presenting an award speech toastmasters

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Chapter 15: how to emcee an event, introduce speakers, and present awards.

You have been accepted as a leader in your company or your community. You have been asked to serve as a program chair for a dinner or master of ceremonies (otherwise known as MC, or emcee) for a more lavish event. It's quite an honor. It means you are known by the audience and respected by the people putting the event together. If you do it well, you are admired anew and you grow in stature within your company and with all those in attendance.

Your First Responsibility - To Open the Event

Your first responsibility is, of course, to open the event, to welcome everyone. Usually you will do this from a platform or a stage. How you do it creates the climate for the meeting. You either lift the audience and build anticipation, or you bore them and create apathy. As such, you are the catalyst. You carry the audience on your shoulders. At this point, they are a clean slate. You are the artist who determines what is painted there.

Many years ago, there was a great speaker named Percy Whiting. He would always greet the audience by asking in a booming, microphone-aided voice, "Can you hear me in the back over there?" while pointing to the far right corner. A few brave members of the audience in that corner would shout back, "Yes, we can hear you!"

Percy would then turn and gesture to the far left corner while booming, "Can you hear me in the back over there?" The answer would come back, "Yes we can!" Then Percy would say at the same high volume level and with his arms outstretched, "Well, then, let's begin!"

You Are the Focal Point

Here's what Percy Whiting accomplished by opening in that way:

He became the focal point. All side conversations ceased. He got everyone's attention and brought the group to order.

He achieved audience interaction. Members of the audience actually spoke out loud. Amazing!

He created excitement. The anticipation level started off on a high.

That was what he wanted to accomplish. That was his purpose. Yet it all seemed so natural as far as the audience was concerned. It was fun, and it stirred everyone to attention.

Identify Key People in the Group

In the crowd, of course, will be significant people within your organization. They need to be recognized for any number of reasons - if nothing else, they have marquee value with the audience, and their noted attendance will lend prestige to the event. Let's use an example. We'll assume that you are the program chairman for a fund-raising event for your local YMCA. There are seven hundred people present. Once you have opened the session and welcomed those in attendance, you need to give ample recognition to the officers, the directors, and the people who were responsible for putting the event together.

Do it individually for the key people. Decide with them beforehand if they will stand when their names are mentioned. Make sure you know how to pronounce their names. If you muff an important name, you're a dead man - or woman. And it feels bad, too. If there is a difficult name, ask its owner how it's pronounced. Then say it back to them at least three times. Then write it phonetically in your notes. Then say it five times to yourself before your moment of truth.

Provide the Common Bond

Next, tell the audience "why we are all here." This critical opening statement tells the crowd why your prominent panel of speakers is taking the time to be present and offers a connecting common thread that brings the speakers and the entire audience together. You need to find this thread, state it, and connect everyone.

An Example of an Opening

We are here tonight because the "Y" is, in some way, important to each of us. Certainly many of us use the Y regularly as an adult fitness facility. And it's the best and most affordable one in town. But that's not where the great Y legacy comes from. It comes from what it has done for kids. Probably 75 percent of you folks in this room can remember a time when you were a kid and the Y made a positive difference in your life. And though the Y has programs for every age group, kids are what we are all about. The Y has no equal for providing programs for the development of kids from toddlers through the teen years.

I'd like to share a quote about kids from one of our great presidents, Theodore Roosevelt. He said: "Every kid has inside him an aching void for excitement. If we don't fill it with something that is exciting, interesting, and good for him, he will fill it with something that is exciting, interesting, and which isn't good for him." The Y has been supplying that excitement in a way that's good for kids since it began in 1850. But it can't do it without the help and support of people like you. Thank you for being here.

Why It Works

Now imagine yourself in the audience hearing what you just said. It's pretty good, isn't it? There had to be a beginning. The session had to be opened. The audience needed to be connected to one another and to the event. And you just did it. You've given the event a common denominator and a perspective. Everyone present is now "tuned in."

The very next thing you should do is give the audience an overview of the agenda. Tell them what to expect. Include an indication of how long the program will be. Now your listeners are comfortable. They know the parameters. They will settle in.

Your Second Responsibility - To Introduce the Speakers

The next step is to get on with the program. Usually that means you introduce the first speaker. Is there a right way to introduce a speaker? You bet there is, and it begins with an understanding of your responsibility as the go-between, the connecter of the audience to the speaker.

It's similar to when you're hosting a party at your home and you have guests who don't know one another. You feel an obligation to introduce them, to tell each of them something about the other, so that they will discover areas of common interest. You want to connect them so that they can interact better. Once you have accomplished that, the party becomes lively, the guests will talk more freely.

The same thing holds for the talk of introduction, though you should go into a bit more detail, since the dialogue that takes place at a party will be missing.

The word "introduce" comes from the Latin words intro , which means inside, and ducerem which means to lead. When we introduce a speaker properly, we lead the audience inside the speaker's world so that the audience is intrigued by the topic, impressed by the speaker's accomplishments, and excited to be present.

How to Organize an Introduction

Is there a simple way to organize such a talk? Of course there is. We call it the TEAS format. It was created by Charlie Wend, a cofounder of Communisync, and has helped thousands of "introducers" perform this function flawlessly.

Here's how it works:

T � Title of the speaker's talk; why it's important to this audience.

E �Experience and Educational background of the speaker

A �Anecdote about the speaker that:

Reveals a human interest dimension of the speaker and / or

Dramatizes the importance of the speaker's subject

S �Speaker's name

Try to hold the speaker's name until last, even when the audience knows who the speaker is. It keeps the introduction cleaner and adds a sense of drama and a lift to the end of your intro.

To do this exceptionally, your first job is to interview the speaker and gather the necessary background information. You may have to work harder to get the anecdote. Sometimes the speaker is shy or "can't think of one." In that case, ask him or her for the name of a friend and phone that person to get the anecdote. Even if you encounter roadblocks, persist. It's worth it.

A Simple Luncheon Intro

J. Walter Thompson (JWT) was hosting a luncheon for the Ford Motor Company, its biggest account, to celebrate a new advertising campaign.

The luncheon would take place in the JWT executive dining area. About seventy people would be present, half Ford people, half JWT.

The JWT management supervisor, Glen Fortinberry, wanted the event to be special. He wanted a speaker who would appeal to this sports-oriented audience. So he arranged for Frank Gifford, the former all-pro Giants flankerback, to be a speaker. He also asked Charlie Wend to introduce Frank.

Gathering Information

The first thing Charlie did was to call the New York Giants' office. He talked to Ray Walsh, the general manager, and told him that he was going to introduce Frank and that he wanted to tell the story of the great catch Frank made against the Steelers toward the end of his career, at Yankee Stadium.

Ray Walsh said, "I'll never forget that catch. We [the Giants] were in the race for the Eastern Divisional Championship of the NFL. We were tied. We had to beat the Steelers to get to the championship game. We were in the fourth quarter. It was third down with fourteen yards to go for a first. We were on our own forty-yard line. The quarterback was Y. A. Tittle. Gifford lined up left and ran a crossing pattern.

"Joe Walton, the tight end, was supposed to clear the area for Frank but was held up at the line of scrimmage. So Frank ran his pattern with two defenders on him. Y. A. was being rushed hard, but he held the ball as long as he could. He finally threw it out of desperation, and he threw it long. There was no way Frank could get to it ... but he did. He dove, caught it with his fingertips, and tucked it in as he rolled on the ground. It was a first down. We went on to score, and we won the Divisional Championship. Frank's catch was the turning point."

Charlie took notes and was overjoyed because he knew he had a good anecdote! He also had prepared the other parts of the TEAS format.

No Secrets: Tell the Speaker What You'll Say

On the day of the luncheon, Charlie met with Frank Gifford and told him what he was going to say while introducing him. Not a bad idea. There's nothing worse than spouting some facts in your introduction and then having the speaker walk to the lectern and disclaim the truth of what you just said.

Let's look at the format for the talk of introduction as it applied to Charlie's intro of Frank Gifford. It follows the TEAS plan.

Topic: "What it means to be a professional"

Charlie stated why that topic was important to this audience of Ford people: "Skill and professionalism separate the great ones from the not-so-greats in professional football; the same is true when creating great Ford advertising."

Experience and Education: Charlie provided facts about Gifford's professional background:

Graduate of USC, where he was All-American

NFL career 1952 to 1964

Starred on both offense and defense during 1953 season

All-NFL four years

Seven Pro Bowls

Pro Bowl selection in three different positions, as defensive back, halfback, and flanker

Original team of broadcasters on Monday Night Football

Covered the Olympics and other special events for ABC

Anecdote: Charlie told the story of Frank's catch against the Steelers. He made the point that the catch represented the epitome of professionalism.

Speaker's Name: Charlie simply said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I am happy to present our speaker today . . . (pause) . . . Frank Gifford."

Charlie had a little rubber football with him on the lectern, and as Frank walked to the lectern, Charlie tossed him the little football, which Frank caught and tossed back to him. Nice touch. Luckily, Frank caught the little football.

Frank Gifford's Transition

Frank's opening remarks went something like this: "Thank you, Charlie, for the nice introduction. Actually, I'm not the one who deserves the credit for that play. Y. A. held his ground back there, looking death in the eye as two defensive linemen roared at him. After he threw the ball, he was almost annihilated by those tacklers. Any other quarterback would have thrown the ball away to avoid being hit so hard, and I wouldn't have had the chance to catch it.

