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Being Grammarian is truly an exercise in expanding your listening skills. You have two basic responsibilities: first, to introduce new words to members, and second, to comment on the use of English during the course of the meeting.
Prior to the meeting
Select a "Word of the Day" (if appropriate). It should be a word that will help us increase our vocabulary-a word that can easily be incorporated into everyday conversation but which is different from the way we usually express ourselves. An adjective or adverb is suggested since they are more adaptable than a noun or verb, but feel free to select your own special word.
In letters large enough to be seen from the back of the room, print your word, the part of speech, and a brief definition. Prepare a sentence as an example of how to use your word.
Prepare a brief explanation of the duties of the grammarian for the benefit of the guests.
Upon arrival at the meeting
Place your visual aid at the front of the room where it can be seen by all. Make a list of everyone present.
During the meeting
When introduced prior to Table Topics, announce the Word of the Day, state its part of speech (noun, etc.), define it, use it in a sentence, and request that anyone speaking during any part of the meeting use it. Briefly explain the role of the grammarian.
Throughout the meeting, listen to everyone's word usage. Mark on your list any awkward use or misuse of the language (incomplete sentences, sentences that change direction in midstream, incorrect grammar, malapropisms, etc.) with a note of who erred. Write down who used the Word of the Day (or a derivative of it) and note those who used it correctly or incorrectly.
When called on by the general evaluator during the evaluation segment, stand by your chair and give your report. Try to offer the correct usage in every instance where there was a misuse instead of only explaining what was wrong. Report on creative language usage and announce who used the Word of the Day (or a derivative of it) correctly or incorrectly.
The purpose of the Ah counter is to note words and sounds used as a "crutch" or "pause filler" by anyone who speaks during the meeting. Words may be inappropriate interjections such as "and, well," "but," "so," "you know." Sounds may be "ah," "um," 11er. You should also note when a speaker repeats a word or phrase such as "I, I" or "This means, this means."
Prior to the meeting
Prepare a brief explanation of the duties of the Ah counter for the benefit of guests.
Upon arrival at the meeting
Make a list of everyone present.
During the meeting
When introduced prior to Table Topics, explain the role of the Ah counter. In some clubs small fines are levied on members who do or do not do certain things. (For example, members are fined who use crutch words, not wearing their Toastmasters pin to the meeting, etc.) If your club levies fines, explain the fine schedule.
Throughout the meeting, listen to everyone (except guests) for "crutch" sounds and long pauses used as fillers and not as a necessary part of sentence structure. Write down how many crutch sounds or words each person used during Ah portions of the meeting.
When called on by the general evaluator during the evaluation, segment, stand by your chair and give your report.
After the meeting
Give the completed Ah counter's record to the Treasurer (for collection of fines, if appropriate).
After the meeting
Give the completed grammarian's record to the Treasurer (for collection of fines, if appropriate). | | Date | Name | | Wed, Jun 04, 08 | Cynthia W | | Wed, Jun 11, 08 | Nancy D | | Wed, Aug 20, 08 | Richard T | | Wed, Sep 03, 08 | Ann T | | Wed, Oct 01, 08 | Lina P | | Wed, Oct 29, 08 | Cecily C | | Wed, Jan 14, 09 | Isabella W | | Wed, Jan 28, 09 | Melinda A | | Wed, Feb 18, 09 | --All-- | | Wed, Feb 25, 09 | [Open] | | Wed, Mar 04, 09 | Edwin T | | Wed, Mar 11, 09 | Cynthia W | | Wed, Mar 18, 09 | [Open] | | Wed, Mar 25, 09 | Toby T | | Wed, Apr 15, 09 | Janis D | | Wed, Apr 29, 09 | Cecily C | | Wed, Jul 08, 09 | [Open] | | Wed, Jul 15, 09 | [Open] | | Wed, Jul 29, 09 | Toby T | | Wed, Sep 16, 09 | [Open] | | Wed, Sep 23, 09 | [Open] | | Wed, Sep 30, 09 | Delane C | | Wed, Oct 07, 09 | Bernard Y | | Wed, Oct 14, 09 | Sharon D | | Wed, Oct 21, 09 | Bernard Y | | Wed, Nov 04, 09 | [Open] | | Wed, Nov 11, 09 | [Open] | | Wed, Nov 18, 09 | [Open] | | Wed, Nov 25, 09 | [Open] | | Wed, Dec 02, 09 | [Open] | | Wed, Dec 16, 09 | Janis D | | Wed, Jan 13, 10 | Delane C | | Wed, Jan 20, 10 | Isabella W | | Wed, Jan 27, 10 | Richard T | | Wed, Feb 03, 10 | Ann T | | Wed, Feb 10, 10 | Pauline H | | Wed, Mar 03, 10 | Liza B | | Wed, Mar 10, 10 | Samantha S | | Wed, Mar 17, 10 | Suzanne S | | Wed, Mar 24, 10 | Sharon D | | Wed, Mar 31, 10 | Michelle B | | Wed, Apr 07, 10 | Cynthia W | | Wed, Apr 14, 10 | Delane C | | Wed, Apr 21, 10 | Oana M | | Wed, Apr 28, 10 | Melinda A | | Wed, May 19, 10 | Pauline H | | Wed, May 26, 10 | [Open] | | Wed, Jun 02, 10 | Sharon D | | Wed, Jun 23, 10 | [Open] | | Wed, Jun 30, 10 | Donna S | | Wed, Jul 07, 10 | [Open] | | Wed, Jul 14, 10 | Susan T | | Wed, Jul 21, 10 | Sharon D | | Wed, Jul 28, 10 | Ruth D | | Wed, Aug 04, 10 | [Open] | | Wed, Aug 11, 10 | Delane C | | Wed, Aug 18, 10 | Bernard Y | | Wed, Aug 25, 10 | Michelle B | | Wed, Sep 01, 10 | Cecily C | | Wed, Sep 15, 10 | Vanessa M | | Wed, Sep 22, 10 | [Open] | | Wed, Sep 29, 10 | [Open] | | Wed, Oct 06, 10 | Eva B | | Wed, Oct 27, 10 | Ann T | | Wed, Nov 03, 10 | Amy Z |
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