Comp-Talk Meeting Roles
* Please note that clicking a role will scroll the page to the relevant section
Chairperson
The Chair is the emcee of the entire meeting. It is the duty of the Chairperson to introduce the theme of the meeting, review the agenda, introduce the Grammarian/Wordmaster or Quizmaster, Timer, Invocator/Jokemaster, Toastmaster, and General Evaluator, and finally to close the meeting on time. The Chair should lead the applause when turning over or taking back the podium and make sure that the meeting progresses in a timely and orderly manner.
Grammarian/Wordmaster
The role of Grammarian/Wordmaster has two parts. The Grammarian listens for and keeps track of all the unnecessary words or noises that often find a way into our sentences when we speak. These sounds include: um’s, ah’s, lip smacks, repeated words, or fillers (unnecessary words used to bridge between points) such as: and, so, but, and like. Members (guests are always excluded) who use any of these are charged five cents up to a maximum of twenty-five cents. However, members can help offset those charges by using the word of the day, which leads to the second part of the role; the Wordmaster. The Wordmaster chooses a word of the day, which they explain to the club and is displayed throughout the meeting room, and if a member uses the word of the day they receive a five cent credit. At the end of the meeting, the Grammarian/Wordmaster reports the grammatical errors and the members who owe money feed our piggy bank. The purpose of the Grammarian/Wordmaster is to help us eliminate those unnecessary words or sounds as well as to broaden our vocabulary by introducing us to a new word.
Quizmaster
The Quizmaster role is usually performed in lieu of the Grammarian/Wordmaster function. The role of the Quizmaster is to listen during the meeting and create various questions on things that occur or are said during the meeting. At the end of the meeting the Quizmaster asks members the questions and those that get the question wrong owe our piggy five cents. The purpose of the Quizmaster is to test our listening skills because as Toastmasters we should always be active listeners.
Invocator/Jokemaster
The individual assigned this role has a choice; offer some inspirational or thought-provoking words or tell an appropriate joke at the beginning of the meeting. The purpose of this role is to motivate the group or to bring some levity to the meetings and help ease people’s nerves.
Timer
The Timer records the length of each person's speech and provides a visual sign to the speaker that the allotted time is about to expire. The Timer provides a visual sign by using a timing device with three lights green, yellow, and red. All Toastmaster speeches and reports are carefully planned to fit specific time periods so that we learn the art of time management. The Timer then reports the speech time periods at the end of the meeting.
Toastmaster
The Toastmaster is the emcee for the scheduled speech portion of the meeting. It is the Toastmaster’s task to make a toast surrounding the theme of the day, to introduce each Speaker, and to introduce the scheduled Evaluators. The Toastmaster should always lead the applause and bridge between the Speakers and Evaluators.
Speaker
During the scheduled speech portion of the meeting, Speakers present prepared speeches from one of the many Communication or Leadership manuals provided by Toastmasters International. The basic manuals provide structure and guidance to improve skills such as organization, vocabulary, vocal variety, and body language, while the more advanced manuals deal with topics such as leadership, persuasive speaking, and becoming an entertaining speaker. Speeches range from five to twenty minutes in length and have specific objectives.
Evaluator
At Toastmasters everyone is evaluated, because through constructive feedback we can all improve as speakers, which is what Toastmasters is all about. Evaluators provide constructive feedback in oral and written form. Evaluations are highly encouraging and provide a positive learning experience for all. Evaluations are done in the first and third person, so as not to single out the speaker and make them feel as though they are being attacked. Evaluators provide feedback of what they liked, what they thought could be improved, and most importantly some suggestions on how to improve. Evaluations always end on a positive note so as to motivate and encourage the speaker to speak again.
Table Topics Master
The Table Topics Master helps members improve their impromptu speaking skills by asking members to speak for one to two minutes about a surprise topic usually surrounding the theme of the day. Each speaker is also evaluated at the end of the Table Topics session by an Evaluator. Impromptu speaking skills are extremely valuable in the every aspect of life and are important part of the Toastmaster program. Guests are not required to participate, but are often given the option to if they feel comfortable doing so.
General Evaluator
At the end of the meeting, the General Evaluator evaluates all those roles that did not have a scheduled Evaluator. These roles include: the Chair, Grammarian/Wordmaster, Invocator/Jokemaster, Timer, Toastmaster, Evaluators, and the Table Topics Master. The General Evaluator also comments on the overall meeting and may make suggestions on how to improve the meeting for the next time.
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