GENERAL EVALUATOR

The role of the General Evaluator is to evaluate all roles that haven’t otherwise been evaluated through the meeting.  There is no need to give a re-run of the meeting, just give helpful evaluations to all participants who haven’t already been evaluated.

GRAMMARIAN

The role of the Grammarian is to monitor language and grammar usage.  Suggest corrections to any incorrect word usage, mispronunciations, grammatical mistakes etc.  This applies to all participants (except guests).

If you are programmed early on the program to explain your role, you should announce that all speakers are being listened to (and later commented on) for the purpose of grammar/word usage and pronunciation throughout the program. You can also mention that you will be counting Um’s and Ah’s.

• When commenting on incorrect usage, names of speakers are not mentioned. By using general comments, you alert the speaker without identifying them and therefore avoid embarrassment.
• Speakers’ names can be mentioned when commenting on examples of excellence.

You can also count the Ums and Ahs. The inexperienced member (and even the experienced one) may, in times of stress or lapse of memory, unconsciously resort to using Um’s and Ah’s to fill in any pauses.

An important part of each member’s progress is to eliminate their subconscious habits and the ‘Uhm’ and ‘Ah’ can be very annoying to the audience.

• Avoid including or embarrassing anyone, particularly visitors or guests, in your report.  Always be tactful and diplomatic when handling this segment.  A good light-hearted sense of humour on your part will help this segment go well. For example: The winner, Jan, was closely followed by a determined Phil who gave us twenty-eight ‘Uhms’. 

JOKEMASTER

Pretty much self-explanatory, this is only a short session – 1 joke will do.  It goes without saying that it should be a good, clean joke in good taste.

LISTENING MASTER

This is a fun session to see how much the audience has been listening throughout the meeting.  During the meeting, write down some questions as you listen to speeches, Table Topics, introductions, one-liners – in fact, everything that has happened during the meeting.  Make your questions a little bit challenging so that they’re not too easy but they can be on anything – e.g. perhaps in a speech or a topic, someone might mention a particular year that something happened and your question may then be something along the lines of “What year did [the speaker] say that Mars fell out of the sky?” or something else related to the content of their speech or topic.

Other questions may be – “What word did [the speaker] use to describe their car?” or “How did [the speaker] say they felt when such-and-such happened”.  Alternatively, you could ask what the title of someone’s speech was or what number speech it was in the manual.  The sky is the limit, but again is just a 2 minute session.  Have fun with it!

MOVIE/BOOK REVIEW

For this session, you would speak about either a movie you have seen or a book you have read, for the purpose of giving the audience an overview which would help them decide whether or not they would like to see or read it.  It should give some details about the content without giving away too much and could also include your opinion as to what you liked or disliked about it (and why) or the type of audience it would appeal to. 

Bring the review alive!  Make the audience want to race out and read or see the item you are reviewing. If possible, bring the book or article along with you.

Again, this is only a short session – generally 2 minutes, but as always, check the program.

QUOTEMASTER

The idea of the Quotemaster is to give a short quote and then a brief explanation of what the quote is about or how we could apply it etc.  Point out who the quote is attributed to and the circumstances surrounding the initial quote (if applicable) that might give an interesting context to it.  You might like to include why the quote appeals to you or how you came across it. 

If you can, memorise the quotation. If you are more comfortable with notes, ensure you are familiar enough with the quote to enable eye contact when you speak.

The session should only take 2-3 mins.

SOAPBOX

The Soapbox session is an opportunity to present something that you feel strongly about.  It is generally a 2-3 minute session.  Apparently the term started from politicians standing on wooden boxes or soapboxes to address large crowds.  This session gives you the opportunity to “stand on your soapbox” and present your point of view on a topic of interest to you.

SPEECH EVALUATORS

As a speech evaluator, you will introduce the speaker and then give your evaluation afterwards.

Before the meeting, ask the speaker for the evaluator notes for their speech – these are available on the Toastmasters International website under the Pathways section.  The evaluator notes will list the objectives of the speech and you should let the audience what these objectives are when introducing the speech.  The notes also highlight areas that you could comment on when giving your evaluation.  Find out from the speaker the name of their speech and give the title of the speech when introducing them.  

