As an evaluator, you can have extraordinary impact!  Your observations, insights and advice can be the catalyst for growth for even a seasoned speaker. Reinforcing their strengths and gently offering useful advice on improvement motivate members to improve. Your verbal evaluation of the speaker also helps the audience, as members learn from the advice you give and how you give it.  For you, the speaker and the audience, everyone improves their speaking and leadership skills.  

PRIOR TO MEETING DAY

Evaluation requires careful preparation if the speaker is to benefit. 

• Several days before the meeting, check Free Toast Host to find out who you will be evaluating and what project they will present.  

• Review the project goals. Remember, the purpose of evaluation is to help people develop their speaking or leadership skills in various situations

• Contact the speaker to discuss specifics about how they want to improve.   

MEETING DAY

Arrive by 6:45 and speak briefly with the general evaluator to confirm it there are any changes you should be aware of. Retrieve the evaluation form from the speaker.  If you’ve not already talked, ask if they have any specific goals in mind.

• During the speech, listen actively and observe.  Record your impressions along with your answers to the evaluation questions. Some things to remember:

• You are evaluating the speech not the speaker

• Be as objective as possible.

• Good evaluations may give new life to discouraged members and poor evaluations may dishearten members who tried their best.

• Always provide specific methods for improving and present them in a positive manner. 

Tips for presenting your verbal evaluation:

• You may have written lengthy responses to manual evaluation questions, but don’t read the questions or your responses.  

• Remember to highlight the positives and one or two areas where the speaker can improve.  

• Explain what you saw, heard, and felt.  For new Evaluators, this may make the task easier and allow you to effectively evaluate more experienced speakers.

• Your three-minute evaluation will go quickly. Don’t try to cover too much—two to three points is appropriate.  Focus on key areas of strength needed improvement.