Towns of York Toastmasters

A major portion of each meeting is centered around three or more speakers. Their speeches are prepared based on manual project objectives and are usually five to seven minutes in length, although some projects  (especially those in the Advanced Communication Program) manuals are longer.

Preparation is essential to success when you are the speaker.

Before the Meeting

1. Check the meeting schedule to find out when you are to speak and make sure that you are prepared.
2. Review your manual and carefully prepare a speech based on the manual  guidelines. In order to get the most benefits from the program, Normally you should present the speeches in numerical order because each project builds on the skills learned in the previous projects.
3. Contact the Toastmaster to let him/her know which project you will be working on as well as provide any information necessary to prepare a suitable introduction. If you wish, you may ask that the Chairperson deliver an introduction that you have prepared.
4. Contact the General Evaluator to obtain your Evaluator’s name.
5. Speak to your Evaluator and discuss with the objectives of your speech as well as your personal goals and concerns. Emphasize where you feel your speech ability needs strengthening.

On Meeting Day / During the Meeting

1. Attempt to arrive early to give yourself time to settle in and:
   • give your manual to your Evaluator before the meeting start;
   • If you didn’t write your own speech introduction, make certain that the Toastmaster has prepared a good one for you.
   • prepare any props or equipment;
   • sit near the front of the room so you have quick and easy access to the lectern; and
   • carefully plan your approach to the lectern and speech opening.
2. Give your full attention to the speakers at the lectern. Avoid studying your speech notes while someone else is talking.
3. When introduced, smoothly leave your chair and walk to the lectern as planned.  Shake hands with the Toastmaster and give yourself a few seconds to settle in at the front of the room while the Toastmaster returns to his/her seat.
4. As you begin your speech, acknowledge the Toastmaster and the audience. ("Mister/Madam Toastmasters, fellow Toastmasters and welcome guests").
5. After you have finished you should acknowledge the Toastmaster ("Mister/Madam Toastmaster") and then wait for him/her to return to the lectern and regain control of the meeting
6. Once the Toastmaster is back at the lecturn, shake hands and then return to your seat.
7. During your evaluation, listen intently for helpful hints that will assist you in building future speeches.

After the Meeting

1. Meet briefly with your Evaluator to get your manual back, discuss any questions you may have concerning your evaluation, and get any additional feedback that wasn't included in your oral evaluation.
2. Pay attention to any suggestions you may receive from other members after the meeting since they are often as valuable as the feedback you receive during your evaluation.
3. Have the Vice President Education initial the Project Completion Record in the back of your manual.

Tips and Other Important Points

• Remember to bring your manual to the meeting.
• Rehearse your speech ahead of time to make sure that you are within your time limits.  If the speakers don't respect their time limits it will result in a meeting that runs late even if the Chairperson has done a good job of preparing the agenda .
• When finishing your speech, never thank your audience; your audience will thank you for the time and preparation that you have put into your speech!
• After the meeting remember to get your manual back from your evaluator and have it initialed by the VP Education.
• Relax, have fun and breathe!