WHAT HAPPENS AT A MEETING?
Lots of neat stuff related to feeling confident and comfortable speaking in public. Lots of learn-by-doing agenda items and roles where everyone gets a chance to work on their speaking, organizing, evaluating, and leadership skills.. Roles rotate every week. New members start with simpler roles.
Read what happens in a typical 2 hour Bolton Banter meeting below, or watch this 12 minute video on YouTube from Toastmasters International.
Read what happens in a typical 2 hour Bolton Banter meeting below, or watch this 12 minute video on YouTube from Toastmasters International.
CHAIR'S OPENING REMARKS
The Chairperson opens the meeting, presents their theme of the evening with opening remarks and then presents the agenda. They introduce the meeting officers and guests. Some themes are serious, and some are … well.. a little offbeat, making every meeting quite interesting!
A TOAST!
It's TOASTMASTERS - we always have a toast! One toastmaster selects an individual or idea they think is worthy, and prepares a toast. Good practice for those formal dinner events!
BUSINESS SESSION
We discuss the business of the club, the officers reports - so everyone learns how to conduct a 10 minute meeting using Roberts Rules of Order.
PREPARED SPEECHES
While all other roles are important - prepared speeches are the heart of Toastmaster personal development. There are usually three prepared speeches of about 5-7 minutes in length at every meeting. Based on the designation a Toastmaster is working towards, they develop their speeches according to the specific project goals and criteria.
SPEECH EVALUATIONS
Toastmasters learn to give effective feedback to speakers based on the goals and criteria of the speech projects.
GENERAL EVALUATION
The General Evaluator provides an overall evaluation of the meeting - what went well, what could have been improved. Helps us all do better next time!
REPORTS
The Quizmaster tests our listening skills by asking a number of questions about what we heard that evening
The Grammarian provides a report on the use of interesting language, word of the day - and how many ums, ahs, and fillers we used - always focused on helping us become more articulate.
The Grammarian provides a report on the use of interesting language, word of the day - and how many ums, ahs, and fillers we used - always focused on helping us become more articulate.
AWARDS
Every meeting culminates in key awards. Best Table Topics, Best Speaker, Best Evaluator - you get to choose / vote for these. Always fun. Always motivating.
It's a packed two hours every week. It's also the best two hours of learning related to public speaking and taking leadership every week!
It's a packed two hours every week. It's also the best two hours of learning related to public speaking and taking leadership every week!
