Could I be a professional Toastmaster?
The Executive Guild of Toastmasters run a 3 day professional course
Weddings and Events may have modernised over the years, but certain traditions still hold their appeal and this is where the curious title of the Toastmaster comes up.
A Toastmaster is the person who ‘formalises’ key moments of a Wedding or Event, makes important announcements and ensures the event runs smoothly. They can sometimes be referred to as a ‘Master of Ceremonies’.
As well as all key areas, such as announcements and toasts, they can help with other factors, such as ensuring the venue is ready and managing other events throughout the day – much like an event manager would.
A professionally trained and qualified Toastmaster has the combination of tact, experience, diplomacy and management skills, which are necessary for the effective and smooth running of any function and the direction and enjoyment of large numbers of people.
Working in close liaison with his/her customer to ensure the effective overall management of every type of event and weddings of any culture. He/she will possesses a high degree of sensitivity, empathy, together with a breadth and depth of knowledge of protocol and event organisation. Most of a Toastmaster’s work is never seen by the majority of people attending a function, because of his/her discrete and unobtrusive attention to detail and liaison throughout an event, to ensure it flows.
In addition, he/she will also be responsible for the advertising/marketing and all the other requirements of running their own ‘small business’. As with all small businesses, you can be as successful as the time you put into it. It can take time to build a successful full time business, but there are Professional Toastmasters who have achieved this, but many Professional Toastmasters are semi-retired or working full time and will work as a Professional Toastmaster ‘part time’ to supplement their salary/pension. Whichever choice you make, you are ‘your own boss!!’
Many Toastmaster’s come from a military/civil force background and while their skills may suit a Toastmastering profession, there are many other professional backgrounds that have transferrable skills, it is the person and not the background that makes someone a good Professional Toastmaster.
The Executive Guild of Toastmasters run a 3 day professional course for aspiring Toastmasters, that provides everything you will need, to be a Professional Toastmaster and Master of Ceremonies. On successful completion of your course, you will become a member of, it is true to say, one of the largest Toastmaster Guilds in the UK.
While admittedly, the Toastmastering profession is mainly male dominated, there are several very good female Toastmasters working throughout the UK, who are able to bring their own skills and experiences to the work.
For more information contact Peter York on 01264 335405 or email peter.yorktoastmaster@gmail.com