"After the play, I congratulated Y. A. for holding the ball that long and then getting it to me. And he said, ‘I wish I had thrown it to Del Shofner [a faster receiver] instead of you, Frank. Del would have been wide open, five yards in front of those defenders. It would have been an easy play, and I wouldn't have been hit by those linemen.'"

A Great Introduction Is Enjoyed By All

That was Frank's transition into his talk. He was so self-effacing the audience loved him before he even started his prepared remarks. That's what a good anecdote can do for a speaker. It provides an opportunity for the speaker to gracefully transition from the introduction into his talk. But it's not just the speaker who benefits, the audience does, too. The entire affair rises to a new level if the introductions are done well.

After the luncheon was over, Frank sought Charlie out, thanked him again, and said, "Would you follow me around and introduce me whenever I speak?"

The Key, Of Course, Is the Anecdote

If you can get a good anecdote, the speaker is "launched" with the audience. Charlie once introduced Ted Sorensen, a former speechwriter for President Kennedy, at one of those JWT events. Sorensen was a brilliant man who looked rather studious. In the introduction, Charlie said, (deliberately holding Ted's name until the end of the intro):

"Last week this man pitched a shut out and knocked in the winning run for his team in a slow pitch softball game in Central Park. And even after those heroics, he was much more elated by the team victory than by his own contributions. It shows what a team player this man is."

Notice how the story humanized Ted Sorensen. The audience could identify with him just a little bit more.

Sometimes it's difficult to get the necessary information, try though we might. We think we can get the material on the spot, and so we let it go until we have nowhere to turn for help. But we shouldn't excuse ourselves. Remember, a speaker cannot be as effective with a weak introduction. He cannot do it alone. You are there for a purpose. You are there to help make the event more meaningful, more enjoyable, than it could be without you.

Sometimes the Setting Is Difficult

For many years I lived with my wife and family in Old Greenwich, Connecticut. One day in May, the organizer of the local Memorial Day parade asked me:

"Kevin, would you be willing to serve as the grand marshal of the parade? If you say ‘yes,' here's what's involved:

"You would be part of the great parade, riding in the elevated back seat of the grand marshal's car as the parade weaves its way through town. Alongside of you would be our guest celebrity and featured speaker, Fred Furmark (not his real name), of TV fame. The parade will start at Todd's Point and work its way all the way down Sound Beach Avenue, ending at Memorial Rock.

"You and Fred will wave to the crowd during this journey. They will line the streets on both sides and be hanging off the train trestle bridge as you go under it. At Memorial Rock in Binney Park, you will introduce Fred. He will give his Memorial Day talk, and the parade will be over."

The whole thing sounded exciting to me, so I said, "Sure. I'll do it."

I knew how to do an introduction. It meant I'd have to get some information about the speaker, but I could get that from him as we inched our way along in the parade.

The Memorial Day Parade

Memorial Day came, and it wasn't long before I found myself in the back of the car with Fred Furmark on Shore Road in Old Greenwich, behind marching bands, baton twirlers, Veterans of American Wars, American Legion members, Girl Scouts, Daughters of the American Revolution, the Fire Department, local officials, and just about any other organized group that wanted to walk or march from Todd's Point to Memorial Rock.

Fred and I were in the middle of all that. I told him I would be introducing him and asked him to tell me about his background. He said, "I've lived in this town for twenty years and they all know me here."

We were sitting high in the grand marshal's car, waving to the left, to the right, overhead. Wherever there were people waving, we waved back. It was fun. But I had a job to do. I needed information from my fellow "waver," and I was a little bit nervous about whether I was going to get it.

Interviewing the Speaker

So I said, "Fred, what is the topic of the talk you are going to give?"

He waved to the people standing in front of Sterling Watts's hardware store, and said, "I'm going to talk about patriotism."

I said: "I need a title for your talk."

Fred said, "How about ‘What freedom means today'?"

I said, "I like it if you do."

At this point someone from the crowd yelled, "How are you doing, Fred?"

Fred answered, "I'm doing fine. I love being here with all of you."

We returned to our dialogue, still smiling, still waving. I said, "Could you tell me something about your background, your schooling?"

Fred said, "Why do you want to know about that?"

So I said, "I have to introduce you. I have to tell the people about you."

Fred said, "They all know me. I've lived in this town for twenty years."

I said, "Fred, please help me. I've got to introduce you, and I need some info on you. Would you help me?"

Little by little, Fred answered my questions and gave me what I needed. He never missed a wave. He smiled indefatigably. And a lot of the people did know him. I was really impressed with this fine man, but I sure struggled in getting enough information. I've changed a few details, but here is the outline of my introduction:

Topic: "What freedom means today"

Experience and education:

Graduated from Fordham University

Worked for his father as a law clerk for two years

Went into broadcasting. Played Batman on radio for ten years

Hosted Deal and Cash In

Hosted Winner Gets All

Hosted Make a Million

Has hosted The Truth Will Set You Free for the last eight years

Is considered the first game-show superstar

Has had more exposure on daytime TV than any other TV personality

Anecdote: "Fred is a family man, with five children, four girls and a boy. Despite his fame and the demands on his time, the job he loves the most is that of superintendent of a Sunday school in our town of Greenwich. His deeply religious core shows itself when he bids adieu to both his Sunday school class and to the participants who perform on his show by saying, ‘Good-bye, and may God be with you.'"

Speaker's Name: "Ladies and gentlemen, our celebrity Memorial Day speaker . . . (pause) . . . Fred Furmark."

Always announce the name with a rise of intonation and a burst of volume. The speaker's name is the culmination of your talk. If you have held the name until the end, the speaker will rise and walk toward you with outstretched hand as the audience applauds.

Keep It Short, Then Step Out of the Spotlight

You might wonder how long the talk of introduction should be. The answer is - it should be short. Not longer than sixty seconds. Your job is to sell the speaker to the audience, enhance his or her stature, tickle the audience's fancy, build their anticipation, and excite them about the speaker. All of that, but no more, in sixty seconds.

You are not the speaker. Don't be confused by that. You are there to prepare the way for the speaker, not compete with him or her. And, for heaven's sake, don't show off your knowledge about the speaker's subject. Here is an old speaker's lament:

Nothing makes me madder Than when the introducer's patter Is my subject matter

Your Third Responsibility - Presenting Awards

If you are program chair inside your company or organization, you will either present awards or direct others to do so. This is a special time. The award winners love it. The audience loves it. There are two scenarios to be dealt with; one is when you have a series of awards or acknowledgments, and the other is when you are presenting the coveted top awards.

Examples of a Series of Awards

Members of a team who worked together

People who reached new sales "highs"

Top producers in different categories

People who helped make an event successful

Those who made quota

Extraordinary accomplishment

When you are delivering an award, make sure you clearly state what the accomplishment was. Dramatize it. Make it sound important. Be enthusiastic. Be happy. Be upbeat. Be impressed.

Hold the name until last. Announce it with gusto. Smile at each recipient. Shake their hands. Show how delighted you are. Remember that your speech - what you say and how you say it - is a massive part of the award. You create the aura. You create the magnitude. You create the sense of triumph. If you do it well, the award winners will revel in their moment. Potential recipients will be motivated to strive for the same recognition in the future. The audience will be impressed. The event will be a success. And you will be responsible for that success.

Make Sure You Pronounce the Names Correctly

The best way to sidestep this common error is to practice pronouncing the names. The best time to botch a name is in private. There are no penalty points for that, but if you do it out loud to the audience, that's the one thing they will remember - and they will think you're a jerk. That's not fair, but that's the way it is. As Dale Carnegie once said, "Remember, a man's name is, to him, the sweetest and most important sound in any language."

Don't ever lose sight of the fact that these people are being singled out for recognition. It's a marvelous moment, each time - for them. If you are bored with it, or it comes off as dull or perfunctory, you have failed. You lose personal stature with all those present. So, keep your enthusiasm at a high level from beginning to end, no matter how long and drawn-out the ceremony may become. Even if it sometimes seems to you that you are going on forever, remember that it is the first time and the only time for each person being recognized.

The Coveted Top Awards

Ideally there should be but one of these, just as there is only one Congressional Medal of Honor. But it's easy to make a case for two. Is there an absolute limit to how many top awards there can be? Yes. The outside limit is three. Beyond that, there is no exclusivity. The value is tarnished.

In many companies, the top award gets its name from some event in the company's history. Let me give you an example. At Communisync, the top honor you can receive is the Jack Sloan Broken Pick Award.

The Story Behind the Broken Pick Award

Jack Sloan joined Communisync as a salesman and worked for the company for eight years. He was marvelously successful because he worked hard and he worked smart. The vice president of sales, Ted Fuller, was so impressed with his work ethic that he used Jack as an example at one of our sales meetings saying, "You never have to wonder where Jack is. If you can't find him in the office, it's because he's at a client somewhere, breaking his pick (as in digging a hole with a pickax), trying to make a sale."

And so was born the Broken Pick Award. It goes to the person who best demonstrates that they "went the extra mile," "broke their pick," to make the sale. The award, given once a year, is a plaque with the broken pickax symbol on it. It's the apex, the epitome of recognition. You might think a broken pick isn't too glamorous. But that's where tradition and company culture come in.

