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The Table Topics session helps members practise impromptu speaking.
The Table Topics Master:
- Prepares questions in advance.
- Ensures guests are encouraged but not pressured to participate.
- Conducts the session by stating a topic/question, twice, before nominating a speaker.
It is tradition with Miranda Toastmasters that every member present at the meeting, speaks at some stage during the meeting. The Table Topics session is that portion of the meeting, which ensures this tradition. The purpose of Table Topics is to have members “think on their feet”, and speak for 60 seconds. The Topics Master’s task is to prepare and issue sufficient original Table Topic questions, which will give most members present an opportunity to participate.
Prior to the meeting, the Topics Master should talk to the VP Education to see if there is any specific theme for the meeting. If so, follow the night’s theme with your Topics questions. If no theme, you can use your own theme or just choose a wide selection of Topics. To do this, review Toastmasters publications, or any news publication. Draw questions from topical issues, local issues or international issues. Avoid topics that could alienate or offend certain members of the audience. Make your Topics appropriate for the meeting, but make the session FUN! Be original! Be creative!
There will normally be two Table Topics evaluators for the session, so please prepare two sets of the questions for the evaluators.
The Chairman introduces the Table Topics Master to the meeting. The Topics Master should start the session by briefly stating the purpose of Table Topics, and encourage any guests present to participate.
Give any necessary instructions to the Table Topics Evaluators. Advise the Timer how long each speaker is expected to speak. The time allowed is 60 seconds, plus or minus 10 seconds.
The Topics Master should state the topic first, then nominate a member to stand and provide a response to the meeting. If there are guests or very new members present, ask each one if they would like to participate and if so, let them know it’s their turn and then state the topic. Enthusiastically encourage guests to participate, but do not force them by giving them a question when they have already indicated that they don’t want a question.
Start the session off by asking the first question, and the timer will start timing the answer on the first utterance of the answer. An audible sound will be made by the Timer at 60 seconds, to alert the speaker to conclude the answer and sit down. As soon as the applause ceases, ask the next question, and so on until the session is complete. At that point announce to the Chairman “that completes my assignment”, and hand the control of the meeting back to the Chairman and return to your seat.
Note: Prepare the program carefully and well in advance. Plan it so that it stimulates thought and maintains the interest of the members and guests.
Remember, A Table Topics session should be designed “to promote better listening, better thinking and better impromptu speaking”. Try to introduce new ideas and variety.
The Table Topics Master determines who will receive the “Bottom of the Harbour” award. This is awarded to the person who most avoided speaking to the topic.
The Toastmaster will ask you for the person’s name during when presenting the awards form the voting.