Get The Edge Toastmasters
Meeting Roles

The NUMBER 1 FEAR is PUBLIC SPEAKING!
Toastmasters roles in structured meetings give members practice and self-confidence in overcoming butterflies.
  1. Prepared Speeches allow members to prepare and present 5 to 20 minute speeches in accordance with Toastmasters skill-building guidelines and objectives. 
  2. Table Topics allow members to practice 1 to 2 minute speeches with no preparation.  
  3. Evaluations tell club members what they did right and what they need to improve ― listening and good feedback are key to effective speechcraft.
Role
 Skills
The Toastmaster of the Day is responsible for running the day's meeting. He or she creates and reviews the agenda, introduces the speakers, provides transitions between speakers, and ensures that the meeting runs smoothly and finishes on time.
  • Organizing and Chairing Meeting
  • Impromptu Speaking
  • Flexibility
  • Focus
  • Timing
The Thought Master provides an inspirational or motivational thought applicable to everyday living (e.g., http://www.sap-basis-abap.com/motivation/). This role may be performed by the Toastmaster of the Day.
  • Delivering Mini-Speech
  • Positive Thinking
  • Courage
The Word Master provides a word that is unusual but can easily be included in everyday conversation (e.g., http://www.wordsmith.org/awad/).  He or she displays and pronounces the word, then gives its definition and its usage in a sentence. This role may be performed by the Grammarian/ Ah Counter.
  • Creativity
  • Courage

Each Speaker prepares a speech based on skill-building guidelines and objectives in basic or advanced manuals. Speakers select topics, then their imagination, creativity, and other means of personal expression are used to organize and present each speech within time limitations.
  • Writing and Delivering Speech
  • Organizing Thoughts
  • Creativity
  • Courage
  • Timing
The Table Topics Master challenges club members to answer short, thought-provoking questions. Generally,  questions pertain to the meeting's theme, and those responding are attendees without formal meeting roles.
  • Chairing Impromptu Portion of Meeting
  • Creativity
  • Timing
The General Evaluator introduces the evaluators, provides transitions between evaluators, and gives feedback on the overall meeting.  He or she can also add to the constructive criticsim provided by other evaluators.
  • Chairing Evaluation Portion of Meeting
  • Listening
  • Analytic Reasoning
  • Constructive Criticism
  • Timing
Each Speech Evaluator gives personalized feedback on whether a speaker accomplished specific Toastmasters skill-building guidelines and objectives. Evaluators praise speakers' strengths and suggest ways to improve speaking effectiveness within time limitations.
  • Listening
  • Analytic Reasoning
  • Constructive Criticism
  • Timing
The Grammarian / Ah-Counter monitors incorrect and proper use of words and phrasing. He or she may also monitor usage of the Word of the Day.
  • Listening
  • Constructive Criticism
  • Grammar
The Timer uses green, yellow, and red indicators to inform members when they have reached minimum, suggested, and maximum time limits.
  • Listening
  • Timing