The Toastmaster Role


Acts as host and conducts the meeting.

Before the meeting:

  1. Determine the theme.
  2. Fill the meeting roles. Try to ask people to participate that haven't done so recently.
  3. Talk to all speakers to make sure that they are prepared. Send them an e-mail description of the role they are to fulfill to help in their preparation. (Also advise them that it's viewable from the Toastmaster web page in a pinch.)
  4. Prepare introductions for each speaker. Know the number of the speech, its title and the time length. Don't make the introduction so long or powerful that it overshadows the speaker.
  5. Think of short remarks that can be used to glue the meeting together between segments.
  6. Prepare the meeting agenda.
  7. Pick up tasty snacks.

At the meeting:

  1. Arrive early to set up.
  2. Check with speakers for any last minute changes.
  3. Sit near the head of the table for easy access to the lecturn.

During the meeting:

  1. Be pleasant and positive.
  2. Lead the applause.
  3. Remain at the lecturn and greet each speaker with a handshake before sitting down.
  4. KEEP MEETING ON TIME. Conclude Table Topics at 10 until the hour to make time for the evaluations.
  5. At the end of the meeting, return control to the club president.


Return to the Toastmasters Roles Page..