Let’s get it right. Every formal occasion has its own protocol. Sometimes it’s difficult to know exactly what should be said on the night. That’s why an M.C.’s guide or a chairperson’s guide can be so useful.
At a dinner, for instance, you may be asked to give a toast to the ladies or thank a guest speaker. Obviously such speeches are given every day of the week so it’s nice to be able to say what is correct but in a different way. In fact, as we are told there is nothing new under the sun, it’s the only way to give a speech.
When people attend a social function they do not want to be bored. They prefer a speaker to be light-hearted . That is not to say you have to be a comedian. That calls for excellent jokes and good timing and is totally different from being a speaker. A speaker only has to remember that the audience is on a night out and they want to relax in a pleasant atmosphere. Your speech should reflect this fact.  You should be the oil that greases the occasion and makes it run smoothly.
If you know what to say you will create that right atmosphere. Your audience will enjoy the occasion more and, no matter how nervous you are, so will you.

Check out our sample speeches