How to Table Topics Master the RDG Way

1. What is the Table Topics Master?

Table Topics is a chance to strike fear into the hearts of all your members a segment of the Toastmasters meeting that's designed to get several people practice with impromptu speaking. It's a great chance to practice creative thinking on the fly.

By the time you are ready to be Table Topics Master, you will likely have been “victimized” at least half a dozen times during this impromptu speaking section. You will certainly be ready for “revenge”, so keep that in mind as you prepare for this important function.

Table topics is an educational and fun portion of the meeting – if it is well planned. Being a Table Topics Master can improve your planning skills, creative thinking, and your observation skills (some of the fun involves watching for signs that people don't want to be called for a certain question).

2. Before, During, & After the Meeting

This chapter will review the preparation you should do before, during, and after the meeting.

2.1. Before the Meeting

Find out the theme of the meeting (if there is one) and prepare a series of questions based on the theme. Optimally, prepare questions of varying difficulty so that you can easily adapt to the skill and experience levels of the participants. This will allow you to have some questions that can be asked of new members and guests who want to participate. Make sure the questions are clear and concise; confusing Table Topics questions are extremely stressful for everyone involved.

The number of questions you prepare will vary based on the number of speakers you have. Generally, the more speakers you have, the fewer questions you will need to fill the time. 

If you really want to be prepared, check the planned attendance (assuming you are using Easy Speak) and assign the members you want to pick to your questions (though you can do this at the meeting). 

2.2. During the Meeting

Some clubs introduce the role of Table Topics Master during the meeting role explanation portion; you will want to be ready for this. Otherwise, after the prepared speakers section, you will be called upon by the Toastmaster. Move to the lectern and give a brief explanation of how the Table Topics segment works (include explanations about time and diversions). 

Before you are called up, you may want to assign members to a question so that when you are at the lectern you do not have to worry about it. Don't let others see your questions, of course!

After being called to the stage, introduce your theme and Table Topics in general (make sure you remind everyone about time limits and that it is perfectly okay to segue away from a question). If your club allows for it, tell guests that they can participate, but you'll show them a few examples from members first. When you are at the lectern, read the question, pause and scan the room for a few seconds, then make your choice as to who will answer it. Lead the applause, hand over control, and sit down. Make a note or two about the response you get for your recap, then when the speaker is finished, take back control, and repeat. Note the time after each table topic to make sure you don't make the meeting run long; ask the timer if you need assistance.

If you are going to allow guests, ask them if they are interested in participating after two Table Topics are completed by members as an example. If they say no, reassure them that this is fine. If they say yes, be sure to give them one of your easy questions.

Keep topic assignments short and to the point. Close with a request for the timer's report, a short summary of the speakers’ names and what question they answered, and a call for a vote for the best Table Topic response (if your club votes for this). After you are finished, hand off control to the Toastmaster.

2.3. After the Meeting

The Table Topics Master does not have much post-meeting work, other than perhaps letting the Secretary know who the best Table Topic winner was and filling in the best Table Topic field in Easy Speak (usually this is handled by others). 

3. Suggestions

• Show up early to get an agenda so you will know who is doing what that day. Give priority to non-participating Toastmasters; the ones without jobs that day. If there are not enough non-participants, then give priority to the Toastmaster and General Evaluator. Evaluators should be avoided as they need this time to formulate their presentations.
  
• Select topics that anyone can speak to and work with the theme. If you can’t think of questions, the Toastmaster may be able to help.
  
• Ask guests if they would like to participate after having a few more experienced members answer a few questions. Make it safe for them to decline. Don’t put them on the spot by calling upon them otherwise. You should instruct guests that if they really want to answer a particular question, they should raise their hand. Otherwise, choose members.
  
• You can vary this by drawing names from a hat, or having each speaker present their own question for the next speaker, or have people write in questions before the meeting starts. This can be a very creative and fun part of the meeting, so use your imagination!