Moderating the Seminar  
The role of the moderator is to preside over the seminar. More specifically:
Attend and videotape the dry run of the speaker you will be introducing.
Get the necessary information from the seminar presenter a few days before the seminar so that you may prepare an introduction of the speaker.

Refer to NDSU Extension Publication C868 “How Do I Introduce a Speaker?” (http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/plantsci/plsc790/speaker.pdf) by Steve Stark for suggestions.
Introduce the speaker.
 
  • Prior to introducing speaker ask audience:
    • To turn off cell phones
    • To pick up an abstract and evaluation sheet
    • If there are any announcements (most likely the announcements will usually be for the benefit of graduate students and this is one time when they are all together)
Moderate the question and discussion session following the conclusion of
the seminar. Make sure you allow enough time for this session (at least 10
minutes or more depending on the interest in the subject displayed by the
audience) before bringing things to a close. Make eye contact with instructors should you be unsure.
The moderator should be prepared to initiate questions and/or discussion
should the audience be slow to start.