Typical Meeting
Wry Toastmasters meetings usually feature three or four prepared speeches by members advancing through the various manuals, with constructive evaluations given by other members. They also include Table Topics, which allow members and guests to volunteer for brief impromptu talks on surprise topics. Weekly awards are given for the Best Table Topics, Best Evaluator and Best Speaker. There are a number of other roles that everyone will get a chance to fill in one week's meeting or another.
 The Toastmaster acts as a general host and conducts the entire program. In the days prior to the meeting, the Toastmaster has confirmed the speakers and other role assignents, and prepared the morning's agenda. During the meeting, the Toastmaster introduces the speakers and other roles, monitors the preceedings and leads in the applause. Toward the end of the meeting, with the votes counted for best Evaluator, best Table Topics and best Speaker, the Toastmaster presents the award ribbons.
 Being good citizens, always inspiring to each other and in need of some calisthenics at 7:00 am, Wry Toastmasters begin each meeting with a PIQEX, (Pledge of Allegiance, Inspirational Quote and Exercise) led by one of the members.
 The essential elements of Toastmasters meetings are the Speakers. Speeches are prepared in advance according to the requirements of the particular manual from which the Speaker is working. The speech is delivered within an allotted time; too long or too short means disqualification from the awards. There will also be both Written and Spoken Evaluators paying particular attention and preparing their critiques. At the conclusion, the Speaker returns control of the meeting to the Toastmaster. A good Speaker does not thank the audience; rather the audience thanks the Speaker with their applause.
 The Grammarian notes and comments on the use of English during the course of the meeting. The Grammarian is also responsible for selecting the Word of the Day, providing the definition and an example of usage. Using the Word of the Day is encouraged throughout the meeting, and is required to qualify for an award in Table Topics.
 Those annoying little fillers in our speaking - "ah", "um", "ya know", or the "and" that improperly connects sentences can kill an otherwise great presentation. We've all heard them; we've all done them. The Ah Counter provides immediate feedback by dinging a bell whenever hearing one of those little faux pas, except during prepared speeches, where a silent count will be made.
 It is important to express a thought or conclude a presentation within a specifit time. The Timer see that this is done at Toastmasters. Speechs, Table Topics, and Evaluations must meet specific time requirements in order to qualify for an award. A green light appears when the minimum qualifying time is met. A yellow light comes on at half-way to the maximum allowable time. A red light means to wrap up quickly because when it goes out means disqualification.
 Table Topics is an opportunity to think on one's feet and to speak off the cuff. It also allows for those that do not otherwise have assigned roles to participate. The Table Topics Master will ask for a number of volunteers who will be given a question or topic on which to give a short, impromptu speech. Participants must speak for the allotted time and include the Gramarian's Word of the Day. Table Topics can be one of the more challenging parts of Toastmasters, but practice makes perfect.
 The purpose of the speech evaluation is to help the speaker become less self-conscious and a better speaker. Each prepared speech will have both a Written Evaluator and a Spoken Evaluator. The spoken evaluation will be presented to the meeting, and will be timed for award qualification. There will also be a General Evaluator who evaluates the Spoken Evaluators as well as the Toastmaster and the general conduct of the meeting.
 After all is said and done, there are the Awards. Speakers and Evaluators who met their time qualifications, and Table Topics participants who both met their time qualifications and used the Word of the Day, will be voted on. The Toastmaster will then present award ribbons for the Best Table Topics, Best Evaluator and Best Speaker. Now wouldn't Mom just love to hang one of those on her refrigerator?
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