When presenting a coveted top award, do so with much excitement and joy. Show that you are thrilled to be a part of this great moment and to be sharing it with everyone in the room. Follow these five simple steps:

Tell the story and the philosophy of the award.

Lay out the success record and accomplishments of the recipient.

Explain how the accomplishments demonstrate the philosophy.

Hold the name until last even though they know who it is.

Say the name with gusto.

Key Learnings for How to Emcee a Meeting, Introduce a Speaker, and Present Awards

Consider yourself honored if you are asked to be a program chair. It's a showcase for you. It will do more for your stature and visibility in your company than six months of normal work.

Use the TEAS formula when introducing a speaker. It's simple and it works. The introduction will be livelier and the speaker better launched.

Make sure you get a good anecdote; it makes your introduction special. It also sets up the speaker, and the audience loves it.

Hold the name for last when you introduce a speaker or present an award. It helps build anticipation. The audience will applaud more enthusiastically.

Punch the name with gusto when you announce the speaker or the award winner's name.

Use the person's name ten or fifteen times in the course of the introduction. This strips all drama from the ending.

Talk too long. You are the preface, not the book.

Try to steal the show by being a comedian or by seeking undue attention. Not your job. There's a place in heaven for a good emcee. Most comedians never get there.

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Types of Speeches: Presenting an Award

At some point in your life, you’ll probably have the opportunity to formally reward someone for a job well done. When you do this in front of others it increases the perceived value of the honor.

If you decide to become a professional speaker or use speaking as an integral part of your marketing strategy, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the various types of speeches you might be asked to give. In this series of posts, I’ll give you the basics of a variety of types of presentations you can prepare. At the end of this post, I’ve listed previous articles in this series.

When presenting an honor or award, you need to accomplish two things:

1. Highlight the award Make sure that the recipient, as well as the audience, understands the importance of the award. What does it stand for? How does someone earn it? What are the traditions associated with this honor?

2. Highlight how the person earned the award Now that you’ve built up the award, you need to build up the person receiving it. What did this person do to deserve the award? How did they meet the criteria better than anyone else who was up for the award?

There are ways to make this sort of presentation more effective.

Tips for effectively presenting an award

Tell a story People are more engaged with stories. So highlight the award and the honoree in the form of a story.

Introductions first Call on the awardee last … nothing is more awkward than having to stand there and wait while you do your presentation. Tell your story first, then, when you are ready to hand over the award, call the awardee up to the lectern.

Mind your Ps and Qs Make sure that you know how to pronounce the name of the award and the person receiving it. Also, make sure your facts are correct. Nothing will spoil the honor more than mispronouncing someone’s name or announcing information that is totally wrong.

Be humble You may have been on the selecting committee, but this presentation is about the person being honored … not you. The presentation should be mostly about how wonderful the honoree is and why they are so deserving of this honor.

Demonstrate the award’s worth Hold the award as if it were a treasure. Make eye contact with the recipient, smile warmly and hand over the award with reverence.

Resources for effectively presenting an award

• Toastmasters International : Presenting an Award
• Flat World Knowledge: Presenting or Accepting an Award
• Buzzle: Presenting an Award Speech
• eHow: How to Present an Award
• Certificate Street: How to Present an Award Certificate with Style

Did you miss these?

Here are the previous posts in this “Type of Speeches” series:

• The Keynote Address
• The Training Session
• The Motivational Speech
• The Entertaining Speech
• The Demonstration
• The Information Dump
• The Inspirational Speech
• The Q & A
• The Persuasive Speech
• The Impromptu Speech
• The Acceptance Speech
• The Commencement Speech
• The Interpretive Reading

The next post in this series is Accepting an Award .

Did you like this post? Please share!

About the author

Carma Spence, is author of Public Speaking Super Powers. She is fiercely committed to guiding women to Owning their Superpowers and turning their knowledge and interests into a profitable business. She is masterful at helping her clients see what is possible for them and supporting them on the journey from where they are to where they want to be, releasing the Mind Goblins of self-doubt, self-sabotage and second-guessing that keep them stuck.

With 20+ years experience in marketing communications and public relations, natural intuitive skills and certification in using some of the most effective transformational coaching tools available, Carma’s mission and commitment is to unleash the inner power every woman entrepreneur possesses so they can boldly go out into the world, transforming the fabric of people’s lives in meaningful and positive ways.

You can find her on Facebook , Twitter , Google+ and LinkedIn . Her website is CarmaSpence.com .

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How to Present an Award

Last Updated: May 7, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Patrick Muñoz and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA . Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 102,422 times.

Giving out an award is a huge honor, so you likely want to do a great job. When you’re presenting an award, it’s important to keep the focus on the winner rather than yourself. Start your award speech by introducing the award and what it’s for. Then, announce the winner and why they won. Additionally, make sure that your information is accurate and concise.

Writing and Practicing Your Speech

• If the person knows about the award, talk to them directly to verify that you have correct information.
• If the award is a surprise, you can still talk to the person, but be vague about the reason. It may be helpful to talk to people who know them well, like a coworker, supervisor, classmate, teacher, or close relative.

• For instance, don’t say things like, “I taught her everything she knows,” “This is a great day for me because I hired her,” or “I always knew he was going places.”

• This is especially true if the winner will have a chance to give an acceptance speech. You don’t want to eat into the time they have for their speech.

Variation: You might also film your speech so you can look for areas that you can tighten up or improve.

Introducing the Award

• For instance, you might cradle a statue or plaque between both of your hands.
• If the award is an unframed certificate, you might carry it on open palms or keep it in a folder to protect it until you hand it out.

• You might say, “Every year we honor an employee who went above and beyond for our clients. This award celebrates the sacrifices and dedication of one employee who exemplified our company values over the past year.”

Variation: If you're presenting the award because of your position or credentials, briefly introduce yourself and your position to establish your credibility. This boosts the prominence of the award.

• Say, “This has been our most successful year as a company, and it’s because of the hard work and dedication of our entire team. Each of you deserves credit for helping us get to this point, but one employee’s achievements stand out from the rest.”

Announcing the Winner

• You could say, “The first time I met this person it was on a video conference. They’d traveled across the world for a business trip, but a client needed to meet that day. Instead of rescheduling, this person stayed up late into the night so they could attend the client meeting over Skype.”
• If you’re going for a funny story, you might say, “What we do around here is serious work, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun. The person who’s receiving this award knows how to make people laugh. When we were going through our audit last quarter, they put a smile on everyone’s face by putting rubber ducks in the fountain outside our office. It was a small gesture, but it helped us get through a difficult week.”

• Say, “This award goes to a person who lives our values. They put clients first and never hesitate to help a coworker in need. This year they made 30% of our sales and completed half of our customer service calls. On top of that, they’re the only employee in the history of the company to ever receive a business opportunity grant. Please applaud for the winner of the VIP Award, Ms. Alison Dean.”

Tip: Ideally, the audience should slowly realize who’s name you’re about to call.

• You might say, “Today we’re here to honor Diego Lopez for his efforts to build a new community center. Mr. Lopez organized fundraisers, energized the community, and overcame obstacles to bring hope to his neighborhood. Thanks to his efforts, 75 students are currently enrolled in after-school programs at the center, and a new program for the elderly is set to open next week.”

• You might tell them, “Congratulations on this well-deserved accomplishment.”

Community Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd2xNTuQWxQ
• ↑ https://saylordotorg.github.io/text_business-communication-for-success/s19-07-presenting-or-accepting-an-awa.html
• ↑ https://bizfluent.com/how-2122740-present-award.html
• ↑ http://www.publicspeakingexpert.co.uk/awardspeeches.html
• ↑ https://www.toastmasters.org/resources/public-speaking-tips/presenting-awards

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Return to Advanced Manuals

Special Occasion Speeches

Special events present special speaking opportunities. This manual provides instruction in giving toasts, speaking in praise/giving a eulogy, “roasting” someone, and presenting and accepting awards.

1. Mastering the Toast

2. speaking in praise, 3. the roast, 4. presenting an award, 5. accepting an award.

© 2024 Canning Vale Toastmasters.

Made with by Graphene Themes .

• Toastmasters →

Toastmasters Speeches: How to Craft an Engaging Presentation

Are you feeling the fear after being asked to give a speech at a Toastmasters meeting? Here’s the good news: crafting an engaging speech doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Want to be the one delivering the most memorable speech at your event? We got you.

Quick Answer to Key Question

You can begin writing your Toastmasters speech by selecting a topic, choosing stories or examples to illustrate your points, and preparing an introduction, body and conclusion . To gain more guidance, you can visit the Toastmasters website for tips on crafting your speech.

What is Toastmasters?

Toastmasters International is an organization that provides educational opportunities for individuals to learn, practice and improve in public speaking, communication and leadership skills. The program was created back in 1924 by Ralph Smedley as a way to develop members’ public speaking confidence and skills. Toastmasters has become recognized worldwide, with clubs present in more than 143 countries. Although not everyone agrees that Toastmasters is the best way to learn how to become a better public speaker . Some people think that joining groups like Toastmasters can be a great resource for learning and improving their public speaking abilities, while other disagree and suggest other avenues such as reading some books on the subject or watching videos online as good methods of learning how to become better public speakers. Ultimately, it’s down to personal choice. When it comes to having the courage, confidence and knowledge to deliver an engaging speech, becoming part of Toastmaster can offer unparalleled benefits in building these essential skills . To capitalize on those benefits one must be willing to take the next step – preparing Toastmaster speeches. So, let’s dive into what it takes for crafting an effective speech! In the following section, we will discuss tips for preparing Toastmaster Speeches.

