As Toastmaster of the Day you face the task of introducing the other members of the program. If the Toastmaster does not perform the duties well, the entire meeting can end in failure. Therefore, this task is not usually assigned to a member until he or she is quite familiar with the Club and its procedures. The primary duty of the Toastmaster is to act as a genial host and to conduct the entire program. Program participants should be introduced in such a manner as to prepare the audience to listen with excitement and rapt attention. It is the Toastmaster who creates an atmosphere of interest, expectations and receptivity.

Prior to the meeting...

• Check with the Vice President of Education to find out if a special theme has been set for the meeting and if there are any program changes. If no theme has been set, you may decide the theme and notify the participants.
• Call the Table Topics Master to discuss his or her duties. Also provide the Table Topics Master with a list of program participants to insure these people will not be called on for Topic responses.
• Call all speakers in advance to remind them that they are speaking. Interview them to find out their speech title, manual project number, purpose to be achieved, time requested, and something interesting about themselves which you can use when introducing them (job, family, hobbies, education, why this topic to this audience, etc.).
• Call the General Evaluator to confirm the assignments. Ask the General Evaluator to call the other members of the evaluation team (Speech Evaluators, Topic Master, Timer, Grammarian, "Ah" Counter, etc.) and remind them of their responsibilities.
• Prepare introductions for each speaker. A proper introduction is important to the success of the speaker's presentation. To prepare a good introduction, refer to "Introducing the Speaker".
• Prepare remarks which can be used to bridge the gaps between program segments. You may never use them, but you should be prepared to avoid possibly awkward periods of silence.
• Remember that performing as Toastmaster is one of the most valuable experiences in your club work. The assignment requires careful preparation in order to have a smoothly running meeting.
• Prepare the meeting agenda for distribution at the meeting.

At the meeting...

• Arrive early in order to finish any last-minute details.
• Check with the speakers for any last-minute changes.
• Distribute agendas.
• Sit near the head of the table and have your speakers do likewise for quick and easy access to the lectern.

During the meeting...

• Open meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and invocation if appropriate.
• Give opening remarks, or thoughts, quotes, anecdotes, etc.
• Preside with sincerity, energy, and decisiveness. Take your audience on a pleasure journey and make them feel that all is going well.
• Always lead the applause during and after the Table Topics session, each prepared speaker, and the General Evaluator.
• Remain standing near the lectern after your introduction until the speaker has acknowledged you and assumed control of the meeting; then be seated.
• Introduce the General Evaluator as you would any speaker; the General valuator will then introduce the other members of the evaluation team.
• Introduce the Table Topics Master as you would any speaker. If the Table Topics Master forgets to vote for the best Table Topics speaker, then you do it.
• Introduce each speaker in turn.
• At the conclusion of the speaking program, vote for the Best Speaker (optional in some Clubs).
• Briefly reintroduce the General Evaluator and turn the meeting over to him or her.
• Award trophies, ribbons or buttons if appropriate.
• Adjourn the meeting, or if appropriate, return control of the meeting to the Chairman or Club President.

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