” The opinions I’ve expressed tonight are not necessarily those of my entire organization; they are my own. But I hope you’ll agree that each of us must make up his or her own mind about these issues and then express those opinions to influence whomever we can. Change is inevitable.

21

Let’s never look back unless we’re planning to head that way.

22

In closing, all I ask is that you consider thoughtfully the ideas I’ve shared. Mull them over while you’re waiting in line at the supermarket check-out or sitting in traffic. Ideas have a way of growing on you. I hope this one will take deep root and have a significant impact on your future.

23

In thinking of our heritage and what I’ve tried to say here tonight, remember your spelling. American ends with four profound and prophetic letters, “I can.”