Meetings
Toastmasters meetings are generally held every two weeks and are usually not complicated once you get used to the timing lights in the back and the different roles members of the group play.
Since the average club has 20 or more members, there are a lot of roles for people to take in order to involve everyone. And, since meeting assignments vary from meeting to meeting, everyone gets practice doing everything over the course of several meetings.
One meeting, you'll be assigned to give a speech; the next, you might be timer; the next, you might be the Toastmaster of the Evening, running the whole show. It gives you the opportunity to improve not only as a speaker but also in a lot of other areas like organizing, leadership and management.
The following descriptions explain the essential parts and roles of a typical Toastmasters meeting.
Parts of a Meeting
Table Topics
- Allows opportunity for impromptu speeches by members
- Contains topics set by the table topics master
Prepared Speeches
- Are assigned from communication manuals to provide goals for developing specific skills
- Are presented by members, and are from either the basic competent communicator manual
(usually 5 to 7 mins each) or from an advanced communicator manual (usually 10 mins or more) - There is no restriction on subject matter
- Other members provide oral and written evaluations of each speech
Evaluations
- Are timely feedback given by way of constructive and helpful praise, comments and suggestions
- Follow a prescribed technique to encourage speakers
Meeting Roles
Toastmaster of the Evening
- Guides and coordinates the entire meeting and acts as the host
- Introduces participants, including table topics master, speaker and general evaluator
- Selects and explains the Word of the Day
Table Topicsmaster
- Prepares questions around a central theme or topic
- Asks members individual questions related to the chosen topic
Speaker
- Prepares a speech based on project objectives in the
Competent Communication and Advanced Communication manuals
General Evaluator
- Reviews the meeting in general
- Is assisted by the grammarian, timer, ah-counter and evaluators
Evaluator
- Evaluates one of the prepared speakers of the meeting
- Gives a verbal and written evaluation using the guide in the manual
Grammarian
- Presents a short report at the end of the meeting on members’ use of the Word of the Day, and other grammatically noteworthy usage such as clichés, poor or incorrect word usage and/or pronunciation
Timer
- Records the times of all events throughout the meeting and reports it during the evaluation session
Ah-Counter
- Counts the usage of crutch, or filler, words, such as “ah,” “uh,” and “you know”
Video Master
- Our prepared speeches are recorded on a DVD, which you can take home to see for yourself how your speaking skills have improved. A deposit of 2€ is collected.
Ballot Counter
- Counts ballots and announces winners
Joke Master
- Presents a joke at the beginning of a meeting
Terms
Icebreaker
- The first prepared speech as a new member
Word of the day
- During each meeting a new word is announced and described and should be used as often as possible
Ballot
- Is used for written feedback during meeting and the choice of best speakers, evaluators [&] table topic speakers