Chairman's Role..
The main duty of the Chairman is to act as a genial host and conduct the entire program, including introducing participants. If the Chairman does not perform the duties well, an entire meeting can end in failure. For obvious reasons this task is not usually assigned to a member until he is quite familiar with the Club and its procedures. Program participants should be introduced in a way that excites the audience and motivates them to listen. The Chairman creates an atmosphere of interest, expectation, and receptivity.
Prepare for the meeting – check everyone with a role can attend (e-mail/telephone) – Consider having a theme – create and print evening programme – introduce the speakers – control the length of the meeting
For fuller instructions on the Chairman's Role, go to the Downloads page where fuller instructions and suggestions are made.
Table Topics Chairman..
Table Topics can be great fun. Its purpose is to have members "think on their feet" and speak for 2-3 minutes. As Topics Chairman you should prepare and issue the topics. There are some guidelines that you might want to folloiw. However originality is desirable and you have latitude to change the format and structure of this session.
Pick subjects that the speaker can talk on – Have a theme to give structure to the topics – Call on people that are not giving a speech on the evening – Keep your comments and introduction short
Timer Role..
One of the key skills in public speaking is keeping to the allotted time. At each meeting we have a time keeper to help develop that skill in all who take part. In conjunction with the Chairman, he also ensures that we finish in time.
Give a clear description of the lighting sequence – obtain the times for each speech – check what time the Chairman wants for evaluations – give a clear description of the lighting sequence – explain any variation e.g. competition timing rules – keep a report of resulting times
It is club tradition that the Time Keeper gives the vote of thanks to the Chairman when asked to by the President when he takes back control of the meeting.
Speaker Role..
A major portion of each meeting is centred around four speakers. These speeches should be prepared in accordance with the programme in the manual. For new members this will be from the "B" section.
Your speech should concentrate on the particular assignment's goal - e.g. Use of Gestures. However it should incorporate all the skills you have learned from the previous assignments - e.g. Speech Construction and Mean What You Say.
prepare - practice - have notes in right format - strong beginning, organised body with flowing transitions, strong ending (no thank you's or well that's it) - observe speaking etiquette
Evaluators Role..
Every speaker (Topics and Speeches) receives an evaluation. The Chairman sets the time for the evaluation. This is one of the most important educational aspects of our meetings. Your evaluation can mean the difference between a worthwhile and a wasted meeting for the speaker.
Your goal is to help the speaker improve. You do this positively, highlighting the good and those areas that could be improved upon.
highlight what you enjoyed, what was strong - only pick 1-3 points for improvement - use positive, constructive language - give examples where you can - demonstrate possible improvements
An evaluation is your personal view. Do not shy away from making comment. You will have seen things that others might not making the evaluation beneficial for more that the speaker.
General Evaluator Role..
The general evaluator is just what the name implies - an evaluator of anything and everything that takes place throughout the meeting. The responsibilities are large, but so are the rewards.
You conduct your evaluation at the conclusion of the meeting.
You can focus on any aspect of the evening. However it is usual that you do not re-evaluate the speakers and that you do evaluate the evaluators. Your goal is to suggest anything that would increase the educational value and the efficiency and enjoyment of the meeting.
Generally you will speak for 12-15 minutes. Try not to go over.