MOVEMENT

To the lectern: Anticipate when your turn is coming and then get up and walk quickly to the lectern as soon as you have been introduced.

Away from the lectern: Both Introducer and Speaker should be aware of not walking in front of or behind each other whenever possible.

Exchanging Control: The person who is relinquishing control should step back to allow the person taking over to step up to the lectern. Shake hands, and move back to your seat.

THE LECTERN (Stand behind a lectern and on a podium)

NEVER leave the lectern unattended. Whoever is standing at it at the time, waits directly behind it until he/she shakes hands and is ready to leave.

When more informally speaking to the audience in front of the lectern, be sure to move back behind it when finished, ready to shake hands.

Lead the applause. Applause should continue until the person arrives at the lectern.

Wait until your replacement arrives before leaving the lectern.

Sit in front or wait at the side when you will return to the lectern.

Remove your name tag when giving a formal speech.

Do not wear a cell phone or pager at the lectern.

Try not to take a pen or pencil to the lectern, unless you have to make changes to the agenda as printed. They are unneeded and will be distracting to the audience if you hold them in your hand.

Do not wear or carry a cell phone or pager to the lectern.

ADDRESSES

Always address the person who introduces you (Mr./Ms. Toastmaster, Table Topics Master, General Evaluator, etc.) and the audience – if evaluating a speech, address the Speaker most particularly.

When: As soon as your Introducer is seated, or close to the beginning of the presentation.

SPEAKING

Prepare an introduction of yourself that sets up the speech and includes the objectives of the project from the manual, the number and name of the manual project, the time of your speech (5 to 7 minutes, for example), and your speech title. If pertinent, also briefly include any specific information that assists your credibility as a speaker on this topic. Do not include extraneous information with no bearing on the topic (examples are where you are from, if you are married, how many children you have, etc. – unless it pertains directly to your speech topic).

Don’t thank the audience at the conclusion of the speech. Pause, and say, “Mr./Ms. Toastmaster…” to indicate the Toastmaster of the Day should return to the lectern.

After each manual speech, have the Vice President of Education initial the record sheet at the back of your manual.

AT THE MEETING

Arrive early. Introduce yourself to any guests and be sure they have a visitor packet, have signed the guest book, and are introduced to other members.

Take your seat when the gavel is tapped.

Turn cell phones and pagers OFF or on silent mode. Do not answer cell phones during the meeting.

When speaking from your seat (as in Self Introductions), only acknowledge the Toastmaster at the lectern.

In general, ask to be recognized by the meeting chairperson (President or other Presiding Officer during the business meeting) before speaking, and stand while speaking.

THE INVOCATION IS:

• the act or process of petitioning for help or support

• a call to a higher power for assistance, or

• a calling upon for authority or justification for one’s cause

• a thought for the day or quotation to ponder

• a moment of silence in memory or in honor of someone

God before Country

Country before everything else; i.e., religious invocation before flag salute; otherwise, flag salute first.

Invocation and flag salute are optional and voluntary elements of a TM meeting.