Different clubs follow slightly different programs, but they all contain the same basic elements. The meeting is based on filling in a number of roles, some roles, such as the the club president are fixed, while others vary from meeting to meeting. Below is a description of the various roles:

Club President: The club president is responsible for running the club over the course of a year. He will start the meeting and discuss old and new business and introduce the toastmaster.

Toastmaster: The toastmaster is the master of ceremonies for the meeting. The toastmaster will be responsible for making sure that the meeting is rewarding for the participants and runs both smoothly and on time. He will introduce his staff and speakers and make sure that the podium is always manned.

Grammarian: The grammarian introduces a word for the meeting. The participants in the meeting try to work the word into their speeches or reports. This both expands your vocabulary and encourages you to think on your feet while giving a prepared or spontaneous speech.

Ah and um counter: Listens to the grammar during the meeting and takes note of any filler words or other crutches that could potentially interfere with communication.

Timer: We’ve all been to meetings that have run too long. One of the goals of a Toastmaster is to be able to deliver speeches or reports within alloted periods of time. Speaking concisely yet informatively is a skill your co-workers and management will appreciate.

Table topic master: The table topic master introduces one or more topics for club members to speak about. This hones your impromptu speaking skills for those occasions when your opinion or input is requested without prior warning.

Speaker: The speeches given in a Toastmaster’s meeting are designed to progressively improve your abilities. Speaking within alloted time limits has already been mentioned but skills in organizing your speech, using presentation materials and improving your body language and clarity are worked on as well. The Competent Communication manual does this through 10 speeches. Each speech concentrates on a new skill while building on the basics introduced on previous assignments. The actual topic of the speech is up to you.

Speech evaluator: Speech evaluators apply analytic skills to evaluating the speaker and their speech. This improves your ability to think critically and deliver reviews. Speech evaluations aren’t delivered to tear down the speakers, instead they’re intended to highlight the skills which are already apparent and provide feedback on areas that could use improvement. This assignment is beneficial to both the speaker and evaluator.

General evaluator: Apply critical thinking and evaluation skills to the meeting as a whole. Did it start and end on time? Were the evaluations useful? What went well and what could use improvement?

Welcome to the new website for Chippewa Valley Toastmasters. Here you will find information about our club including the meeting time and location.