What does a toastmaster do?
As far as your guests are concerned an MC or Toastmaster is a figure of welcoming authority (conspicuous in our red tailcoats) who will answer their questions about the venue (“where’s the bar, car park or loo?”) the timing of the event (“when are the speeches going to be?”) and control the formal part of the proceedings by calling for silence to introduce the people who are going to speak and propose the toasts. We also look after the host, chairman/ president or bride and bridegroom. At more formal events we will also announce the guests on arrival, or to their hosts in a receiving line.
Like an iceberg, there is a lot more to it than is visible from the surface.
A Toastmaster is the public face of the event organiser. we always liaise well in advance with the hosts or organisers, to receive their instructions and timetable and to offer them advice about planning,
if requested. We may even visit the venue in advance to familiarise ourselves with the layout if it is one that is not normally used for functions. On the day, we arrive at least an hour before the event is due to begin to liaise with EVERYONE involved (caterers/banqueting manager, security, photographer, musicians, DJ, Registrar etc) to make sure that nothing has been forgotten or overlooked. Throughout the function we take responsibility for making any little unexpected problems look as if they never happened (we always have emergency wedding dress repair pins to hand!). We then guide hosts and guests alike through the function, making the appropriate formal announcements as required. We are also available to act as compere if there is a cabaret and assist in running charity auctions and raffles etc. Even when not actually engaged in performing an official duty, we will be an unobtrusive presence throughout your event, always on hand to make sure that it runs smoothly and to time.
William Knightsmith – The first red coated Toastmaster
The Famous Red Tailcoat
The traditional Toastmaster’s red tailcoat was inspired by the hunting “pink” coat, first adopted in the late nineteenth century by one William Knightsmith (given name William Smith) to distinguish himself from the waiters. It was initially greeted with derision by his colleagues, but the Prince of Wales greatly admired it and once it had received the Royal seal of approval the red tailcoat became the uniform for all Toastmasters.
There are occasions when the red tailcoat is inappropriate. Toastmasters are required to wear white or black tie (black tailcoat or dinner jacket) with a City of London sash at City Banquets and Livery Dinners, and a similar dress code usually applies to Jewish Weddings.
But the red tailcoat of a Toastmaster does serve a practical purpose. It’s always clearly visible in a gathering of any size, it lends him an air of approachable authority and ensures that he won’t be mistaken for the host, a guest or any member of the venue staff.