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= What to expect from a meeting =
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If you are visiting a club for the first time, call ahead first. Most clubs welcome visitors, but a club meeting could be canceled or could be held at a special location. The phone call or e-mail could save a wasted trip. You also have the opportunity to ask about club customs.
  
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You're at a meeting that showcases people's speaking.
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Toastmasters meetings are places where speakers try out their public speaking in front of a receptive audience (you) and get feedback. They are usually presenting an assignment from a C&L manual (for more information, go to [[Tips per Assignment]]
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The etiquette will vary depending on the country, region within the country and the makeup of the club. Erich of South Africa shares his experience:
  
   
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= Tips for First Time Visitors =
  ⚫
* If you are visiting a club for the first time, call ahead first. Most clubs welcome visitors, but a club meeting could be canceled or could be held at a special location. The phone call or e-mail could save a wasted trip. You also have the opportunity to ask about club customs.
 
* Get there early (obviously)
  
* Get there early (obviously)
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* But not too early. Toastmasters clubs are run by volunteers, so if you get there 20 minutes early, you may find people still setting up the room.
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* But not too early. Toastmasters clubs are run by volunteers, so if you get there 20 minutes early, you may find people still setting up the room -- or the previous meeting in full swing.
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* Identify somebody who calls themselves the "Vice President Membership". They'll look after you.
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* Identify somebody who calls themselves the "Vice President Membership" or Sergeant-At-Arms. They'll look after you.
 
* Be prepared to say your name at the meeting. Some clubs will ask you to introduce yourself.
  
* Be prepared to say your name at the meeting. Some clubs will ask you to introduce yourself.
  ⚫
* Many clubs not only ask you to introduce yourself, but ask for you impressions at the end of the meeting.
 
* If you don't want to talk in public at all at your first meeting, that's absolutely fine. Let the President or Vice-President Membership know.
  
* If you don't want to talk in public at all at your first meeting, that's absolutely fine. Let the President or Vice-President Membership know.
 
* Grab a friendly-looking person and ask them to introduce you. Give them your name, where you work, and how you found out about Toastmasters
  
* Grab a friendly-looking person and ask them to introduce you. Give them your name, where you work, and how you found out about Toastmasters
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* Take a full glass into the meeting -- you'll need it when somebody proposes a toast.
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* Take a full glass into the meeting -- you'll need it when somebody proposes a toast. (Not all clubs automatically have toasts. In North America most clubs don't have toasts as a matter of course. Elsewhere (in South Africa for example) there can be three toasts! Toasts are usually proposed at the beginning of the meeting only.
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* The etiquette for a toast is to stand when asked, repeat the toast, put the glass down clap until the proposer sits down, and then sit. Don't sit before the proposer. (If you're the proposer, sit down fast!)
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* If you're a man, keep your jacket on until you see somebody else remove theirs. Some clubs are a bit old-fashioned and will announce when "gentlemen may remove their jackets." This is usually after the toasts.
 +
* If you're a man, keep your jacket on until you see somebody else remove theirs. Some clubs are a bit old-fashioned and will announce when "gentlemen may remove their jackets." This is usually after the toasts. It's embarrassing to be sitting there in shirt sleeves when the announcement comes.
  ⚫
* This part of the US is less formal. Ties and coats are rare. The typical attire will depend on region and profession of most of the members. Clubs with a variety of occupations could have a large variation in attire. If you are in doubt about what to wear, ask when you call or e-mail about the meeting.
  ⚫
* Clubs in the US don't typically have toasts. Many clubs have a pledge of allegiance which is of similar function to a 'loyal toast' used in South Africa. If you are from a different country, the protocol is to simply stand a face the flag, but you don't need to participat
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* Val from Saratoga Springs, NY USA (Past District 53 Governor) is trying to get US Clubs to adopt the toast as a custom, so toasts at US meetings are not unknown.
   
  ⚫
Had a good / bad experience at a club recently? Why not click on the "edit" button and share it in a few lines here?
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Rick from the Pacific NW of the USA shares his experience:
  
   
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= Toastmasters Protocol =
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* Getting to the club early but not too early is good advice. However, morning clubs may meet shortly after their facility opens. Noon and evening clubs may have another group meeting just before them. Some clubs can efficiently setup in 5 to 10 minutes.
  
