RESOURCES

Explanation of Meeting Roles

Sergeant-At-Arms

Time: 1 minute

The Sergeant-At-Arms sets up the meeting room and welcomes our guests. The SAA calls the meeting to order and introduces the Chairman. The SAA looks after the refreshments for the break and cleans up by putting the room back to order after the meeting

Chairperson

Time: 5 minutes

The Chair chooses the theme and has the overall responsibility for the running of the meeting. The Chair sets the tone of the meeting by being organized and enthusiastic. The chair is also responsible for keeping the meeting on time with the help of the timer. Prior to the meeting the Chair is responsible for contacting the Invocator, the Jokemaster, the Word or Gruntmaster, the Timer, the Toastmaster, and General Evaluator.

Toastmaster

Time: 2 minutes

Prior to the meeting the Toastmaster contacts all the Speakers and the Speech Evaluators. The Toastmaster is responsible for preparing and giving a toast. The Toastmaster prepares introductions for the speakers and the speech evaluators. The Toastmaster also reminds members to fill out a speech evaluation after a speech by allowing 1 minute for the audience to evaluate the speaker and the speech.

Timer

Time: 2 minutes

The Timer monitors the time of individual speakers and reports times as requested. The Timer explains the timing procedure for the Table Topics session. The Timer also checks with the Toastmaster for the allotted time for the speeches and helps keep the meeting on time.

Invocator

Time: 2 minutes

The Invocator delivers a positive and inspirational message.

Jokemaster

Time: 2 minutes

The Jokemaster prepares an appropriate and non-offensive joke.

Speech Evaluators

Time: 3 minutes

Speech Evaluators provides a clear, concise, and honest opinion on the speaker's strength and areas for improvement using the Toastmaster manuals as a guideline.

Table Topics Master

Time: 2 minutes

The Table Topics Master hosts the impromptu "off the cuff" speaking portion of the meeting. The TTM reviews the timing procedures with the Timer and gives a brief explanation of the purpose of Table Topics to guests, as well as invites guests to participate. The TTM calls on members who are not performing major roles. The TTM is to try to not call up the Chairman, Toastmaster, the General Evaluator or the Table Topics Evaluator.

Table Topics Evaluator

Time: 5 minutes

The Table Topics Evaluator provides an honest, supportive, and constructive evaluation for each Table Topics speaker. Allow about 1 minute per speaker evaluation.

General Evaluator

Timer: 10 minutes

The General Evaluator evaluates the overall meeting. The GE comments on participants who have not already been evaluated. The GE points out the strong aspects of the meeting and areas that could be improved upon.

Word/Gruntmaster or Grammarian

Timer: 2 minutes

The Wordmaster provides and defines a "word of the day" and challenges speakers to use the word throughout the meeting. The Grammarian also monitors and comments on the use of grammar, vocabulary, and imagery used throughout the meeting. The Gruntmaster or ah counter assists the members by making them aware of the unnecessary sounds like "ah", "uhm", "and", "you know", and "er" made during their meeting. The counter keeps a list of these and at the end translates these into fines. Each use of the "word" results in a plus of 5 cents, each "ah" results in a fine of 5 cents to a maximum of 25 cents. And Guests don't pay.

Please drop us an email: info@metrospeakers.org