GUIDELINES FOR TABLE TOPICS MASTER (TTM)

1) The Toastmasters program has a tradition-every member speaks at the meeting

2) The Table Topics session seeks to achieve this tradition.
3) The purpose of this session is to have members “think on their feet” and speak for 1 to
2 minutes.
4) The TTM prepares and issues the topics; originality is desirable as much as possible.
5) Each speaker may be given an individual subject or a choice of subjects may be
presented, from which the members can draw at random. It is best to keep topics
simple so audience can grasp them easily

PRIOR TO THE MEETING

1) Check with the VPE to find out if there is a special theme for the meeting. If so,
prepare topics to carry out the theme. If no theme is scheduled, choose a wide
selection of topics. Do not repeat the previous week’s table topics ideas or items.
2) Prepare about 10 topics/questions. You have 20 minutes for your session. Normally,
this will allow 7 to 8 speakers. To add value to the impromptu element, put
topics/questions in envelopes. After reading out the topic/question, pass the slip of
paper with the topic/question to the speaker.
3) Arrange for the Toastmaster sitting near the board to write the names of toastmasters
participating in the Table Topics on the board. Pick someone who is familiar with
club members.
4) Make a note of where people are sitting in the room. Refrain from calling program
participants. Call on the other members.
5) When choosing your topic, select ones that will inspire the speakers to expound on
them, give their opinions, etc. Do not make the topics/questions too long or
complicated. Phrase them in such a way that the speaker will clearly understand what
you want them to talk about.
6) Keep your comments short. Your job is to give others a chance to speak, not to give a
series of mini-talks yourself.
7) Remember, table topics has a twofold purpose. First, to give people, attending the
meeting, an opportunity to speak and, second, to get people to learn to “think and
speak on their feet.”

DURING THE MEETING

1) When introduced, walk confidently to the lectern and shake the hands of the
Toastmaster of the Evening.
2) After greeting the audience, briefly state the purpose of the Table Topics session.
3) Set the stage for your topics program. Keep your remarks brief but enthusiastic. If the
Language Evaluator has introduced the Word of the Day, encourage speakers to use
the word in their response.
4) Keep the program rolling. Read out the timing. eg “ For every speaker, the time is 1 to
2 minutes. At 1 minute, the green light will be flashed; at 1 ½ minutes, the amber
 light will be flashed; at 2 minutes, the red light will be flashed. You have 30 seconds
to round up your speech, upon which the bell will be sounded.”
5) Call on the speakers at random. Remember- refrain from calling program participants.
Avoid going round the room in the order in which people are sitting. You may also
ask people to volunteer eg “ Do we have any volunteers? If not , I shall volunteer
you.” If no volunteers. quickly call on a speaker eg “ May I invite TM Robin Tan.”
(try to prepare some targets to call on before your segment so you won’t be stumbling
for names at the lectern). After shaking hands with the Speaker, leave the lectern and
take your seat. When the Speaker has ended his speech and hand the lectern back to
you, walk to the lectern and shake the Speaker’s hands.
6) Keep an eye on the time to ensure that you end your session on time. Even if your
session started late, try to end on time to avoid the total meeting running overtime.
7) At the end of the session, ask the Timer to report those eligible for the vote.
8) Ask the audience to vote for the “Best Table Topics Speaker”. You may say “ Fellow
Toastmasters and Guests… you’ve heard… X number of speakers who have bravely
come forward and spoke for 2 minutes. Now, would you please tear off the first
segment of the white slip of paper on your table and vote for the best speaker. Judging
criteria would be : Approach, organization of contents, delivery, language and overall
style. The SAA will go around to collect your voting slips..
9) To conclude your session, you may say..”Thank you, Toastmasters and Friends for
your attention and participation. I shall now hand the lectern to the Toastmaster of
the Evening.” Wait at the lectern for the Toastmaster of the Evening (TME), extend
your hand to the TME, shake his, then walk off confidently.

GREETING DURING CHAPTER MEETING (check with VPE or Pres if not sure about
who’s who at the meeting)

“Mdm President, Area Governor, Honoured Guests, Fellow Toastmasters….”

If we have another guest more senior than Area Governor, then use:

“Mdm President, District Governor, Area Governor, Honoured Guests, fellow

Toastmasters….”

If we have a number of guests from Area and District, then use:

“Mdm President, District Officers (a general salutation), Honoured Guests, Fellow

Toastmasters…”

JUST REMEMBER… YOU MUST WAIT FOR EACH SPEAKER TO COME UP TO

YOU, SHAKE YOUR HAND, BEFORE YOU CAN WALK AWAY. DO NOT LEAVE
THE LECTERN VACANT.

REMEMBER TO THANK EACH SPEAKER AFTER THEY HAVE MADE THEIR

SPEECH.
Good luck and enjoy the evenng.
25(1)July05