Use this section to familarize yourself with the verious positions of speech you can select for a meeting. The following week's positions are open for anyone to select. You can let the officers know what position you preffer at the end of every meeting along with the topic for the next meet.
Toastmaster
This person is in charge of conducting the overall presentation of the meeting. The Toastmaster provides continuity by smoothing the transitions between speakers, and stresses the importance of using the "word for the day." Also, the Toastmaster makes a note of the day's lineup so he/she knows the order, names, and titles of each speech without having to refer to the board. It is important that he/she welcome any guests and ask them to introduce themselves as well.
Opener
Responsible for a short message that helps set the tone of the meeting.
Topicmaster
Prepares questions relevant to the theme of the meeting. Primarily asks members and guests who have not had assignments to respond. Responsible for keeping responses to questions within 1 minute. *Note: It is important to ask your question first then call on the person to respond (this keeps everyone on their toes).
Grammarian
Chooses a word relative to theme of the meeting, writes it on the board at the beginning of the meetings and defines it during the meeting. The Grammarian must pronounce the word, define it and use the word in a sentence when called upon by the Toastmaster.
Jester
Comes professionally prepared to tell an appropriate joke or humorous story
Newsmaster
Prepares a short presentation on a current events topics. These topics can be of any type relating to what is currently going on in the world. The Newsmaster typically speaks for 3-5 minutes about their chosen topic.
Improv
Is challenged by the Topicmaster for the night with 1 question. This question will most-likely be an interview question and will require usage of techniques such as STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Results). This position, however, requires very little or a lot of times no preparation.
Hot Seat
The Hot Seat serves in any of the above positions should they be required to during the meeting.
Timer
Times all speech presentations (Jester, Grammarian, Opener, Main Speakers and Topics Speakers) based on the allotted time constraints listed in the "Communication and Leadership Program" booklet. The Timer must bring a stop watch or some precise timing device to time each speech.
Tin Person
Thus named because, like the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz, he or she has no heart. Responsible for dropping coins in a tin can whenever someone uses a "killer-filler" such as "uh, like, you know, like I said." Also keeps track of how many each person uses.
Evaluator
General Evaluator Conducts an overall evaluation of the meeting and assigns an assistant evaluator to evaluate each individual speaker. His/her duty is to pick up on anything Assistant Evaluators missed on individual speakers and to evaluate Topics Speakers.
Speech Evaluator Evaluates each individual speaker based on the guidelines provided in the "Communication and Leadership Program" booklet and gives a presentation on his/her findings.
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