Tips for Preparing Toastmasters Speeches

Having an effective approach to preparing a Toastmasters speech is essential. Here are some tips for getting ready: 1. Research: To ensure you create an engaging and well-informed speech , it’s important to research your topic thoroughly. Reread your source material, consider how the subject applies to the audience, and look for resources that can support your ideas. Taking the time to research will allow you to create a more powerful and unique speech. 2. Create an Outline: Creating an outline is one of the foundational elements of preparing a strong Toastmasters speech. Without a detailed outline, it’s more difficult to craft a compelling narrative and organize thoughts in ways audiences can easily follow. Writing an outline will also help you estimate length and identify potential transitions between ideas. 3. Practice: Once you’ve written your speech, you have to practice it until its perfect. Learning the material by heart is the best way to deliver content with confidence and authenticity. Even when speakers have fluency in their language, having memorized remarks helps them present better, as unprepared pauses or verbal mistakes are less likely to occur. 4. Utilize Visuals: Toastmasters speeches are far more memorable when visual aids are used – whether slides on a projector screen or posters on a wall – both add variety and provide extra information that allows speakers to further explain or illustrate points in their presentation. By taking these steps for preparation , toastmasters speakers improve their chances of giving an engaging and successful speech that resonates with the audience long after delivery. Now, let’s turn our focus on planning and writing the content of the speech itself…

Planning and Writing the Content

Planning and writing the content for a Toastmasters speech is crucial to ensuring an engaging delivery that resonates with the audience. There are two key aspects to the content of a speech: the argument and supporting evidence . The argument should be clear and concise. It should contain a central point or thesis statement, provide objective evidence, and support it without overstating any point. Debate is welcome; however, aim to maintain an impartial tone and use language that keeps all parties’ opinions in mind. Consider both sides of the argument if applicable, taking into account any counterarguments and rebuttals that come up along the way. The supporting evidence should also be relevant to the core thesis of the presentation. Be sure to select examples and facts based upon factual data, presenting it in a way that adds weight to the main points being discussed. Additionally, avoid inserting too much extraneous information as it may distract from focused delivery of the crux of the message or even misrepresent views or opinions expressed. Once you have established your argument and laid out supportive evidence, review your work for logical flow from point to point. Ensure every sentence logically connects to one another, allowing for fluidity between ideas and avoiding any major jumps in conversation topics. When crafting an engaging presentation , planning and writing content is essential for delivering a clear and persuasive message. With careful structuring of both sides of a discussion—if applicable—and strong supportive facts, you can create a compelling speech that captivates your audience throughout.

Structure and Signposting

Creating a clear and logical structure is essential for delivering an engaging speech. Just as a guided tour of the Grand Canyon would not be effective without signposts, numerous studies have shown that signposting is important for successfully conveying ideas within speeches. Signposting can help the audience follow the flow of ideas, keeps the speech organized, and reveals when something new is being discussed. The first step in crafting a solid structure for your speech is to determine the main points you want to discuss. Begin with a few broad topics that are interesting, relevant, and pertinent to your audience. From there, break those larger points into a series of smaller messages that support and explain the main idea. Depending on the complexity of your topic, consider including one to three subpoints under each larger point. Avoid navigating off track by dedicating yourself to discussing only each message you intended from start to finish. Also ensure that every detail or tangent discussed furthers your goal of aiding comprehension rather than detracting from it. When presenting each idea within your speech, guide listeners through your thought process and provide simple summaries before transitioning between topics. A transition should fit somewhat naturally into the current discussion but should also hint at what comes next. This practice can help keep audiences attentive throughout the entire speech because they will know where you are going next. In addition to providing structure and clarity to your speech, signposting can also add an element of surprise as you introduce intriguing concepts or request audience participation. Signposting is a vital tool for crafting engaging speeches, yet it also requires careful manipulation in order to remain effective. As such, understanding which techniques work best for your own style is paramount; practice until you have mastered this skill just as a builder would master his hammer for constructing a house. When done correctly, signposting can help construct an advantageous framework that conveys your message with power and clarity. After understanding how to effectively structure and signpost an engaging Toastmasters Speech, it’s important to recognize different strategies for successful delivery. The following section will discuss several tips on how to convey ideas confidently and captivate an audience during Toastmasters Speeches.

Tips for Toastmasters Speech Delivery

When preparing for a presentation, Toastmasters speech delivery is paramount. It goes without saying that the audience wants to be engaged and entertained by the speaker’s words. To ensure a successful speech, there are several tips that Toastmasters should employ when delivering their presentation. First, maintain good eye contact with the audience throughout the entire presentation. Eye contact evokes personal connection, as well as conveying confidence to the audience. Without it, they may feel disengaged because they don’t feel understood or trusted. Second, practice speaking slowly and clearly to ensure each word is received correctly by those listening. Always remember that even if the page looks crowded with words, the speech needs time to breathe between sentences and points. Slower speaking also helps make sure your key points will stick in the minds of your listeners. Third, vary the tone of your voice for increased engagement and effectiveness. Monotonous speeches can often lull people to sleep or just dull their interest in what you have to say. Delivering a speech with an appropriate mix of volume variations and inflection will generate excitement and focus from an audience This doesn’t mean that one should shout or overly-dramatize a point; rather subtly vary vocal intonations and slang to effectively paint a picture in the minds of your viewers. Fourth, choose deeply meaningful stories for use during presentations whenever possible. A story encourages cohesion among speakers and listeners alike as it humanizes both parties more than facts alone can do. By unfolding narrative arcs within presentations, Toastmasters can truly bridge a connection between them and their audiences. Lastly, recognize when pauses between words are needed to help drive home a point. Not all pauses are reflective of fear or doubt; nowadays some consider them effective tools for drawing emphasis on essential elements within speeches. Pauses also give audiences time to digest what has been said while preparing them for what follows next. An understanding of both sides of this argument is important when crafting an engaging Toastmasters Speech: Delivery can be either too overly-animated or too monotonous; some value quick pacing while others prefer slower speaking; long pauses may add anticipation or detract from any momentum achieved during a presentation; stories can unite but also distract from current material within speeches – meaning everything hangs delicately on how these tips are deployed by Toastmasters when crafting and delivering their presentations accordingly. With these pointers in hand, let us now look at body language and public speaking skills for furthering our efforts in constructing an inviting platform for future presentations.

Body Language and Public Speaking Skills

Body language is one of the key components of delivering an engaging public speech. Not only do you want to engage your audience with your words, but you should also emphasize those words with appropriate body language. Body language can imply attitude, emotion and sincerity that cannot be conveyed with only words alone. From the moment a person walks on stage, their body language will speak volumes about their self-confidence and projected energy. Appearing stiff or uncomfortable may leave the audience feeling distanced from the speaker’s message as well as uninterested in hearing it further. Instead, it’s important to practice speaking with relaxed posture, keeping eye contact frequent and gestures intentional without being too exaggerated. On the other hand, some cultures enjoy more exaggerated gestures to indicate a point is important or speakers prefer gesturing to add emphasis. In those cases, make sure enough time is dedicated to practicing and refining any accompanying nonverbal communication skills before delivering a speech publicly. Too much enthusiasm alluding to a loss of focus or unintentionally eliciting laughter when not appropriate could detract from the overall effectiveness of the presentation. Therefore, finding that perfect balance between captivating your audience and powerful body language is extremely important for conveying a meaningful message. The development of effective public speaking skills also comes into play here as they greatly influence how clear, articulate and confident a speaker appears when communicating verbally in front of an audience. Specifically, developing strong pacing skills (speed of delivery), emphasizing important words/phrases and pausing appropriately can have an impact on how well the audience receives what’s being delivered.

Crucial Points to Remember

Body language plays an important role in engaging an audience when delivering a public speech. The speaker must appear self-confident, relaxed and use appropriate body language without going too far with gestures. Body language can convey attitude, emotion and sincerity that words alone cannot. Public speaking skills are also essential in ensuring the message is communicated effectively along with intentional pauses for emphasis.

Toastmasters: Fear of Public Speaking No More

Fear of public speaking is a real, and common problem. Many of us can admit to feeling anxious when delivering a speech, or having to address people in any sort of presenting situation. But fear no more – Toastmasters can provide an invaluable opportunity for those who may be struggling with this fear and want to get better at public speaking. Toastmasters is an international organization that provides educational programs for developing leadership, communication and organizational skills. It creates an environment where knowledge, practice and feedback focused on building individuals’ confidence to achieve greater success communicating before an audience. The benefits of joining the Toastmasters community include having the opportunity to practice persuasive, informative and entertaining speeches in front of a supportive group, who will offer honest and helpful feedback. Members are encouraged during discussions and afterwards with constructive comments. This instant, real-life feedback allows members to quickly become comfortable in their own public speaking abilities while also building a network of peers all focusing on the same goal of achieving excellence in public speaking. Additionally, Toastmasters can help in understanding what makes good public speaking – organization, preparation, and delivery – through both lectures given by leaders within the organization as well as practice time among fellow participants. One’s fears are lessened as competence is gained through approachable learning and repetition. Additionally, bi-weekly meetings provide opportunities to work on becoming better speakers without taking long periods away from work or daily life obligations. Some may argue that Toastmasters won’t be enough to fully rid someone from fear of public speaking – and that’s understandable; as much as we would like to, some level of nerves can remain even when one has been trained in effective techniques for delivering presentations or speeches . However, being part of a supportive collective such as Toastmasters can still be immensely helpful for those looking for assistance with their fear of public speaking; despite the nerves that may remain, it will undoubtedly give the individual more confidence and poise when addressing large audiences. Ultimately with more practice, fear in public speaking can eventually become a thing of the past once you join Toastmasters!

