Tutorial for Table Topics Master

From Austin Toastmasters (Balcones, Club #3407)

Tutorial for Table Topic Master doc

Toastmaster tradition is that every member speaks at every meeting. Table Topics is the major way to enable that tradition, by having members without a role give an impromptu speech on a random topic.

You will have your first assignment as Table Topics Master at our next club meeting, Your role is to create those topics and call on members not on the program to speak on those topics.

PLANNING

Most Balcones Toastmasters of the Day have a theme. It's a great idea to create Table Topics based on that theme. If no theme is provided, select a theme of your own. Come up with at least five topics. Topics should be of reasonable length - try to keep them less than 10 words. Long topics or complicated setups are typically not good topics. The speaker should not be required to have a detailed knowledge of the Topic. Topics should allow an opinion to be offered or a conclusion to be reached. Good Table Topics are fun to speak on and fun to listen to.

Print out a copy of the current week's schedule and bring it with you to the meeting so you know which Toastmasters already have meeting roles.

Show up at the meeting a few minutes early. Make a list of members not on the program, and start to assign them topics. Try to have a mix of new and experienced members on your list. If fewer than five people without roles are in attendance, augment your list with role players like the Prayer and Pledge Leader, the Grammarian, and the Time Keeper. Avoid selecting the Prepared Speakers, the Toastmaster, and the Evaluators in that order.

Feel free to consult your Competent Communicator Manual, p66 for more information.

IMPLEMENTATION

When it is your turn on the program, after you have taken control of the speaking area, feel free to briefly explain the theme of your Table Topics. If guests are present, give a brief overview of the purpose of Table Topics - basically to have members not on the program the opportunity to give an impromptu speech on a topic that you provide. Then give the first topic.

There are two approaches to delivering the topic: mention the speaker's name and then give him/her the topic, or give the topic and then mention the speaker's name. There are pros and cons to each approach, though Toastmaster International favors providing the topic first. You can select either approach, as both approaches are acceptable.

Provide a short transition between each speaker. Use the following 5-step process:

1. Lead the applause for the previous speaker, then shake his/her hand and regain control of the speaking area

2. Make a very brief comment on the preceding Table Topic. Some ideas -

• "Wow that is interesting!"
• "What a wonderful approach."
• "Thank you for an interesting and unusual perspective on the topic."

3. Announce the next topic and speaker's name. Avoid the temptation to give a mini-speech between topics

4. Beckon the next speaker to the speaking area.

5. Lead the applause, shake his/her hand, yielding control of the speaking area to the Table Topics speaker, then take a seat

After the third and subsequent Table Topics, ask the Time Keeper if there is time for additional topic(s). If the time is not yet 7:04 a.m., the Time Keeper will have you proceed with another topic.

If we are short on Speakers without roles, and guests are present, ask the guest if he/she would like to speak on a topic. This should be presented totally as an optional request, that participation is optional, as guests are not required to speak at our meetings. If they want to speak, fine; if not, also fine, just find another speaker.

After the final Table Topic speaker is finished, ask the timer if there are any disqualifications and ask members to vote for the best Table Topics speech, reviewing the topics and which person spoke on which topic. Return control of the speaking area to the Toastmaster, and congratulate yourself on leading your first Table Topics session!