The Table Topicsmaster Role

Guest, Michelle, receives the "best table topics" ribbon

Guest, Michelle, receives the “best table topics” ribbon

At Seattle Sunrise Toastmasters, we believe it is important that every member speaks at a meeting.  The Table Topicsmaster ensures this by asking members with minor or non-speaking roles to speak for about a minute on a topic.

Prior to the meeting

  1. Check with the Toastmaster to determine the meeting’s theme.
  2. Prepare a list of questions (6-8 is usually sufficient).  Don’t make the questions long or complicated.

At the meeting

  1. Write-down the name of everyone at the meeting.
  2. Cross-off all members who are scheduled as Toastmaster, Speaker, Evaluator, or General Evaluator.
  3. The remaining members should be  presented a question.

During the meeting

  1. Briefly state the purpose of table topics.
  2. State the maximum time allowed for a response (60 seconds).
  3. State a question, then call on a respondent.  Start with more experienced members before calling on newer members.
  4. If there are guests present, state a question, then call on the guest by asking them if they would like to try the question.
  5. Conclude table topics by the time stated on the agenda.  This will prevent the meeting from running overtime.

The Toastmaster will ask members to vote on the best table topics response.