Being the Table Topics Master 

Prep for the role of Table Topics Master

BEFORE THE MEETING

Create questions around the theme of the meeting. If you don't know the theme, contact the VPE or the Toastmaster for the evening.

Most of your questions should be easy and open-ended.   

• People of all levels of speaking ability should be able to answer the questions.
• The questions should allow for creativity and long answers.  If you have a “What” question it’s helpful to add “And why?” (e.g. ‘what’s your favorite color and why?’).
• Questions can prompt people to open up but not be too sensitive.

Prepare around 10 questions.  You may not use them all but it is better to have them. 

In the script, you give an example of a good answer.  You can also create your own example of a table topics question and an answer.  This lets you keep to the theme. 

DURING THE MEETING

Before the meeting starts, create your list of people to call on:

• Look through the agenda. Compare it to people around the room and make a list of all the members without roles - these will be the first people you call on. 
• Get the list of members who ask to be called even if they have a role. Chose 2 or 3 who have not been called on in recent meetings.  If your list is short and there are not that many guests, add more from this list.  Add these members to your list of people to call on for this meeting’s Table Topics.
• Get the sign-in sheet for guests.  You should see on there the people who do not want to be called. Add everyone else from the guest list to your list of people to call on.

How many questions to ask

It depends on how much time we have spent in the meeting up to that point.  You should aim to ask questions up to the end time for table topics on the meeting agenda.  You can also the TMOE / VPE / President if there is time for additional questions.

Go over the sequence for a question

• Ask the question to those in attendance (before selecting someone to respond).
• Once the respondent arrives at the lectern, repeat the question.
• Introduce the respondent to the audience, encouraging the meeting members to applaud.
• The respondent then answers the question.

Above all

This is often one of the most fun parts of the meeting and you get to lead it!  Have fun being Table Topics Master for the evening and making it a great meeting for our members and guests!