"Among those I like or admire I can find no common denominator. But among those I love, I can, all of them make me laugh." -- W H Hawk (Get New Quote)

A Typical Toastmasters Meeting

Call to Order

The presiding officer asks an invocator to offer a prayer or meditation and lead a Pledge of Allegiance (active participation is optional). He then introduces any guests, conducts a short business session (if needed), and then introduces the Toastmaster for the meeting.

Toastmaster

The Toastmaster's job is to coordinate the various activities during the meeting, introducing the participants — especially the speakers — and making sure everything happens for an enjoyable and productive meeting.

Table Topics

Table Topics is an opportunity for members to practice thinking on their feet. The Table Topics Master asks a question or suggests a topic and then calls on a member to respond for one to two minutes.

Prepared Speeches

Usually three members present five to seven minute prepared speeches on topics of their choosing. The manuals have chapters that focus on specific aspects of effective speeches.

Evaluations

The General Evaluator for the meeting calls on members who have been assigned the opportunity to help the speakers "see themselves as others see them" by offering a two to three minute evaluation. The General Evaluator then evaluates the meeting as a whole, offering praise and/or suggestions for improvement.

Grammarian

At the beginning of the meeting the Grammarian suggests a word-of-the-day for members to add to their vocabulary. At the end of the meeting the Grammarian reports on any gramatical gaffs or exemplary word usages, excessive filler words or sounds (uhs and ums and ands), and whether the word-of-the-day had been successfully used.

Timer

After table topics, the prepared speeches, and evaluations the Timer reports the time of each speaker.

Ballot Counter

After table topics, the prepared speeches, and evaluations members vote on who made the best presentation (or has shown the most progress). The Ballot Counter tallies these votes and presents ribbons to the winners.