Volunteered to give a speech about evaluations, as well as an evaluation for another Toastmasters club tonight, Wrip City Toastmasters.
Evaluation has been called the crux of Toastmasters. It is the process whereby a member gives honest, positive and specific feedback to a speaker to help the speaker improve their craft. John Goalby’s got a nice site dedicated to speaking and evaluation.
Evaluation opportunities happen everyday. Ever give feedback on a survey, help a child with homework, give a co-worker commentary on his project, give an employee a review, or given instructions to a crew of volunteers? Those are just some of the many ways we give feedback to people in our lives.
How you give feedback can determine if your advice is accepted, whether the receiver is humiliated or invigorated, or whether they feel empty.
If you’re a volunteer crew leader, consider what kind of feedback you give to your volunteers. Is it hollow? constructive? harsh? controlling? positive? instructive?
How feedback is given may well determine whether those volunteers will show up again.
Give Our Time 
This was very thought-provoking for me since I am leading a team of volunteers in my new job. I try to discuss rather than instruct but diplomacy is always key when things must be done a certain way. They all show up week after week so I suppose thats a good sign!
Yes, giving feedback is a real art. Keeping it positive, yet with specific suggestions for improvements is key.
Kudos to you, Catherine, for leading a team of volunteers!