Sergeant-at-Arms
It is your responsibility and that or your committee to greet members and guests and make them feel welcome. If guests attend on their own introduce them to a club member with whom they can sit and who will introduce them.
You are the HOST OF THE EVENING. Try to make everyone as comfortable as possible. To attain this objective follow these guidelines:
PRIOR TO THE MEETING
- You should be at the meeting location 15 - 30 minutes prior to starting time.
- Set out the gavel, trophies, flags, banners and all decorations.
- Set out the table and chairs to the correct position.
- Distribute the ballot sheets and filled water cups.
- Set out the award ribbons under the lectern.
- Make a list of all visitors and give it to the Chairperson before the meeting starts.
START THE MEETING
- Introduce the Chairperson. pass the gavel to the Chairperson and shake his/her hand.
Example: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. my name is .......... I am your Sergeant-at-Arms this evening. It is my pleasure to introduce your Chairperson for this evening............... - Start the applause and pass the gavel to the Chairperson, then shake his/her hand.
- You may wish to do a more elaborate introduction of the Chairperson. Always address as Mr. Chairman/Madame Chairperson.
- Greet latecomers quietly and discreetly make sure they are introduced at the first natural break in the Program.
- You will have to do the introduction.
AFTER THE BREAK
- Call members back to the meeting at the required time.
TOWARD THE END OF THE MEETING
- Collect and tally up the ballots and give the result to the General Evaluator.
AFTER THE MEETING
- Make sure all club supplies such as gavel, trophies,flags, banners etc. are safely stored before you leave.