Meeting Procedures

This is what happens at a normal meeting...

Business Session

Some meetings start with a brief business session to deal with Club business. The business session is run according to formal meeting rules, and members have the opportunity to Chair this session, learning valuable skills required to run business meetings in the workplace or community.

Handover to the 'Toastmaster'

All members are Toastmasters, but each meeting has a 'formal' Toastmaster who is responsible for the smooth running of the rest of the meeting. Members take turns in this role each meeting, introducing segments and speakers, and ensuring the meeting runs to the allotted times. The Toastmaster will introduce members by the accreditation titles they have achieved in the Toastmasters Educational program. (CTM,ATM etc)

Warm Ups, Travelling Tales and Round Robins

These are all included in the early parts of a meeting to give everyone, regardless of their experience, a chance to participate. The objective is to move an idea around the room, with each person adding something new. It's great fun, and you are invited to join in or pass if you prefer.

Table Topics

This segment is a chance for those members who do not have a formal speaking role elsewhere in the meeting, to speak on a nominated topic at short notice.
The 'Topics Master' introduces the topic and nominates the speaker, who then quickly develops a response which should be a 'mini-speech', (with an introduction, a body and a conclusion), addressing the nominated topic. Guests are invited to respond to a topic or pass if they prefer.

Formal Speeches

Toastmasters progress and develop their skills through a combination of impromptu and prepared speeches. The various speech manuals provided to members develop formal speaking skills through carefully graded levels, each building on the skills learned at the previous level. While members select their own formal speech topics, they are working to achieve set objectives for each speech - for example, how to present a logical and well organised speech, or how to use vocal variety in a speech.

Awards and Voting

Awards are presented each evening as a form of recognition and encouragement to members. Voting slips are provided to allow members to cast their votes. The awards are explained by the Toastmaster during the programme. If you feel that you understand the criteria for the voting, you are welcome to vote for the speaker most deserving of the award.

Speech Evaluator

Every formal speech is carefully evaluated to provide the speaker with feedback on their strengths, development and points for improvement. Evaluation is what sets Toastmasters apart from many other speaking forums. Why do we evaluate? In 1952, our founder, Dr Ralph Smedley had this to say:- "The ability to evaluate objects, conditions, thoughts, ideas is the human characteristic which brought primitive man out of his caves and trees, and set him on the road to civilized living. The same talent helps him today to reach higher standards of life and to achieve better things for himself and his fellows"

Timekeeper's Report

Learning to speak within an allotted time is important, and the Timekeeper helps to keep us on track. Green, orange and red lights signal the time remaining to the speaker. The Timekeeper regularly updates us on each speaker's times throughout the meeting.