Each role in the club meetings can be evaluated as part of the leadership track and Toastmasters International provides a guidance on these roles but each club has their own variations and traditions. The following is a list of hints and tips for members taking these roles at Ipswich Electrifiers.
All members
- State your role in the introduction so any confusion is cleared at the start
-
Bring your CL manual and know what project you want to be evaluated on
- Ask another member to evaluate you and be clear which project you are working on
Toastmaster
Do
- Check that each role on the agenda is filled
- Explain clapping, evaluations and timing to new members and guests
- Ask for votes for evaluators and table topics,
- Collect and count the votes, sign and present certificates
- Ask guests if they would like to comment on the meeting, be sensitive that some may be too shy
Beware
- Giving too long an answer or story to your own introduction question – you will set the trend.
- Making your transitions into an evaluation of the speech
Sergeant at Arms
Do
- Check the room setup : hanging banner / pull-up banner / gavel / lectern
- Check equipment : lights / stop watches
- Check refreshments are ready : Milk / Kettle or hot water ready for break
- Open the meeting at start of each half
- Check paperwork : agendas, voting slips
Beware
- Doing all the above yourself – other members are glad to help
Timer
Do
- Check requested time of speeches
- Time all speakers AND ROLES
- Provide times on reports for table topics and speeches
- Embellish each time report with a short phrase or sentence
Beware
-
Evaluating the speeches
Wordmaster
Do
- Make two copies of your word for display
- Give a definition and example of your word
- Correct grammar if you feel confident
- Explain the role
Beware
- Evaluating more than words and phrases used
- Making the introduction too long
Table Topics Master
Do
- Explain your role
- Ask a couple of experienced members before guests
- Ask guests but make it clear that they can say no
- Count the votes and sign the certificate (work with the TM)
Beware
- Having too long an introduction or transitions
- Commenting on speeches (don’t evaluate)
Evaluators
Do
- Point out good techniques used with examples
- Include a point for improvement
- Respect your own opinion
Beware
- Re-stating or summarising the speech
- Providing too many points for improvement
- Proving no points for improvement
Table Topics Evaluator
As per speech evaluator plus
- Evaluate the table topics speeches either by speaker or by area
- Be encouraging to new members and guests
General Evaluator
-
Evaluate roles similar to speech evaluators
- TM
- Wordmaster
- Timer
- Table topics master (unless covered by TT evaluator)
- SAA
- Evaluators
- Evaluate the overall meeting
- Keep comments short
Beware
-
Restating earlier evaluations or speeches