How to Be an Unforgettable Toastmaster of the Evening

Why bother being Toastmaster?

 You get to

1. Taste leadership
2. Master the art of introducing others (without stealing their spotlight).
3. Practice being the ultimate host.
4. Practice time management.

Why do we even have a Toastmaster of the Evening?

Because handing a mic from one speaker to the next without any guidance is like passing a baton in a relay race where no one knows where to run. Your job? Keep things smooth, professional, and fun. You’re the glue that keeps the show together.

Before the Meeting – AKA The Prep Work

1. Fill the Roles:
The show doesn’t run itself! If someone is missing, email, call, beg, or bribe – whatever works.

2. Talk to Key Players and make sure all roles are filled

• Table Topics Master: Discuss the plan, and remind them not to call on speakers who already have roles. Share your meeting motto if you’ve set one.
• Speakers: Check in. Ask what makes them credible. Sneak that info into your intros for some extra flair. Ensure that they have informed their evaluators about their objectives and will supply them with the feedback form.
• General Evaluator: Confirm he/she is all set. That his team (Timer, Listener, Grammarian, Ah-Counter) is ready. All role desriptoins can be found by clciking on the roles on EasySpeak.

At the Meeting – Showtime!

1. Arrive Early:
Check for last-minute changes and make sure you’re not the reason things run late. Show up 15-30 minutes before the meeting starts. You might have to fill some roles due to last-minute drop-outs.

2. Keep the Show on Time:
Your job is to make sure the meeting flows like a well-oiled machine. Preside with energy, keep the transitions smooth, and lead the applause. Always!

3. Handshakes = Control:
After each introduction, stay on stage and shake hands with the speaker before stepping down. This is your way of officially handing over control of the meeting. When they finish, shake hands again to take it back.

4. Vote, Don’t Yawn:
After all the speeches are done, call for a vote for the best speaker. If there are only two speakers, who were in time, skip the vote – nobody likes a 50/50 split.

After the Meeting – Wrap it Up!

Ask for feedback:
Grab that feedback form. Even pros need to improve!

Key Toastmaster Tips:

• Set a Motto: Share it on EasySpeak so everyone’s in the loop.
• Brief but Brilliant Intros: Ask speakers for their intros (or find them on EasySpeak). Your job is to hype them up just enough.
• Never Leave the Stage Empty: If no one’s talking, it’s on you to fill that awkward silence. Be ready!
• Control the Applause: Every speaker should be cheered on from their seat to the stage and back.
• Written Feedback Time: After each speech, give the audience two and a half minutes for written feedback. Don’t fill the silence – just stand on stage like a boss.
• Table Topics: Ask the Table Topics Master to explain what they are, to get the audience excited about some impromptu magic.

Standard Meeting Flow:

1. The president kicks things off and introduces you.
2. You do your quick intro (1-2 minutes max) and explain the motto of the evening.
3. Introduce functionaries and later on the speakers, one by one. After each speech, allow time for feedback and then move on.
4. After all speeches, ask for the vote.
5. Hand things over to the Table Topics Master for their part of the fun.

Final Thought:

Being the Toastmaster of the Evening is like being the host of a great dinner party – keep it engaging, keep it smooth, and make sure everyone leaves with a smile (and a full stomach of speeches!).

You can find a step by step guideline on how to be the Toastmaster here: Toastmaster of the evening – Guideline (PDF)

If you have a good idea and the date fits – DARE TO DO A MOTTO NIGHT!

A Motto Night is an evening when everything adheres to the motto you set. The speeches will all be topic related. Even the audience might dress for the occasion.