In a Nutshell

A terrific Table Topics master always follows these five rules:

1. Pose the question / give the topic before you call upon a speaker.

2. The first person called upon to answer should be an experienced speaker.

3. Always ask some guests to speak.

4. Do not call on people who are already doing bigger roles (Toastmaster, Speakers, Evaluators, and General Evaluator).

5. Do not comment on the quality of the answers. We are happy about all of them.

How do you profit from being the Table Topics Master?

As the Table Topics Master you expand your organizational skills, time management skills and facilitation skills

You will

1. Give two prepared mini speeches, and one impromptu speech (the recap).
2. Learn to grab the attention from an audience that is not ready for you.
3. Practise getting off and on stage.
4. Ask precise questions.
5. End within the allotted time-frame. It is your job to make up for what has gone wrong during the first part of the meeting.

Why do we have a Table Topics Master?

Impromptu speaking, speaking off the cuff, is a highly useful skill. It needs to be practised.

Therefore, it is the Table Topics Masters’s job to call as many members as possible to the stage. Preferably, those that otherwise would not be speaking at the meeting.

How To

As a Table Topics Master, you have the opportunity to plan a program that will be interesting and engaging, perhaps even inspiring for members and guests.

Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Before the break, the Toastmaster will ask you to explain Table Topics.
• Explain the format and the concept, so our guests understand the concept and format.
• Tell guests you’ll ask them during the break if they want to participate in the Table Topics section.
• Encourage them to come to you and volunteer.
• Start the break.
• During the break, ask guests if they would be willing to try a Table Topic.
• End the break on time.
• Start the Table Topics session by explaining the reason and the timing.
  Table Topic is 1 – 2 minutes. Green = 1 min/ Yellow = 1.5/ Red = 2
• Call on an experienced TM first to set an example for guests.
• Give members the opportunity to do a Table Topic if they don’t have a
  speaking or functionary role in the meeting.
• Involve guests who have agreed to speak.
• Do not interpret or judge the individual speeches.
• End the session with a recap of who said what.
• Hand over to the General Evaluator.

Different types of Table Topics

Here are some ideas on what you could do:

1. ask for an opinion (“Would you like to see more…?”)
2. give a quotation and ask for the speakers take on it
3. present an interesting statistic and ask for an explanation
4. show an object
5. start a story and ask for it to be continued (“My heart missed a beat when I saw…”)
6. bring fortune cookies and read the fortune aloud. Have speaker number one choose the cookie for speaker number two, and so on
7. ask for the explanation of an unknown term (“What is a hidalgo?”)  – and solve the riddle once the speaker is done
8. ask to have a process described from inside. (The titanic describes how it felt to be ripped apart by an iceberg.)
9. blindfold the speaker, and hand them an object to talk about. (this is one of the few instances when the speaker is called before the topic is presented.) Make sure that you find a way to signal time, inform the timer up front about it.
10. Name and animal or a character and ask to answer a question impersonating that character or animal.

Do You Want to Go to the Limit?

If you want to do the absolute limit, pick a topic, explain a small part of it and then ask a question that connects well. Repeat and stay with the topic.

An example: 1. Positive psychology has been defined as the study of the strengths and virtues that enable individuals, communities, and organisations to thrive. One of the traits that make an individual thrive are deep and meaningful connections to other people. Whom do you feel truly connected to? 2. You probably already know that gratitude is another key element for humans to thrive. What you might not yet know is the best way to practise it – apart from showing it to other people. Science says it is best to write down three new things you are grateful for once a week. What were you grateful for this week?

Please ensure that you do not need too much time for your texts. The more Table Topics you ask, the better.

Tips

Check the attendance before the meeting. Prepare a list of all members attending who do not have a role. Try to call especially those members on stage because otherwise they will not be speaking at the meeting at all.

Never call those that do the big roles: Toastmaster of the evening, General Evaluator, Speakers, Evaluators. The first person you call should be an experienced member.

Ask guests to the stage too. But only those who agreed to do it before.

Always present the topic of the Table Topic BEFORE you call a speaker to the stage. This way of presenting will ensure a much more attentive audience. Even those, who are not called upon, start to think about an answer.

Please repeat your prompt once the speaker is on stage.

Avoid giving two people the same TT unless you specify that it is to
generate a different viewpoint.

It is up to the speaker to decide how he or she answers the call.

Speakers may speak about anything. They can lie. The may discuss the quality of your prompt or ignore it altogether.

Whatever they decide to do, never, never, never comment on an answer.

When you end the session with a quick recap of the speakers and their answers, do not repeat the answers.