Sergeant At Arms

The Toastmasters Sergeant at Arms is the person who ensures the physical set-up of the meeting is done. This involves the seating arrangement and tables. The podium or lectern for speakers to stand behind (if they wish). The audio- and sound system is in working order (if your club uses one). That refreshments, if your club serves them, are in place or ready to be delivered at the appropriate time.

Sergeant At Arms Skills

• Physical abilities to set up the meeting room / props or to delegate it.
• Friendly disposition to welcome and introduce guests.
• The ability to draw attention to call a meeting to order.
• Organizational skills to set-up all the required props and systems for the meeting to take place.
• Responsible to ensure safe keeping of keys and club items.

Meeting Role of the Toastmasters Sergeant

During the meeting the sergeant at arms is ideally situated near the front and exit of the room. This is not always possible as exits are often at the back. At the front, the sergeant then assist speakers with transitions or set-up for their speeches. For example helping a speaker set-up for a demonstration speech, or just moving the lectern out of the way.

Near the entrance to the room the sergeant can assist late arriving guests or members. As well as investigate issues that may arise outside of the meeting. At the end of the meeting, it is the sergeant-at-arms' responsibility to pack up and tidy the room for the next meeting or for other users.

Some clubs also make the Sergeant responsible for introducing guests. Find out if this is the practice at your club. If so, ensure you arrive early at the venue to allow enough time for set-up and to welcome guests. Take the names of guests down on a piece of paper and when the agenda item comes up, introduce your guests. The introduction could simply be recognizing them, asking them to stand up, or just telling the meeting a little bit about themselves (name / occupation / hobbies).

Sergeant-at-Arms' Role on the Club Committee

As the sergeant-at-arms is responsible for the set-up of meetings, he/she is often asked to do safe-keeping of the objects used during meetings. This includes things like banners, gavels, trophies, ribbons, or general forms. Or if these are kept safely locked at the venue, the Sergeant will have a set of keys to this as well as keys to the venue.

The organization of the venue itself is often handled by the Sergeant. This means that the Toastmasters Sergeant has keys to the room and/or venue. As well as keep up to date with the regulations / license to use the premises and the contract dates for the facility. Reminding the committee when renewal fees / agreements are due thus falls to the Sergeant.

If you haven't been Sergeant-At-Arms before, it allows you the opportunity to learn and develop your organizational skills. You'll also get a harder skin as you deal with obstacles to meeting set-up that have to be resolved urgently (before the meeting starts in 25 minutes). So, if you have some need to learn this skills or would like to contribute to the club meetings and the committee, the Sergeant-At-Arms role is a good place to start.

Where Next?

• If Sergeant at Arms doesn't sound like you, try another meeting role
• Get involved with the Toastmasters Club Committee.
• Back to Toastmaster Public Speaking from Sergeant at Arms