What I learned from Buona Vista CC Toastmasters Club About Meeting Timing

Buona Vista club meets at Buona Vista Community Centre. I arrived early and the people in the office downstairs told me I was early. I asked if there was anywhere I would wait in air continuing. (I thought they might say, yes, you can sit in this room.) They said I could go up to the rooftop, but no air con. Most people follow instructions, simple instructions, unless and until things go badly wrong. So I went upstairs. The view from the roof is pleasant. The toilet gets less use than those downstairs which could be more crowded. I went downstairs to find the room and although I was half an hour early the group was already setting up. I had phoned and offered to do a role on the program. I was told the program was full. Never mind. I want anyway. I often get asked to speak, even though I have not given much notice, and the programme is already full. Sometimes somebody drops out. Other times one of the committee members magnanimously decides to give up their slot as evaluator so that everybody can benefit because he/she or the club would like the opportunity to hear from somebody new. I was amazed by the number of speakers. The meeting started at 7pm and went on until 10 pm. Regarding timing, the timer is sometimes given a chance to explain the timers role. Here, it was obvious. Signs in the lifts wanted that that lifts and staircase doors would close at 10 pm. If you are running over time, you risk getting locked in, not being able to use lifts for heavy equipment, and older people who have trouble walking. Clearing Up Time If you meet in premises where you have the key and can stand around chatting, networking, socialising, until you decide to go, you cannot envisage a situation where the caretaker is glowering at you still for being in the room at three minutes after ten, or even fifteen minutes after ten. It is a rush, when you have to dismantle a loudspeaker system, unplug computers, roll up screens, wipe information off whiteboards, stack chairs, clear up leftover food, give your business car or club card to newcomers, pick up dropped pens, lost and left bags and jackets, offer lifts to those miles from home, direct others back to the MRT station, or ask everybody to follow you to the nearby coffee shop or hawker centre, giving directions to those leaving earlier or later than you are. Disputes Entailing Chaining Venue I have also read about clubs which changed venue 'because we did not get on with the management' of the premises. It spoils the meeting if the building staff are looking sour, turning off the lights in rooms and toilets, locking doors to the car park, making announcements over loudspeakers that the building is closing, either on time, within five minutes, or ten minutes early. Other club presidents and sponsors go to great efforts to please or placate the staff, offering them leftover food, chatting to them and asking after their families, like a close friend.