Toast

Time required for your report (45 sec - 1:30)

Purpose:

To give members a chance to learn skills in constructing and giving a toast to meet any occasion.

There are six parts to a formal toast:

1. Greeting

2. Proposal

3. Body

4. Veneration (pay honor to body of toast)

5. Declaration

6. Response
   

The following is a sample of the structure of a toast: (if possible the toast should tie into theme):

1. Greeting: "Mr./Mdm President, fellow toastmasters, and guests..."

2. Proposal: "I propose a toast to ......"

3. Body: "Last week I watched as the leaves turned from green to brown. This week I watched as snow drifted to the ground...."

4. Veneration: "Join me now as I share in the love of the seasons"

5. Declaration: "To the seasons"

6. Response: "To the seasons" (audience response)

7. Members and guests take a drink and are asked to be seated. 
   Note that you do not applaud a toast

Before the Meeting:

Determine some person(s) or event worthy of recognition. You should research a topics for a toast such as a special achievement in the community (if possible, use the theme of the day).

Construct a brief narrative about your chosen person(s) or event which explains who, what, and why it should be honored. It should be short (less than 1:00).

At the Meeting:

Be read when the President calls on you.

Acknowledge the President. (address the President, fellow toastmasters and guests).

Give your narrative.

Ask members to stand up, raise their glasses and toast with you to the person(s) or event.

Tips and Traps:

If called on to perform a toast to dignitary, be sure you know the correct pronunciation of the person's name and their title. Normal protocol if a person present is toasted is for that person to remain seated.

At most formal occasions, a toast to the highest office is given for all those represented. For example: Canadians (to the Queen), Americans (to the Office of the President of the United States of America). 

Notice that in each instance the office is toasted not the person. This is due to the fact that people come and go, but the position remains and is what is held in esteem.