• Whatever the event, someone has to keep things in line.presentador image by caironbohemio from Fotolia.com
  
  Toastmasters has more than 12,000 clubs worldwide. At any Toastmasters event, whether it be a party or an official meeting, someone has to keep things on track and running smoothly. The chairman or district president generally serves as the host, but someone has to keep things orderly. That is the responsibility of the sergeant at arms.
  
  

Pre-Meeting

• Depending on the event, the sergeant at arms' duties before a Toastmasters meeting can vary. The sergeant at arms is usually responsible for preparing the meeting space. At Toastmasters International, the sergeant at arms actually picks the location and then schedules the meetings. He must take care of supplying or arranging any food for a meeting. The sergeant at arms is also responsible for tending to the needs of the guests. Usually, the sergeant at arms will pair up a guest with a regular member, and then provide that pair with an "ice breaker" question, making it easy for the two to find something to talk about. The sergeant at arms is responsible for escorting any visiting Toastmasters officers to meet the district president.
  
  

During Meeting

• During a meeting, the sergeant at arms is responsible for keeping the meeting moving and keeping a record of individual meetings. The sergeant at arms will call each meeting to order and announce the specific meeting number. It's his responsibility to make sure every meeting starts on time. Toward the end of a meeting, the sergeant at arms passes out voting ballots. When the members have finished voting, he tallies the votes.
  
  

Outside the Meeting

• The Toastmasters sergeant at arms job isn't over just because the meeting is over. It is the responsibility of the sergeant at arms to make sure his branch of Toastmasters is staying up to date on the latest training and regulations. One way to do this is by attending a district training course. After the meeting, the sergeant at arms must check to make sure enough supplies and materials are available for the next meeting. Outside of his responsibilities at the main meeting, the sergeant at arms often is asked to oversee certain subcommittees. If he will miss any meeting, it is the sergeant at arms' responsibility to select a replacement for that meeting. It is the sergeant at arms' final responsibility to ensure his successor is properly trained.