Chairperson
In certain Toastmaster clubs, the Toastmaster role is broken down into 2 parts. The Toastmaster role runs the formal part of the meeting and introduces the prepared Speakers & Evaluators.

The Chairperson is responsible for filling all roles in a meeting agenda, opening & closing the meeting, introducing the other roles and generally ensuring that the meeting is run in a timely manner.

Performing as Chairperson is one of the key roles in your Club meetings. The assignment requires careful preparation in order to have a smoothly-run meeting.

Usually this task will not be assigned to you until you are familiar with the Club and its procedures.

Before the meeting

• Check with the President & VP Ed to find out if there are any changes to the agenda.
  
• Call the Table Topics Master to ensure that they have enough topics prepared to provide all of the meeting attendees with an opportunity to speak
  
• Contact the Toastmaster to ensure that they have called all scheduled Speakers and have confirmed their participation
  
• Call the General Evaluator to confirm the assignment.
  
• Prepare remarks or anecdotes which can be used to bridge the gaps between programme segments. You may never use them, but you should be prepared to avoid possibly awkward periods of silence.
  

At the meeting

• Arrive early in order to handle any last-minute agenda changes or additions
  
• Check with the speakers for any last-minute changes
  
• Sit near the front of the room for quick and easy access to the lectern.
  

During the meeting

• Preside with sincerity, energy and decisiveness. Take your audience on a pleasant journey and make them feel that all is going well.
  
• Study the Agenda carefully so that you do not miss any Reports or invitations to vote.
  
• Always lead the applause before and after each presenter.
  
• After your introduction of another presenter, remain standing near the lectern until you have shaken hands - signifying your hand over of control of the meeting - then be seated.
  
• When another presenter has finished, shake hands again to signify that control of the meeting is returning to you.