First Impressions as Sergeant-at-Arms

I have been a Toastmaster for the last 9 months. For the first 8, I never realized how important the role of Sergeant-at-Arms (SAA) was in any Toastmasters Club meetings until a month ago when I became the SAA for AIN Toastmasters Club. Before taking on the SAA role, I only saw what was presented in the meeting. The SAA calls the meeting to order and sets the ground rules by managing the meeting in a 3 x 3 model. Everyone who participates in the 3 x 3 model, gets applauded and the “better” awards of achievements are distributed. Participants receive applause, and achievement awards are distributed.

It never occurred to me what the SAA did. I often wondered why the SAA stood at the door during the meeting, checked with guests or new members about food or drink preferences, and sometimes seemed controlling. As a new member, it was difficult to comprehend the SAA’s effort in making club meetings successful. The title “SAA” doesn’t relate to everyday life, so my fellow new members and I didn’t understand the role’s importance.

Now, after serving as an SAA for a month, I’ve realized that the role can offer so much more. I give this analogy to guests and new members: Imagine a big wedding event with delicious exotic food, mini-events, performances, and family toasts, all happening seamlessly. Would this be possible without someone overseeing every detail, managing logistics, and having backup plans? This is the SAA’s role in a club, overseeing meetings from logistics, risk, and well-being perspectives.

Many things happen in parallel before each meeting. While TMoD/Es, Table Topic Masters, and other role players prepare for their role, SAA makes sure the venue is set, and the logistics are in place, identifies alternatives for emergencies, and checks if refreshments for attendees will be ready at the scheduled time. During the meeting, the SAA sets the tone for the meeting, ensures the meeting follows a schedule, makes sure there is no interruption, and guides participants to emergency exits and the cafeteria during tea breaks. Last month, I also got the opportunity to attend a TLI session with one training primarily for SAA. The impressions and experiences from other SAAs were also similar to what I had experienced in my first month as an SAA.

The first impressions that I had in the last month were:

Being a successful SAA requires a lot of patience, and hard work before, during, and after the meeting and needs a keen sense of observation.
Having a passionate and motivated SAA is key to the success of any club meeting.
Unlike other roles, the SAA role requires important skills in preparing, organizing, and planning for the worst of situations.
SAA is not as recognized as other role-takers.

Three takeaways for Toastmasters Clubs:

Recognize: Recognize your SAA within the club as an equally valuable officer and find special occasions to celebrate the role of SAA.
Respect: Treat the SAA with the same respect given to other club officers.
Reach out: As club officers do reach out to your SAA and extend your helping hand.