Towns of York Toastmasters

Each meeting follows an agenda with different members taking on different roles at each meeting. Each role is designed to provide a structure for practicing various speaking, listening, thinking and leadership skills.  These roles should be thought of as drills that you perform to become an effective speaker and leader, much the way a musician might practice scales, a basketball player practice free throws or a karate master repeat katas.

The roles are easily learned, but total mastery is a never ending process. This allows you to work at your own pace to increase your skills and confidence. You will learn and grow the most by challenging yourself based on your skill and experience level.  For example, someone who has little experience and and who is afraid of public speaking might find simply reading off prepared notes may be a stretch.  If this is where you are at, then that's just fine because you are stretching yourself.  However, once you progress and your confidence increases, you should "raise the bar" - perhaps by working from point form notes or even no notes at all.

Unlike many situations in the workplace or "real life" where mistakes are punished, the Towns of York Toastmasters provides a safe and supportive environment.  There are no grades or marks, and the only failure is the failure to participate.  Optimum learning occurs at what is called the "growing edge", where you are not perfect, so if you are not making mistakes, then you are not challenging yourself enough.

All roles are normally assigned in advance, but occasionally last minute vacancies are be filled on meeting night.

The meeting roles are as follows:

1. Chairperson
2. Invocation & Toast
3. Jokemaster
4. Table Topics Master
5. Toastmaster
6. Speaker
7. General Evaluator
8. Evaluator
9. Grammarian
10. Timer / Ballot Counter
11. Quizmaster
12. Quotemaster
13. Cleanup
    Cleanup after the meeting is the responsibility of EVERYONE at the Towns of York!  It only takes a moment, and greatly reduces the burden on the club executive.  Please be courteous to our hosts by placing any trash or old papers in the garbage and by returning chairs and tables back to their original spots. Your thoughtfulness and assistance is GREATLY appreciated. Thank you in advance!

If you are not going to be able to attend the meeting and fulfill your role, PLEASE notify the chairperson of your replacement by noon on the Tuesday before the meeting. It is your responsibility to find a replacement for your position on the agenda. It is recommended NOT to rely on e-mail to secure your replacement. The most successful way to find a replacement is to pick up the phone and make a few calls to other Toastmasters who would welcome the opportunity to take on your role. Once you find your replacement (or if you are unsuccessful after a reasonable attempt), please call the Chairperson immediately so he/she may make any necessary adjustments to the agenda.

We suggest that new members do their first speech ("Ice breaker") as soon as they can muster up the courage. Prior to your first speech the Timer/Ballot Counter, Grammarian, Quotemaster, Jokemaster, Quizmaster, Invocation & Toast and Table Topics Master roles are excellent for building confidence and speaking skills. Once you gain experience you can progress to the Toastmaster, Evaluator, General Evaluator and Chairperson roles.