Taking on a role in Michigan Toastmasters

Transcription

1 2005. All rights reserved. No part may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted through any means/medium without the author s written permission. Taking on a role in TOASTMASTER The most important role of the meeting. You need to be aware of the following points: 1. Opening remarks set the tone of the meeting. a. Involve the audience by talking about something that happened today (excellent weather, rain, snow), or an event that happened in the past week. [01 min] b. Have the roles filled up if any remain unfilled [01 min] 2. Introduce the Table Topics master. Mention how long (s)he has been a club member and the theme (s)he has selected for the evening. Note: If you are asked to be a speaker for table topics DECLINE - unless all others have spoken 1 st and time remains. 3. After Table Topics, re-take meeting s control by: a. Shaking hands with the Table Topics master and thank him/her for the nice job done. b. Ask Timer for the qualification/time report [01 min] c. Ask Table Topics mater to recap topics of qualified speakers [01 min] d. Ask everyone to vote. Mr. Timer will give 1 minute on the clock [01 min] e. 5 sec before 1 minute is up, indicate ballots to be passed onto Sergeant-at-arms[-] 4. Introduce Speaker # 1 [01 min] a. You should have already contacted the speaker and asked for the introduction. b. You MUST include the Project #, Project title, Speech title, and speech theme. 5. Introduce Speaker # 2 [01 min] a. You should have already contacted the speaker and asked for the introduction. b. You MUST include the Project #, Project title, Speech title, and speech theme. 6. Voting a. Ask everyone to vote for best speaker [-] b. Mr. Timer will give 1 minute on the clock [01 min] 7. Welcome the General Evaluator (GE) In the absence of the President, do 8 and Take control back from the GE a. Thank the GE. b. Ask for volunteers for next meeting [02 min] 9. Adjourn the meeting! Total speaking time (20% of 1 hr) [12 min] Update: 11/18/05 Page # 1 of 8

2 2005. All rights reserved. No part may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted through any means/medium without the author s written permission. Taking on a role in TABLE TOPICS LEADER/MASTER The most important role of the meeting. You need to be aware of the following points: 1. Opening remarks set the tone of the meeting: a. Thank the toastmaster for the introduction b. Explain what are table topics. You may use the following description as a guide: The table topics section in a toastmasters meeting is an impromptu speaking session where members will be given a topic and asked to speak for 1 2 minutes on the same. While members may not decline, guests have a choice of declining to speak. However, we strongly encourage all guests to participate actively and speak. The speaker must speak for at least 30 seconds and no more than 2 min to qualify as the best table topics speaker. [01 min] 2. Running table topics: a. Speak a table topic, look to audience, wait 5 seconds, and pick a member. b. You should pick members in the following order: i. Members who have no speaking role at all Not a speaker, evaluator, or one of the roles (Toastmaster, GE, Ah! Counter, Grammarian etc) in the meeting ii. Members having smallest roles in the meeting (Ah! Counter, Timer, Grammarian) iii. Guests iv. Members having medium roles in the meeting (GE, Evaluator) v. Members having large roles in the meeting (Speaker, Toastmaster) c. Always watch out for time. Table topics MUST conclude by the time on the agenda. 3. Concluding table topics: a. Thank all members and guests for speaking b. Ask timer if any speaker(s) who did qualify c. Do a recap of the speakers who qualified in the order in which they appeared: The name of the member/guest with the topic (s)he spoke on. [30 sec] d. Ask everyone to vote for best speaker. e. Timer will give 1 minute for voting [01 min] f. 5 sec before the 1 minute is up, ask the ballots to be passed onto Sergeant-at-arms. g. Call on the toastmaster to take charge of the meeting. Wait for him/her until (s)he comes upto the podium, shake hands, then, go back and sit down. Total speaking time (~10% of 1 hr) [~6 min] Update: 11/18/05 Page # 2 of 8

