Duties of the PLG

Ah Counter | Ballot Counter/Listener | Evaluator | General Evaluator | Jester | PLG
President | Sergeant at Arms | Speaker | Timer | Toastmaster | Topics Master

Before the Meeting

• Find out the meeting theme from the Toastmaster.
• Select a "word of the day." This word should have some relationship to the theme, and be neither too common nor too obscure.
• Prepare a page giving "the word of the day," its part of speech (noun, verb, etc.) and definition, any derived words, and a sample sentence using the word. Make the print large enough and dark enough to be read from the back of the room. Bring two copies to the meeting. Click here for an example "Word of the Day" page.
• Practice your "Explanation of Duty" speech if you need to.

Upon Arrival at the Meeting

• In the meeting room, attach the pages to the lectern with the scotch tape from the supply box. Put one copy face up so that it can be read by the person at the lectern, and the other copy face down on top of the first copy so that it can be flipped over to hang down on the front of the lectern for the members and guests to see.

During the Meeting

• Describe your duties when called on to do so by the Toastmaster or General Evaluator.
• Pay attention to the agenda and the flow of the meeting. Call any deviations from the agenda to the attention of the offender.
• Observe who uses the "word of the day" during the meeting, especially during Table Topics.
• Listen for unusual words or good or bad examples of the use of the English language.
• Report on which Table Topics speakers used the "word of the day" when called on for the "PLG Report" by the Table Topics Master.
• Report on other speakers' use of the "word of the day," use of interesting or unusual words, and examples of good or bad grammar when called on for the "PLG Report" by the General Evaluator.

Sample "Explanation of Duty"

The name "PLG" represents my three duties. "P" stands for "Parliamentarian." As Parliamentarian, I will make sure we conduct the meeting in an orderly fashion and stay on the agenda so that we don't skip anything and finish on time.

"L" stands for "Lexicologist." As Lexicologist, it is my duty to help us expand our vocabularies by choosing the "word of the day" which is __________________. [At this point, give the definition, any derived words, and a sample sentence using the word, from your prepared page.] I encourage all speakers to incorporate today's word into their speeches, especially the Table Topics speakers, who are required to use the word of the day in their responses in order to be eligible for the "Best Table Topics Speaker" award.

And finally, "G" stands for "Gramarian," whose duty is to watch for exceptionally good or incorrect use of the English Language. Near the end of the meeting, when called on by the General Evaluator, I will give a report on any good or bad usage of the English Language I noted.

Mr. (or Madam) Toastmaster.