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* The Sergent at Arms is the master host so s/he is another good person to find. Most Toastmasters are friendly and helpful. Unless you ask another guest or a new member, they will likely to be able to help you.
 
⚫
* Many clubs not only ask you to introduce yourself, but ask for you impressions at the end of the meeting.
  
⚫
* Clubs in the US don't typically have toasts. Many clubs have a pledge of allegiance which is of similar function to a 'loyal toast' used in South Africa. If you are from a different country, the protocol is to simply stand a face the flag, but you don't need to participate.
  
⚫
* This part of the US is less formal. Ties and coats are rare. The typical attire will depend on region and profession of most of the members. Clubs with a variety of occupations could have a large variation in attire. If you are in doubt about what to wear, ask when you call or e-mail about the meeting.
  
   
  +
Much of the etiquette at a Toastmasters' Meeting is just common sense and courtesy. This basic rule will get you through most situations.
   
  +
There is a precedence of Introductions at a Toastmasters meeting:
−
Val from Saratoga Springs, NY USA shares a tip on 'toasting' at meetings and Toastmaster's functions:
  
   
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*Visiting non-Toastmasters - dignitaries and guests
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I love the toast! In my Club, I started opening the meetings with a toast...and when I became District 53 Governor, decided to share that with every Toastmaster in our District. I began every Executive and Steering Committee meeting and every Conference and collective Toastmaster event with a toast.
  
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**National Government Officials
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**City/Provincial officials
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**City/Local officials
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**Special guest speaker
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**Prominent guests
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**Club guests
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**Current International Officers -Toastmasters
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*Current District Officers in this order:
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*The District Governor
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**Lieutenant Governor Education and Training
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**Lieutenant Governor Marketing
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**Public Relations Officer
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**District Secretary
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**District Treasurer
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**Immediate Past District Governor
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*Current Division Governors in alphabetical order with the 'Home' Governor taking precedence.
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**Current Area governors in alphabetical order with the 'Home' Governor taking precedence.
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**Any other current officers - for example, Presidents from other clubs.
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**Past International Directors starting with the most recent
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**Past district governors starting with the most recent
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**Club members
   
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An Area Governor who is on an official visit of which there are two per year, will take precedence over officers not there in an official capacity.
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I chose to recognize individuals for their outstanding efforts by choosing them to do the toast to open our event. The only stipulation was that they must do a toast on something to do with Toastmasters and it must be a positive or humorous toast...such as a toast to our District, a toast to our members, a toast to our collective success...Now, every District Conference and every Executive or Steering Committee meeting is opened with a toast. It is now considered a real honor to be chosen to do the toast, and our members really look forward to raising their glasses in unity to our collective experience....
  
   
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When introducing, use the following outline:
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Val Albert, Saratoga Springs, NY, USA
  
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1. Office
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2. Toastmaster designation in full
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3. Name
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4. Spouse/partner/guest
   
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For example, District Governor, Distinguished Toastmaster, Joe Bloggs and his partner, Mary Smith.
⚫
Had a good / bad experience at a club recently? Why not click on the "edit" button and share it in a few lines here?
  
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Note that this applies to situations outside the club as well. There are specific forms of formal address for the Office, the envelope, the written salutation, the letter ending, in speaking, and the form on the invitation card. <br>If you are hosting an Ambassador, a Justice, or a Chief Whip, you need to know the correct form of address. This type of protocol is very important if you are communicating with any Government Official, or senior religious person. The Government Protocol Division will help if you are ever in the position to host any personage.
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So use your Toastmasters Club as a laboratory for life, and ensure that you know what to do. You never know when you will be called upon to do the introductions, so be prepared!

