What Happens At A Glen Abbey Toastmasters Meeting?
Curious what it’s really like before you commit to visiting? Here’s your backstage pass. Every meeting is packed with learn-by-doing moments — roles that let members practice speaking, organizing, evaluating, and leading, all in a supportive, low-pressure setting. Roles rotate weekly, and new members always start with the simpler ones, so there’s no pressure to dive into the deep end.
As a guest, you’re welcome to simply sit back and watch — or jump into Table Topics if you’re feeling brave. Either way, you’ll leave with a real sense of what makes Toastmasters so effective.
Read what happens in a typical 90 minute GATM meeting below, or watch this 12-minute video on YouTube from Toastmasters International.
Meeting Structure – First Half
Chairperson’s Opening Remarks
The Chairperson opens the meeting, shares their theme for the evening, and walks through the agenda, introducing meeting officers and guests along the way. Themes range from serious to fun and offbeat — you’ll never know quite what to expect, and that’s part of the fun.
Toast
Every meeting includes a toast in honour of someone the evening’s Toastmaster considers worthy. It’s an important ritual — and great practice for anyone who’ll one day find themselves raising a glass at a wedding or formal dinner.
Word of the Day
The Grammarian introduces a useful word, often tied to the evening’s theme, and challenges everyone to work it into their speech as many times as they can. It’s a playful way to build vocabulary on the fly.
Table Topics
This is impromptu speaking at its finest. Ever been called on to speak with zero notice? Table Topics gives at least five members each week just one minute to prepare a one-minute speech. It’s spontaneous, often hilarious, and one of the best ways to build real confidence thinking on your feet — guests are always welcome to give it a try.
Business Session
We handle club business and officer reports, then run a short mock parliamentary session so members learn to conduct a meeting using Robert’s Rules of Order. The Parliamentarian gives feedback on how it went — surprisingly useful skills whether you’re heading into local politics or running your own board meeting one day.
Meeting Structure – Second Half
Prepared Speeches
This is the heart of the Toastmasters experience. Each meeting features about three prepared speeches, roughly 5–7 minutes each, developed around specific project goals as members work through their chosen Pathway. This is where you’ll really see personal growth in action.
Speech Evaluations
For every prepared speech, a member delivers a thoughtful, constructive evaluation — a skill that’s valuable far beyond the podium. Even members who aren’t formally evaluating that night often share feedback with speakers afterward, in person or by email.
General Evaluation
The General Evaluator wraps up with an overall look at the meeting — what worked, what could be better — helping everyone (including future guests!) get more out of the next one.
Reports
The Quizmaster tests everyone’s listening skills with a few questions about what was said that evening. The Grammarian reports back on standout language, the Word of the Day usage, and yes — how many “ums” and “ahs” made it into the mix, all in the spirit of helping everyone speak more clearly.
Awards
Every meeting wraps up with fun, member-voted awards: Best Table Topics, Best Speaker, Best Evaluator, and Most Valuable Toastmaster of the evening. It’s a lighthearted way to end the night on a high note.
It’s a packed 90 minutes — and honestly, some of the best learning and growth you’ll find anywhere.
Come see for yourself why our members keep coming back!