Being able to insert quotes from famous personalities is one of the most desired things in Toastmasters. Members are always eager to google quotes on every topic to include them in their speeches.
Here is a timer’s introduction with a beautiful quote from the US President Woodrow Wilson. It gives the role of a Timer a different perspective as well as new lights to shine under.
Have a look.
A friend of the US President Woodrow Wilson once asked him about the time he took to prepare for his speeches.
Wilson replied “That depends on the length of the speech. If it is a 10 minute speech, it takes me all of two weeks to prepare it, if it is a half hour speech, it takes me a week. If I can talk as long as I want to, it requires no preparation at all. I am ready now”
The point is to be effective and impactful in a short time, it takes way more preparation and efforts.
Woodrow Wilson was the President of the United States in 1913 and he was bothered about time limits back then. Its 2020 now and people’s time has only become more precious.
As a speaker, it is therefore a very important skill to be able to stick to the time limits allotted and at the same time be effective and impactful within that time.
Toastmasters meetings are your field practice for the same. As a timer today, I will make sure you know your time limits when you are up on the stage so that you don’t violate them.
In Toastmasters, we have different time limits for different sections.
For the prepared speech section, the time allotted is 5 to 7 minutes. At 5 minutes I will flash the green card, at 6 the yellow and at 7 the red card.
For the Table Topic session the time allotted is 1 to 2 minutes. At 1 minute, I will flash the green card, at 1.5 the yellow and at 2 the red card.
And for the speech evaluations, the time limit is 2 to 3 minutes. At 2 minutes, I will flash the green card, at 2.5 the yellow and at 3 minutes the red card.
There is a grace period of 30 seconds after the red card is flashed each time to wrap up your speech.
I hope all the speakers strive to be within their allotted time limit. I will be back with my report towards the end of the meeting.
Thank You
Let us know in the comments if you have other quotes that can be used to introduce any of the roles in a Toastmasters meeting.
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