How to Vote Counter the RDG Way

Before the Meeting

The only pre-meeting prep work for the vote counter is to make sure there are voting ballots available. You will also want to make sure there are awards (ribbons or otherwise) available. This is usually handled by the Sergeant-at-Arms, but having another check helps.

At the Meeting

When called upon by the Toastmaster at the beginning of the meeting, stand and give a brief description of your duties. Ensure that guests know they may vote.

At the end of each section, the member in control (Toastmaster, Table Topics Master, or General Evaluator) will call for a vote (provided more than one contestant qualified). Make sure that the timer has given their report first so that if there are any disqualifications due to time, they will not be voted on. You will need to collect all ballots and tabulate them. As vote counter you do not vote for any category unless there is a tie. If there is a tie, you cast the deciding vote.

Near the end of the meeting, hand off a note to the Toastmaster with the winners. Don’t reveal how many votes each person received.