Table Topics Master

The Toastmasters program has a tradition–every member speaks at a meeting. The table topics session is that portion of the meeting which ensures this tradition. The purpose of this period is to have members “think on their feet" and speak for a minute or so. The Table Topics Master prepares and issues the topics; originality is desirable. Each speaker may be given an individual subject or a choice of subjects may be presented from which the members can draw at random.

PRIOR TO THE MEETING

Check with the Toastmaster to find out if a theme meeting is scheduled. You may wish to follow the theme, but you don't have to. You can choose a wide selection of topics. Review The Toastmaster magazine and other publications for ideas. Do not repeat the previous week’s table topics ideas or items. You will want to prepare at least four (maybe five) questions that are all somewhat related. If there is a last minute cancellation, the Toastmaster may ask you for five topics. If the agenda is full, you may only use two or three questions.

When choosing your specific questions: select ones that will inspire the speakers to expound on them, give their opinions, etc. Don’t make the questions too long or complicated. Phrase them in such a way that the speaker clearly will know what you want them to talk about.

Check the Meeting Agenda online to find out who has an assigned role. This will give you a head start on thinking of whom you might choose. (However, you can't really finalize this until the meeting.)

DURING THE MEETING

Using the agenda, look around the room to list those people who do not have specific roles. Do not include any guests unless the guest was introduced as someone who would be happy to participate in Table Topics. Jot down whom you will select. Don't select anyone giving a prepared speech, the Toastmaster or the Evaluators. Anyone else is "fair game" for you to call on.

When introduced, go to the lectern and shake the Toastmaster's hand. Briefly state the purpose of the topics session. Remind all speakers of the 1 - 2 minute time frame and encourage them to use the "Word of the Day." Times are as follows: 1 minute for green light, 1 ½ for yellow light, and 2 minutes for red light. This is consistent with TM International rules.

Keep your comments short. Your job is to give others a chance to speak, not to give a series of mini-talks yourself.

REMIND PARTICIPANTS THAT THEY MUST USE THE WORD OF THE DAY to qualify for an award.

State the question briefly–then call on a respondent. This serves two purposes: First, it holds everyone’s attention–each one is thinking of a response should he or she be called on to speak; and second, it adds to the value of the impromptu element by giving everyone an opportunity to improve his or her “better listening and thinking" skills.

Call on speakers at random. Avoid going around the room in the order in which people are sitting. Give each participant a different question. Don’t ask two people the same thing unless you ask each specifically to give the “pro" or “con" side.

Watch your total time! Check the printed agenda for the total time allotted to table topics and adjust the number of questions to end your segment on time. Even if your portion started late, try to end on time to avoid the total meeting running overtime.

When the last speaker has finished, thank all the topics speakers and return control of the meeting to the Toastmaster. Be sure to stay at the lectern to shake the Toastmaster's hand.

RESOURCES -

Master Your Meetings (Catalog No. 1312)

Patterns in Programming (Catalog No. 1314)

Chairman (Catalog No. 200)

Think Fast (Catalog No. 1315), a manual on Table Topics

Table Topics Game “Stand Up and Speak" (Catalog No. 1316)

Table Topics Game “Stand Up and Speak II" (Catalog No. 1317)

Table Talk (Catalog No. 1318)

Conversation Piece (Catalog No. B-92)