Toastmasters Lingo: Sergeant at Arms

The Sergeant at Arms has nothing to do with the military I can tell you that much!

In a Winnipeg Toastmasters club, or any Toastmasters club for that matter, you will find a whole different set of roles that each individual guest or Toastmaster can become for the meeting.

Each Toastmasters club will have a Sergeant at Arms who takes on a variety of different tasks that are integral to the successful execution of a Toastmasters meeting. I’ll outline those tasks below:

The Sergeant at Arms:

• Serves as master host, which means they chair the weekly meeting by opening the meeting as well as closing it
• Makes the proper physical arrangements for all Club meetings
• Makes sure each member and guest is welcomed at Club meetings
• They control Club property between meetings
• Attends and participates in Executive Committee meetings

This role is often elected once a year in club elections. In UM Masters, our Winnipeg Toastmasters Club, we host elections in the spring and this person is voted in. This is common practice in most Toastmaster clubs as well.

However, if the Sergeant of Arms is unable to attend a meeting, anyone can take on the role!

For any new Toastmaster this is a great way to dip your toe into the water. If you are in the Winnipeg area and would like to take part in a Toastmasters club meeting stop by the University of Manitoba and visit UM Masters! We meet every Wednesday from 12:05 to 12:50 at St.John's College, room 111.

It’ll be one of the most efficient meetings you will experience. Come and experience a meeting by contacting Dianne Boulay at 204-256-7550.

We look forward to meeting you!...AT EASE fellow Winnipeg Toastmaster.