general ideas
Toastmaster of the Day (TMOD) is the most important role in a Toastmaster’s meeting. It is your responsibility to make sure the meeting follows the agenda, runs smoothly, and ends on time.
Good preparation is the key to a successful meeting. Everybody on the agenda should be prepared to perform their tasks. However, it is the TMOD’s responsibility to make sure they will be present and ready to perform their role.
During the week prior to the meeting, contact each of the scheduled speakers and make sure they have prepared. Find out speech titles, times, and any special arrangements and collect speech introductions. Contact the General Evaluator to be sure all Evaluators will be there. Contact each of the other people on the agenda to be sure they will attend and understand their responsibilities. You will need to get an introduction from the speakers, table topics master, and general evaluator. You should also provide an introduction to the presiding officer for yourself.
Arrive early, well before the meeting starts with at least 15 agendas and place them on the tables. Greet and meet each of the participants as they arrive. If somebody is missing, you must find a replacement before the meeting starts. If there are any guests, find out their names and be prepared to recognize them when the meeting begins.
During the meeting, your primary duty is to act as a genial host, introducing each speaker in a way that will help them do their best and encouraging the audience to listen with attention and anticipation. Don’t just say, “The next speaker is…
the meeting
1. The President or presiding officer will open the meeting.
2. Greet the audience and announce any changes to the agenda. Introduce any guests, but don’t ask them to speak. The presiding officer should call on them to introduce himself or herself.
3. Announce each segment of the agenda and the person performing the task. Don’t be afraid to add some comments between segments. They help in the transition.
4. Announce each speech by title and speaker. Identify the speech manual number the speaker is presenting and briefly explain the objectives and timing if these are not already included in the speaker provided introduction.
5. At the end of each speech, lead the audience in applause and offer a brief word of appreciation. Again, add some commentary for transition. If this is the final speech for a CTM, ATM, or other award, lead the audience in a standing ovation.
6. After all speakers have finished, call for a Timers report, encourage members to write love notes to the speakers, and introduce the Table Topics Master to lead that section of the meeting.
7. After Table Topics call on the Timer for a report, then call the General Evaluator to lead the Evaluation phase of the meeting.
8. Once the General Evaluator is finished you can ask for a vote count and hand out the ‘Best Speaker”, “Best Evaluator’ and “Best Table Topics” ribbons.
9. Return control of the meeting to the President for closing remarks.
