Terms Of Reference

The following is a brief guide to Toastmasters meeting assignments and terms that you will find in our club Toastmaster: This person introduces all elements of the meeting. As host, welcoming visitors, explaining what happens and why, and integrating all aspects of the meeting are the main tasks of the Toastmaster. Table Tonic: This role provides an opportunity to set an uplifting note at the start of the meeting by reading or telling an uplifting story. Table Topics Master: This role calls for the person doing the task to ask questions of members and visitors (if they are willing). Respondents reply with a short impromptu speech (often 60-90 seconds) Table Topics Evaluator: It is not possible to fully evaluate each speech. The evaluator focuses on one aspect of each speech or a general thematic approach with examples from each speech. A point for improvement is important. Speeches: These are exercises done from manual assignments. The content is fully created by the person doing the exercise. The criteria for the exercise and the evaluation are given in the various Toastmasters manuals. Speech Evaluations: The aim of evaluations is to give positive feedback to the speechmaker. Criteria are given in the manuals and evaluators are encouraged to follow those criteria. A point for improvement is important Timer: The responsibility of the timer to ensure that the meeting program runs to the timetable stated on the Agenda. They report to the meeting on the timing of all assignments in the meeting. Listening Critic: This person listens to the content of what is said at the meeting. They rise near the end of the meeting and pose content questions to establish how well people had been listening. Um Ah & Y'Know Counter: People use all sorts of filler words and sounds as they speak. This role is for a person to listen, count and report on the type and number of these sounds are used as people speak. Wordsmith: This person has the task of reporting back to the meeting on the word usage in the meeting. Comment can be on aspects of our word usage from jargon through new words to the vividness of the words used. Grammarian: This person reports to the meeting on all aspects of the grammar spoken in the meeting. It is not to be nit picking. The aim is to educate and encourage excellence in language use. Chair: When the meeting moves into business mode a person is appointed to the chair and leads the meeting through the session. Parliamentarian: When a business session is conducted a person experienced in meeting procedure assists the chair with difficulties and feeds back to the meeting. General Evaluator: The focus of this role is to evaluate the whole meeting and especially any individuals who have not been evaluated by others.