Toastmaster Helpful Hints

Address the audience before speaking

• Proper addressing would be, for example, Fellow Toastmasters, Honored Guests, Most Welcome Guests, Mr. Toastmaster, Madam General Evaluator, etc....

Solid introductions

• Properly welcome the next speaker to the lectern.
• Use the word "Introduce" for a speaker that the membership doesn't know
• Use the word "Present" for a speaker that the membership does know.
• Never say "turn the meeing over to ....." after introducing or presenting a speaker.

Say person's name or position will now present the program (or the Word or Table Topics, etc.).

• Both the Toastmaster and General Evaluator are responsible for calling people in their sections several days ahead of time to obtain introduction material.

Smooth lectern transition

• Never leave the lectern unattended - stay at lectern until next person comes up, then shake their hands.
• If someone speaks from the audience, then just stay at the lectern.
• Prompt podium management - TM or GE or PO needs to be cognizant when a speaker is finished, then hurry up there to shake their hand.
• Podium = you stand upon it.
• Lectern = you put your notes on it.

Occasional time management problems

• Part of being a good Toastmaster is effective time management.
• Everyone has a busy schedule so we need to keep meetings to 45 minutes.
• Please be concise in what you have to say; that way everyone has a chance to say what they need to say and the speakers at the end of the agenda won't have to rush through their parts.
• Please see agenda weekly for estimated time to be spent for each position; sometimes times will change based on a particular meeting's content (i.e., two long speeches, extended table topics).
• Table Topics Master can help by not addressing any additional questions or speakers after 11:30 am. This is a good "rule of thumb."
  

Emphasis on using manuals for speeches (particularly for our advanced speakers)

• The manuals are here to help us. We should always take credit for our speeches so we can work towards an ATM level.
• Using the Evaluation guide in our manuals will help for a good and thorough evaluation, particularly for less experienced evaluators.

Agenda scheduling

• We know unexpected conflicts arise at the last minute and we understand (no problem), but to simplify any last minute changes, we are going to implement a new routine.
• Please let VP-Education (EVP) know as soon as you know if you cannot fulfill your assigned position, up to the night before the meeting. The EVP will send a list of "available people" to the Toastmaster the night before.
• If you find out Wednesday morning that you can't make it or will be late and may miss your part, please call the Toastmaster of the Day who will make the replacement based on the list of "available" people sent by the EVP. Please don't call the EVP on Wednesday.
• The meetings flow better if all assignments are confirmed before everyone enters the meeting room.

Brief discussion of positions:

Grammarian - needs to focus on including grammatical notes about word usage as well as counting Ahs and Ums.

Timer - only table topics participants, planned speakers, and evaluators need to be timed.

General Evaluator - is allowed to evaluate the meeting in general and briefly evaluate the performance of the evaluators.

Word of Day - should be large enough to read from the back of the room. This statement holds true for written props or signs as well.