The impromptu speeches are short (one to two minutes) and are on interesting topics chosen by the "Table Topics Master." Usually, everyone present has an opportunity to speak, including any guests (non-members) who are present, and then the award for Best Table Topics Speaker is voted upon.
Prepared speeches come next. The Toastmaster of the Evening then formally introduces each speaker. When following the standard "manual", a member usually prepares betwen 3 and 6 formal speeches a year. Each speaker has an assigned evaluator, who judges the speech on general features like delivery and organisation and on specific features depending on the particular manual topic.
No time is allocated to discuss the subject matter of any speech - it is the delivery which is important. Evaluators are usually the more experienced club members who act as mentors to help others improve themselves. There are also other special evaluation personnel: the timer, the grammarian, and the "um" and "ah" counter. There is a friendly atmosphere of mutual support. All jobs are rotated among members with a plan made one or two meetings in advance.
Meetings last about two hours and often members meet at a bar afterwards. A typical club has 20 to 30 members, and everyone is able to speak at some time in each meeting.