Timer

It is very important for the Toastmaster of the Day ( TMotD ) to confirm participants are planning to attend so he/she may adjust the agenda if necessary.

If you are not going to be able to attend the meeting and fulfill your role, PLEASE notify the TMotD of your replacement by noon on the Monday before the meeting. It is your responsibility to find a replacement for your position on the agenda. It is recommended NOT to utilize standard e-mail communications to secure your replacement. Instead, review the three-month rolling schedule and see if you can find a replacement for your position on the agenda. A higher success rate of finding a replacement has been found by picking up the phone and making a few calls to other Toastmasters who would welcome the opportunity and swap for a future role. Once you find your replacement (or are unsuccessful after moderate attempts), please call the TMotD immediately so he/she may make any necessary adjustments to the agenda.

PURPOSE:
In an agenda which often includes contributions from 10-15 people, the control of timing is a extremely important. The Timer's function is to provide timing signals to most of the participants and to report specifically on the timing performance of topics speakers, prepared speakers and evaluators.

PRIOR TO THE MEETING:
Prepare a brief but thorough summary of your role as Timer that explains your role in the program to visiting guests.

AS YOU ARRIVE AT THE MEETING:
Arrive a few minutes early and get the timing lights and stop watch and ensure you understand how to operate the them. Be sure both are in good working condition and familiarize yourself with the operation of the lights and the stopwatch - check with the Sergeant-at-Arms if you have any problems. Get a copy of the "Timer's Report" from the Sergeant at Arms for use during the meeting. Ask the Toastmaster of the day for a copy of the meeting agenda and begin filling in the names of the participants. Using the published agenda as a checklist, review the activities to be timed - all timings are usually printed with the title of their speech, speech manual, and objectives.

DURING THE MEETING:
Start operation of the timing lights at the beginning of each participant's talk. If the agenda does not have the estimated time for the speakers, the Toastmaster will generally advise you during the introduction. Tuesday Toasters use the one minute interval as a guideline for speeches. The green light is for one minute prior to target time, the amber light at target time, and the red light at one minute past target time. Thirty second intervals are used on Table Topics and Evaluations.

After your introduction by me, be prepared to explain your role as Timer and include a demonstration of the lights. During the meeting, keep a running record of meeting progress and a specific record of the times for each speaker, table topics speaker, and evaluator. When I call upon you at the end of particular sections of the meeting, stand at your seat and read out the times for the speakers, table topics speakers, and evaluators.

REMEMBER: even the timekeeping role is a valuable speaking opportunity and it can be quite a challenge to bring some originality to it.

AFTER THE MEETING:
Give you timers report to the Secretary to be placed with the meeting minutes. Return the stopwatch to the Sergeant at Arms