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Haymarket Toastmasters
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District 71 
District 91 
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Table Topics Master  
Role Description

Table Topics Master

The Table Topics Master conducts the “Impromptu Speaking” part of the evening.  If you are the Table Topics Master, you prepare and issue the topics to members during the session.  Each Table Topic lasts from 1 - 2 minutes.  The objective of Table Topics is to give members as much opportunity to speak as possible.  Ideally, every member should have a chance to speak at a meeting.  Table Topics also gives members practice in thinking on their feet.

  • Try to be as original as possible – you can find ideas from newspapers, magazines, Toastmaster magazines, the Internet, books etc.
  • Do not make the explanation of the evening’s Table Topics too long or complicated as it wastes valuable time.
  • Select topics that will encourage speakers to give an opinion or expound on a topic.
  • Phrase them in such a way that the speaker understands the topic.

Prior to the meeting:

1.      Read these guidelines! They relate specifically to the Table Topics Master role in our club.

2.      Prepare at least 8 topics.  

3.      Rehearse your 2-minute introduction.

4.      Ask your mentor for help, if necessary.

At the meeting:

1.      Arrive early, at least by 7.15 pm, and let the Toastmaster know you are there.

2.      Look at the agenda to check which members do not have speaking roles. Ask guests at the interval if they would like to participate.

3.      Decide on the order of speakers and questions to give them (don’t leave this until you are at the lectern – you will get into a muddle and appear

       disorganised)

4.      Try to tailor the questions to the speaker’s ability or nervousness.

5.      If you are using this role as part of the CL manual, ask the Table Topics Evaluator to evaluate you and complete the manual.

During the meeting:

1.      Step up to the lectern; shake hands with the Toastmaster to take over the floor.

2.      Explain the role of Table Topics Master.

3.      Stress that the time allowed is 1-2 minutes but the speaker does not have to fill the 2-minute slot.  Explain that if the speaker has made their point in less than 2 minutes, they should stop and sit down. There are no brownie points for filling the 2 minutes!

4.      State the topic first, repeat the topic, then call upon a member to deliver a response. This approach holds the audience’s attention so that everyone begins to formulate a response and enhances their listening/thinking skills.

5.      Keep your questions and comments short. Your task is to give others a chance to speak, not make a series of mini speeches yourself.

6.      You may also leave a copy of the topic on the lectern for the speaker.

7.      Call upon members in the following order to maximise speaking opportunities:

a.      Members who do not have a role

b.      Members who have a role (avoiding those who are actively doing roles during table topics such as the table topics evaluator, timer, general evaluator)

c.      Speakers

d.      Guests who have agreed to participate in table topics

How this role helps you:

1.      This role will help you to enhance your preparation, listening, speaking and time management skills.

2.      This role will enhance your creative thinking skills.

3.      You can use it to advance your CL manual for the following projects:

o   Project 4 – Time Management

o   Project 5 – Planning and Implementation

o   Project 7 – Developing Your Facilitation Skills 

 

 

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