There is a wonderful organization called Toastmasters International (you can find them on the web). It is worldwide and has thousands of clubs. Perhaps there is a club in your area. There may be several. If public speaking is something you will need to do more in the future, I'd check it out. My club is a very safe place to practise the speaking skills. It's like being in a voice class. You practise in front of a "audience" that is knowledgable enough to give good feedback.

I find public speaking to be very similar to singing. Many of the same principles. Conquering nerves the biggest. But Toastmasters teaches the importance of vocal variety, gestures, eye contact, emotion behind the words, etc. And just like with public speaking, I need to practise performing my singing also.

As others have said, don't bury your face in your notes. Try to practise enough so that you only need a few key words to trigger your memory. You can memorize a speech, just think of all the songs you have memorized whether you know it or not. Don't turn your back on your audience as you try to point out something on a display. You need to talk to audience. The projector screen doesn't need to hear you.

Also try to practise eliminating the um's, you know's, etc. out of your speech. A silent pause is much better than trying to fill in the silence.

Practise is the key. Good luck.

Emily