When you are the JokeMaster

Not all Toastmasters Clubs have a JokeMaster role, but Sarasota Toastmasters Club has traditionally felt it an excellent, energizing way to start a morning meeting. The purpose of the JokeMaster is to enliven the audience, helping to establish a positive and enthusiastic tone. Being able to comfortably deliver humor in front of a group is great practice for a wide range of situations where one may be called upon at formal or informal events, or need to ease tension within a group. It also helps develop skills in establishing a positive tone for a meeting, which will be valuable when you are the Toastmaster (i.e. an MC role). This role can make some new members nervous - but you’ll have a friendly, receptive audience, and quickly learn to enjoy it!

Prior to the meeting:

· Prepare about 2 minutes of jokes or humor. These could be a series of one-liners, or a humorous story, or some “can-you-believe-that” funnies you found on the internet. Remember that it is Toastmasters policy, and club practice, to keep humor “clean” and inoffensive, never being derogatory of others, either as individuals, or by political persuasion, ethnic origin, religion, etc.

During the meeting:

· When called upon by the Toastmaster, go to the lectern, and shake his/her hand. Remember your role, be lively with a smile on your face!

· If you need to read or use notes, that’s OK, but as much as you can try to speak to the audience, establish eye contact, and smile. Practice the timing of your punch lines, and match your vocal variety to the humor.

· At the end, simply acknowledge the Toastmaster, with a handshake and a brief word (e.g., “Mr. Toastmaster”), and return to your seat.