A Typical Toastmasters Meeting

The San Carlos-Belmont Toastmasters Club meets twice a month in the city of Belmont. A typical meeting is divided into four segments:

A business portion in which effective meeting management skills quickly and efficiently dispatch the business of our club.

Table Topics gives members the opportunity to practice impromptu speaking skills by responding to questions or suggestions prepared by the leader of this segment.

Prepared speeches from the Communication and Leadership program are presented by members to improve particular aspects of their public-speaking capabilities. Prepared speeches are usually 5 to 7 minutes in length, but sometimes they can extend to 15 minutes or more.

Evaluation by club members provides feedback to both prepared speakers and meeting leaders. An evaluator, usually a more experienced club member, gives an oral evaluation and provides written comments to each speaker.

Each meeting is supported by members who take turns serving in the various roles necessary to conduct our meetings, including:

Toastmaster prepares and leads the overall program.

Table Topics Master leads the impromptu speaking segment.

Master Evaluator conducts the evaluation segment.

Timer assists the leaders and speakers by timing speeches and presentations.

Grammarian keeps track of annoying speaking habits so that speakers can become aware and correct them.