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Educational - Table Topic Master

Overview

There are two key requirements for the role of Table Topics Master. Firstly, choosing a suitable table topic subject and then clearly explaining to the audience your requirements as the Table Topics Master.

Getting Organised

• Choosing a subject is a challenging part of your role. Try to select a topic that will allow the speaker some scope for expanding ideas and developing a story or theme.
• Pretending to be someone else, personal experiences and topical subjects can work well.
• Use your imagination but stay away from politics and religion.
• Ensure you arrive at the meeting early.
• Check the program for your role and the time allocation for the Table Topic event.
• Make sure you have any items or props that you will be using organised and ready.
• Use the meeting program for selecting your table topic speakers.
• Don’t choose visitors to the club that are potentially new members. This can be embarrassing for them and could put them off becoming members.
• Pick Toastmasters that are visiting from another club.
• Select your speakers carefully. Pick members that either don’t have a role at all or have a less intense role.
• Try to avoid choosing members that have given a speech or have a speech evaluator role.
• Try to choose a senior member to speak first. This will help any newer members you may choose to understand your requirements as a Table Topic speaker.
• Write down the names of the members you have chosen. It is important that you know who you will be asking to speak – don’t make your choice when you are standing in front of the audience and about call up the next table topic participant.

What do you need to say?

• Always follow good Toastmaster protocols.
• Address the audience in the normal manner; ‘Madam or Mr Toastmaster, fellow Toastmasters and welcome guests’ (if there are any)
• If there are any guests you can, at this point, very briefly describe to them the role of the Table Topics Master.
• Explain to the audience your chosen subject. Tell everyone what you want them to do and add an example if you think it necessary.
• Tell the Timer your chosen time allowance. This can be either 1:30 minutes or 2 minutes. For 1:30 minute speeches use green on 1 minute, orange 1:15 minutes and red on 1:30 minutes. For 2 minute speeches use green on 1:30 minutes, orange 1:45 minutes and red on 2 minutes.
• This part of your role should take no more than 2 minutes.
• Move the lectern well away from the speaking area.
• From your list chose the first speaker and lead the clapping.
• State the subject to them or have them chose an item if that is your plan.
• Take a seat in the front row or move well away from the speaker to give them room.
• At the conclusion of the each speaker thank them but don’t do a mini evaluation of their speech. Any comments should be positive, short and light hearted.
• If you have had 4 speakers and are unsure of the time constraints of the meeting ask the Timer if you can call another speaker.
• At the conclusion of your event thank all the speakers for their efforts. You can conclude by saying something positive about the event.
• Gesture to the Toastmaster and say ‘Madam Toastmaster’ or ‘Mr Toastmaster’ and wait for them to arrive at the lectern, shake hands and take your seat.
• Your role is complete.

It is an important part of your role as Table Topic Master to set the scene. The Table Topic event is for some members, particularly for new Toastmasters quite a challenge. You should be aware of this and plan your role accordingly. The Table Topics should be seen as a fun, entertaining but also a challenging part of the meeting. This is your event so you can make it your own.

If you want to do something different to the above, talk it through with your Mentor and the meeting Toastmaster.

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