Topicsmaster

The purpose of Table Topics is to allow club members to practice the art of speaking off-the-cuff. This allows participants to hone both their speaking and thinking skills at the same time. Your role is to facilitate this part of the meeting. It will be successful if you manage to create an encouraging and motivational atmosphere, as giving a Table Topic can be a scary experience in particular for guests and new members. You are normally the first person to offer guests an opportunity to speak in front of the club.

Getting started

• Visit the easy-Speak website to find out if there is a special meeting theme.
• Check the programme for the time allocation for Table Topics (normally 15 or 20 mins) and find out at what time you are supposed to conclude.
• You will need to prepare in advance 10-15 questions. Ideally, these should be somewhat related to the meeting theme, if applicable.
• Ensure you arrive at the meeting 10-15 minutes early to ask all guests whether they want to speak on a Table Topic, introduce themselves or just watch and listen from their seat.
• Initially select participants who do not have meeting roles already assigned to them or who only have smaller roles (refer to the programme). Members with prepared speeches have lowest priority.
• It is important that you know who you will be asking to speak – don’t decide this when you are standing in front of the audience.
• Have any items or props that you will be using organised and ready.
• Sit near the front of the room to allow for smooth transitions between speakers.

During Table Topics

• If there are any guests you can, at this point, very briefly describe how Table Topics work and what their purpose is. The introduction of your role should take no more than 30 seconds.
• Move the lectern well away from the speaking area. If there are remote attendees on Zoom, keep the microphone and pass it on to each speaker so they can clip it to their collar.
• Always state the question first (to get everyone thinking), then call up the speaker and lead the clapping.
• Take your seat in the front row or move well away from the speaker to give them room.
• At the conclusion of each speech thank the speaker. Any brief (!) comments should be positive and lighthearted.
• While Table Topics participants speak, ensure you know the next question and the next speaker.
• Also check the time. Adjust the number of Table Topics so that the meeting continues at the time as per the agenda, even if Table Topics started early or late.
• Keep Table Topics under your control. Don’t just supply a box with paper snippets for self-service.
• At the conclusion of your session thank all the speakers for their efforts, in particular any guests and new members.

Your role is very busy and requires good preparation. If you find it hard to think of sufficiently many questions, you can find inspiration online. In your role, you shape a major part of visitors’ impressions of our club. Being an encouraging Table Topics Master will ensure guests will feel positive after having mastered the challenge you give them and you will thus contribute to both the club’s growth and members’ personal growth.

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