In order to benefit from your first meeting, please:

  • Applaud at the introduction of each speaker and again at the end of the speech (this is the Toastmaster equivalent of a group hug). It is part of the nurturing environment that grows personal progress.

  • Speak in response to table topic questions.

  • Vote for:
    Best Table Topics
    Best Speaker
    Best Evaluator

  • Ask questions of the members before and after the meeting, and during the break.

  • Let us know how our Club can help you achieve your goals.

  • Tell us your reaction to the meeting.

  • Plan to return for a second look.

You have taken an important first step towards improving your communication skills by asking about our program. The next steps are:

  • Determine where you stand as a speaker and form a written plan for the areas you want to improve in.
  • Participate in our next meeting and talk with a mentor.

We welcome your questions and your input.

All speeches are timed.

The chart below will help you follow the timing sequence.
Type of Speech Time (minutes) Green Light Yellow Light Red Light Disqualified
Table Topics l - 2 1:00 1:30 2:00 < 1 or > 2:30
Ice Breaker 4 - 6 4 5 6 < 3:30 or > 6:30
Most Others 5 - 7 5 6 7 < 4:30 or > 7:30
Specialty 8 - 10 8 9 10 < 7:30 or > 10:30
Evaluations 2 - 3 2 2:30 3 < 1:30 or > 3:30

Please note that a few other speeches have different times than those listed. In those cases, the green light comes on at the minimum time; the red light goes on at the maximum time; the yellow light comes on half-way in between.

Also note that on all speaking assignments (other than Table Topics), you're given 30 seconds leeway in either direction before you get disqualified. Since Table Topics is so short, you're only given a 30 second leeway on the maximum side.

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This site was developed by Donna Gordon, DTM and Jeff Gordon, DTM
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