Lectern Etiquette

Lectern Etiquette

Lectern Etiquette - Don’t Abandon the Lectern!

There are accepted conventions of meeting protocol which are a part of a well-run meeting. While these conventions may seem formal, their use contributes greatly toward a well conducted meeting.

Do NOT leave the lectern unattended.

Always wait at the lectern until the next speaker arrives. Shake his/her right hand and say a few words of greeting before walking away.

Control of the Meeting

•  Each portion of the meeting is under the control of one of the key meeting officials: the Presiding Officer (host club president or deputy), the Toastmaster of the Meeting, the Table Topics Master, and the General Evaluator. (This control may symbolized by the possession of the gavel.) 

• Control of a meeting is passed from one person with the shaking of hands when another person comes to take control of the meeting at the lectern. This is called passing control of the meeting. Thus, the President passes control to the Toastmaster of the Meeting who later passes it to the Table Topics Master and then to the General Evaluator.

• The usual method of passing or returning control of the meeting is for the person in control to shake right hands.

Acknowledging the Toastmaster

• Whenever you take control of the meeting, you acknowledge the person who yielded control to you. This can be done by a simple 'Thank you’. 

• If you are the person yielding control, you do not sit until you have been acknowledged.

Example: The Toastmaster, Lucy, introduces the prepared speaker, Ricky. Lucy waits at the lectern until Ricky arrives. She shakes Ricky’s right hand and wishes him well. However, Lucy does not sit but remains standing or waits off to the side until Ricky acknowledges her by saying, "Thank you, Madam Toastmaster." Only then should she sit.

Applause

Whenever anyone is called to come to the lectern, applaud that person from the moment she or he rises from their seat until they reach the lectern. If you are the person in control, lead the applause. This helps create a welcoming environment for anyone coming up to the lectern. (source: Bern Toastmasters Club of Continental Europe)