Voices of Aaron Toastmasters

Introducing a speaker is a common task for the Toastmaster. The task will also fall to other individuals during other roles or occasions.

You can introduce a speaker by naming three things such as awards, accomplishments, endeavors, or anything else that’s positive. If you aren’t familiar with the speaker or her accomplishments, you may be handed a bio to work from.

The length of the introduction should be short and sweet. Remember, the audience isn’t there to hear you, they are there to hear the speaker!

There are also a few basic rules to remember.

1. Address the audience.
2. Include the person’s professional title
3. Always shake hands with the speaker before turning over the lectern.

Here are a few sample introductions you can use at your next meeting:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, our next speaker is a man of many words.
He is a member of the City Council, and former founder of the Citizens
for Better Education. Outside of politics, he is a local business owner
and family man. Please help me welcome Councilman John Doe!"

"Ladies and Gentlemen, fellow Toastmasters, and honored guests.
Our next speaker is a prominent physician in our community and she's
written her second book on improving health through better diet. Between
her health care practice and writing books, she still finds time to
compete in marathons, and more recently completed the 45k run. Please
welcome Dr. Jane Smith!"

"Fellow Toastmasters and Welcome Guests, our next speaker is a new member
to our Toastmasters club. He joined several weeks ago and gave a wonderful
Icebreaker speech. He's now working through his Competent Communication
Manual and will completing Project 2, Organizing Your Speech. We look
forward to this and many more speeches to come. Please welcome our next
speaker, Toastmaster John Doe."