Get Toastmasters Ah Counter Sheet

Ah Counter: 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.

Your script could look like this: “Thank you Madam/Mister Toastmaster of the Day. Good morning fellow Toastmasters and guests. My role as the Ah-Counter is to count the number of unnecessary sounds or repetitive words you may use when you are speaking on stage.

These include words such as “and,” “well,” “but,” “so” and “you know,” but also mere sounds like “ah,” “um” and “er.” Sometimes they include words such as “literally,” “actually” and “basically.” Whatever form they take, crutch words typically have two attributes: 1) overuse, and 2) meaninglessness.

The timer is responsible for monitoring time for each meeting segment and each speaker. As Timer, you: Acquire the timing/signaling equipment from the sergeant at arms and know how to operate it. Explain the timing rules and demonstrate the signal device if called upon to do so.

Reporting. At the end of the meeting, usually after the evaluations of the speeches are done, you will be introduced back on the stage by the General Evaluator to give your Ah Counter report. You will need to report the total number of unnecessary sounds a speaker made.

My role as the Ah-Counter is to count the number of unnecessary sound or repetitive words you used when you are speaking on the stage. For example “Er“, “Em“, “Ah“, “You Know“, “I Mean” will be counted.

When introduced during the club meeting, explain the role of the Ah-Counter. In the Ah-Counter's log, record overlong pauses, overused words and filler sounds relied upon too often by all speakers. Examples include: and, but, so, you know, ah, um.