Common Questions Explained

Are there any examples of toastmasters speeches available online.

Yes, there are many examples of Toastmasters speeches available online. You can find full transcripts of past Toastmasters speech contests at the official Toastmasters website, and there are plenty of videos from past speech contests on YouTube. Additionally, many Toastmaster’s clubs post recordings of their members’ recent speeches to their websites or social media pages. One final resource is the several blogs dedicated to public speaking tips and sample speeches that often feature excerpts from Toastmaster’s speeches.

What kind of topics might be discussed in a Toastmasters speech?

When crafting an engaging Toastmasters speech, it is important to choose a topic that will hold your audience’s attention and interest. Popular topics for a Toastmasters speech may include professional or personal development, motivational stories, leadership skills, the art of communication and public speaking, storytelling techniques, humor and improvisation techniques, creative ideas , business strategies, and any other topic related to self-improvement or public speaking. Many toastmasters speakers look to contemporary news and events as great sources of inspiration and material when crafting their speeches. Since each Toastmaster club is different and may have a unique audience with varying interests, it’s important to consider the topic carefully before presenting. When in doubt about what kind of topics are appropriate for a Toastmaster speech, the International Speech Contest Rulebook provides clear guidelines on acceptable topics and how to ensure that all speakers stick within those boundaries. For more information on the various contest rules and regulations governing Toastmasters’ speeches, consultation with the club leader or a local contest chair should be considered.

Are there any guidelines or tips for how to give a successful Toastmasters speech?

Yes, there are several guidelines and tips for delivering a successful Toastmasters speech. First, it is important to have an engaging introduction that captures the audience’s attention and clearly outlines the main points of your talk. Starting with an interesting anecdote or story can help to set the tone and make your speech more memorable. Secondly, while you should always be mindful of time, it is much better to practice your speech until you are confident in its quality over practicing until you can fit it into a specific amount of minutes. This ensures that you deliver a polished and well-thought-out presentation rather than one that is rushed or incomplete. Thirdly, prepare yourself both mentally and physically before the speech by relaxing and doing some deep breathing exercises . It is also recommended to rehearse your delivery in front of a mirror or even a few friends to gain confidence in your abilities. Finally, use powerful body language in order to get your message across convincingly. Make sure to maintain eye contact with different sections of the audience throughout so that everyone feels included and involved in your talk. Also try standing up as much as possible if your venue allows for it as this will help to add energy and movement to your performance. By using these guidelines, you will be able to craft an engaging and successful Toastmasters speech that captivates listeners.

District One

Special Occasion Speeches

Special events present special speaking opportunities. This manual provides instruction in giving toasts, speaking in praise/giving a eulogy, “roasting” someone and presenting and accepting awards.

Part of the Advanced Communication Series .

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• FIND-A-CLUB
• Path: Presentation Mastery
• Pathways Paths and Projects

Presentation Mastery

This path helps you build your skills as an accomplished public speaker. The projects on this path focus on learning how an audience responds to you and improving your connection with audience members. The projects contribute to developing an understanding of effective public speaking technique, including speech writing and speech delivery. This path culminates in an extended speech that will allow you to apply what you learned.

LEVEL 1 (10/2021)

Level 1 (pre 10/2021), level 1: mastering fundamentals, level 1 projects (required).

This foundational project is designed to introduce you to your club and the skills you need to begin your Toastmasters journey.

Purpose:  The purpose of this project is to introduce yourself to the club and learn the basic structure of a public speech.

Overview:  Write and deliver a speech about any topic to introduce yourself to the club. Your speech may be humorous, informational, or any other style that appeals to you.

This project includes:

■  A 4- to 6-minute speech

WRITING A SPEECH WITH PURPOSE

This foundational project is designed to help you write and deliver your first Toastmasters speech or the first speech in your new path.

Purpose:  The purpose of this project is to learn or review basic methods for writing a speech with a defined purpose and to present a well-organized speech on any topic.

Overview:  Select a topic that appeals to you. It can be anything. Be sure your topic is narrow enough to be an effective 5- to 7-minute speech.

Clearly define your topic and consider your goal for your speech. Before you organize your speech, identify and express your purpose in a single sentence. Practice your speech and refine its organization. Present your speech at a club meeting.

■  A 5- to 7-minute speech

INTRODUCTION TO VOCAL VARIETY AND BODY LANGUAGE

This foundational project is designed to help you learn the basics of presenting with engaging vocal variety and compelling body language.

Purpose:  The purpose of this project is to practice using vocal variety or body language to enhance a speech.

Overview:  Learn or review the importance of vocal variety and body language. Present a 5- to 7-minute speech on any topic at a club meeting. The primary focus of the evaluation is your vocal variety or your body language and gestures. You will identify the skills you are working on for your evaluator before you deliver your speech and be evaluated on those skills.

EVALUATION AND FEEDBACK

This project addresses the skills needed to give and receive feedback. You will learn about giving, receiving and applying feedback.

Purpose:  This project comprises three assignments – the delivery of two speeches and an evaluation. The purpose of this project is to present a speech on any topic, receive feedback, and apply the feedback to the second speech.

Overview:  Choose any topic for your first 5- to 7-minute speech. After your speech, carefully review your feedback. At a different club meeting, present a second 5- to 7-minute speech in which you incorporate feedback from your first speech. You may choose to present the same speech again or a new speech. Your second speech should reflect some or all of the feedback from your first speech. To complete this project, serve as an evaluator at a club meeting and deliver constructive feedback about another member’s presentation.

This project includes: ■  A 5- to 7-minute speech ■  Another 5 – 7 minute speech that incorporates feedback from the first speech ■  Serving as a speech evaluator

RESEARCHINIG AND PRESENTING

This project addresses topic selection strategies, suggestions for research and methods for producing a well organized speech.

Purpose:  The purpose of this project is to learn or review basic research methods and present a well-organized, well-researched speech on any topic.

Overview:  Select a topic that you are not already familiar with or that you wish to learn more about. Be sure your topic is narrow enough to be an effective 5- to 7-minute speech. Research the topic and begin organizing the information, as described in this project. Practice your speech and continue to refine its organization. Present your speech at a club meeting.

■  Researching a topic ■  The Research Worksheet ■  The Speech Outline Worksheet ■  A 5- to 7-minute speech

Level 2: Learning Your Style

Level 2 projects (required).

This project focuses on recognizing your preferred communication style and understanding how your style impacts your interactions with others.

Purpose:  The purpose of this project is to learn about different communication styles and identify your primary style.

Overview:  Complete the Discover Your Communication Style questionnaire to help you identify your style. Deliver a 5- to 7-minute speech at a club meeting about your communication style and its impact on your professional and/or personal relationships. If you are uncomfortable discussing your communication style, you may speak about the communication styles you have encountered and how they impact you. Your speech should not be a report of the content of this project.

This project includes: ■  The Discover Your Communication Style questionnaire ■  A 5- to 7-minute speech

EFFECTIVE BODY LANGUAGE

Purpose:  The purpose of this project is to deliver a speech with awareness of your intentional and unintentional body language, as well as to learn, practice, and refine how you use nonverbal communication when delivering a speech.

Overview:  Prepare a 5- to 7-minute speech on a topic that lends itself to expression through your movement and gestures. Video record your presentation and get feedback from your mentor or another reviewer before speaking to your club. If you do not have access to a recording device, perform your speech in front of a mirror and make adjustments before your scheduled speech.

This project includes: ■  A 5- to 7-minute speech

INTRODUCTION TO TOASTMASTER MENTORNG

This project introduces the value of mentorship and the Toastmasters view of mentors and protégés.

Purpose:  The purpose of this project is to clearly define how Toastmasters envisions mentoring.

Overview:  Write and present a 5- to 7-minute speech about a time when you were a protégé. Share the impact and importance of having a mentor. This speech is not a report on the content of this project.

Note: Every member in Toastmasters Pathways must complete this project.

Level 3: Increasing Knowledge

Level 3 project (required), persuasive speaking.

This project focuses on helping you to develop and support a viewpoint, and identify the most appropriate type of persuasive speech for your topic.

Purpose:  The purpose of this project is to understand the types of persuasive speeches and deliver a persuasive speech at a club meeting.

Overview:  Choose any topic that lends itself to speaking persuasively and prepare a speech. Present your 5- to 7-minute speech at a club meeting. If your vice president education approves a non-club event or group, your evaluator must be present for your speech.

This project includes: ■  The Persuasive Speech Outline Worksheet ■  A 5- to 7-minute speech

LEVEL 3 ELECTIVES [CHOOSE 2]

Active listening.

