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be ready to improvise if things fall apart. For meeting is the most responsible position anyone
example, several people may not be present, or a can have short of being a club officer. It’s also
snow day prevents people from meeting in the most stressful role as it involves coordinating
person or on Zoom if the power goes out. Maybe a lot of moving parts while also recognizing
the venue you have for your meeting is that you might have to wing it to conduct a
unavailable on that day. If any of these things successful Toastmasters meeting. Remember
happen, recognize that this is simply “par for the that you are the glue that binds the meeting
course.” As the Toastmaster, you will need to wing together by keeping the lines of communication
it and figure out how best to defuse the situation open. When necessary, you are also the one
by talking to your members and determining who delegates authority when members don’t
what the best course of action is for that show up, asking for help from your remaining
meeting. If the venue isn’t available, it’s always members and allowing them to step up and take
best to talk to your presiding officers and let on different responsibilities during the meeting.
them know about the situation, assuming they While these skills take time, effort, and patience
haven’t known about it already, especially if the to master, taking on the role of the Toastmaster
people at the venue have called the club in repeatedly ensures that you will learn your own
advance to inform them of the schedule change. style of leadership while helping other members
become more confident in their responsibilities
In summary, being the Toastmaster for the during the meeting.

David Freedman introduces a class presenter at Toastmaster Leadership Institute on Jan. 4, 2025.

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