Oratory Authority Toastmasters Meeting Roles

This page serves as a quick guide for members filling a role in an Oratory Authority Toastmasters meeting.

Toastmaster of the Day (TMOD)

In advance of the meeting:
  1. Make sure any hand-written names on the signup sheet from the last meeting are entered into the web site.
  2. Print out agendas from the web site, 15-20 copies depending on how many people you expect at the meeting.
  3. Print out the signup sheet for the following meeting.
  4. Print out this page to show to anyone who might fill a role last-minute.
When the meeting is about to start:
  1. Get volunteers for any "TBA" roles and write their names on your copy of the agenda.
  2. Meet any speakers and find out how they would like to be introduced.
During the meeting:
  1. If time permits, start the meeting by going around the room and letting people introduce themselves.
  2. Introduce each person on the agenda and initiate clapping for them.
  3. Wait for each person to come to the podium and shake your hand. Leave no "dead air" between items on the agenda.
  4. After a speech, praise the speaker and allow a minute or two for people to fill out informal evaluations.
  5. Circulate the signup list for the next meeting.
  6. Tap the gavel once to close the meeting.

Topicmaster

In advance of the meeting:
  1. Choose about five topics that people can speak 1-2 minutes on. An internet search for "table topics" will reveal many creative ways to do this.
  2. Decide whether you want to choose speakers from among the club members or ask for volunteers.
When the meeting is about to start:
  1. Get Table Topics cards from the green bag if you didn't prepare topics in advance.
  2. Look at the agenda to know when you must stop.
During the meeting:
  1. If you are going to call on speakers, reassure visitors that they won't be called on.
  2. If you are asking for volunteers, mention that visitors are welcome to volunteer.
  3. Initiate clapping for each table topics speaker.
  4. Wait for each person to come to the podium and shake your hand. Leave no "dead air" between table topics.

Grammarian

In advance of the meeting:
  1. Print a "Word of the Day" on a large sheet of paper so that the audience can read from anywhere in the room. Be prepared to explain the meaning of the word and give an example of its usage.
  2. Think about how to explain your role in a positive way in case you're asked to introduce it.
When the meeting is about to start:
  1. Get a Word of the Day card from the green bag if you didn't prepare one.
  2. Make sure you have an agenda to note filler words and grammatical errors on.
During the meeting:
  1. Don't worry about counting your own filler words; you'll slow yourself down and draw undue attention to them.
  2. In your report, mention if you forgot to count someone's filler words, etc., but you needn't apologize for it. You've taken on a challenging role.
  3. Be positive in your report, including praising anyone who used the Word of the Day.

Speaker

In advance of the meeting:
  1. Follow the manual's instructions for preparing your speech, including timing yourself.
  2. Think about how you would like to be introduced.
When the meeting is about to start:
  1. Tell the timer the prescribed time range for the speech you're doing, e.g. 4-6 minutes for Icebreaker.
  2. Turn your manual to the appropriate evaluation page and give it to your evaluator.
  3. Learn who the VP of Education is so he or she can initial your manual afterwards. This is how you progress toward receiving your CTM award.
During the meeting:
  1. You don't need any instruction. You know what you're doing. Go for it!

Evaluator

When the meeting is about to start:
  1. Make sure the speaker gives you an evaluation sheet.
  2. Look over the sheet to know what to look for in this speech.
  3. If there is no evaluation sheet, get something to write on.
During the meeting:
  1. Jot down positive and negative feedback. Try to have twice as much positive as negative.
  2. Even if you have to think deeply, don't frown. The speaker might take it as disapproval.
  3. During Table Topics, plan how to deliver your evaluation.
  4. When you deliver your evaluation, address the rest of the audience, and refer to the speaker in the third person (he/she, not you). This reinforces that everyone learns from evaluations.
  5. Note one or two positives, followed by one or two items for improvement, followed by one or two positives.
  6. Congratulate the speaker. Every speech is an accomplishment.

Timer

When the meeting is about to start
  1. Get the stopwatch and timer cards from the green bag.
  2. Find out the time range for any prepared speeches.
During the meeting:
  1. Start the stopwatch when someone starts speaking.
  2. For a 4-6 minute speech, hold up the "2" at 4 minutes.
  3. When you know the speaker has seen it, put the sign back down.
  4. Hold up the 1 and 0 cards as each minute passes.
  5. One minute past the maximum time, hold up the "STOP" card and keep it up.
  6. In your report, mention if you failed to time someone, but you needn't apologize for it. You've taken on a challenging role.
  7. Be positive in your report.

General Evaluator

When the meeting is about to start
  1. Note whether the meeting is starting late and why.
During the meeting:
  1. Before giving your own report, ask visitors for their impressions.
  2. Be positive in your report.
  3. Make sure the signup sheet for the next meeting is circulating.
  4. Choose one or two things that could be done better in future meetings.