Prerequisite: None

Time: 30 seconds

Before the Meeting: Before the meeting begins, take the can with marbles to your seat and generate an Ah Counter Tally Sheet.

1. When called upon to explain your function, stand at your place and say something like:

"Mr./Madam Toastmaster, fellow Toastmasters and Guests. As Ah Counter, I will be listening very carefully for the use of "Ah," "Um," "Er," or any other filler words. When I hear such words during Tabletopics, I will keep a tally and drop a marble to help our members to improve their use of filler words with an immediate feedback. I will not drop marbles when guests speak or during the formal speeches. I will keep track of everyone, and report at the end of the meeting on who best controlled their use of filler words."

2. When called on to report, stand at your place and say something like:

"Mr./Madam Toastmaster, the following people spoke tonight with no AH’S: (read names). These people spoke with only one AH: (read names). And these people had two or more AH’S: (read names). Let’s congratulate ourselves on a job well done tonight!" (Lead applause and be seated)

NOTE: The point is to make a significant noise when someone uses a filler, to call their attention to it, so don't try to be subtle. You can take a handful of marbles out of the can and drop them in one at a time, you can simply give the can a good shake each time, or you can use the "clicker" for each filler.