Introduction | How Meetings Work | Your First 10 Speeches | Awards & Manuals Frequently Asked Questions

How Meetings Work

Meetings begin promptly at 12:30, and follow an agenda similar to this one:

Call to Order. The Club President or Designate calls the meeting to order, and introduces any guests or new members. He or she then turns the meeting over to the Toastmaster, who serves as the Master of Ceremonies for the meeting.

Introductions. The Toastmaster introduces those members serving in functionary roles – the timer, ah/um counter, and grammarian – who briefly explain their duties.

Prepared Speeches. Two or three members deliver prepared speeches from the Basic Communication and Leadership Manual or one of several Advanced Manuals. Alternatively, a Training Module is presented for the benefit of the entire club membership.

Table Topics. In this section, members practice speaking extemporaneously for 1-2 minutes on a subject assigned by the Table Topics Master. Participation by guests is welcome, but is not mandatory.

Evaluations. Evaluators comment on the prepared speeches, table topics, and the meeting as a whole, in an effort to help all members improve.

Announcements. The Toastmaster returns control of the meeting to the Presiding Officer, who handles announcements and any other club business.

Adjournment. Meetings end promptly at 1:30 PM.