This project covers the difference between hearing and listening, and steps for exploring the ways listening helps build strong, lasting connections.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to demonstrate your ability to listen to what others say.

Overview: At a club meeting, fulfill the role of Topicsmaster. As Topicsmaster, comment on each speaker’s Table Topics® speech to demonstrate your active listening skills. For example, you might say, “Thank you. That was a compelling opinion on the benefits of gardening. I understand you feel strongly that everyone needs to spend some time doing something they love.”

This project includes:  ■  Serving as Topicsmaster at a club meeting

CONNECT WITH STORYTELLING

This project addresses storytelling techniques and descriptive skills to help make every speech relatable and interesting.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to practice using a story within a speech or giving a speech that is a story.

Overview: Choose an established story, a story about your life, or a fictional tale of your own creation. Deliver the 5- to 7-minute speech at a club meeting.

This project includes:  ■  A 5- to 7-minute speech

CONNECT WITH YOUR AUDIENCE

This project focuses on different audience types and how to address them effectively.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to practice the skills needed to connect with an unfamiliar audience.

Overview: Develop a 5- to 7-minute speech on a topic that is unfamiliar to the majority of your audience. Because you deliver this speech in your Toastmasters club, you are familiar with the audience members’ preferences and personalities. Selecting a topic that is new or unfamiliar to your club members will allow you to practice adapting as you present. As you speak, monitor the audience’s reaction to your topic and adapt as necessary to maintain engagement.

CREATING EFFECTIVE VISUAL AIDES

This project addresses effective methods for choosing the best visual aid for your presentation along with the creation and use of each type.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to practice selecting and using a variety of visual aids during a speech.

Overview: Choose a speech topic that lends itself well to using visual aids. Create at least one but no more than three visual aids to enhance your presentation. Deliver your 5- to 7-minute presentation at a club meeting.

This project includes:  ■  Creating one to three visual aids  ■  A 5- to 7-minute speech

DELIVER SOCIAL SPEECHES

This project addresses the skills needed to compose a speech for a social occasion including a toast, eulogy, an acceptance speech and a speech praising an individual or group.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to practice delivering social speeches in front of your club members.

Overview: Develop two different social speeches—each 3 to 4 minutes—and present them at two separate club meetings. You may choose any two types of social speeches that appeal to you or that you would like to practice.

This project includes: ■  The Social Speech Basics resource ■  Two 3- to 4-minute speeches

FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE

This project addresses strategies for improving your personal interactions by understanding the impact of your attitudes and thoughts on daily interactions.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to practice being aware of your thoughts and feelings, as well as the impact of your responses on others.

Overview: Keep a daily record of your moods and attitudes for a minimum of two weeks, noting when you feel positive or negative, your successes and efforts, and three things for which you are grateful. Record and evaluate any changes in your behavior or the behavior of those around you. At a club meeting, share some aspect of your experience. You may choose to schedule a 2-to 3-minute report or a 5-to 7-minute speech. After completing your speech, submit your signed Project Completion Form to your vice president education to indicate you completed the journal.

This project includes:  ■  Recording your daily moods and attitudes for a minimum of two weeks  ■  A 2- to 3-minute report or a 5- to 7-minute speech  ■  The Project Completion Form

INSPIRE YOUR AUDIENCE

This project addresses how to present a speech in an enthusiastic and inspiring fashion to establish a strong rapport with your audience.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to practice writing and delivering a speech that inspires others.

Overview: Select a topic with the intent of inspiring your audience and prepare a 5- to 7-minute speech for your club.

KNOW YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR

This project focuses on understanding what makes you laugh and how to share that with an audience.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to begin developing a collection of humorous stories and to present a speech that includes humor.

Overview: Give a 5- to 7-minute speech on a topic of your choosing. Your speech should include at least one anecdote or story intended to entertain or bring humor into your presentation.

This project includes: ■ A 5- to 7-minute speech

MAKE CONNECTIONS THROUGH NETWORKING

This project focuses on how to network effectively and understanding the importance of being a professional ally to people in your network.

Purpose:  The purpose of this project is to develop and practice a personal strategy for building connections through networking.

Overview:  Prepare for and attend a networking event. After the event, present a 5- to 7-minute speech to your club. Your speech can include a story or stories about your experience, a description of what you learned, or a discussion on the benefits of networking. Your speech may be personal to you or informational about networking. If you attend a non-Toastmasters event, you must sign the Project Completion Form and give it to your vice president education.

This project includes: ■  The Prepare to Network resource ■  Attending a networking event ■  The Project Completion Form ■  A 5- to 7-minute speech

PREPARE FOR AN INTERVIEW

This project addresses the skills you need to identify and speak about personal strengths and present yourself well in an interview of any type.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to practice the skills needed to present yourself well in an interview.

Overview: Determine which type of interview you would like to practice, such as a job or expert interview. Prepare by reviewing your skills and abilities. Complete the resources in the project and give them to your interviewer before your presentation. You determine which member of your club interviews you, but your interviewer must be someone other than your evaluator. In a 5- to 7-minute role-play presentation at a club meeting, practice answering interview questions to promote your skills, abilities, and experience.

This project includes:  ■  The Identifying Your Skills Worksheet  ■  The Interviewer Instructions resource  ■  A 5- to 7-minute role-play interview at a club meeting

RESEARCHING & PRESENTING (10/2021 became elective)

Understanding vocal variety.

This project addresses the importance of vocal variety when giving a speech and provides activities to develop and nurture its use.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to practice using vocal variety to enhance a speech.

Overview: Learn or review the importance of vocal variety. Use the exercises in this project to improve your vocal variety skills. Then, present a 5- to 7-minute speech on any topic at a club meeting. The primary focus of the evaluation is your vocal variety.

USING DESCRIPTIVE LANGUAGE

This project addresses the difference between literal and figurative language along with how to determine when to use each to create vivid descriptions.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to practice writing a speech with an emphasis on adding language to increase interest and impact.

Overview: You may speak on any topic. Develop a 5- to 7-minute speech describing the topic in detail and present it at your club meeting.

USING PRESENTATION SOFTWARE

This project addresses the use of presentation software—from identifying topics that benefit from the use of technology to effective slide design and presentation.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to introduce or review basic presentation software strategies for creating and using slides to support or enhance a speech.

Overview: Select a speech topic that lends well to a visual presentation using technology. Use the content of this project and your own research to help you develop your slides. Give a 5- to 7-minute speech using the slides you developed. Your speech can be humorous, demonstrative, or informational, and it may include stories or anecdotes.

This project includes:  ■  Developing presentation slides  ■  A 5- to 7-minute speech 

Level 4: Building Skills

Level 4 project (required), managing a difficult audience.

This project covers common behaviors of difficult audience members and how to address each behavior in a calm, effective and professional way.

Purpose:  The purpose of this project is to practice the skills needed to address audience challenges when you present outside of your Toastmasters club.

Overview:  Prepare a 5- to 7-minute speech on a topic of your choosing. You may write a new speech or use a speech you presented previously. You will be evaluated on the way you manage audience disruptions, not the content of your speech. Before your club meeting, send the Role Play Assignments resource to the Toastmaster and vice president education. As you present your speech, respond to different types of difficult audience members that disrupt you. The process of speaking and responding to audience members will take 12 to 15 minutes.

This project includes: ■  A role play assignment for club members ■  A 5- to 7-minute speech

LEVEL 4 ELECTIVES [CHOOSE 1]

Building a social media presence.

This project addresses how best to use different types of online communication. You will create and maintain an online profile to promote yourself or an organization.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to apply your understanding of social media to enhance an established or new social media presence.

Overview: Use this project and your own research to build a new social media presence or enhance an existing presence. You may focus on a personal goal (such as connecting with old friends or promoting a blog) or on a professional goal (such as promoting a business or organization). Use the tools you identify as best for you and your purpose. After you achieve your goal, deliver a 5- to 7-minute speech to your club about your results, experience, and the benefits of social media. Submit the Project Completion Form to your vice president education to receive credit for completing the project.

Note: With the vice president public relation’s approval, you may choose to create a social media presence for your Toastmasters club.

This project includes:  ■  Establishing or enhancing a social media presence  ■  The Project Completion Form  ■  A 5- to 7-minute speech

CREATE A PODCAST

This project addresses the skills you need to develop a podcast, create interesting content and organize a cohesive program. You will learn how to record and upload it to the internet.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to introduce you to the skills needed to organize and present a podcast.

Overview: Use this project and your own research to create a podcast. Record a minimum of 60 minutes of content. You are free to divide the episodes as you choose. Each separate episode must be at least 10 minutes, but may be longer if it fits your topic and style. After you record all content, play a 5- to 10-minute segment in your club. Introduce the segment in a 2- to 3-minute speech..

This project includes:  ■  Recording 60 minutes of podcast content  ■  A 2- to 3-minute introduction speech

MANAGE ONLINE MEETINGS

This project addresses how to effectively conduct online meetings and webinars, prepare and organize necessary visual aids, and lead with confidence.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to practice facilitating an online meeting or leading a webinar.

Overview: Conduct a 20- to 25-minute online meeting with fellow Toastmasters or a 20- to 25-minute webinar with visual aids for fellow Toastmasters. You determine the topic of your meeting or webinar. Research and use software that best fits your needs and geographic area. Invite your evaluator to participate in the online meeting or webinar. If you complete your assignment with non-Toastmasters, you must receive approval from the vice president education and invite your evaluator to attend.

