St
George Toastmasters
Club No 70/2982
When you are TOASTMASTER
at St George
The Toastmaster is responsible for a smooth prepared
speech program - the main feature of the second half of
our regular club meetings.
When you are Toastmaster, use the recess to make
contact with the people who will contribute to this part
of the meeting.
Check with the speakers to see if they have any
special needs. Where would they like the lectern? Do they
need an overhead projector, whiteboard or other equipment?
Would they like the audience to assume that they are a
particular group? Is the speaker adopting a particular
role or persona?
Ask the speaker for the information that you will need
to introduce them. Make sure that you have the correct
pronunciation of any unusual words in the speech title
and their preferred name for the introduction - Does Pam
prefer to be introduced as Pamela?
Check the manual assignment - which manual, which
number, what is the assignment title, what are the
assignment objectives? Make sure that the manual is
passed on to the evaluator.
If a vote of thanks has been scheduled, remind the
person to whom it has been assigned.
To introduce the session, give a brief summary of the
range of speakers that we have tonight. You might base
this summary on any one of the following:
- The range of assignments
- The variety of topics
- The difference in experience, or
- Any other feature that you notice.
Explain the timekeeping system, that
each speech is evaluated and the way that the manuals
assist us to developo our speeches.
These items are particularly important
if there are visitors at the meeting, but even if there
are not, practise for when there are.
When you introduce each speaker, make them feel that
they are the most important person in the room.
Add your own personality and formula, but be sure to
include:
- Some personal fact about the
person;
- Their full and correct name;
- The speech title;
- The assignment details;
- The timing arrangements;
- The evaluator's name.
Wait until the speaker arrives at the lectern, then
make a welcoming comment (their name or speech title is
fine) the lead the applause.
After each speaker, lead the applause, make an
appreciative comment - one sentence is enough - then
introduce the next speaker.
After all of the speakers call for a vote of thanks,
if one has been scheduled, or offer one yourself, if no
other member has been assigned the task.
After the vote of thanks, return control of the
meeting to the chairman who will call the evaluators.
The Vote Of Thanks
This is a one or two minute thank you to the speakers
on behalf of the audience.
Make a one or two sentence comment about the contents
of each speech - not the presentation style, that is the
evaluator's role. You may wish to remind the audience of
some thing that you learned, something that inspired you,
perhaps even something that you will do in the future as
a result of the speech.
Do not offer suggestions for improvement, again that
is the evaluator's job. Your role in proposing a vote of
thanks is to compliment and to show appreciation for the
effort that the speakers have put into their
presentations.
Prepared by John Sleigh, January
2000
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