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Duties of
the Day:
(An
Explanation of What We Are Doing)
Theme
of the Day
The
person in charge of developing the meeting agenda selects a subject to
serve as the meeting theme. While
we encourage presentations to relate to the theme, it is not necessary.
However, following the theme gives the meeting continuity.
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Toastmaster
The
Toastmaster is the person assigned to run the meeting, lead the
applause, and call on the various presenters during the meeting.
Prior to the meeting, the Toastmaster contacts members assigned
to be Table Topics Master or a Speaker to learn if they will be present.
The Toastmaster finds substitutes, if necessary, and announces
any duty reassignments at the beginning of the meeting.
(This duty teaches
us skills in organizing and facilitating a meeting)
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Poem
/ Word of the Day
The
person assigned this duty has a choice to either read a poem or to
challenge members to use a new word during the meeting.
If a word is presented, rather than a poem, the member who uses
it best throughout the meeting may be recognized near the end of the
meeting.
(This
duty gives us practice reading poetry and/or finding new words to
increase our vocabulary and to challenge the members)
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Table
Topics Master
The
person assigned this duty prepares three questions (or topics) related
to the Theme of the Day. The
Table Topics Master will call on selected members to give a 1-2
minute response. When
selected, members may choose to pass.
The members chosen to present have no advance warning.
Typically, guests and speakers are not called on for Table
Topics. The intent is to
provide members who may not be assigned specific duties an opportunity
to participate in the meeting. If
there has been a speaker cancellation, or if there is an extra speaker,
the number of topics may be increased or decreased as appropriate.
(This
duty gives us opportunities to practice speaking without preparation.
This exercise helps us gain confidence to speak on any subject, even
when totally unprepared -- probably one of the most feared aspects of
public speaking anyone
faces)
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Timers
Report (Table Topics)
A
person is assigned to time the members chosen to give a Table Topic
presentation. Three colored
cards (green, yellow and red) are used to signal the person being timed.
For a 1-2 minute Table Topic presentation, the green card will be
held up at 1 minute, the yellow card at 1.5 minutes and the red card at
2 minutes.
(This
duty is done for two main reasons: to keep the meeting on time, and to
help us learn to be brief and succinct with what we say)
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Cast
Ballots for Table Topics
Members
and guests vote on the Table Topic presentation they enjoyed the most.
To be eligible, a presentation must fall within 30 seconds on
either side of the 1-2 minute timeframe (e.g., the presenter must speak
for at least 30 seconds and no longer than 2 minutes 30 seconds).
Small slips of white paper are used to record the name of your
favorite presenter. The
person assigned to count ballots collects these slips of paper.
Ballots are counted near the end of the meeting.
(This
activity encourages us to observe how the person “spontaneously”
presented the material)
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Speakers
The
speakers have manuals that guide them when they prepare their speeches.
The manuals are designed to take us in a logical progression from
first talking about ourselves to other subjects. Each
speech in the series has a purpose to help us become the speaker we want
to be. The speaker is free
to choose the subject matter. Speeches
are usually 5-7 minutes. Members
and guests are invited to provide feedback to a speaker by completing an
optional evaluation form.
(This
duty helps us get over fear of giving a speech. We learn that practice
is a main ingredient in giving a good speech.
The skills learned here can greatly impact our jobs and future
employment)
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Timer’s
Report (Speeches)
A
person is assigned to time each speaker. Three colored cards (green, yellow and red) are used to
signal the person being timed. For
a 5-7 minute speech, the green card will be held up at 5 minutes, the
yellow card at 6 minutes and the red card at 7 minutes.
(See
Timers Report – Table Topics above)
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General
Evaluator
This
person is the "Watch Dog" of the entire meeting. The General
Evaluator looks for what was done well throughout the meeting and ways
to improve the next meeting, sort of like quality control.
Before evaluating the meeting, the General Evaluator will call on
the individual speaker evaluators and the timer’s report for the
evaluations (see these duties below).
(This
duty teaches us to be observant looking for both the good and the bad in
each situation)
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Speaker
Evaluators
A
Speaker Evaluator contacts the speaker they will evaluate prior to the
meeting (if possible). The Evaluator learns which speech (from the
manual) the speaker will be giving and any additional items the speaker
wants the Evaluator to observe. The Evaluator reads the manual prior to
the meeting (if possible) and prepares to respond to the manual criteria
relating to the presentation. The Evaluator completes their evaluation
during the speech so they are ready to respond when asked.
(This
duty teaches us to coordinate with others, to listen and then to explain the good and bad
aspects of the presentation. The idea is to help the presenters become better speakers and at help them feel proud of the
speech just given. Good evaluation is a real art. If we can learn to do
it here, it's a great skill to take back to our jobs)
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Timer’s
Report (Evaluations)
A
person is assigned to time each speaker evaluator.
Three colored cards (green, yellow and red) are used to signal
the person being timed. For
a 1-2 minute speaker evaluation, the green card will be held up at 1
minute, the yellow card at 1.5 minutes and the red card at 2 minutes.
(See
Timers Report – Table Topics above)
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Ah
Counter Report
This
person listens for all presenters using ah's, um's, and other "time fillers". At
a minimum, we try to count fillers for anyone standing at the lectern.
These fillers are counted throughout the meeting.
The Toastmaster will call on for the Ah Counter’s Report near
the end of the meeting. Each
filler costs the speaker one penny, up to a maximum of ten cents per
meeting (pennies are collected in a “Band-Aid” tin).
(This
duty teaches listening skills and reinforces that for both the speaker
and the counter. This is a fun way to remember that "fillers"
are not necessary and that pauses are okay)
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Count
Table Topics Ballots
The
Toastmaster calls on the person who collected ballots (see Cast Ballots
for Table Topics above) to count the ballots and announce the Table
Topics presenter who received the most votes.
The presenter with the most votes is awarded a “traveling”
Table Topics trophy to keep until the next meeting.
(This
activity teaches us to praise others for a job well done)
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Solicit
Guests’ Comments
The
Toastmaster provides an opportunity for guests to share any comments or
questions they may have about the meeting.
(This
activity shows guests we are interested in hearing their perspective)
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Lead
Business Meeting
This
person takes control of the end of the meeting and presides over the
business meeting. Old and new business issues are presented and
discussed.
(This
duty gives us an insight into conducting meetings as a facilitator and
helps us learn business protocol)
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