Chatswood Early Risers
Toastmasters Club

Great Meetings

Table Topics Master

Table Topics is all about impromptu speaking, or thinking on your feet.

Your primary goal as Table Topics Master is to give speaking opportunities to those with no assigned duties, or those meeting roles with a minimal speaking component such as timer, or chairman. Try and involve the visitors by asking if they would like to participate, but involve them towards the end after they have seen other members in action. Avoid asking the speakers and evaluators as they will be speaking later in the meeting.

At the beginning of your presentation, explain the purpose of table topics and introduce your theme. State the time limit is one minute, and instruct the timer to turn on the red light at this time. Keep the introduction to each assignment brief and allow the speaker to use their imagination and creativity.

We ask everyone present to vote on their favourite table topic, and votes are passed to the chairman who awards the Yak Yak award for the meeting.

When you give the topic assignment, leave the person's name to the end, so every member listens carefully and thinks how they would respond.

What to choose for the subject of table topics? Each meeting has a theme, so refer to the calendar then devise your topics accordingly.

Feel free to send your comments and suggestions on this page to Charles Cave. I want these pages to record the combined experience of members.