For your first visit
What happens when you walk in
Every meeting is a little different, but the shape stays the same. Here's the honest, minute-by-minute rundown — so nothing on the night is a surprise.
Before you sit down
Arrive from 6:50pm. Someone will say hello, point you to a seat, and hand you an agenda. You don't need to know anyone, sign anything, or pay anything.
There is genuinely no pressure to speak on your first visit. Plenty of guests come two or three times just to watch before they ever stand up. If you'd rather just observe, say so — nobody will push.
Once a month, before the second meeting, a few members grab an early dinner at Rhodes Central Food Court from about 5:45–6:00pm. It's informal and entirely optional — look out for a member saving seats if you'd like to join.
The traffic-light system
You'll see this everywhere, because timing is how we keep the night moving and fair to everyone.
Green Qualifying time reached
Amber Target time — start wrapping up
Red Time's up — finish your sentence
The full evening
How a Concord Yaralla meeting runs
Every meeting is tailored to that night's theme, so treat this as the usual shape rather than a fixed script.
Doors open
Arrive, get a seat, meet a few people. No agenda item — just the room filling up.
Opening formalities
Sergeant at Arms opens the meeting; the President welcomes members and guests and introduces the Toastmaster of the Evening, who sets tonight's theme. The Returning Officer explains the night's vote, we hear the Acknowledgement of Country and Club Mission, and the Timer and General Evaluator introduce their roles, alongside the Word of the Day from Big Ears & Grammarian.
Three prepared speeches
Three members deliver speeches they've worked on in advance (5–7 minutes each), each introduced with their personal objectives. A Club Educational segment rounds out this block.
Speech evaluations
Each speaker gets a considered, encouraging evaluation from a fellow member — this is where a lot of the real learning happens, for speaker and evaluator alike.
Tea break
Tea, coffee, and a stretch before the second half. A good moment to chat with whoever you sat near.
Table Topics & RAVER
Impromptu one-to-two-minute speeches on the spot — anyone in the room can be invited up, guests included, but only ever if you're willing. Then RAVER: a member takes 4–5 minutes for a Rant, Anecdote, Verse, bit of Entertainment, or a Riddle — pure creative freedom.
Reports, awards & wrap-up
Table Topics evaluations, the Um/Ah counter's report, the Grammarian's report and quiz, the General Evaluator's overall assessment, and the Timer's report. Then a vote for Most Impressive Participant and Best Role Player, awards, next meeting's roles are organised, and the President closes with announcements.
Curious what any one of those roles actually involves? Every role has its own cheat-sheet →
Still deciding?