Voyagers Toastmasters club meetings provide the opportunity to participate in an educational and self-improvement program mixed with a generous portion of fun and fellowship. The following is a brief description of the main segments of our meeting:
Before the meeting
The Greeter will welcome all, and help guests sign in, make a name badge and get seated.
Meetings start with the Pledge of Allegiance. (Citizens of other countries may stand quietly during this time.) This is followed by a Jest, the Word of the Day, and Club Announcements.
Introductions
Self-introductions are brief in order to stay on schedule and may be the only opportunity to speak during a well-attended meeting. Be sure to use the Word of the Day during your introduction! During this time, an attendance roster is circulated.
The General Evaluator will introduce the evaluation team. Team members will give a brief description of what their tasks during the meeting.
Table Topics
The Table Topics Master will pose a question based on the meeting theme and, at random, call on a member who is not scheduled in a meeting role or a guest to discuss the question posed. The emphasis of this segment of our meeting is on impromptu speaking (no prior preparation) and on speaking within a strict time frame (45 to 75 seconds). Guests may opt to either answer the question, or talk about themselves.
Formal Speeches
The Toastmaster will introduce the speakers. Each speaker gives a talk that fulfills an assignment from the Toastmaster’s Competent Communication Manual (referred to as the “basic manual”) or from one of 17 advanced manuals. Each manual speech challenges the Toastmaster to learn and apply a specific objective pertaining to public speaking, i.e. organization, gestures, voice. Beginning speeches range from 4-6 minutes. More advanced members speak from 7-12 minutes depending on the assignment.
Evaluations
Each speech will be formally evaluated. Each evaluator will point out effective and ineffective aspects of their designated speaker’s general delivery, whether the talk met the objectives for the assignment, enumerate items that merit special recognition, and make specific suggestions for improvement. The goal of evaluations is to maintain the positive, supportive, growth-oriented perspective for which Toastmasters is so well known – People Helping People.
Awards
Members and guests are asked to vote for Best Table Topics, Best Speaker, Best Evaluator, and Most Improved. The winners receive awards at the end of the meeting.
Guest Comments
The club President will ask guests for their brief comments on the meeting. This feedback helps us improve, and is always welcome!
Agenda Outline
Exact times may vary depending on the length of the prepared speeches. In particular, the time allotted for table topics may be shortened or lengthened.
Time |
Program Event |
|---|---|
| 7:00 | Sergeant at Arms opens the meeting |
| 7:05 | President calls meeting to order: |
| 7:10 | Club business, self introductions |
| 7:20 | Toastmaster sets theme of the meeting |
| 7:25 | General Evaluator explains duties & introduces functionaries |
| 7:30 | Toastmaster introduces TableTopics™ Master |
| 7:32 | TableTopics™ Master leads TableTopics™ |
| 7:40 | Toastmaster introduces speakers |
| Speaker #1 (beginner speeches are 4-6 min) | |
| Speaker #2 (speeches are typically 5-7 min) | |
| Speaker #3 (more advanced speakers may require 7-9 min) | |
| 8:10 | General Evaluator introduces evaluators |
| Evaluator #1 for Speaker #1 (evaluations are 3 min) | |
| Evaluator #2 for Speaker #2 | |
| Evaluator #3 for Speaker #3 | |
| 8:20 | Toastmaster announces awards and makes closing remarks |
| 8:30 | President makes closing remarks and adjourns the meeting |
After the Meeting
Some members must leave promptly for work, others may socialize or help the Sergeant-at-Arms pack up equipment and generally tidy up the room. A club officer, usually the Vice-President of Membership, will follow-up with guests.