How to Invocator the RDG Way

1. What is the Invocator?

The invocator is a "non-official" role that is intended to open the meeting with a brief, uplifting story, poem, or quote.

The invocation is a good chance to practice your speaking skills, specifically inspirational speaking. 

2. Performing Your Role

This chapter will tell you all about how to prepare and execute your role as invocator.

2.1. Before the Meeting

To prepare for your role as invocator, first check with the Toastmaster to see if there is a theme for the meeting, and try to find something related to use as an invocation. 

You want to find or create something that can be done within 2-3 minutes (shorter is fine, longer is not). An invocation can take many forms, such as a story, a quote, a poem, or mini speech. A good invocation has the following qualities:

• Helps get the meeting into a good frame of mind; refocuses everyone's attention from their daily life, work, etc. to the content of the meeting
• Is brief and to the point; no more than 3 minutes
• If the material isn't original to you (such as a quote), name the source
• All the guidelines, tips and tricks, etc. that apply to speeches apply to the invocation. The invocation is not normally evaluated, but you can always ask your mentor or another member to offer feedback

If your club is using Easy Speak, make sure you are signed up ahead of time.

2.2. During the Meeting

If your club has an invocator role, usually the presiding officer will call on you to come to the front of the room near the beginning of the meeting. Transfer control, pause briefly to let applause settle, then deliver your invocation. When you are finished, transfer control back to the presiding officer and take your seat.

If the presiding officer forgets to call on you, raise your hand and state "Point of order: We need to have the invocation."

3. Suggestions

• You may want to find a small quotes book to keep in the club materials in case the invocator isn't available or forgot to prepare.
• If you have a quote or passage you plan to read, make sure it is readable; you may want to copy the material into a Word document, enlarge the text, and print it out there.