Chatswood Early Risers
Toastmasters Club

Great Meetings

Timer (and how to use timing lights)

The Timing Lights are now easier to use, thanks to a rotary switch that replaces the push-buttons on the top of the box.

How to time Table Topics

At the beginning of the Table Topics section, turn the dial to the right-hand off position next to the red setting.

Each table topic speaker gets a red light at 60 seconds. Turn the dial anti-clockwise to the red position to indicate the time. When the speaker finishes, turn the dial clockwise to the right-hand off position.

How to time a speech

At the beginning of the prepared speech section of the meeting turn the dial to the left-hand off position.

The Toastmaster will announce the time for green, orange and red lights. For example, green at 5 minutes, orange at 6 minutes and red at 7 minutes.

• When the time for the green light is reached, turn the dial one click to the right (green position).
• When the time for the amber light is reached, turn the dial one click to the right (to the amber position).
• When the time for the red light is reached, turn the dial one click to the right (to the red position).

When the speaker has finished turn the dial anti-clockwise to the left-hand off position.

How to prepare a Timer's Report

At the end of the meeting you will be asked to present a timer's report. The time allocated for this is one minute.

During the meeting write down the time each person took to present their assignment, as well as the names and times for each table topic. The best way to do this is to write the time against the name on the printed agenda.

For the table topics, write down the name of the person, their topic and time, so when you present the timer's report, you can add a brief comment such as, "Bill's table topic on fishing went for 55 seconds".

As well as announcing the times for each assignment, you can comment on how the meeting is progressing compared to the agenda. For example, you could comment on the fact that the meeting started on time or was five minutes late and now we are on time at 8.10.

Just remember that the purpose of the timer's report is to give feedback (a form of evaluation) on how well we spoke to time.

Feel free to send your comments and suggestions on this page to Charles Cave. I want these pages to record the combined experience of members.

Last updated: 12th July 2002