Club Role - Speech Evaluator
When the Speaker Does Not Meet the Objectives

The most difficult evaluation is when the speaker does not meet the speech objectives.

This could be for one of two reasons:

• Either they gave a good speech that did not address the manual objectives for that assignment; or

• The speech was just not up to their normal standard.

In the first case, the best approach is to be very up front with the speaker and the audience. For example if the manual objective was to provide a motivational speech and the speaker gave a very interesting and informative speech, but with no call to action to motivate the audience to follow their ideas, the evaluator can provide plenty of commendations - it was after all a good speech - and provide recommendations that explain why the speech did not meet the objectives and what changes could be made - e.g. it should finish with a call to action.

The second case is much more difficult. If possible give yourself more time to prepare by asking the chair to move the evaluation to later in the agenda. The best approach is to get one of the senior members to work with you in preparing the evaluation. Firstly stick with the CRC approach and find something to commend, even if it is making the effort to give the speech. For the recommendation, pick one of the main weaknesses with the speech and provide ideas on how that area could be improved. If necessary repeat the commendation to wrap up. For example if the speech was a poorly connected set of ideas with no point, presented in a wooden manner you might be able to commend the speaker on some effective word usage and provide a recommendation on developing a structure, and how that would help.

In delivering the evaluation, focus on the positive, without making it a whitewash. Remember that not everything you want to tell the speaker needs to be said in front of the whole club. Discuss the recommendation and how it could be applied and avoid giving a list of recommendations. It is better NOT to comment on whether or not the speaker met the objectives - this can be discussed with the speaker after the meeting.

After the meeting, discuss the evaluation in more detail with the speaker. It may be useful to ask a senior member and / or the speaker's mentor to be involved. This private evaluation is the best place to make more sensitive comments and to discuss the best way forward. Once again, it may be better to leave some comments unspoken and let the speaker focus on a few things at a time.

A final point to remember is that being in Toastmasters longer does not give anyone a thicker skin. Always be tactful and focus on being helpful not critical.

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