This project includes:  ■  The Online Meeting Agenda resource  ■  The Online Meeting Basics resource  ■  Planning and conducting a 20- to 25-minute online meeting or webinar

MANAGE PROJECTS SUCCESSFULLY

This project focuses on skills needed to effectively manage a project, develop rapport with stakeholders and cultivate strong relationships with a team.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to practice developing a plan, building a team, and fulfilling the plan with the help of your team.

Overview: Form a team of three to four people and choose a project. Create a plan for your project and present the plan to your club in a 2- to 3-minute speech. Work with your team to complete your project. Present a 5- to 7-minute speech about your experience. This speech may be humorous, informational, or any type of speech that appeals to you. It should not be a report about the content of this project, but a reflection of your experience applying what you learned.

Note: When considering projects to complete, refer to future projects on your path. You may be able to use the assignment in this project to help you prepare for the completion of an upcoming project.

This project includes:  ■  Building a team  ■  Creating a project plan  ■  The Project Plan resource  ■  A 2- to 3-minute speech about your plan  ■  Completing the plan with your team  ■  A 5- to 7-minute speech about your experience

PUBLIC RELATIONS STRATEGIES

Purpose:  The purpose of this project is to practice the skills needed to effectively use public relations strategies for any group or situation.

Overview:  Create a public relations plan for a real or hypothetical group or situation. If it involves your club, it must be hypothetical unless you communicate with the vice president public relations and club president. Share your plan in a 5- to 7-minute speech at a club meeting. This speech is not a report on the content of this project, but an example of how you will or might apply what you learned.

This project includes: ■  Creating a public relations strategy ■  A 5- to 7-minute speech

QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION

This project addresses how to prepare to answer questions and provide information clearly, concisely and with confidence.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to learn about and practice facilitating a question-and-answer session.

Overview: Select a topic of which you are particularly knowledgeable. Prepare and deliver a speech on this topic, followed by a question-and-answer session. Together, the speech and question-and-answer session must be 15 to 20 minutes. Use your time effectively to ensure both segments are completed.

This project includes:  ■  A 5-to 7-minute speech  ■  A question-and-answer session after the speech

WRITING A COMPELLING BLOG

This project addresses the basics of developing a compelling blog and successfully engaging a readership.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to review or introduce the skills needed to write and maintain a blog.

Overview: Post a minimum of eight blog posts in one month. Your blog may be new or one you have already established. You must receive approval from the vice president education to blog on behalf of your club. Deliver a 2- to 3-minute speech at a club meeting about the impact of your blogging experience. You may choose to have your blog evaluated by members of the club. Submit your signed Project Completion Form to the vice president education to receive credit for this project.

This project includes:  ■  Maintaining a blog and posting at least eight times in one month  ■  The Blog Evaluation Form  ■  The Project Completion Form  ■  A 2- to 3-minute speech

Level 5: Demonstrating Expertise

Level 5 projects (required).

This project is designed to help you define the attributes of professional speakers and apply that understanding to your own skills as a speaker.

Purpose:  The purpose of this project is to practice developing and presenting a longer speech

Overview:  Write and present an 18- to 22-minute keynote-style speech. Exemplify the point of view or message you would convey as a professional-level speaker. You may choose to use visual aids if they fit your speech and your style. Your speech may be humorous, informational, or any style that appeals to you and supports your speech content. If you receive advance approval from the vice president education, you may present your speech to a non- Toastmasters group.

This project includes: ■  The Speech Outline Worksheet ■  An 18- to 22-minute keynote-style speech

REFLECT ON YOUR PATH

This project is designed to give you an opportunity to share your experience at the end of your path.

Purpose:  The purpose of this project is to reflect on your growth during the completion of an entire path.

Overview:  At a club meeting, present a 10- to 12-minute speech to share your experience completing your path. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on how far you have come, summarize the skills you have learned and developed, and to celebrate your achievements. Your speech can be humorous, informational, or any style that that appeals to you and supports your speech content.

This project includes: ■  The Your Toastmasters Journey resource ■  A 10- to 12-minute speech

LEVEL 5 ELECTIVES [CHOOSE 1]

Ethical leadership.

This project addresses the importance of recognizing the effect of decisions that impact ethics, best practices for making ethical decisions and developing an ethical framework.

Purpose:  The purpose of this project is to develop a clear understanding of your own ethical framework and create an opportunity for others to hear about and discuss ethics in your organization or community.

Overview:  Define an ethical framework for yourself. To do this, you may need to complete personal research beyond the contents of this project. Then, organize and moderate a 20- to 40-minute panel discussion about ethics, followed by a question-and-answer session. If you have never facilitated a panel discussion, review the “Moderate a Panel Discussion” elective project.

■  The Ethical Framework resource

■  Organizing and moderating a panel discussion as well as a question-and-answer session

HIGH PERFORMANCE LEADERSHIP

The focus of this project is to design and complete a project with well-defined goals, lead a team and be accountable to a guidance committee.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to apply your leadership and planning knowledge to develop a project plan, organize a guidance committee, and implement your plan with the help of a team.

Overview: Select a project to complete with a team of at least three other members. Form a guidance committee and meet at least five times through the duration of the project. Deliver a 5-to 7-minute speech at a club meeting to introduce your plan and vision. After you implement the plan, deliver a second 5- to 7-minute speech at a club meeting to share your experience developing and completing your plan.

This project includes:  ■  Selecting, leading, and completing a project with a team  ■  Forming and meeting with a guidance committee at least five times  ■  The Guidance Committee Introduction resource  ■  The Meeting Agenda resource  ■  The Project Plan Overview resource  ■  The Project Plan resource  ■  The Vision Plan resource  ■  The Event Planning Worksheet  ■  The 360° Evaluation resource  ■  Two 5- to 7-minute speeches

LEAD IN YOUR VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION

This project focuses on the skills required to lead in a volunteer organization and the importance of recognition and reward in motivating volunteers.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to apply the skills needed to successfully lead in a volunteer organization.

Overview: Serve in a leadership role in Toastmasters or another volunteer organization for at least six months. You may complete this project based on your employment, but a volunteer organization is preferable. Ask members of the organization to complete a 360° evaluation of your leadership skills. Create a succession plan to aid in the transition after you leave your position of leadership. After your six-month term, deliver a 5- to 7-minute speech at a club meeting to reflect on your personal experience.

This project includes:  ■  Serving in a volunteer leadership role for a minimum of six months  ■  Conducting a 360° evaluation of your leadership skills  ■  Creating a succession plan  ■  The Succession Plan resource  ■  The 360° Evaluation resource  ■  A 5- to 7-minute speech

LESSONS LEARNED

This project addresses how to identify the discussion points of a large group meeting, encourage a culture of contribution and voicing opinions, and facilitate productive discussion that yields results.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to learn about and apply the skills needed to run a lessons learned meeting during a project or after its completion.

Overview: Facilitate a lessons learned meeting for a team with which you are completing or have completed a project. This meeting is separate from your regular Toastmasters meeting. Organize and facilitate a discussion. Record the results into a document you and your team members can use to facilitate the current project or future projects. If you haven’t already, give team members an opportunity to complete a 360° evaluation of you as a team leader. (Use the 360° Evaluation resource.) Finally, present a 5- to 7-minute speech in your club about the lessons learned meeting or your leadership experience.

This project includes:  ■  Facilitating a lessons learned meeting  ■  Documenting the results of the lessons learned meeting  ■  The 360° Evaluation resource  ■  The Lessons Learned Response Log  ■  The Metrics Log  ■  A 5- to 7-minute speech

MODERATE A PANEL DISCUSSION

This project addresses the skills needed to successfully moderate a panel discussion and how to be an effective participant on a panel.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to apply your skills as a public speaker and leader to facilitate a panel discussion.

Overview: Plan and moderate a 20- to 40-minute panel discussion. The panel discussion can be on any topic and may take place at a club meeting or outside of Toastmasters with the approval of your vice president education. Toastmasters who participate as panelists do not receive credit in Toastmasters Pathways. When you have the opportunity, volunteer to act as a panelist for another member completing this project.

This project includes:  ■  Planning and moderating a 20- to 40-minute panel discussion  ■  The Panelist Basics resource  ■  The Project Completion Form

Ready to Aim Higher?

Completion of this path puts you well on the way to achieving Toastmasters highest honour – the  Distinguished Toastmaster Award . To reach that goal, you need to:

• complete one more path
• serve a term as a club officer
• serve a term as a district officer
• become a club mentor or club coach
• be a club sponsor, conduct a Speechcraft Course or Youth Leadership Program

Final step to complete DTM –  DTM Project

Good luck with your journey!

Tips & Guidelines for speech: Presenting an award

Toastmaster | Public Speaking | Impromptu Speech | Ice Breaking ( first) Speech | Evaluation  

Dos and don’ts for presenting an award

When recognizing someone for a job well done, you want to highlight the value of both the award and the recipient. To create a memorable presentation, Toastmaster Cindy Ventrice recommends that you “first explain the criteria for the award and how the recipient met those criteria.” This requires research. The presenter should be able to answer these questions: · What does the award stand for? · Is there a meaningful tradition associated with it? · Why was this person chosen for the award? Some dos and don’ts:· Do tell a story – about the significance of the award and how or why the recipient was chosen. · Do pronounce the person’s name correctly. · Do give the audience some background on the recipient. · Do hold the award as if it is valuable. Make eye contact, smile warmly and hand the person the award as if it were a treasure. · Don’t bring the person to the lectern before you give the introduction. It’s awkward to stand before a group while someone talks about you. · Don’t hand over an unsigned certificate. If you don’t know how to spell the recipient’s name or have poor handwriting, find someone else to complete the certificate. · Don’t stand so the audience can’t see you, the recipient or the award.

