Table Topics Training

On December 14, 2013 I had the honor of delivering a Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI) session to teach attendees about how to run Table Topics in their clubs. Perhaps my notes of that workshop will be beneficial to others.

I decided to have the attendees themselves do most of the talking. I like to make sessions interactive and engaging. Also, I’m lazy.

I brought a big bowl of candy, a sheet with the list of points I wanted to address, timing signals, and some sample Table Topics supplies.

I explained what I would be doing, and urged people that, although we would show timing signals based on Table Topics times, not to feel any pressure to speak for as long as a minute, encouraging them to be concise so as many people could speak as possible.

First I asked for people to give tips on running Table Topics, selecting volunteers and bringing them up front to speak, rewarding them with candy. I checked points off my list as people brought them up, and sometimes added to what was said.

When the well of volunteers was running dry, I stated each point and asked who would like to discuss it. If necessary, I was prepared to call people out (that I knew were sufficiently experienced to speak on it) or to discuss them myself.

I also asked people for plenty of unusual Table Topics ideas.

We had a few minutes left over, so we did a few Table Topics, using some of the supplies I had brought.

Reviewing the notes from is also helpful before giving a training session.

The list of points is this:

• Introduce the Table Topics segment for guests and new members, clearly explaining why it’s being done, what to do, and the timing signals (even if they were explained earlier in the meeting.)
• How many Table Topics should I prepare? (More than you need, in case some speakers don’t show up. I find 8 to be a good number, but it depends on the club.
• Make sure to use the theme when coming up with your Table Topics. If your club doesn’t regularly have fun themes that can be worked into different meeting roles, have a talk with your VPE.
• Have Table Topics supplies in your club for those times when someone needs to become Topicsmaster on short notice, or when you need many more topics than expected.
• Timing of Table Topics: 1 minute green signal, 1:30 yellow signal, 2 minutes red signal. Disqualified if less than 1 minute or greater than 2:30. Note this is different from every other type of speech; since Table Topics are so short, they have no grace period under the minimum time of 1 minute.
• You can ask for volunteers or call on people, but the TI recommended way is to call on people.
• Guests can do Table Topics and should be encouraged to do so—but don’t pressure them too much. Ask if they’d like to participate.
• There is no hard and fast rule against calling on people with major meeting rules, but try to first call on people with little or no speaking time in the meeting to do Table Topics before (if there’s time) working your way to people who already are getting plenty of stage time in that meeting.
• Start your Table Topics session with an experienced member who can demonstrate how it’s done for guests and new members that may be unsure of what to do.
• Every Table Topics respondent should get a different question (unless you are practicing some unusual kind of Table Topics for that meeting, such as having people talk for or against a topic).
• As Topicsmaster, try to sit near the front of the room, as you will be moving back and forth repeatedly. When a Table Topics respondent is speaking, please return to your seat or sit somewhere out of the way, but do not sit behind the speaker.
• Don’t plan your Table Topics session by how many Topics you will give, but by when you need to finish. Depending on the meeting up to that point and your Table Topics participants, you might give more or fewer than you anticipated. Be sure of what time the Table Topics session needs to conclude by.
• Table Topics should come after prepared speeches.
• The Topicsmaster should call for a Timer’s report and vote. It’s helpful to repeat the names of the participants and a brief note of what they spoke on, to help jog memories as people are voting.
• Consider evaluating Table Topics.
• Consider evaluating the Topicsmaster: there’s a space for that on the ballot sheet, and the General Evaluator should add constructive comments to their general evaluation on how the Table Topics session was run.
• Consider holding a special Table Topics meeting once in a while, with special training on speaking impromptu.