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Timer

Operates the timing cards and tracks how long each speaker stays on time—ideally with the built-in Timer on the meeting agenda. Gives a brief report when the Toastmaster calls for it.

Role overview

As Timer, your role is to help members practice expressing their thoughts within a specific time. You’ll monitor the time for each speaker and signal them using green, yellow, and red timing cards or a digital device.

This role is a great opportunity to develop time management skills and clear communication. You’ll be asked by the Toastmaster to explain your duties at the start of the meeting and later give a timing report during the evaluation portion of the meeting.

Using the built-in timer

Use the Timer button on the meeting agenda. It opens this club’s digital timer, which shows green, yellow, and red on screen and saves times for your report at the end of the meeting.

1. On the meeting agenda, tap Timer in the toolbar.
2. Choose the speaker (from the agenda list, attendance for Table Topics, or a custom entry).
3. Tap Start timer when they begin speaking. The screen color changes at green, yellow, and red.
4. When they finish, pause (tap the display), then tap Submit time to save the result.
5. Repeat for the next speaker. Open Timers report when you need the full list for your verbal report.

You can still time with paper cards and a stopwatch if you prefer. The digital timer is there to make the job easier and to keep a clear record for the meeting.

What to do

• Use your phone, the built-in Timer, or another timing device to track speech times.
• Display:
  • Green card: speaker has reached minimum time
  • Yellow card: approaching maximum time
  • Red card: time is up — speaker should wrap up
• Hold each card up until it’s time to switch to the next.
• Start timing the moment a speaker begins speaking or gestures to begin.

When called to speak at the start of the meeting

Thank you, Mr./Madam Toastmaster, fellow Toastmasters and guests:

As Timer, I will monitor the time for each speaker and alert them using timing signals.

Here are the timing guidelines:

Table Topics:

• Minimum: 1 minute
• Green: 1:00
• Yellow: 1:30
• Red: 2:00
• There is a 30 second grace period. Maximum time allowed: 2 minutes and 30 seconds

Evaluations:

• Minimum: 2 minutes
• Green: 2:00
• Yellow: 2:30
• Red: 3:00
• There is a 30 second grace period. Maximum time allowed: 3 minutes and 30 seconds

Prepared Speeches:

• Times vary. Most common is 5 to 7 minutes:
  • Green: 5:00
  • Yellow: 6:00
  • Red: 7:00
• Ice Breaker speeches (4 to 6 minutes):
  • Green: 4:00
  • Yellow: 5:00
  • Red: 6:00
• All speeches have a 30 second grace period

When called for the Timer’s report

Thank you, Mr./Madam General Evaluator.

Fellow Toastmasters and guests:

Here is the timing report for today’s meeting:

• [Speaker Name] spoke for [exact time]
• [Speaker Name] spoke for [exact time]
• (Continue as needed)

If all participants stayed within time, simply say:

• “All speakers were within the allotted time.”