Toastmasters for the Toast

Somewhere, sometime you will be asked to propose a toast. Be it a wedding, retirement or birthday or many other events. No problem to me I hear you say.
Great, but like all things in life there is a correct way and wrong way, and if you would like to do it correctly and prevent a major faux pas, we have today, some tips to make sure you are remembered for all the right reasons.

The purpose of a toast is to shine a gentle spotlight, and pay tribute to, the honoured guest. Toasts typically offer good wishes, good health, long life, health, happiness etc.

Composing a toast that is eloquent, poignant and witty can be a challenge but well worth it.

Depending on the situation you may start by introducing yourself and stating your connection with the guest of honour and then present the toast.

There are three rules to follow, all beginning with the letter B.

Be Brief: Keeping your remarks short gives the toast a greater impact and gets you in and out of the spotlight quickly.
Well crafted words will be appreciated by the attendance and make your tribute more likely to be remembered.

Be Bold: Stand proud and speak out loud. Ensure that everyone in the room including people sitting in the back row can hear your toast. Shouting out loud may not be needed and a survey of the room before people assemble will help you gauge how far you need to project your voice.
It can also help calm your nerves and provide some practice time.

Be Done: When finished, sit down. Resist the urge to take a bow or an encore. Smile, nod and accept any applause or acknowledgements then focus your attention on the guest of honour.

Like all aspects of public speaking no matter what they are, only practice will make you confident, will calm those nerves, and will make you be remembered for what you said and how you said it.

This is where being a member of Toastmasters International is of great benefit. Toastmasters are never caught for words, or the art of presentation, no matter what the occasion is.

In Speak Easy Toastmasters, on alternate Thursday evenings from 8.00 to 10.00 pm, we practice all those skills and much more. A Toastmasters Club is a workshop where members practice and learn, in an atmosphere of fun and friendship. (In other words “it’s a great craic”)

Being a member of Speak Easy Toastmasters is much, much more, it is an experience and you can see this for yourself just by coming along to any of our meetings, as our guest you will not be asked to speak.

We meet in the Garden Room of the Hibernian Hotel in Mallow so why not come along and experience the Speak Easy Toastmasters Experience?

We meet tonight, Thursday May 14th and our final meeting before the summer break in on May 28th.

Further information can on Speak Easy Toastmasters can be had by visiting our website at www.speakeasytoastmasters.com or contact our Club PRO, Seán on 086 6054784