Toastmasters Rule of Thumb
“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” – Alexander Graham Bell
“When you get out of Toastmasters, what you get out of Toastmasters, you won’t get out of Toastmasters.” - Quote from a guest Toastmaster from Malaysia at a WLSC evening – January 2007
This guide provides you with information on how to prepare for, and conduct meeting roles at Harrovians Speakers Club. Please speak to any experienced club member if you would like more information and advice. All roles count towards the Competent Leadership Award.
Roles
We cannot run a meeting without functionaries – look at the meeting programmes and you will see there are about 9 -10 functionaries required to 4 speakers – a ratio of 2.5 – 1, this is why we (and most other Toastmasters Clubs) have a guideline rule of thumb that everyone in the Club should take on two roles for every one speech that they deliver.
The best speakers balance their role to speech ratio to take full advantage of all learning opportunities provided by the Toastmasters programme -
2 roles to 1 speech
This system provides valuable experience and it’s fun!
Being Prepared
When you are preparing for your first time in any role, it can be useful to observe how that role is performed in earlier meetings.
All meeting roles give members valuable opportunities to stand before an audience and practice their public speaking skills. Performing roles can be particularly useful in ironing out any verbal and physical ticks and in developing a relaxed, professional presence before an audience.
Different roles also allow you to:
· hone active listening skills
· develop creativity
· practice controlling a meeting (pace – timing – energy)
· assertively / humorously deal with interjections
· learn how to prepare for a meeting e.g. if a meeting doesn’t run smoothly it often because the Toastmaster or Chairperson have not done their preparatory work and briefed the participants in their roles in the week before the meeting.
It is therefore important that you have read the role guidelines before taking on the role or speech to ensure that you and the club get the best out the meetings.
Read the guidelines your role!