Club Roles – Toastmaster
As the Toastmaster, you are the host and master of ceremonies for the meeting. Your job is to speak between each segment, thanking the previous speaker and introducing the next one. It’s essential to bring energy and enthusiasm to keep the meeting fun and the attendees engaged. Your main goal is to ensure that the meeting runs smoothly and stays on schedule, starting and ending on time. You can also choose to add a theme to the meeting.
Before the meeting begins, make sure to sit in a chair near the front of the room since you’ll be moving around a lot throughout the evening. Take some time to review the agenda and confirm that everyone assigned a role is present and ready to participate. Write down the titles of each speaker’s presentation and check who will be evaluating each speech, making sure they have the evaluation form for the speaker.
During the meeting, your presence at the front of the room is vital. Start by informing everyone of any amendments to the printed agenda, ensuring all attendees are on the same page. As the Toastmaster, you will lead the applause both before and after each speaker, setting a positive tone and fostering a supportive atmosphere.
Make a point to shake hands with each speaker before and after their presentation. This simple gesture not only encourages them but also creates a warm, welcoming environment. When transitioning between speakers, create engaging segues that connect their topics. For example, you might say, “Thank you, Alison, for that wonderful speech on how to train a dog. Just last night, when my puppy jumped onto my lap during dinner, I thought I really should enrol in puppy school! That brings us to our next speaker, Paul…”
Additionally, remember to ask each evaluator to explain the objectives of the speech before inviting the speaker to the front. This helps the audience understand the context and purpose of the upcoming presentation. It’s crucial to keep the meeting running on time according to the agenda, so stay mindful of the clock.
Finally, be flexible with the lectern’s placement. Some speakers may prefer to speak off the cuff, so ensure the lectern isn’t blocking their path or hindering their comfort. With your energy and organizational skills, you’ll facilitate a meeting that is both engaging and efficient!
As Toastmaster, it is respectful to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this land. Here are two versions of Acknowledgement of Country.
Acknowledgement of Country
“I would like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet today and pay my respects to their Elders past and present.”
or
“I would like to begin by acknowledging the Whadjuk Noongar people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet today and pay my respects to their Elders past and present.”
