Applause is an integral part of every Toastmasters meeting. The members applaud every one every time they speak. The applause is part of the continuity of the meeting. It also adds energy to the meetings. And certainly it gives encouragement to everyone who speaks.

Is applause really necessary after everyone is introduced and after everyone speaks? Maybe. Maybe not. For example, if the Toastmaster says near the beginning of the meeting "Our Timer today is Mary Smith". (applause). Mary, please explain for our guests the role of the Timer". Mary explains the Timer role at this point then sits down. (applause).

Certainly applause is important at these points in the meeting:

• Person at the lectern changes and a handshake happens
• End of talking by a Prepared Speaker
• End of talking by a Speech Evaluator
• End of talking by the General Evaluator
• End of talking by a Table Topics Speaker
• End of Table Topics portion of the meeting
• Winners for Bests are announced
• Toastmaster ends the meeting

Whether to use applause is up to the clubs for these instances:

• A role is explained
• Someone speaks from his/her chair vs. the front of the room
• Reports from the Timer, Ah Counter, Grammarian and Word Master

Something that ABSOLUTELY should be adhered to for applause is the length of the applause. That is, when do you stop applauding? Whenever someone is introduced and is walking towards the front of the room, the applause should continue until the handshake occurs. Many clubs applaud for a few seconds then stop. Meanwhile, the person introduced is still walking towards the front of the room, in dead silence. Keep that applause going. Maybe it will make the peson walk faster too.