Category: Meeting Roles

At each Toastmaster’s meeting, we recognize outstanding performances of our members in different categories, such as Best Table Topics, Best Speaker, Best Evaluator, and Most Improved.  The job of the Vote Counter is to count the votes and then fill in the winner’s name on the Award Sheets.In the event that there is a tie, … Continue reading Vote Counter Duties

Here are a few tips for the role of Table Topics Master. The Table Topics Master leads the portion of the meeting during which club members answer questions spontaneously. The Table Topics Master prepares a series of questions or topics and then calls on Toastmasters to answer the question or speak on the topic. The … Continue reading Table Topics Master Duties

Here are a few tips for the role of Hot Seat The Hot Seat is available to perform any role that is not filled at the start of the meeting. The Toastmaster or General Evaluator should request the Hot Seat person to perform a duty prior to beginning the meeting. You should come prepared to … Continue reading Hot Seat Duties

Here are a few tips for the role of Invocator The Invocator opens the meeting with a brief prayer or inspirational message suitable for the diverse beliefs of the club and the occasion. He or she then leads the club in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Here are a few tips for the role of Joke Master. The Joke Master fills the time while the final votes are being tabulated. Since the time to count votes varies, the material selected should be flexible. The Joke Master may tell funny stories, or recite a bit of poetry, deliver thought-provoking bits of information, … Continue reading Joke Master Duties

As you can see in the pictures above, lighting can play an important role when giving a presentation. People in the back may not be able to see your facial expression and emotion because of bad lighting. In the picture on top, the speakers face is not visible from the back of the room. While … Continue reading Let There Be Light

One new member tip is that before you are scheduled for a job which you have never done, sit with the person doing that job the prior week. I noticed that Sue was scheduled as Vote Counter one week and she sat with Kelly the prior week to learn the ropes ahead of time. Another … Continue reading Sit with a Veteran

Here are a few tips for a new Grammarian. 1. Here are some general instructions from Toastmasters International. (click here) 2. Get there at least 15 minutes early. You need time to write down the "Word of the Evening." 3. I like to listen for a word during the week that I'm not sure of … Continue reading Grammarian Duties

The General Evaluator provides an analysis of the quality of the meeting by reporting on all aspects of the meeting, except the scheduled speeches (which have received individual evaluations). The purpose of the General Evaluator’s presentation is to encourage the club to achieve high standards in our meetings.  Before the Meeting Contact the Evaluators, the … Continue reading General Evaluator Duties

8/17/2011---------- Adam Kutell For this first article, I would like to bring up a topic that I touched on the last time I was General Evaluator.  The Grammarian is the role we trust to assist us with our language arts during a meeting and hopefully with information we can take away afterwards.  Although Toastmasters International … Continue reading Grammarian – Adam’s Axe

When new people come to a Toastmaster meeting, they are nervous, intimidated and don't know what to expect. That's why it's so important to make them feel comfortable and explain to them what is going on. To do that, the Greeter needs to not only give them the materials from the Guest Manual, but also … Continue reading Greeter – Sit With the Guest

Bill Collier: To add to Alan's discussion about meetings running over time, I offer this list of suggestions that the Toastmaster of the evening can do to manage the time: * Prior to the meeting, find out how much time each speaker will request. If too many are more than about 8 minutes each, go … Continue reading Meeting Time Management

The Ah Counter rings the bell and keeps a tally of the number of times club members use crutch or filler words such as “Ah,” “Uh,” “You know” and “Okay.”  Other crutch or filler words may include inappropriate interjections such as “And,” “Well,” “But,” or “So.”  Throughout the entire meeting, listen to everyone for crutch … Continue reading Ah Counter Duties

Carl and Jim are good examples of how to add some excitement to our meeting as Toastmaster. Costumes and balloons will always get the attention of the audience.