Tips for the Toastmaster
Introduction:
· This document is a 6 point plan to make the role of
the Toastmaster as easy and relaxed as possible. For
this to occur the Toastmaster should: Read this
document before and refer to it throughout the
meeting. This will provide guidance to the
structure of the evening and make it an enjoyable
experience.
The Role of the Toastmaster:
· The Toastmaster is responsible for running the
evening's meeting according to the agenda. All eyes
are looking to you for coordination and guidance.
1) Preparation:
· Arrive 15 minutes early to arrange seats and
welcome members.
· Note down any voluntaries (volunteers) for items
on the agenda that are not present at the meeting.
2) At The Meeting:
· Introduce yourself as the evenings Toastmaster.
This should be something along the lines of:
"Good evening Toastmasters and honored guest(s),
welcome to The Mile Square Toastmasters and thank
you for coming along to tonight's Toastmasters."
3) Table Topics:
· Explain how Table Topics is conducted - speak for
at least 1 min. but no more than 2 min.
· Ask the audience to vote for who they believe was
the best speaker during table topics and ask them to
past (give) a slip of paper to the Topics Master.
4) Prepared Speeches:
· Introduce the speaker by their name, summary of
Speaker's general background, summary of speaking
achievements.
· On completion of the prepared speeches, ask for
feedback from the audience to be given to the speakers.
· State the date of the next meeting and assign roles.
Encourage new members or guests to volunteer for
minor roles, such as 'Word of the day', 'Timer's
report'. For the Prepared Speeches encourage members
who have not done a Prepared Speech before to
volunteer. Try to have at least 1 'Ice Breaker'
speech
· Remind the audience to vote on the best evaluator,
and for them to give the slip to the Table Topics
Master.
5) Finally, close the evening with something like:
"I would just like to thank everyone for speaking
tonight and I welcome the guests who are here for
the first time and I look forward to seeing you all
at the next meeting. Remember to give the Treasurer
a dollar for the rent of the room and can people not
leave any litter or agendas lying around".
6) NOTES AND TIPS
· The meeting is enriched if your introductions are
interesting, informative and help us "get to know"
the speakers/evaluators a little better.
· Introduce the speaker by their name.
· Greet each speaker with a handshake and lead the
applause - do the same on completion of the speech.
· Thank the speaker on completion of the speech and
try to add some insight to what you've just heard.
E.g. Have you seen/heard that movie.
· It is not necessary to announce timings as these
are included in the program.
· It's the President who announces the winner of
table topics.
· The role of the Grammarian Report and 'Word of the
Day' are the same.
· It is your job, to clear up after the
meeting-agendas, straighten the chairs, anticipate
to leave the building no earlier than 9:15pm.
Compiled by Toastmasters of Miles
Square Road, 6101-46
Printed with permission of Peter Ward,
Immediate Past President and current Vice President
Education
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