Delivering a Toast -
"Let's drink to..."

The term "toast" comes from an ancient Roman practice of adding a piece of burned toast to a glass of wine to filter out any offensive flavors. The burned toast acted as a crude filter. By the 16th century in England, the term "toast" had changed to refer to the glass of wine itself. As time passed, the toast evolved into the custom of raising a glass to offer best wishes.

A toast delivered at a Toastmasters meeting differs from one delivered in a social setting, such as a wedding, in three main respects:

1. A Toastmasters toast, although brief at only about 1 ½ minutes, is still a complete speech with an opening, a body, and a close;
2. Rather than toasting a particular person, a toast delivered at a Toastmasters meeting often recognizes an idea or a thing, or contains a proverb or a witty saying;
3. A Toastmasters toast may or may not include good wishes or cheers.

Before the Meeting

The person proposing the toast should prepare the toast and practice it as any other speech. The Toastmaster of the Day should be contacted to coordinate the toast with the meeting's theme.

During the Meeting

When called upon to deliver the toast by the presiding officer, the speaker stands, addresses the meeting, raises a glass, proposes the toast, sips from the glass, then sits. Note that toasts are not applauded.A typical toast might begin like this: "Mr. / Madam President, fellow Toastmasters, honored guests, please raise your glasses in a toast to . . ."

When proposing the toast at a Toastmasters meeting, the speaker considers the following:

• Simple, brief toasts work best.
• Sincerity is important.
• Relaxed demeanor helps - the speaker is among friends.
• If the toast generates laughter, the speaker pauses to let the laughter die down before continuing.
• The toast should fit the occasion (or meeting theme).
• Vocal variety should be used.
• The toast should fit the speaker's personality - a toast will ring false if the speaker is not him or herself.

Delivery of the toast may seem like a minor role, yet it can affect the atmosphere of the meeting. The member delivering the toast speaks near the beginning of the meeting and as such, helps to ensure the meeting begins on theme. If there is no meeting theme, the member has the opportunity to help set the tone of the meeting.