Toastmaster
The Toastmaster has responsibilities prior to the meeting as well as
during the meeting. 
Prior to the meeting:
-
Prepares and reviews the agenda.
The agenda should include the speakers names, speech title, the
manual speech they are giving, speech length, and speech objectives.
(Click here for a
sample agenda.)
-
Creates introductions with the help of the speakers.
-
Contacts the Table Topics Master, Word of the Day provider and
scheduled speakers to ensure attendance.
- Coordinates with the General Evaluator regarding the attendance
of the Evaluation team.
During the meeting:
Click here for more helpful
hints.
to the top
Word of the Day
Supplies a word that is to be used during the course of the meeting.
Click here for an example.
to the top
Table Topics Master
Toastmasters have a tradition - every member speaks at a meeting. Table
Topics session is that portion of the meeting where the members must
"think on their feet" and speak for a minute or so.
The Table Topics Master shall:
-
Prepare and issue the topics either as an individual subject or
a choice of subjects from which the members can draw at random.
Be creative! For example, cut out newspaper headlines and ask the
members to describe the event as if they've been there or bring
in a number of different hats and ask the members to take on the
personality of the person who would wear that hat.
-
Call on speakers at random. Avoid going around the room in the
order in which people are sitting. Give each participant a different
question. All members should participate if called upon. Guests
may participate but may opt to pass if not ready.
-
Watch your total time! Check the agenda for the total time allotted
to topics and adjust the number of questions to end your segment
on time. Even if your portion started late, try to end on time to
avoid the total meeting from running over.
Remember, Table Topics has a two fold purpose: First, to give everyone
in the room an opportunity to speak - especially those who are not on
the program, and second, to get people to learn to "think on their
feet."
Have fun!
to the top
Speakers
A major portion of each meeting is centered around the speakers. Preparation
is essential for success so give yourself a head start and check the
meeting schedule to find out when you are scheduled to speak.
A monthly schedule is prepared in advance by the VP
of Education indicating which week you will present your speech.
Determine if you are able to speak on the scheduled date, and if not,
arrange for your own replacement. Advise the VP of Education and that
week's Toastmaster of the change as far in advance as possible. Your
attention to this detail will alleviate a last minute frenzied search
for a replacement by the Toastmaster so that the agenda is kept running
smoothly.
If speaking, follow these seven guidelines for a successful speech:
-
Make certain the Toastmaster of the Day is prepared to introduce
you and knows your speech title. You may wish to write your own
introduction.
-
Be sure to give your manual to your Evaluator before the meeting
starts. Discuss speech goals and personal concerns. Emphasize
where you feel your speech ability needs strengthening.
-
Carefully plan your approach to the lectern and speech opening.
-
As you begin your speech, always acknowledge the Toastmaster
and the audience.
-
Plan your speech closing as carefully as your opening. It is
the finishing touch - Your last chance to reach your audience.
When done, never thank your audience, but return control of the
meeting to the Toastmaster of the Day. Always wait for him or
her at the lectern, then return to your seat.
-
Listen carefully to the evaluation of your speech. After the
meeting, get your manual from your Evaluator. Discuss any questions
you may have concerning your evaluation.
-
Have the VP of Education initial the Record of Assignment in
the back of your manual.
Good luck on your next successful presentation!!!
to the top
General Evaluator
Prior to the meeting:
-
Contact the evaluators, grammarian, timer and vote counter to confirm
attendance.
-
Coordinate confirmations with the toastmaster.
-
Ensure that scheduled evaluators know who they will be evaluating.
During the Meeting:
to the top
Evaluator
After every speech, an evaluation is made. As an evaluator, you will
evaluate one of the prepared speeches for the meeting. In addition to
your oral evaluation, you will also give the speaker a written evaluation
from the manual. The evaluation presented by you can make the difference
between a worthwhile or a wasted meeting for your speaker.
As Evaluator, you shall:
-
Know who your speaker is. Prior to the meeting you will be contacted
by the General Evaluator who will verify your participation in the
meeting and advise you of the speaker assignment.
-
Look for the speaker at the meeting and get his or her manual.
Ask your speaker if there are any specific issues he or she may
wish reviewed in the evaluation.
-
Record your impressions of the speech in the manual along with
your answers to the evaluation questions. Be objective. Remember
to always leave the speaker feeling successful and with specific
methods for improving his or her speaking.
-
When introduced, come to the lectern and give your oral evaluation
report. Begin and end your evaluation with a note of encouragement
or praise. Don't read the questions or your responses. Don't try
to cover too much in your talk - possibly one point on organization,
one on delivery, and one on attainment of purpose with a statement
about the greatest asset and a suggestion for future improvement.
-
Praise a successful speech and specifically tell why it was successful.
Give the speaker the deserved praise and tactful suggestions in
the manner you would like to receive them when you are the speaker.
-
After the meeting return the manual to the speaker. You may wish
to add a verbal word of encouragement to the speaker.
Remember, the purpose of evaluation is to help people develop their
speaking skills in various situations. By actively listening and gently
offering useful advice, you motivate members to work hard and improve.
When you show the way to improvement, you've opened the door to strengthening
their abilities.
Click here for more helpful
hints.
to the top
Timer
Keeps the speaker within the specified time limit by using our stopwatch
and green, yellow and red cards. Before the meetings begins, make sure
you know the time frames for each speech, for the evaluations, and for
the topic participants. Usually the speeches are 5-7 minutes in length
so you would raise and keep raised the green card at 5 minutes, then
show the yellow card at 6 minutes and then show the red card at 7 minutes.
Write down the time of each speech, evaluation and topic. You may also
want to show the red card to the grammarian after one minute. The General
Evaluator will ask you to stand and give a report at the end of the
meeting.
to the top
Grammarian
Monitors vocabulary usage of meeting participants. The General Evaluator
will ask you to give a report at the end of the meeting. You will have
one minute for the report so be brief but specific. Count and report
on the number of Ums and Ahs each person says, who used the word of
the day, and who had either proper or improper use of the English language.
to the top
Vote Counter
Tallies the votes, also acts as the tie-breaker when necessary. The
General Evaluator will ask you to give an oral report at the end of
the meeting.
to the top
