3. Before, During, and After the Meeting

3.2. During the Meeting

  • After you take control from the Presiding Officer, open the meeting with a bang! Introduce your theme and letting the audience know what they’ll be getting out of their time spent at the meeting.
  • If the presiding officer did not ask for cell phones to be turned off or other housekeeping tasks completed, do so.
  • If any agenda slots need to be filled, request volunteers.
  • Have the General Evaluator introduce their team (Timer & WAG).
  • Introduce the first speaker (this should be provided by the speaker). Remember to include their manual, project title, speech title, time limits, and title. If needed, have the speaker’s evaluator announce the objectives and time limits.
  • Lead the applause whenever you are in control.
  • Request that the timer give a one minute moment of silence at the end of each speech to allow for comments to be written for the speaker.
  • Repeat the two above steps for each prepared speaker.
  • Remember to call for a timer’s report at the end of the prepared speeches segment. If either the Table Topics Master or the General Evaluator does not request their timer’s report, do so when you take back control.
  • Use the time between segments to work your theme into the meeting. For example, after speeches are done and before Table Topics starts, spend a moment to give an interesting fact, next step, or activity in your theme material.
  • If the club is voting for best prepared speech, do so if there are enough qualifying speakers. Remind the audience to consider fulfilled objectives first and foremost in their voting.
  • If either the Table Topics Master or the General Evaluator does not request voting to be done, do so when you take back control.
  • Mind the time. Ask the timer if you need to check if the meeting is on track time-wise.
  • Before turning over control to the Presiding Officer, provide concluding remarks based on your theme.

Meeting Process

  • Take control from the Presiding Officer once they call you
    • If the Presiding Officer did not complete housekeeping tasks, do so now (guests, cell phones, etc.)
  • Introduce your theme, if you have one
  • If any meeting roles are vacant, fill them
  • Introduce the General Evaluator, who will introduce their team (Timer, WAG, etc.)
  • Introduce the Table Topics Master and have them explain their role
  • Insert the next part of your theme
  • Introduce the first speaker, then have the evaluator stand up and read their objectives
    • Lead the applause and hand control over to them
    • When done, lead the applause and take back control
    • Make a positive, relevant comment about the speech
    • Ask the timer for one minute of silence while people write comments to the speaker
  • Introduce other speakers in the same way
    • When all speakers are done, call for a timer’s report
    • Call for a vote for the eligible speakers
  • Insert the next part of your theme, then introduce the Table Topics Master
    • Take back control after they are done
    • If the TTM didn’t call for a timer’s report & vote, do so now
  • Insert the next part of your theme, then introduce the General Evaluator
    • Take back control after they are done
    • If the GE didn’t call for a timer’s report, WAG report, & vote, do so now
  • Insert the last part of your theme, then turn control back to the Presiding Officer
    • You can optionally do the guest feedback and awards