Guest F.A.Q.s:
What is a typical meeting like?

5:30 p.m. President opens the meeting, recognizes guests, and introduces the Opener and then the Toastmaster.
  Opener delivers a brief message.
Toastmaster delivers thematic remarks and introduces the agenda.  The Toastmaster is responsible for the meeting agenda. He or she makes sure that the meeting runs smoothly and is on time. 
Grammarian explains his or her role. The Grammarian gives us a "word of the day". Each member should attempt to use this word whenever it is appropriate. The Grammarian also listens to our use of English and notes noteworthy language and that which could bear improvement.
Ah Counter explains his or her role. The Ah Counter monitors any unnecessary filler words or sounds.
Timer explains the timing and the lights. During the meeting, the Timer turns on lights to indicate how much time a speaker has used.  Usually, a green light means the speaker has reached the minimum time, a yellow light means the speaker is midway between minimum and maximum time, and a red light means the speaker has reached the maximum allotted time for his or her role.
Toastmaster introduces speakers.
Speakers (usually two or three) deliver prepared speeches. Each speaker follows the guidelines and objectives in the Toastmasters manuals. Toastmasters International recognizes completion of the 10 speeches in the Communication and Leadership Program manual with the Competent Toastmasters Award (CTM).
Toastmaster asks the timer which speakers qualified for awards, asks everyone to write comments for the speakers and to vote for Most Improved Speaker, then introduces the Table Topics Master.
Table Topics Master gives Table Topics for the impromptu speaking session. The Table Topics Master runs the impromptu portion of the meeting. Participants speak from 30-60 seconds on a variety of topics chosen by the Table Topics Master. Guests may be asked to participate, and they may participate or decline as they choose.
~6:15 p.m. Toastmaster asks the timer which Table Topics speakers qualified for awards, asks everyone to vote for Best Table Topics, then introduces the General Evaluator.
  General Evaluator introduces the speech evaluators.
Speech evaluators provide supportive feedback to the speakers, as well as suggestions for making the speeches even better.
Grammarian reports on all speakers' use of word of the day and comments generally on good and bad grammar and word usage.  The grammarian gives a "toast of the day" to someone who did especially well in some aspect.
General Evaluator comments on the evening's meeting. Strengths are praised and points for improvement are indicated. This assists the Club to further enhance its meetings. The GE also introduces the Ah Counter, who reports on crutches and fillers such as "ah", "um" and "you know."
Toastmaster asks the timer which evaluators qualified for awards, asks everyone to vote for Best Evaluator, then returns control to the President.
President asks guests for comments, makes announcements, and asks for the voting results.
Sgt-at-Arms announces winners of ribbons:  Most Improved Speaker, Best Table Topics, and Best Evaluator.
~6:55 p.m. President presents awards, adjourns meeting.