3. Suggestions

  • Show up early to get an agenda so you will know who is doing what that day. Give priority to non-participating Toastmasters; the ones without jobs that day. If there are not enough non-participants, then give priority to the Toastmaster and General Evaluator. Evaluators should be avoided as they need this time to formulate their presentations.
  • Select topics that anyone can speak to and work with the theme. If you can’t think of questions, the Toastmaster may be able to help.
  • Ask guests if they would like to participate after having a few more experienced members answer a few questions. Make it safe for them to decline. Don’t put them on the spot by calling upon them otherwise. You should instruct guests that if they really want to answer a particular question, they should raise their hand. Otherwise, choose members.
  • You can vary this by drawing names from a hat, or having each speaker present their own question for the next speaker, or have people write in questions before the meeting starts. This can be a very creative and fun part of the meeting, so use your imagination!