One important objective of Toastmasters is to learn to speak precisely, that is, expressing a thought within a specific time interval. The timer records and reports the times of the various segments of the meeting: speeches, table topics and evaluations.

Speeches have varying times:

• The first "Icebreaker" speech is 4-6 minutes.
• The second-ninth speeches are 5-7 minutes.
• The tenth speech, "Inspire Your Audience," is 8-10 minutes.

Table topics should be from 1-2 minutes.

Openers should be from 2-3 minutes.

Evaluations (both speech and meeting) should be from 2-3 minutes.

Confirm with the Toastmaster the evaluation times, as s/he may wish to alter them based on the particular meeting agenda. The timer should confirm with each manual speaker the time allotted for their prepared speech.

At the meeting, retrieve the stopwatch and the red, yellow and green construction paper. Make sure you understand how to operate the stopwatch. The construction paper signals should be used as follows:

• Green: If a prepared speech has a 4-6 minute time limit, display the green sheet at 4 minutes.

• Yellow: Display the yellow sheet midway between the shortest and longest limit; that is in the above example, at 5 minutes.

• Red: Display the red sheet when time has run out (in the above case, 6 minutes).

Try to make certain that the speaker has noted each sheet as you display it.

As with other roles, when introduced, the Timer should explain his/her role if new members or guests are present. At the end of the meeting, the timer will be asked to report the times s/he has recorded for the various segments of the meeting.

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