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Educational - Timer

Overview

There are two key requirements for the role of Timer. Firstly, operating the lights to guide the speakers and secondly reporting to the meeting with all the speakers’ times. As Timer you need to concentrate carefully on each speaker, whilst watching the stop watch, operating the lights and noting the speaking times. This is a busy and very important role.

Getting Organised

• Ensure you arrive at the meeting early.
• Make sure your table is positioned so the light box is clearly visible from the speakers’ position at the lectern.
• Check the lights are set up and all three colour lights are working correctly.
• Remember the light switches are sequential. As you switch each light ON it automatically switches the previous light OFF.
• Check the stop watch is working and you are familiar with Start, Stop, and Reset functions.
• Before the meeting starts get a Timer’s Report form from the cupboard.
• Fill out the names and speaking times of all the speakers as listed in that night’s programme.
• Fill out the times for the Green, Orange and Red lights. If you are not sure of the time allocations for each colour light ask the Toastmaster before the meeting starts.
• Check with the Toastmaster for any additions or changes that have been made to the meeting programme.

Keeping Record

• When the Sergeant at Arms bangs the gavel to start the meeting, take note of the time. This is the official start time for the meeting and you will state this time in your report in the second half.
• The Speech Evaluators will advise you of the Green, Orange and Red light times during the introduction of their speaker.
• Start the stop watch as soon as each speaker utters their first word.
• Ensure you know the times for the Green, Orange and Red lights for each speaker as they begin their speeches.
• Switch on the lights as per your times noted on your report form.
• When the speaker has finished note down the Actual Time on the form.
• Remember to reset the stop watch and turn off ALL the light switches at the end of each speakers turn.
• Take note of any change in the supper time allocation that the Toastmaster may request.
• When the Toastmaster breaks for supper start the stop watch and keep note of the time.
• At one minute before the end of the allotted supper time advise the Sergeant at Arms there is one minute to go.

The Timers Report

• Use good Toastmaster practice when arriving at the lectern to deliver your Timers’ Report by acknowledging the Toastmaster and your fellow Toastmasters.
• Deliver your report in the positive way. A key challenge for you as Timer is to make your report as interesting and entertaining as you can.
• Name each of the speakers and their role followed by the ‘Given Time’ and finally the ‘Actual Time’.
• Stating both these times are important as it gives the speakers and the audience a clear indication of how well the speakers kept to their allocated time.
• As Timer you can comment on any of the Speaker’s over or under time results. However, your report time is limited so keep any comments short and succinct.
• Remember it is not your job to comment on the speakers in any way apart from their time results.
• Congratulate any speakers that spoke to time especially the speakers that were just under their allotted time.
• Give the times for each of the Table Topic Speakers and an overall time for the Table Topics event.
• To signal to the audience and the Toastmaster that you have finished you can close your report by saying for example; ‘That concludes my Timer’s Report’.
• Gesture to the Toastmaster and wait for them to arrive at the lectern, shake hands and take your seat.
• There will be further speaking roles to time after you have delivered your report so remember to continue operating the lights as per the schedule.

Listening carefully throughout the meeting is a critical requirement of the Timer. This is a busy role especially during events such as Table Topics.

Getting experience for this role is valuable for your appreciation of good timing keeping and will give you the skills to confidently fill the Timer’s role at Contest level as well.

Please also remember your CL manual when filling this role.

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