Mentor Moments - Ah Counter

The following was taken from:

http://www.aztoastmasters.org/ah-counter

Mentor Moments - Ah Counter

District 3 Toastmasters Mentor Moment
Category	Functionaries
Title	Bold 'AH' Counters
Contributor	Nancy Starr, DTM
When you are assigned to serve as the Ah Counter, your job includes counting ahs, ums, and ers. The goal is to make each of us aware that we use these distracting words.   However, just knowing about it after the fact is not very helpful. It's more effective if you provide a signal the moment a person says "ah" or "um."     Whether it's a bell, a clicker or some other noise-making device, the instant feedback trains us to avoid the practice.   Except for prepared speeches, be bold and ding the speaker (including your Mentor) every time you hear the dreaded "ah" words.    You aren't being rude; it's your job!

Cottonwood Toastmasters meets every Monday 12:00 to 1:15 at the Cottonwood Village, 201 E Mingus Ave. Guests are welcome. For more information call Laina Lloyd at 928-300-8638 or Dave Ellison at 634-6540

Have You Got the Time?

Our theme at Cottonwood Toastmasters today was "Time" and the word of the day was "Integrity".  As the General Evaluator for the day I had an amazing team of helpers. I witnessed many people taking the time to fill dual assignments with willingness and excellence. There was the Grammarian, Ah Counter, Timer and Speech Evaluator. Their leadership titles seem self explanatory, however, maybe a little more information is necessary for the "Ah Counter". This can be a fun job at our Cottonwood Toastmasters for you get to ring a bell whenever you hear the words "ah" or "um". For a more detailed description as to the role of the "Ah Counter" I have taken the following information from Toastmasters International:

Helping members off their crutches

"The purpose of the Ah-Counter is to note any word or sound used as a crutch by anyone who speaks during the meeting. Words may be inappropriate interjections, such as and, well, but, so and you know. Sounds may be ah, um or er. You should also note when a speaker repeats a word or phrase such as “I, I” or “This means, this means.” These words and sounds can be annoying to listeners. The Ah-Counter role is an excellent opportunity to practice your listening skills."

"Throughout the meeting, listen to everyone for sounds and long pauses used as fillers and not as a necessary part of sentence structure. Write down how many filler sounds or words each person used during all portions of the meeting. When you’re called on by the general evaluator during the evaluation segment, stand by your chair and give your report"

*Cottonwood Toastmasters meets every Monday 12:00 to 1:15 at the Cottonwood Village, 201 E Mingus Ave. Guests are welcome. For more information call Laina Lloyd at 928-300-8638 or Dave Ellison at 928-634-6540