How to Presiding Officer the RDG Way

2. Before, During, & After the Meeting

2.2. During the Meeting

Opening the Meeting

At the meeting start time, hit the gavel twice. Your officer folder should have a checklist of housekeeping items to cover; here is a sample list:

  1. Silence cell phones & Welcome
  2. Introduce guests
  3. Good news time (promote camaraderie by having people give brief "good news" items)
  4. Birthdays (first meeting of month)
  5. Manual / evaluation form exchange 
  6. Introduce and hand off control to the Toastmaster

Edit this list as appropriate.

During the Meeting

Depending on how much club business needs to be done, keep an eye on the clock and save time for final announcements and such.

Closing the Meeting

Once the Toastmaster hands things off, begin working on the post-meeting checklist. Another sample:

  1. DCP champions & DCP progress post (who helped the club make progress toward DCP goals? How close are they to their educational award?)
  2. Get guest feedback
  3. Member vote in (last meet of month, need quorum)
  4. “What Did You Learn?” OR “What did Toastmasters do for you?”
  5. Next meeting roles
  6. Any other club business (events, contests, promotions, etc.)
  7. Turn cell phones back on, get your manuals back, clean up & dismiss