What to expect at a Toastmasters' meeting
At SKM Toastmasters' meetings we learn by:- Practicing speaking in front of the group
- Listening to others speak to the group
- Evaluating and listening to evaluations of speeches
- Following the Toastmasters program of advancing in steps
We aim to provide a supportive, encouraging and fun atmosphere at our meetings.
Meeting Roles
At each meeting members perform specific roles assigned to them. These roles rotate amongst the members meeting by meeting so that everyone in the club gains experience in a variety of speaking and leadership roles.- The Chairperson organises and runs the meeting. They prepare a written agenda and introduce each item at the club meeting.
- The Speakers deliver speeches that they have written themselves on a topic of their choosing. Each speaker has particular objectives that they are trying to achieve - these objectives are specified in the Toastmasters' education programme.
- The Table Topics Master prepares the topics for the impromptu speaking part of the meeting. The speakers, chosen from the audience, are first those who have no assigned duty during the meeting, and then other members.
- An Evaluator is assigned to each speaker. Their role is to encourage and indicate how well the speaker met their objectives. They point out the speaker strengths and areas where they might improve.
- The Table Topics Evaluator evaluates the Table Topics session, giving advice and encouragement to the Table Topics Master and to each speaker.
- The Ah-Counter notes the words and sounds used as a "crutch" or "pause filler" by everyone who speaks during the meeting. Words may be unnecessary interjections such as "and, well, but, so, you know." Sounds may be "ah, um, er."
- The Timekeeper records the times of each speech and operates the lights. A green light means keep going, an orange light means prepare to finish, and a red light means stop! It is important for every speaker to keep to time.
- The General Evaluator evaluates all speakers who haven't received evaluation feedback, comments on how well the meeting was run and where improvements could be made.
- Guests are welcomed at all our meetings. Guests are often given an opportunity to speak during table topics. They are also welcome to just observe proceedings if they are more comfortable with that.