( Courtesy: Khalid AlQoud, DTM )

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Tuesday, June 07, 2011

Presenting an award.

• 1000 new members
• 50 new clubs
• 500 CCs and ACs
• 500 CLs and DTMs
• 1st Runner-Up Div. B Evaluation Speech Contest 2006-200
• 1st Runner-Up Div. A Impromptu Speech Contest 2007-2008 Distinguished Area 2000-2001, Area 16 Governor, Div. B
• Talk-Up Award 2008-2009, Butter n’ Toast TMC VP-Membership
• District Web Master 2004-2005
• Club Mentor/Sponsor to:
• Butter n’ Toast TMC
• Silver & White TMC
• As President she lead Molave TMC to Select Distinguished Club in 1998-1999
• As the Division B Governor (2009-2010), she received the following awards:
• President's Distinguished Division from Toastmasters International
• Excellence in Marketing Award from past District Governor Nolie Espina
• Distinguished Area (Area 16 Governor, 2000-2001)
• Founders Award (Area 4 Governor, 1999-2000)
• Club President of the Year (President, 1998-1999)
• Best Club Program (President, 1998-1999)

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Presenting an Award

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• Present an award with dignity and grace.
• Acknowledge the contributions of the recipient.

7 things you should know about Toastmasters

• James Haynes
• August 22, 2022

Table of Contents

Introduction.

If you’re an aspiring professional public speaker, chances are you’ve heard of Toastmasters. With chapters across the United States and the world, it is one of the most ubiquitous public speaking organizations out there. But what exactly is Toastmasters? Who is Toastmasters for? Is it open to just anyone, regardless of experience? How much does Toastmasters cost? 

For answers to these questions and more, read on.

What is Toastmasters?

Founded in California in 1924, Toastmasters originated as a program for young men to practice public speaking at their local YMCA. Over the last hundred years, Toastmasters has grown to be one of the largest public speaking-focused organizations in the world. According to the  Toastmasters International website , Toastmasters is a nonprofit teaching public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs; the organization’s membership exceeds 300,000 in more than 15,800 clubs in 149 countries.

Toastmasters has a local chapter-based structure, and weekly hour-long meetings are the norm for most clubs. The average club has about twenty members. Members can take on specific roles within their clubs, such as Ah-Counter (responsible for noting any overused words or filler sounds), Timer, Grammarian, and more. Members give a series of both organized and impromptu speeches and receive feedback on their speeches from other members. 

Toastmasters also hosts the World Championship of Public Speaking, one of the largest speech contests in the world. According to the Toastmasters website, thousands of Toastmasters, representing over 100 countries, battle annually for the title of World Champion of Public Speaking. This months-long competition culminates at the Toastmasters International Convention with 28 semifinalists competing for the award.

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7 things to know about Toastmasters

1. who joins toastmasters.

 As  Grant Baldwin discusses in his podcast on Toastmasters , the clientele of a typical Toastmasters chapter meeting may be very diverse. It could include a real estate agent wanting to improve her public speaking skills. Or you might see a businessman wanting to practice his upcoming presentation for a boardroom. It doesn’t have to be for a job, either. You might see a stay-at-home mom who just wants to become more confident in her public speaking skills.

Ryan Avery was the 2012 Toastmasters World Championship winner.  In an interview with Grant Baldwin , Avery described the dedication that Toastmasters members have to their chapters. “They’ll wake up at 6:00 AM to drive two hours to record you,” he said. “That’s a pretty crazy thing, right? Being able to know nothing about speaking and jumping in and finding people willing to help you, that is without a doubt, a major, major pro to it.”

2. You can develop your talk

There are a number of upsides to trying Toastmasters. Here are a few: If you’re just starting out as a paid public speaker, you’re probably trying to find what material works. (For more on developing your talk,  check out this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast.) The stories, jokes, content, openings, closings, and transitions may be easier to practice in a Toastmasters setting. Maybe you’re a naturally nervous speaker. There’s nothing wrong with feeling some nerves before you go speak. Having some of that excitement or nervous energy before you speak reminds you that what you’re doing matters. It forces you to focus your attention and be fully present. One of the best ways to minimize those nerves is to practice so you know exactly where you’re going with your talk.

And to practice, you need to get chances to speak. It’s the same as if you want to become a better writer: you have to practice writing. To become a better runner, you have to run. If you want to become better at riding a bike, you have to ride a bike. The same thing is true with speaking! If you wanna become a better speaker, you have to actually speak. And the nature of speaking means that you generally need an audience. Toastmasters gives an opportunity for you to be a speaker, and for you as a speaker to have that audience.

3. Toastmasters is not necessarily for professional speakers

Toastmasters has a broad audience, many of which are not trying to build a public speaking business. Rory Vaden was a Toastmasters member who made it all the way to their competitive World Championship of Public Speaking event. As  he said in The Speaker Lab’s podcast episode #404 , Toastmasters “is not really for professional speakers. It’s just for people who want to be better at speaking. It’s the easiest, fastest, most encouraging place that you can go to immediately get stage time for free and get quality people and real coaching, instruction, feedback, and practice.” 

Notably, Toastmasters is not an organization oriented towards getting professional speakers booked and paid to speak at gigs. According to Vaden, “my advice to people is to stay in Toastmasters as long as you can until you’re speaking so much that you’re getting that stage time weekly from other paying gigs and engagements.” (interested in hearing what Vaden did after Toastmasters?  Check out the podcast audio here .)

4. How much a Toastmasters membership costs

How much does Toastmasters cost? According to the Toastmasters website, Members pay international dues of $45 USD every six months, plus a new member fee of $20 USD. However, attending club meetings as a guest is free!

5. What a Toastmasters meeting looks like

Although Toastmasters meeting structures vary somewhat by chapter, many meetings last about an hour or so and include three major parts: impromptu speaking (aka Table Topics), prepared speeches, and formal evaluations.

During the improvisation part, a member who has prepared the topics, called the Table Topics Speaker, states a topic and calls someone to the desk. The speaker then has a short period (e.g. one to two minutes) to respond.

For prepared speeches, a few members (generally 2-4) present a prepared speech in front of the other club members for a set amount of time (normally between 5 and 15 minutes long). Participants can present on any topic of their choice, but speeches usually follow the Toastmasters guidelines. After delivering their speech, the speaker is evaluated by another member. An evaluator typically congratulates the speaker on a job well done, provides positive feedback, and offers areas of improvement. This immediate feedback allows the speaker to know his recognized strengths and gives him ideas on how to improve his presentation techniques for his next speech. 

After the evaluation of the speeches, three members each present a report on a technical point. The grammarian identifies grammatical errors and repetitions. The Ah-Counter keeps track of the number of “uhs” “ums” and related pauses in the speech. At the conclusion of the evaluation session, the general evaluator makes a general comment on the whole evening and gives advice for future meetings. At the end of the meeting, attendees may vote for the speaker they believe spoke best at presenting their Table Topic, prepared speech, or formal evaluation.

6. Public speaking career resources from Toastmasters

Interested in learning how to become a certified public speaker ? Toastmasters offers an accreditation through their Accredited Speaker Program. For members of Toastmasters, the Accredited Speaker program is designed to give professional speakers an edge through certification by Toastmasters International. If you are a current member, have earned a qualifying education award, and have given a minimum of 25 non-Toastmasters speaking engagements within the past three years, you may be eligible to apply. (want to learn more about  professional speaker certifications? check out this podcast with Grant Baldwin.)

According to their site , Toastmasters seeking a professional-level speaker are directed to the Accredited Speaker profiles, where they can view all Accredited Speakers who have chosen to have a profile and contact you for their speaking engagement. After you have received the designation, Toastmasters International will work with you to gather information. They will also write you a professional profile that highlights your expertise and skill as a speaker. Once you have approved your profile, it will be posted on the website along with your contact information. 

7. Toastmasters hosts the World Championship of Public Speaking

As mentioned above, Toastmasters hosts the annual World Championship of Public Speaking, one of the largest speech contests in the world. What does it take to win the Toastmasters World Championship? Well, in addition to commitment through hours spent practicing in meetings, some aspects of the process involve learning the right formulas. Want to learn more about those formulas? The Speaker Lab podcast recently  recorded an episode breaking down a speech from 2018 Toastmasters Champion Ramona J. Smith.

What Type Of Speaker Are You?

Click below to discover your Speaker Archetype and how to start getting booked and paid to speak!

So you’ve gotten a sense of what Toastmasters is (and isn’t). You’ve learned about the World Championship and other certification opportunities Toastmasters offers. But perhaps you’d still like to learn more about how to get started with your public speaker business. Is that you? Satiate your desire to learn more about public speaking by checking out  The Speaker Lab blog here.  Happy speaking!

• Last Updated: February 29, 2024

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