Doing the Toastmaster of the Evening role

It's easier than you think. Sometimes the scary part of TMOE is that you are 'on the stage' so much. Actually it's easy: everyone else is the star. Your job is just to introduce them and make them look good. Even the initial Toastmasters "related to the theme" introduction is followed by the inspiration speech so you don't have to make a huge speech there.

Find one or two phrases and say them in as many different ways as possible. If you want to practice something ahead of time this is an easy way to do it. Examples: "That was a great speech", "That was a wonderful lesson on that topic", "That was a very impactful presentation". These are all built from the same raw material just molded in different ways.

Don't be afraid to speak for us, the audience. The TMOE comments on the speeches given. Sometimes up there TMOEs are at a loss for something to say about each speech. An easy thing to do is to comment on the effect the speech had on the audience. As TMOE, you can speak for the audience, be their representative. It's not just your own thoughts but the audience's as well.

Roll with it. No meeting goes off perfectly so if something happens don't worry, unless it's an earthquake it won't be earth shattering. (And if it is an earthquake, you get a great story out of it.)

Use the opportunity to practice (if you're advanced)

• Practice doing nothing. I always tell people that one of the learning experiences in Toastmasters is to go in front of the audience and pause (for longer than you think you should). While you are waiting for someone to come to the lectern is a great time to practice doing just that.

• Practice concluding and transitioning. These are some of the most underrated skills in Toastmasters and this is a great time to practice that. Sometimes you're up there and feel that what you just said wasn't that impressive ("Thank you for that speech, it was really, really ... um, good."). This is a great time to practice giving that next speaker or agenda item full force and regain any momentum you feel you have lost ("Our next speaker is...").

• Practice being enthusiastic. Often it's easier to brag about others than yourself. If getting enthusiastic is out of your comfort zone, this is a great time to practice it - when it's in the service of other people.

• Practice saying less than you think you should. As mentioned above, TMOE really shines the light on others. Therefore, a shorter speech gives more umph to the inspiration, a shorter introduction gives the table topics master and general evaluator more to say, etc.