Lectern Etiquette
There are accepted conventions of
meeting protocol which are a part of a well-run
meeting. While these conventions may seem overly formal, their usage
contributes greatly toward a professionally-conducted
meeting.
·
Try
NOT to 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
o
Each
portion of the meeting is under the control of one of the key meeting
officials: Chairperson, Toastmasters,
Table Topics Master and General Evaluator. This control is
symbolized by the possession of the gavel.
o
Control
of a meeting is passed from one official to another by
handing over the gavel whenever each key meeting official arrives at the
lectern. This is called passing control of the meeting. Thus, the Chairperson
passes control to the Toastmaster of the Meeting who later passes it to the
Table Topics Master and then to the General Evaluator. When the gavel is handed
back to each key meeting official in turn, i.e. from General Evaluator to
Toastmaster to Chairperson, this is called returning control of the meeting.
o
The
accepted method of passing or returning control of the meeting is for the
person in control to offer the gavel with the left hand (with the handle
extended) while shaking the receivers right hand.
Acknowledging
the Chairperson
o
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.
o
If
you are the person yielding control, you do not sit until you have been acknowledged.
o
Example:
The Toastmaster, Lucy, introduces the prepared speaker, Richard. Lucy waits at
the lectern until Richard arrives. She shakes Richards
right hand and wishes him well. However, Lucy does not sit but remains standing
or waits off to the side until Richard acknowledges her by saying, "Thank
you, Mme. Toastmaster." Only then should she sit.
- Applause
Whenever anyone is called to come to the lectern, applaud that person from the moment (s)he rises from his/her seat until (s)he reaches 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.
Thanks to McGill Toastmasters Club