3 2005. All rights reserved. No part may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted through any means/medium without the author s written permission. Taking on a role in GENERAL EVALUATOR This is the most important evaluation role of the meeting. Not only will you be evaluating the meeting in general, but also, filling in the evaluations of the speakers. You need to be aware of the following points: 1. Getting into the role a. Thanks the toasmaster for introducing you. b. Mention the 1 st speaker, his/her project title & number, his/her speech title, and introduce his/her evaluator. c. When the evaluator is finished, shake hands, and thank him/her [05 sec] d. Mention the 2 nd speaker, his/her project title & number, his/her speech title, and introduce his/her evaluator. e. When the evaluator is finished, shake hands, and thank him/her [05 sec] 2. Your comments should reflect at the very least: [02 min] a. Did the meeting start on time? b. Did the toastmaster introduce the speakers with full details? c. Were the speaker s speaking area clear and could they address the crowd properly? d. Did the people who took on roles introduce their role properly and completely such that a person coming to the meeting for the 1 st time would have understood the utility of the role? e. Did the toastmaster welcome guests properly? f. Did the VP-Membership talk to the guests the moment they arrived and sat with them through the meeting? g. Did the guests speak? If so, thank them for speaking. If not, tell them they are welcome to come back as guests for as long as they want. h. Finally, did the evaluators miss something that you want to share with the speaker(s)? i. Add anything else that struck you as exceptionally well done, or very poorly done, or came to your notice for whatever reason. 3. Hand control back to the toastmaster. [05 sec] Total speaking time (7% of 1 hr) [4 min] Update: 11/18/05 Page # 3 of 8

4 2005. All rights reserved. No part may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted through any means/medium without the author s written permission. Taking on a role in EVALUATOR Your role is the most critical aspect for the speakers. They will look up to you for guidance on how to improve for the next speech. Before the speech begins, you need to talk to the speaker and inquire about: 1. The project and the aims of the project 2. Specific goals the speaker wants to accomplish Your evaluation needs to be tailored the speaker depending on whether (s)he is novice, amateur, or advanced. For novice speakers, it is imperative that the evaluation be very encouraging. People who join toastmasters are afraid of public speaking you need to support the fact that his person gathered the courage to get up and speak in front of an unknown crowd. Support him/her in every possibly way. However, do not make false praise. If the speaker obviously needs to improve in many ways. But pick just 1 or 2 things and concentrate your time on explaining to the speaker how he/she could incorporate them into the speech. End your evaluation on a VERY positive note. For amateur speakers, it is important that you continue to encourage them, but also take them on to the next level. They have possibly gotten over their fear of public speaking, so, mention this accomplishment to them. You need to look into the project focus and mention how well the speaker managed to accomplish those goals and the goals of the preceding projects. End on a very encouraging note. Advanced speakers are no longer afraid of public speaking. They have worked on the basics and mastered them. Already good speakers, they want to become excellent speakers. Help them reach that level. It is possible that you are not as accomplished as the speaker. Let it not discourage you nor awe you with their experience. Think of yourself as the world s best critic whom the speaker is trying to impress. Were you impressed? What could the speaker have done to impress you even more? Was the speaker able to relate to the audience? Sometimes advanced speakers have excellent delivery, but forget about the content and the level of the audience. Did this happen? Focus 30-40% of your time on highlighting what was done well and 60-70% of the time on the areas for improvement. End on a supporting note, mentioning what was done well, and what needs to be improved. Speaking time [5% of 1 hr] [2 3 min] Update: 11/18/05 Page # 4 of 8

5 2005. All rights reserved. No part may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted through any means/medium without the author s written permission. Taking on a role in GRAMMARIAN You are playing the most critical role in evaluating the usage of the English language. As one of the most important listening roles, you need to be aware of the following points: 1. Listen for improper usage of the language. This may include, but may not be limited to: a. Subject verb agreement b. Tense consistency c. Use of articles and prefixes d. Sentence construction e. Length of sentences f. Excessive use of connecting words causing sentences to string along unnecessarily. 2. At the same time, you must also listen for outstanding usage of the language. This can be anything that strikes you as extraordinarily good usage in the areas such as: a. Use of novel words b. Use of visual or graphically vivid language c. Rhyming sentences or phrases d. Anything else that comes to your notice as outstanding usage Phrase your comments in a very encouraging light. Even experienced members will trip sometimes and they won t mind a direct report. However, you need to be very supportive of the new members. In case a member makes several errors, highlight the top 2 3. For members that you critique, make extra effort to identify good usage of the language in their speeches. Your report should be delivered within 1 min. This will help you practice delivering your thoughts in a very concise manner. Update: 11/18/05 Page # 5 of 8

