The standard meeting has 5 main sections:

• Introductions/Meeting Role Assignment

• 2-4 Prepared Speeches

• 3-10 Impromptu Speeches (Table Topics)

• 2-4 Evaluations

• Awards/Announcements/Closing

• Toastmaster

The Toastmaster hosts the meeting. Program participants should be introduced in a way that excites the audience and motivates them to listen. The Toastmaster creates an atmosphere of interest, expectation, and receptivity. The primary role is to lead the meeting by creating smooth transitions between Prepared Speeches and introduce the appropriate people at the right time.

Prepared Speakers

2 to 4 members will give prepared speeches as they walk through the online pathways courses. The Toastmaster for the evening will introduce the speakers and their evaluators.

• Table Topics Master

Table Topics (Impromptu Speeches) give members practice "thinking and speaking on their feet" by responding extemporaneously on a topic chosen by the Topics Master. The Topics Master will ask for volunteers or call on someone. 

Impromptu Speakers

3 to 10 participants will challenge themselves to speak for at least 60 seconds on a question asked by the Table Topics Master.

• General Evaluator

The General Evaluator evaluates everything that takes place throughout the meeting. This includes introducing Speech Evaluators, Helper reports, and providing a general evaluation of the meeting. 

Speech Evaluators (see How to give an effective evaluation)

Evaluators provide each Prepared Speaker with oral and written feedback to help them grow as a communicator. Evaluators should take into account the speaker's skill level when giving positive and constructive feedback. One appropriate way to give an evaluation is to use the CRC method → Commend - Recommend - Commend. The evaluator begins with what they did well, observes one or two growth areas, and concludes with what they did very well along with a summary.

• Timer

The Timer is the member responsible for timing speeches, table topics, and evaluations. Effective speakers use pacing, words, and time wisely.  The Timer uses the table below to time each speaking role and then provides a report at the end of the meeting.

SAMPLE SCRIPT: "Greetings Mr./Madam Toastmaster, fellow Toastmasters, and guests. As Timer, I will time the prepared speeches, impromptu speeches, and the evaluations. I will also alert each speaker of the time they have left, using the green, yellow, and red cards, which denote specific times remaining.  The green card indicates that you have reached the minimum time for the speech, the yellow indicates you are coming close the the end of your time, and once you see the red card, you should close out your speech soon to stay within the designated times" (read the table at the bottom for the times) "Thank you Mr./Madam Toastmaster"

• Lexicologist

The Lexicologist introduces the word of the day and keeps track of its use (or a derivative of it) throughout the meeting by every participant. Using the word of the day helps participants to increase their vocabulary.

SAMPLE SCRIPT: "Greetings Mr./Madam Toastmaster, fellow Toastmasters, and guests.  As Lexicologist, I will introduce the word of the day and keep track of how many times participants use the word during the meeting. The results will be presented at the end of the meeting.  Today, the word of the day is _____________ (read word and definition).  Thank you Mr./Madam Toastmaster"

• Ah-Counter

The Ah-Counter notes any crutch words, overused words, repeated words, or filler sounds used by any meeting participant. For example: and, well, but, so, you know, ah, um, and like.

SAMPLE SCRIPT: "Greetings Mr./Madam Toastmaster, fellow Toastmasters, and guests.  As Ah-Counter, I will keep track of how many times participants use filler or repeat words such as ah, em, um, er, like, and, so, because because, etc.  If a filler word is used more than five times, I will indicate this by saying "more than five" in my report.  The results will be presented at the end of the meeting. 

• Listener

The Listener pays special attention to the speakers to gather key facts from their topic.  At the end of the meeting, the Listener will ask the whole group these questions and all the attendees will try to answer at the same time to see who remembers what the person talked about.

SAMPLE SCRIPT: "Greetings Mr./Madam Toastmaster, fellow Toastmasters, and guests.  As your Listener, my role is to pay close attention to the speeches and pick out interesting facts or details. At the end of the meeting, I’ll ask a few fun questions to see how well you were listening too! So stay sharp—and enjoy the speeches!”

• Vote Counter

The Vote Counter tallies the votes and announces the winners at the end of the meeting. Best Speaker, Best Table Topics, Best Evaluator, Best of the Big 3, and Best Helper. The Vote Counter only votes anonymously when needed to break a tie.

SAMPLE SCRIPT: "Greetings Mr./Madam Toastmaster, fellow Toastmasters, and guests. As your Vote Counter, my job is to collect and count the votes for today’s awards, including Most Effective Speaker, Table Topic, and Evaluator. After each section of the meeting, I’ll gather your ballots, tally the results, and report the winners to the Toastmaster before the end of the meeting. Thank you—and don’t forget to vote!”