Not many Toastmasters know this, but Toastmasters International is inconsistent on how to time Table Topics. The back of the Competent Communication manual provides instructions for different roles. In the Timer section (page 70 in the edition I have), it says: Generally topic speakers should be more or less 15 seconds of allowed time; prepared speakers must be more...

Toastmasters International has this to say about the Ah Counter: The purpose of the Ah-Counter is to note any word or sound used as a crutch by anyone who speaks during the meeting. Words may be inappropriate interjections, such as and, well, but, so and you know. Sounds may be ah, um or er. You should also note when a speaker repeats a word or phrase such as “I,...

Table Topics: when anyone can have the chance to speak impromptu for 1-2 minutes. It’s fun, it prepares you for job interviews, it helps you learn to give speeches with less preparation and less reliance on scripts, and did I mention it’s fun? (Why are they called “Table Topics” anyway? What kind of name is that?) Table Topics can be the most...

Table Topics can be far and away the most creative part of the meeting! Not just in what the Table Topics speakers say, but what the Topicsmaster comes up with. Look for approaches to Table Topics that have never been tried in your club before. Once in a while, turn common approaches or Table Topics best practices. What if each topic was affected by the previous...

Page 71 of the Competent Communication manual briefly mentions that the general evaluator is responsible for the members of the evaluation team, including the “Table Topics evaluator if your club has one.” This brief allusion to this optional role is practically all Toastmasters International has to say on the matter. It is an official Toastmasters...

For those clubs that choose to vote for Best Speaker, Best Table Topics, etc. there can be some differences from club to club in how this is carried out. Should your club vote for these? Some choose not to, and that’s perfectly fine. However, it provides several advantages. It appeals to people’s competitive spirit and gives them something to shoot...