Prerequisite: None

Time: Typically 5 to 7 minutes. Depends upon manual requirements.

• This is your opportunity to express yourself on any subject you wish within the confines of good taste and manual objectives. Avoid topics of an inflammatory nature such as politics, religion, or sex.
• Select a speech project from your Communications and Leadership Manual. We recommend following the order suggested in the manual. (CTM’s, ATM’s and DTM’s: select a project from one of your advanced manuals.)
• Coordinate with your Mentor on meeting the project objectives, selecting an appropriate topic, or any other points where you feel you need assistance.
• Plan your speech to fulfill the project goals. If possible, find out the meeting’s theme, and try to incorporate or mention that in your speech.
• practice, practice, practice! It is helpful to tape your practice sessions to determine how you sound and where you need more practice. Rehearse with your Mentor for more feedback!
• Write your introduction for the Toastmaster of the meeting, and email it to the Toastmaster or give it to him/her before the meeting begins. Tell the Toastmaster the manual you will be using, the project number, the project objectives, your speech title, and the minimum/maximum times for your speech. If you know this information when the Toastmaster contacts you to confirm your speech prior to the meeting, you can tell it to him/her at that time.

1. At the break, tell the Timekeeper the minimum and maximum times for your speech. Also, find out from the Chief Evaluator who your Evaluator is and give him/her your manual. Tell your Evaluator anything in particular you want him/her to watch for.
2. The Toastmaster determines the speaking order, and communicates this to the Chief Evaluator.
3. If you will be using an easel or any other props, make sure they are in place before the second half of the meeting begins. Ask the Toastmaster if you can put items under the lectern, on the tables or on the easel, and ask for help if you need to re-arrange anything. There may be more than one speaker with props, and the Toastmaster will need to coordinate this. After your speech, remove any setup you had so it doesn't interfere with the other speakers.
4. If you are sitting far from the lectern, walk part way to the lectern when you are about to be introduced. When introduced, walk quickly to the lectern and shake the Toastmaster’s hand. Stand wherever you prefer in the established speaking area.
5. Address the group as "Mr./Madam Toastmaster, fellow Toastmasters and Honored Guests," or "Ladies and Gentlemen." The Timekeeper starts the clock with your first word or gesture.
6. Present your speech, keeping an eye on the Timekeeper's signals. Don't forfeit your chance to win the ribbon by speaking more than 30 seconds after the RED light comes on! When you see the RED light, move quickly to your closing statement.
7. At the conclusion of your speech, turn to the Toastmaster and say simply, "Mr./Madam Toastmaster. Don't say "Thank you."
8. Remain at the lectern until the Toastmaster walks up to you and shakes your hand.
9. After the meeting, have the Vice President Education sign and date your manual.