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Is There Toastmasters between Meetings?
(Rev. Mon 19 Jul 1999 -- mjj)When we think of Toastmasters, we normally will think of our fellow members meetings together at the weekly Toastmasters meetings on Monday nights in the Northrop Grumman Recreation Club Clubhouse.
However, there are things that happen BETWEEN our weekly meetings -- the answer is "Yes, there are Toastmasters activities between the meetings."
In order for the weekly meetings to run VERY successfully, THREE things need to be done prior to the meetings -- 1) PREPARATION, 2) PREPARATION, and 3) PREPARATION.
For a given meeting, the meeting assignees (those with assignments) need to prepare for their assignments.
The individual Toastmaster needs to LOOK at the program/agenda for future Toastmaster assignment(s). If the individual Toastmaster is absent from a given meeting, he/she needs to CALL somebody in the club. Ideally, the assignments should be updated on the club's Web site.
IF the individual Toastmaster discovers that he/she CANNOT perform the assignment, he/she would IDEALLY find a replacement for him/herself so that the meeting is not disrupted for lack of an assignee or by last minute agenda shuffling.
In the week prior to meeting, call the meeting assignees to remind them of their assignments, as well as arranging for their the assignees' introductions. This oftentimes works better than trying to call the meeting assignees the day of the meeting.
Decide on the theme of the meeting -- check the History Channel "This Day in History" for a theme, or you may find your own. Ideally, the introductions can constructed to keep in line with the theme of the day, and the Table Topics might also follow the theme. Of course, the Table Topic Master should be informed about the theme.
Prepare an introduction for himself/herself.
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance/Pledge of Allegiance and Thought for the Day
(Versions #1 and #2)Decide whether an Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, or Pledge of Allegiance followed by a Thought for the Day will be presented, and prepare accordingly.
If you are not already familiar with the
timing procedure, learn. The Time Keeper has earned the PBRT award several times using the new "simplified" timing device.In addition to what is already in the assignment description, the
Table Topic Master also prepares an introduction for himself/herself for the Toastmaster.Speaker
Prepare your speaking assignment per the speech manual; rehearse and polish the presentation -- you owe this to yourself and to your fellow club members.
Prepare an introduction for yourself.
Chief Evaluator
(Versions #1, #2, and #3)IDEALLY, contact the evaluators and grammarian.
Remind the grammarian of the assignment and the need for the "Word of the Day".
Assign the evaluators to their respective speakers -- IDEALLY the evaluators would discuss matters of evaluation with the speaker prior the speech. Currently, the evaluator speaks to the speaker during the ten-minute intermission.
Prepare an introduction for yourself.
Evaluator
Contact your speaker to discuss matters of evaluation prior to his/her speech.
Prepare an introduction for yourself.
Grammarian
(Versions #1 and #2)Be prepared to present the "Word of the Day":
- Arrive early enough to select a "Word of the Day" from the package in the lectern.
OR
- Prepare your own "Word of the Day".