Meeting Roles

Speaker

The speakers, usually two to four of them per meeting, deliver prepared speeches typically 5-7 minutes each in length.

Evaluator

After every prepared speech, the speaker's assigned evaluator will deliver a spoken evaluation of the speech based on goals set forth for in the manual and also by the speaker, if any.

Toastmaster

The Toastmaster conducts the entire meeting by kicking it off with a theme of his/her choosing and introducing each of the participants.

Timer

The timer keeps track of time for each speech to determine whether the speaker qualifies for the best speech award of the evening. S/he will raise a green, yellow, then red flag to signal the remaining time to the speaker.

Table Topics Master

The table topics master prepares topics for which random members will deliver impromptu speeches. For example, some of our table topics have included "what would you do if you were President of the United States", "what do you want to do before you die", and "what are your thoughts on the legalization of marijuana". This helps us to learn the skill of "thinking on our feet."

Word Master

The word master prepares a word of the day and its definition. Speakers must incorporate this word into their table topics speech in order to qualify for the best table topics speech award.

Master Evaluator

The master evaluator speaks at the end of the night about the his/her evaluation of the meeting in general. E.g. whether the meeting started on time, everyone was prepared to perform their assigned roles and cell phones were turned off.

Ah Counter

The ah counter notes the number of pause fillers used by each of the speakers, including the toastmaster and evaluators. The person with the most "ah's" wins the "burnt toast award".

Snack Master

The snack master is responsible for bringing snacks and drinks for the group to share during our break.