6 2005. All rights reserved. No part may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted through any means/medium without the author s written permission. Taking on a role in AH-COUNTER This is one of the first steps you are taking in stepping out of the comfort zone. Also, as the first responsibility, this will help you get integrated with the club even better. You need to be aware of the following points: Introduction: Mr / Madam Toastmaster, Fellow Toastmasters & Most Welcome Guests: I'm pleased to be the Ah-Counter of tonight's meeting. This is a listening role where I will help you avoid using filler words that are making vocalized pauses without contributing to the speech. They include sounds like ah, er and em, or words like and, so, you know, and so on. These unnecessary annoying sounds and words are the so- called Ahs. I'll count the number of the usage of each of the following sounds and at the end of the meeting, I will make a report for you. When the meeting ends, quickly run through the report for all the members. Your report should be delivered within 1 minute. The extremely short time will help you practice delivering your speech in a concise manner. Update: 11/18/05 Page # 6 of 8

7 2005. All rights reserved. No part may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted through any means/medium without the author s written permission. Taking on a role in WORD MASTER This is one of the first steps you are taking in stepping out of the comfort zone. Also, as the first responsibility, this will help you get integrated with the club even better. You need to be aware of the following points [Wordmaster, Tuesday toasters, Purpose: To present the membership with the opportunity to learn a new word and use it in their daily conversation. The word will be a word that will help the membership increase their vocabulary, a word that will be easily incorporated into everyday conversation, but different from the way they usually express themselves. Prior to the meeting: Before the meeting, the Word Master selects a "Word of the Day". This word can be coordinated with the Toastmaster of the Day in order for it to relate to the them for the meeting; however, that is not mandatory. Prepare a sentence as an example of how to use the word. Prepare a brief but thorough summary of your role as Wordmaster that explains your role in the program to visiting guests. As you arrive at the meeting: In letters large enough to be seen from the back of the room, print the word, the part of speech and a brief definition. The word can be taped to a side wall, placed on an easel stand off to the side of the room, etc. in order for members to be able to see the word throughout the meeting. Do not display the word in a position where the audience would find it distracting to any other portion of the meeting (eg: taped to the lectern). During the meeting: When called upon by the Toastmaster of the Day, stand at your seat and briefly state the purpose of the word of the day for those guests present give and then word for the day with its additional information. Keep a list and count the members who use the word of the day or a variation of the word, and how many times they were able to include it into their speaking role during the meeting. This includes speakers, evaluators, table topics, etc. Be prepared to present your report near the end of the meeting at the Toastmaster of the Day's request. After the meeting: Give your prepared word of the day, it's explanation, and report of members who were able to integrate the word into their spoken part on the program to the Secretary to be placed with the meeting minutes. Update: 11/18/05 Page # 7 of 8

8 2005. All rights reserved. No part may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted through any means/medium without the author s written permission. Taking on a role in TIMER Purpose Members need to learn to deliver their message in a timely manner. Introduction I will be timing the different sections & be raising colored cards to indicate the passage of time. a. Table topics Green card at 30 s, Yellow card at 1 min, Red card at 1 min 30 sec. At 2 min, stand up and indicate silently to the speaker to leave. b. Evaluations Green card at 1 min 30 s Yellow at 2 min Red at 2 min 30 sec. At 3 min, stand up and indicate silently to the speaker to leave. c. Speeches Green card at 4 min 30 s Yellow at 5 min 30 s Red at 6 min 30 sec. At 7 min, stand up and indicate silently to the speaker to leave. [In case the speech is shorter or longer, ask the speaker to tell you the lights in advance]. Green lights indicates that the speaker has completed the minimum speech length and has qualified for being voted upon as the best table topics speaker, best speaker, or the best evaluator. However, the speaker will be disqualified if (s)he goes 30 s over the red light. If the speaker for more than 30 s after the red light, the timer will stand up which indicates that the speaker MUST complete his/her current sentence and terminate speaking. [Use your wrist watch for keeping track of time. Cards will be provided to you at the meeting.] When I will be called upon at different points in the meeting, I will only state that the speaker has qualified or not. However, detailed time reports will be made available to all members after the meeting is over. All section reports must be completed within 30 sec. Update: 11/18/05 Page # 8 of 8