What is the role of a timekeeper in toastmasters

The Timekeeper, often referred to as the Timer, plays a crucial and multifaceted role in Toastmasters meetings, primarily ensuring that all segments and speakers adhere to their allotted timeframes. This role is fundamental to the smooth operation and educational effectiveness of a Toastmasters meeting, helping members develop essential time management skills. 

The Timer's responsibilities begin even before the meeting officially starts. They are tasked with acquiring the timing and signaling equipment from the Sergeant at Arms and ensuring they know how to operate it. This equipment typically includes a stopwatch or a mobile phone with a timer, and colored signaling devices, such as green, yellow, and red cards or lights. Before the meeting, the Timer should also obtain a detailed agenda and review the time requirements for each segment and speaker, noting any special timing rules for different speech types, such as Ice Breakers or advanced Pathways projects. It's also advisable for the Timer to prepare and practice their introduction, which includes explaining the purpose of the role and demonstrating the timing signals for the benefit of guests and new members.

During the meeting, the Timer's primary duties include:

• Introducing timing guidelines and demonstrating the signal device when called upon by the Toastmaster. This involves explaining how the green, yellow, and red signals correspond to the minimum, target, and maximum times for each speaking segment.

• Monitoring time for each meeting segment and speaker.  This requires starting the stopwatch at the speaker's first verbal or non-verbal communication and stopping it when they hand back to the Toastmaster. The Timer must be attentive throughout the entire meeting, timing not only prepared speeches, Table Topics, and evaluations, but also other roles like the President's announcements, the Grammarian, and the General Evaluator.

• Signaling speakers accordingly as they approach and reach their allotted time. The green light is shown at the minimum qualifying time, the amber light at the target time, and the red light at the maximum time. A grace period, typically 30 seconds, is usually allowed after the red light, after which the Timer may use a bell to indicate that the speaker has gone significantly overtime.

• Keeping a meticulous record of each participant's speaking time. This is often done on a Timer's Log or a copy of the agenda.

• Reporting the times taken by speakers when called upon by the Toastmaster or General Evaluator. These reports should be concise, stating the speaker's name, speech title (if applicable), and the exact time taken. The Timer typically gives separate reports for prepared speeches, Table Topics, and evaluations.

The role of the Timer offers significant opportunities for personal and professional development. It enhances time management skills by requiring precise tracking and management of time. It also cultivates attention to detail, communication skills (through explaining the role and providing clear signals), assertiveness (when enforcing time limits), multitasking (juggling timing, signaling, and record-keeping), adaptability (adjusting to different speech types and time limits), and responsibility (ensuring the meeting stays on schedule).These transferable skills are valuable in various professional contexts, from project management to event planning.

Common challenges faced by Timers include maintaining focus throughout the meeting, ensuring accurate timing, making signals visible to speakers (especially in virtual settings), and comfortably interrupting speakers who exceed time limits. Technical issues in online meetings, such as virtual backgrounds or connectivity problems, can also pose difficulties. To mitigate these, Timers are advised to have backup plans, communicate with the Toastmaster about any agenda changes, and ensure their equipment is working properly.