General Evaluator

The General Evaluator is just what the name implies–an evaluator of anything and everything that takes place throughout the meeting. The responsibilities are large, but so are the rewards. The emphasis is on evaluating the speech evaluators, but the General Evaluator can comment on any other portion of the meeting as well.

PRIOR TO THE MEETING

Prepare a brief explanation of the kinds of evaluations that we typically do at meetings (speaker evaluations, grammarian's report and general evaluation). If there are guests, the Toastmaster may call on you for this purpose. Stress that evaluation is a positive experience designed to help people overcome weak habits and add power to good ones.

Print out the following note-taking guide attached and take it with you to the meeting: [file://\\dcncsrvrmsf14\applications\Documentation\Toastmasters\General Evaluator Notes.dot General Evaluator Template]

UPON ARRIVAL AT THE MEETING

Sit near the back of the room to allow yourself full view of the meeting and its participants.

DURING THE MEETING

Take notes on everything that happens (or doesn’t, but should). For example: Is the Club’s property (trophies, banner, educational material, etc.) properly displayed? If not, why? Were there unnecessary distractions that could have been avoided? Did the meeting, and each segment of it, begin and end on time?

Make a note for each participant on the program. Look for good and unacceptable examples of preparation, organization, delivery, enthusiasm, observation, and general performance of duties. Remember, you are not to reevaluate the speakers, though you may wish to add something the evaluator may have missed.

When it's your turn to speak, use your notes, but be careful! You only have four minutes, so you will have to prioritize. Your first emphasis should be on the speech evaluators. Don't repeat what they said, but evaluate each of them on how well they performed their role. If time permits, mention the other observations you had about the meeting including participants' adherence to Toastmasters protocol.

Caution: If you are using the note-taking guide when you present, don't read the prompt questions out loud. Just summarize your observations.

RESOURCES -

Chairman (Catalog No. 200)

Effective Speech Evaluation (Catalog No. 202)