TIMER FUNCTION
The Timer helps toastmasters with the efficiency of their message. Who hasn’t been bored to tears in work meetings when someone drones on and on without regard to time? On the positive side, isn’t it uplifting and inspiring to see a well-run and efficient meeting? Your job as timer is to assist the prepared and table topics speakers with their timing.
Materials:
- A copy of the meeting’s agenda
- Pencil or pen
- Timer’s lights (and colored cards in case of a malfunction or lack of an electrical outlet)
- Stopwatch
Chronology of the Timer Role:
1) Arrive a few minutes early, and set up and test the timer lights and stopwatch.
2) Verify the speaker's times as shown on the agenda, and note whether the prepared speeches precede table topics.
3) If there are guests, explain your role: "Timing is an important part of public speaking as it aids the speaker in learning discipline and brevity. My job today is to time the prepared speeches. One minute prior to the requested time, I will turn on the green light [turn on green light]. At the requested time, I will turn on the amber light [turn off the green light and turn on the amber light]. One minute after the requested time, I will turn on the red light [turn off amber light and turn on the red light]. In order to qualify for best speaker, the presenter must speak within one and a half minutes of their requested time [turn off the red light]"
4) Unless otherwise directed, the timing is:
- Table topics speeches and speech evaluations: Green light at one minute, amber at 1 ½ minutes, red light at 2 minutes, and lead the applause at 2:15. Tip: Don’t be shy--start applauding at 2:15, even if the long-winded speaker is in mid-sentence.
- Speakers: See rules in step 3 above.
- Tip: Do not start timing until the speaker starts speaking, or otherwise gestures in such a way that they have clearly begun their presentation. Table topics participants may ask for the question to be repeated; this does not count as part of their time.
5) After each prepared speech, record the time, reset all lights and the stopwatch. Start the watch, and let the Toastmaster know when one minute has elapsed with a green light.
6) After the last prepared speech, be prepared to present the recorded times, and whether all speakers qualify for best speaker: "Jim requested 6 minutes, and spoke for 5 minutes and 23 seconds. Bill requested 8 minutes, and spoke for 12 minutes and 10 seconds. Judy requested 5 minutes, and spoke for 3 minutes and 55 seconds. Jim and Judy qualify for best speaker."
7) For Table Topics, record whether each speaker spoke for the required minimum time (usually one minute). Report when asked by the Table Topics master: "Mister Topicmaster, all speakers spoke for at least one minute except for Dan." Tip: Just report the facts here, and let the Topicmaster decide who qualifies and who does not.
Printer Friendly Version
