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Table Topics Master - Roles and Responsibilities

 

Per the definition of the role by Toastmasters International: The Topicsmaster delivers the Table Topics portion of the meeting, which helps train members to quickly organize and express their thoughts in an impromptu setting. As Topicsmaster, you:

 

  • Select topics in advance of the meeting that allow speakers to offer opinions.

  • Give members who aren't assigned a speaking role the opportunity to speak during the meeting by assigning impromptu talks on non-specialized themes or topics.

  • Don't ask two people the same thing unless you specify that it is to generate opposing viewpoints.

  • In clubs presenting a Best Table Topics speaker award, ask members to vote for the best Table Topics speaker.

Bring the following to the meeting:

 

 

Before the meeting:

 

  • Select the theme for the meeting and inform Toastmaster for the week at least one week in advance. 

  • Make sure that the toastmaster updates the theme in Easy-Speak.  The Grammarian will identify the 'Word of the Day' based on the theme selected by you.

  • Prepare min 3 questions. Keep couple of additional questions handy to use when there is extra time available during the meeting.

  • Click here or search internet to get some amazing ideas for wonderful table topics.  Table topics is one of the most fun filled section in the entire meeting and try your level best to make it entertaining and at the same time, meaningful.

  • If you see that there are guests attending the meeting, talk to them in advance and let them know that there is a section where they can also participate and check if anybody is interested.  Do assure them that you will have some team members show how it works before they being called.

During the meeting:

 

  • Explain your role at the beginning of the meeting when called upon to do by the Toastmaster.  Use the standard roles and responsibility sheet available in the club for this purpose.

  • Explain the rules for Table Topics speeches before you start with the questionnaire.

    • Min duration is 1 minute

    • Speakers can go up to 2 minutes with 30 more seconds grace period.  

    • Green Flag on 1 Minute, Yellow Flag on 1:30 Minutes, Red Flag on 2 Minutes.  Disqualified after 2:30 minutes.

    • The table topics speaker need to use the 'Word of the Day' to qualify for voting.

  • It is recommended to start with a club member so that guests also can see how it works.

  • Select club members who are not handling any speaking roles on that day.  Check the agenda and have them identified in advance.

  • For the 2nd and 3rd speech, you can always invite a guest to speak.

  • Request for Timer Report and Grammarian Report to verify who are qualified for voting.

  • Call for voting with only those who were qualified.

  • Hand over the meeting to Toastmaster

Note: If there are any edits, share your inputs to VP of Education.

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