When your the Tabletopics Master!

Title of Speech: Back to the Basics: When you are the Table Topics Master!
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(Opening: To capture the audience's attention).

Fellow Toastmasters (TM) and guest. I wish to review the points necessary for being a good Tabletopics Master (TT) during our Toastmaster meetings. After the speeches are given comes the time in the meeting when the table topics are presented.
This time serves several purposes:
· It allows time for the evaluators to fill out their evaluations and prepare to deliver the evaluation which is in itself a speech.
· It allows us to hone our skills in speaking “off the cuff”.
· It is also entertaining!

In my presentation, I will talk about the table topics role by breaking it down into several parts;
· Preparation 1
· Preparation 2
· Presentation
· Closing.

(Body: Points to support the Opening)

· Preparation 1 Before the meeting, Coming up with the questions. I have said many times in TMs that whenever I am the Tabletopics Master, I take a blank sheet of paper and I write across the top, News, Weather and Sports. I also write “Seasonal”, “I remember” and “If only I could…” These topics and headings give me the inspiration to come up with the questions. I usually prepare 8 to 10 questions for our meetings. Write open ended questions.

· Preparation 2 Immediately prior to the meeting, During the beginning of our meeting, I note who is speaking and who is evaluating. Since evaluators are off limits for questions (as they are busy preparing the evaluations) and speakers have had one opportunity during the meeting already, everyone else is fair game, perhaps including the guest. Guests are tricking! Some may not want to be called on yet, others may enjoy the challenge. My rule is never to call on a guest unless I know the experience will not scare them away from Toastmasters. Remember, table topics are scary for seasoned TMs. One other key preparation step is to make sure you select folks without a job first to get the broadest participation by those present.


· Presentation; asking the questions. Once asked to the lectern, the Tabletopics Master (TT)’s job is to introduce the question, the subject, etc. and solicit an answer, opinion or response. The key for me is to always introduce the question and then look the “victim” in the eyes and call out their name. As participants answer the question, listen to their answer and lead the applause once they are finished. Avoid facial expressions which are negative should you disagree to the answer of a political question. You are not to judge the answer, just solicit it and encourage the participant.

· Closing the Tabletopics. Cut off the questions promptly at the designated time [it’s 7:45 for my TM club (if 3 speakers are on the schedule)] or as directed by the TM of the day. You don’t need to use all your questions and you want to leave time for the rest of the meeting so we can end without feeling rushed out of the room. Call for a timer’s report. That is part of your job as well. After the timer’s report, ask members and guest to vote for the best Table Topic participant. Now turn the lectern back over to the TM of the Day.




(Conclusion, summary of points)

To fulfill the role of table topics master takes:

· Preparation in composing the questions and deciding whom to ask the questions
· Presentation, introducing the subjects, calling on participants and leading the applause once they are finished.
· Calling for the timer’s report and soliciting the votes.
· Turning the lectern back over to the TM of the day.
· Being called on for table topics is the most dreaded tasks even of seasoned Toastmasters (TMs). This is probably because it is the hardest to master. We don’t improve by accident, we improve on purpose. When you are called on to be the Table topics master, remember you are in a sense leading a discussion, a discussion designed to improve the audience.