Serving as an evaluator is an opportunity to practice leadership skills, including listening, critical thinking, providing feedback, and motivation.

At first, it can be intimidating to provide feedback. Always remember that the most important benefit of Toastmasters for members is the honest, fair, and supportive evaluation of their presentations and leadership accomplishments.

For each presenter you evaluate, find a few things they did well and mention them in your evaluation. Your purpose is to help members be more self-confident and improve their speaking skills.

Taking on this role improves active listening, critical thinking and positive feedback skills.

Before the meeting

• Communicate with the member you will be evaluating for information about the speech objectives for the project they are completing and to understand their personal objectives.
• It can also be useful to review the Pathways evaluation resource on Base Camp or provided to you by the member.

During the meeting

• Watch and listen carefully to the speaker as they deliver their speech.
• If your using the Evaluation Form, record your impressions on the first page of the Evaluation Form.
• Try to begin and end with a note of encouragement or praise. This way you’ll encourage and support the member while giving honest feedback.
• Praise areas of the speech that were successful and give reasons to explain why they succeeded.
• Mention areas to be strengthened and suggest specific solutions or actions to build any needed skills and behaviors.
• Share specific ideas the member could apply in the future such as strengthening content or working with a mentor on speech delivery techniques. Be respectful and focus on skills and accomplishments rather than personal attributes.
• Key areas to look out for and provide feedback on include but are not limited to:
  • Speech structure
  • Speech material
  • Use of language
  • Vocal variety
  • Body language
  • Use of stage
  • Eye contant
  • Message of the speech
  • Emotional connection

Further information can be found on the toastmasters international website in the evaluation resources section.