A typical Toastmasters meeting runs about 60-90 minutes and follows a structure that's been refined over a century. The format is consistent across clubs — visit a Toastmasters meeting anywhere in the world and you'll recognize the flow.
Sample agenda (60-minute meeting)
| Time | Segment | Who runs it |
|---|---|---|
| 6:30 | Welcome & guest introductions | President |
| 6:35 | Toastmaster of the Day takes over | Toastmaster |
| 6:40 | Prepared speeches (2-3 speakers, 5-7 min each) | Speakers |
| 7:05 | Table Topics (impromptu speaking, 1-2 min each) | Topics Master |
| 7:20 | Evaluations (one per prepared speech, 2-3 min each) | Evaluators |
| 7:35 | General Evaluator wraps up + reports from Ah-Counter, Grammarian, Timer | General Evaluator |
| 7:45 | Awards (best speaker, best evaluator, best Table Topics) | Toastmaster |
| 7:50 | President closes | President |
Meeting roles
- Toastmaster of the Day — runs the meeting, introduces every other role
- Speakers — deliver prepared speeches from their Pathways projects
- Evaluators — give 2-3 minute feedback on each prepared speech
- Table Topics Master — leads impromptu speaking with a theme and prompts
- General Evaluator — evaluates the meeting itself
- Timer — signals time markers with green/yellow/red lights
- Ah-Counter — tracks filler words ("um", "like", "you know")
- Grammarian — introduces a word of the day and tracks language usage
Members rotate through roles week to week so everyone gets practice in front of the room and behind the scenes. Guests are always welcome to observe — no pressure to take a role on your first visit.