Table Topics Master

PURPOSE:
As Table Topics Master is responsible for running the "table topics" session with the several purposes in mind. Enabling members to develop the skills of impromptu speaking or the ability to "speak on their feet" andproviding a speaking opportunity for any member who is not otherwise included in the meeting agenda.

PRIOR TO THE MEETING:
Check with the Toastmaster of the Evening to find out if a theme meeting is scheduled. If so, prepare table topics to carry out that theme. If no theme is scheduled, choose a selection of topics that follow a similar theme.

Prepare a brief but thorough summary of your role as Table Topics Master that explains your role in the program to visiting guests. You may want to include comments about the skills that are improved during the exercises.

Prepare sufficient topics to accommodate a minimum of three members as topics speakers and a maximum of five members.

When choosing your specific questions:

• Select topics that will inspire the speakers to expound on them, give opinions, etc
• Originality is desirable as much as possible
• Don't make questions too long or complicated
• Phrase questions so that the speaker will know clearly what they are to talk about 
• Keep your comments short. Your job is to give others a chance to speak, not to give a series of mini-talks yourself.

AS YOU ARRIVE AT THE MEETING:
Obtain a copy of the agenda from the Toastmaster of the Evening. This will alert you to who the prepared Speakers, Evaluators, and the General Evaluator are so you can call on the other members first. Only if time permits at the end of the table topics session, should you call on the program participants (with speakers last).

DURING THE MEETING:
During the Toastmaster of the Day's introduction of the table topics session, they will provide you with the number of questions to ask given the time remaining in the meeting. After your introduction by the Toastmaster, make a few "scene setting" comments which mention the purpose of table topics and introduce the general theme of your session with a maximum duration 2 minutes.

• Keep your comments brief but enthusiastic.
• Encourage the speakers to use the Word of the Day in their response.
• Keep the program moving. Be certain everyone understands the maximum time they have for their response and how the timing lights work.
• Give each participant a different question. Don't ask two people the same question unless you ask each specifically to give the "pro" or "con" views.

Call upon the table topics speakers, as follows:

• Call on speakers at random. Avoid going around the room in order of seating.
• A couple of experienced members first
• Members with no other speaking role
• Willing guests (do not pressure anybody to speak)
• Anybody else who wants to participate
• State the question briefly, then call on one of the members in the audience.

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;
• 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.

Another format to use in selecting table topics speakers:

• Introduce the speaker by name
• Describe the topic assignment (30 seconds maximum)
• Greet the speaker - repeat their name
• Thank the speaker on completion of their topic

WARNING: Do not exceed the requested number of speakers unless time permits.

Timing is also regarded as important in a Toastmaster club and the best way to control timing in a topics session is to control the number of speakers.

One last comment; subject matter is entirely the responsibility of the Topics Master but experience shows that a good overall performance is achieved in the following circumstances:

• The table topic is one allowing the speaker to speak from their own experience.
• The table topics session follows a common theme allowing the less-experienced speakers some preparation time.

On completion of the session, thank all participants and return control of the meeting back to the Toastmaster of the Day

RESOURCES:
Think Fast ( Code 1315 ) . . . A manual on Table Topics
Table Topics Game "Stand Up and Speak" ( Code 1316 )
Table Topics Game "Stand Up and Speak II" ( Code 1317 )
TableTalk ( Code 1318 )
Patterns in Programming ( Code 1314 )
Chairman ( Code 200 )