The progress of the meeting can be confusing: in Berne we use a one-page diagram to keep it in mind.
The first part of the meeting is Table Topics. One of the members has the role of Table Topics Master and has chosen a number of questions or statements in advance. Attendees will be asked at random to reply to these topics. Typically your mind goes blank as soon as you stand up, but you are expected to talk for between 1 and two minutes.
The second part of a typical meeting consists of prepared speeches. New members may present Ice-Breaker speeches, the first speeches according to the basic manual of Toastmasters. The aim of the Ice-Breaker is to talk about a topic which will introduce yourself to the other members. Its length should be 4 to 6 minutes.
Toastmasters receive their Manual as part of the new members Starting Kit. Each of the ten speeches has a different aim, such as improving voice or body language or demonstrating knowledge and organisation. The manual contains an excellent guide to designing and preparing each speech, the result of many years of Toastmasters experience, and a guide to the evaluator of the speech.
The third part of the evening consists of evaluations. Each speech is evaluated by an experienced member, who concentrates on constructive help for improvement. There is usually no discussion on the content of a speech, unles it is in the bar after the meeting. The General Evaluator then introduces the rest of the evaluation team: the Grammarian, who comments on English usage, for instance (in Berne) explaining unusual idiom; the Ah-Counter, who reminds speakers of the umms and aahs and other pause fillers they made; and the Timer.
Votes are taken for best Table Topic speech, best Speaker, best Speech
Evaluator, and for the best executio of the other positions.