Also, before the speech, find out some interesting information about the speaker; or mention something that they had spoken about in a previous speech; or ask them a question to use in your introduction – e.g. you could ask them what they would consider to be the best job in the world, and then use their answer when introducing them. 

Be encouraging in your introduction to put the speaker at ease and give them confidence.

When giving your evaluation, let the audience know what you believe the speaker did well, and also give your suggestions for any improvements for future speeches.  A good tip is the “PIP” principle – Praise Improvement Praise.  Firstly, praise the speaker for something that they did well; then suggest any improvement; then conclude with further words of praise.  Remember that the evaluation is your opinion, and that others may have a different opinion.  There are many resources on the Toastmasters International website as to how to give an effective and helpful evaluation.

TABLE TOPICS EVALUATOR

This is similar to the speech evaluator role in that the Table Topics Evaluators give individual feedback to each Table Topics speaker as to what they think the speaker did well and any suggestions they may have for possible improvements to help the speaker for next time.

TABLE TOPICS MASTER

The Table Topics Master hosts the Table Topics session and brings topics/questions for individual members to speak on without them having prior notice.  Make sure you have enough topics to fill in the allotted time for the Table Topics session.  It’s better to have too many topics than not enough – you don’t need to use all of them once the session time is finished.  Usually about 7-8 topics will be enough, but check on the program on the time allotted for the segment.

The main people you should get to speak are members who are not already on the program, as the ones on the program will already be getting an opportunity to speak so it’s better to give other members an opportunity to participate.  If there aren’t enough people who aren’t on the program, then you could ask members who are on the program – however it’s best not to ask the Table Topics Evaluators since they will already have their hands full.  If you want to ask anyone who has never participated in a Table Topics session before, then ask them first (ie before the meeting starts) if they want to participate.  However, don't ask anyone who has never been to a Toastmasters meeting before (unless they particularly want to do it).

It’s very helpful to the evaluators if you have a numbered list (that you give to the evaluators before the meeting) of the questions with space underneath each question for the evaluators to write down their comments.

TABLE TOPIC SPEAKER

Most of the talking we do every day – simple conversation – is impromptu speaking.  Yet for some members, Table Topics is the most challenging part of a Toastmasters meeting.

Being a Table Topics speaker should improve your self-confidence and impromptu speaking skills.

Table Topics continues a long-standing Toastmasters tradition – every member speaks at a meeting.   But it’s about more than just carrying on an anxiety-ridden tradition.

Table Topics is about developing your ability to organize your thoughts quickly and respond to an impromptu question or topic.

The Table Topics session is held by the Table Topic Master, who gives a brief description and purpose of Table Topics.   Then that member states the question or topic briefly and then calls on a respondent. The participants are called on at random. 

By participating in Table Topics, you become more fluent.   You learn to listen carefully and to create a mini-speech, with a beginning, middle and end. You also draw on your own experiences or knowledge on the topic in relation to the needs and interests of those present.

Table Topics allows its participants to grow while enjoying the camaraderie and gentle humour of fellow members. Everyone’s in the same boat.   They want to think faster, and speak better.   Table Topics may begin to feel like a game, but it’s one in which the prize you take away is truly fabulous —a new set of skills to get you through your day!

IMPORTANT!

When you’re asked to respond to a topic, come up to the stage/lectern, acknowledge the Table Topics Master by looking at them and stating “Table Topics Master”. 

After you acknowledge the Table Topics Master, forget about them totally.  Your attention should then be on your audience.  Then give your response.   

When you finish your topic, look and acknowledge the Table Topics Master again by stating “Table Topics Master” and return to your seat.

Your speech should last for one minute.

Now, take a deep breath and get ready to be remarkable!

TIMEKEEPER

The Timer is responsible for keeping track of time during the meeting. 

Firstly, familiarize yourself with the timing equipment. On a table up the front, there will be timing lights and 2 stop watches.  Use the stopwatches to track all items and record timings. 

