Toastmaster Timekeeping Duties
Toastmasters International is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people get comfortable speaking in front of an audience. Toastmasters holds meetings, during which members practice speaking. Toastmasters timekeepers play an essential role, keeping meetings running smoothly and efficiently. Timekeepers make sure the speakers know where they are, time-wise, during their speeches.
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Study the Agenda
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In order to be an effective timekeeper, you need to know exactly what is on the agenda. The agenda lists names of the speakers and their allotted times.
Learn the equipment
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As the timekeeper, you must know how to operate the stopwatch and the light system. Make sure the equipment is working properly, and familiarize yourself with the functions of each item. The stopwatch should start, stop, and record the time. The three lights (red, yellow, and green) should turn on and off.
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Explain your role
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Stand up before the meeting and explain your role as timekeeper, as well as how much time is allotted for each type of speech. This familiarizes meeting participants with the process and lets the speakers know what to look for.
Keep the time
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Start your stopwatch when each speaker begins. Stop the stopwatch when he concludes his remarks. Record the speaker's name and time on a sheet of paper. When called upon to report the times, tell the group each speaker's name and how long they spoke.
Guide the speaker
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Use your lights to notify each speaker of their time while they are speaking. Use the green light to let the speaker know they have reached their first milestone. Use the yellow light to warn the speaker that they may want to start wrapping up. Use the red light to let the speaker know to finish their speech. Flash the red light two or three times if a speaker has gone over their allotted time.
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