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 The
art of Toastmastering can be traced as far back as Hebrew times, and
to the practices of the Greeks and Roman of offering toasts to their
many gods and heroes.
During the reign of King Charles 11,
it was customary to drop pieces of spiced toast into wine to improve
its flavour, and by the 17th century the"Toasting" of friends and
important guests at banquets had become very popular.
The origins of Toastmastering as we
know it today, are to be found in the 19th century, when private
clubs began to appoint a member to act as a Master of Ceremonies.
Today, professional Toastmasters like
John Smith are skilled in the many and varied disciplines of event
management. A good Toastmaster must be many things. For example, he
must be an expert:
 Master
of Ceremonies
Management Specialist
Event
Co-ordinator
Compere
Presenter
Announcer
Group
Organiser
Since he qualified a number of years
ago John Smith has gained a wealth of experience as a Toastmaster
and Master of Ceremonies.
He can lay claim to an international reputation, and he has been
featured in a number of publications, worldwide. The U.S. based
"Brides" magazine emphasised, for instance, that "the presence of a
Toastmaster gives a wedding a heightened sense of occasion, ensures
that everything runs smoothly, and provides structure for the
guests".
A successful public speaker in his own right, (awarded the honour of
being Toastmasters International "Toastmaster of the Year" 1995/1996
for the U.K. and Ireland) John Smith is also involved in training
business and professional people in the art of effective
communication. He runs a series of highly commended workshops and
seminars across the country, under the umbrella of "Communication
Plus".
For most people, a wedding is a
highlight in their lives - time when families come together to
celebrate. It is also a time when people are understandably anxious.
Everyone wants the great day to go without a hitch.
It is the Toastmaster's
responsibility to do just that, he will:
- Ensure that the wedding
breakfast is conducted with attention to protocol.
- Free the Banqueting Manager and
staff to concentrate on the catering arrangements
- Help photographers and video
film crews to create a memorable visual record of the proceedings.
- Add a traditional and colourful
touch to a wedding.
- Provide "peace of mind" for
parents, and bride and groom.
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