Revision as of 08:38, 1 October 2005

What to expect from a meeting

You're at a meeting that showcases people's speaking. Toastmasters meetings are places where speakers try out their public speaking in front of a receptive audience (you) and get feedback. They are usually presenting an assignment from a C&L manual (for more information, go to Tips per Assignment

Tips for First Time Visitors

  • If you are visiting a club for the first time, call ahead first. Most clubs welcome visitors, but a club meeting could be canceled or could be held at a special location. The phone call or e-mail could save a wasted trip. You also have the opportunity to ask about club customs.
  • Get there early (obviously)
  • But not too early. Toastmasters clubs are run by volunteers, so if you get there 20 minutes early, you may find people still setting up the room -- or the previous meeting in full swing.
  • Identify somebody who calls themselves the "Vice President Membership" or Sergeant-At-Arms. They'll look after you.
  • Be prepared to say your name at the meeting. Some clubs will ask you to introduce yourself.
  • Many clubs not only ask you to introduce yourself, but ask for you impressions at the end of the meeting.
  • If you don't want to talk in public at all at your first meeting, that's absolutely fine. Let the President or Vice-President Membership know.
  • Grab a friendly-looking person and ask them to introduce you. Give them your name, where you work, and how you found out about Toastmasters
  • Take a full glass into the meeting -- you'll need it when somebody proposes a toast. (Not all clubs automatically have toasts. In North America most clubs don't have toasts as a matter of course. Elsewhere (in South Africa for example) there can be three toasts! Toasts are usually proposed at the beginning of the meeting only.
  • The etiquette for a toast is to stand when asked, repeat the toast, put the glass down clap until the proposer sits down, and then sit. Don't sit before the proposer. (If you're the proposer, sit down fast!)
  • If you're a man, keep your jacket on until you see somebody else remove theirs. Some clubs are a bit old-fashioned and will announce when "gentlemen may remove their jackets." This is usually after the toasts. It's embarrassing to be sitting there in shirt sleeves when the announcement comes.
  • This part of the US is less formal. Ties and coats are rare. The typical attire will depend on region and profession of most of the members. Clubs with a variety of occupations could have a large variation in attire. If you are in doubt about what to wear, ask when you call or e-mail about the meeting.
  • Clubs in the US don't typically have toasts. Many clubs have a pledge of allegiance which is of similar function to a 'loyal toast' used in South Africa. If you are from a different country, the protocol is to simply stand a face the flag, but you don't need to participat
  • Val from Saratoga Springs, NY USA (Past District 53 Governor) is trying to get US Clubs to adopt the toast as a custom, so toasts at US meetings are not unknown.

Had a good / bad experience at a club recently? Why not click on the "edit" button and share it in a few lines here?

Toastmasters Protocol

Much of the etiquette at a Toastmasters' Meeting is just common sense and courtesy. This basic rule will get you through most situations.

There is a precedence of Introductions at a Toastmasters meeting:

  • Visiting non-Toastmasters - dignitaries and guests
    • National Government Officials
    • City/Provincial officials
    • City/Local officials
    • Special guest speaker
    • Prominent guests
    • Club guests
    • Current International Officers -Toastmasters
  • Current District Officers in this order:
  • The District Governor
    • Lieutenant Governor Education and Training
    • Lieutenant Governor Marketing
    • Public Relations Officer
    • District Secretary
    • District Treasurer
    • Immediate Past District Governor
  • Current Division Governors in alphabetical order with the 'Home' Governor taking precedence.
    • Current Area governors in alphabetical order with the 'Home' Governor taking precedence.
    • Any other current officers - for example, Presidents from other clubs.
    • Past International Directors starting with the most recent
    • Past district governors starting with the most recent
    • Club members

An Area Governor who is on an official visit of which there are two per year, will take precedence over officers not there in an official capacity.

When introducing, use the following outline: 1. Office 2. Toastmaster designation in full 3. Name 4. Spouse/partner/guest

For example, District Governor, Distinguished Toastmaster, Joe Bloggs and his partner, Mary Smith.

Note that this applies to situations outside the club as well. There are specific forms of formal address for the Office, the envelope, the written salutation, the letter ending, in speaking, and the form on the invitation card.
If you are hosting an Ambassador, a Justice, or a Chief Whip, you need to know the correct form of address. This type of protocol is very important if you are communicating with any Government Official, or senior religious person. The Government Protocol Division will help if you are ever in the position to host any personage.

So use your Toastmasters Club as a laboratory for life, and ensure that you know what to do. You never know when you will be called upon to do the introductions, so be prepared!

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