Toastmasters has a tradition-every member speaks at a meeting. The Table Topics session is the portion of the meeting which ensures this tradition. The purpose of this period is to have members "speak on their feet" and speak for two minutes or so. The Topic Master prepares and issues the topics; originality is desirable as much as possible. Each speaker may be given an individual subject or a choice of subjects may be presented from which the members may draw at random.

Prior to the meeting...

• Check with the Toastmaster to see if a theme meeting is scheduled. If so, prepare topics to carry out the theme. If no theme is scheduled, choose a wide selection of topics. Review "The Toastmaster" (monthly magazine) and other publications for ideas. Do not repeat the previous week's Topics ideas or items.
• Find out who the prepared speakers, Evaluators, General Evaluator and Toastmaster are so you can call on the other members first. Only if time permits at the end of the Topics session, should you call on program participants (speakers last).
• When choosing your specific questions: Select ones that will allow the speakers to expound on them, give their opinions, etc.; don't make the questions too long or complicated-phrase them in such a way that the speakers will know clearly what you want them to talk about.
• Keep your comments short. Your job is to give others a chance to speak, not to give a series of mini-talks yourself.
• Remember, Table Topics has a two-fold purpose: First, to give everyone in the room an opportunity to speak-especially those who were not on the program; and second, to get people to learn to "think and speak on their feet".

During the meeting...

• When introduced, briefly state the purpose of the Table Topics session.
• Set the stage for your Topics program. Keep your remarks brief, but enthusiastic. If the club has a "Word of the Day", encourage the speakers to use the word in their response.
• Keep the program rolling; make sure that everyone understands the maximum time that they have for their response and how the timing lights/device works (if the Timer hasn't already done so).
• State the question briefly-then call on a respondent. This serves two purposes: First, it holds everyone's attention-each one is thinking of a response should he or she be called on to speak; and second, it adds to the value of the impromptu element by giving everyone an opportunity to improve his or her "better listening and thinking" skills.
• Call on speakers at random. Avoid going around the room in the order in which people are sitting. Give each participant a different question. Don't ask two people the same thing unless you ask each specifically to give the "pro" or "con" side.
• Watch your total time! heck the printed agenda for the total time allotted to Topics and adjust the number of questions to end your segment on time. Even if your portion started late, try to end on time to avoid the total meeting running overtime.
• At the conclusion of the Table Topics session, request the Timer's report to determine those eligible for the Best Table Topics Speakers Award, if this award is given in your club. Request that the members vote for the best Table Topics Speaker and pass their votes to the Sergeant at Arms. If the club has a Table Topics Evaluator, request his or her report, and then return control of the meeting to the Toastmaster.

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