As your Toastmaster, Russell will:
- Provide advice on etiquette and form
- Introduce guests
- Announce speakers
- Make announcements
- Keep time
- Ensure the smooth running of your function
- Act as a guardian of etiquette and upholder of tradition
- Perform taking wine
- Provide tips on public speaking
- Offer assistance with speech preparation
- Help source material for speeches
- Provide coaching for nervous speakers
- Sing the Ladies' Song
- Apply the ETA code of ethics
- Leave you free to enjoy your function
As a guardian of etiquette and upholder of tradition, the role of a Toastmaster is about keeping and perpetuating those old values that are important at a formal function. The exact details will depend on the type of function and your personal requirements.
The modern duty and the English Toastmasters Association (ETA) approach is as a facilitator working with the client to get the best from their day and making it as pleasant and memorable (for the right reasons) as possible.
The English Toastmasters Association way is go that extra mile offering our clients better value and service.
A common duty of the Toastmaster is the introduction of guests as they arrive, particularly for the wedding breakfast.
There are modern moves towards making the 'Receiving Line' a more casual and relaxed affair by using first names, rather than full titles. The important thing to remember here is that unless the Bride and Groom have been able to limit their reception to friends, there may be a string of relatives that they don't know and need to be introduced to and your Toastmaster will remove the stress for you.
For the function to run smoothly and food to be served on time, or champagne for toasting to arrive on cue, the Toastmaster has a responsibility for monitoring the timing of events and progressing activities as required.