When you're first introduced and asked to give a rundown of the times for the night, these are the things to include:

• Table Topics are for 1 minute each and everyone will get a bell at 1 min.  The Table Topics session will be for 12 mins [check the program for this] and there will be a green light at 10, a yellow at 11 and a red at 12 [or whatever is allowed on the program].
• Speeches will be for 5 to 7 minutes, and will be given a green light at 5 minutes, a yellow at 6 and a red at 7.   [You will firstly need to check with the speakers to find out how long their speeches will be.  If a speech is not 5 to 7 minutes, the green light is given 2 mins before the end of the allotted time, a yellow light is given 1 min before the end of the allotted time and the red is given at the end of the allotted time.]
• Speech  evaluations are 3 mins, so there will be a green light at 2 minutes, a yellow at 2 1/2 and a red at 3
• All other sessions will get lights at the times shown on the program.

Using one of the stopwatches, you should time everything from the Wordmaster onwards and give lights etc as per the above spiel.  There is no need to time each of the self-introductions.

Then it's just a matter of timing everything and keeping a record and doing the lights and bells as above.  Usually the Timekeeper sits near the President, so I'm sure they will help you during the night as well as others who will be nearby.

For Table Topics, one stopwatch should be used to time each individual speaker while the other stopwatch can be used to time the length of the Table Topics session.

Two minutes before the end of the allotted time on the program for the Table Topics session, give a green light, then a yellow one minute after that and a red at the end of the programmed time.

When you are requested to do a timing update, give a report update on the times for each role you have recorded, and include the times for each individual Table Topics answer when appropriate.  You could also give a comment as to whether or not the meeting is running to time.

TOASTMASTER

The role of Toastmaster is to act as host/MC for the meeting and keep the meeting flowing and running on schedule. 

1.         Let the VPE know your theme for the meeting (if you’re going to use one) as soon as possible so that the program can be prepared.

2.         Arrive at the meeting early, and check to see if there are any changes to the program – make sure that everyone who has a role on the program is at the meeting.  If they are not, liaise with the VPE for a replacement.

3.         When you are first introduced, give an introduction of your theme and have some opening comments to set the tone for the meeting.  You may like to extend your own welcome to any visitors and give them a brief overview of the structure of the meeting.  Then run through any changes to the program.

4.         Introduce each participant according to the program.  If there are visitors, it might be appropriate to give a brief outline of what each duty entails as you introduce each speaker e.g. Wordmaster is to give us a word to expand our vocabulary and we are encouraged to use the word throughout the night.  Don’t take too much time doing that – about one sentence ought to do it.

5.         Lead the applause before and after each item on the program.

6.         After each participant has spoken, it’s good to give a brief positive bridging comment on their presentation or content.

7.         Don't forget to ask the Timekeeper for the time updates as shown on the program.

TOASTMASTER MAGAZINE SUMMARY

This session is to provide an overview of the current Toastmasters Magazine to let the audience know of articles in which they may be interested or other current Toastmasters topics, so that the audience would be encouraged to read the magazine to find further information on items of interest.  Again, this is a 2 minute session.

TONIC

This segment gives you the opportunity to present something that has significantly touched or inspired you.

During this presentation your aim is to impress your audience with the depth of feeling the subject evoked in you.

The subject of your presentation is of your own choosing. Some examples are:

a poem, passage from a book, personal life experience.

• Use the segment as another opportunity to build a mini-Speech, with an opening, body and conclusion.
• Put feeling into it. Inspire the audience and convey to them the depth of feeling it evoked in you.
• You may need to read a part of the article, poem or passage.   If so, here is an opportunity for you to practise a delivery that includes reading and speaking, as well as normal presentation skills, in one segment.

WORDMASTER (see also Grammarian role if these are combined)

The purpose of the Wordmaster is to give everyone at the meeting a word to increase their vocabulary.  It should be a word that isn't too common but also one that they would be able to use in conversation.  If there is a theme for the meeting, try to choose a word in keeping with that theme.

Spell the word, give the dictionary meaning and put it in a sentence to tell everyone how it's used.  Your session should only take 2-3 mins.  It’s also a good idea to print out the word in large letters and tape/affix it to the lectern, and also somewhere else where speakers can see, so that everyone will be reminded of what the word is that night.

During the meeting, count the number of times the word was used and when you give your report at the end of the meeting, let everyone know how many times the word was mentioned.