Lambs to Lions' 5th Anniversary

Meeting Prep Series: Table Topics Master

What is a Table-Topics Master?

As Table Topics Master, you preside over the Table Topics segment which is basically the impromptu speaking session. This is the time when members of the audience, who don't have a meeting role, can come forward and speak on a given topic for 1-2 minutes.

You, as the Table Topics Master, decide on an overall theme and choose questions based upon that theme.

Do I have to get my CL manual filled?

Yes. In your CL manual, you can get your performance evaluated under the title of TopicsMaster

Projects that have a TopicsMaster section are: Project 4 (Time Management), Project 5 (Planning and Implementation), and Project 7 (Facilitation)

Who evaluates me?

Before the meeting starts, hand your CL manual to the VP of Education who will find you an evaluator. Or you can directly ask any club member in the audience to evaluate your performance.

What does the Table Topics Master do?

Before the Meeting

 

1. Ask the Vice President of Education how much time is allotted to the Table Topics segment in the upcoming meeting.

 

2. Choose a theme for the session.

 

3. Prepare at least 6 to 7 questions, although you may only have time for 4 or 5 questions. Make questions concise and easy to understand.

 

4. Prepare props or any other materials you plan to use.

On the Meeting day

 

1. After all the speech evaluations are completed, the General Evaluator(GE) will call you to the front. When you reach the front of the room, thank and shake hands with the GE. Turn to the audience and give a brief 2-3 minute description of Table Topics- it's benefits and importance.

 

2. Explain how the Table Topics will proceed by talking about: rules for the table topics, time durations for the speakers, whether speakers can volunteer or have to be chosen, etc. - whatever you feel the audience needs to know so that they can participate.

 

3. Ask the questions. You can also give an example of how to answer, if you think that will put the audience more at ease.

4. Ask for volunteers. Or call up specific members of the audience. Check the Agenda and, preferably, call on members who have no other speaking role or else have minor speaking roles only. You can even call on guests who look at ease.

5. Check with the meeting Timer to ensure that you are on schedule with the Agenda.

6. At the end of your Table Topics session, thank all the speakers for their participation.

Some Tips

1. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you are unsure about your role. Talk to the club executives or other club members about their own experiences.

2. Be positive.

3. Avoid long and detailed questions that will only confuse the Speaker.

4. If no one is volunteering, try to ask the audience members who haven't had a chance to speak in the meeting so far.

5. Check your CL manual. Each project has a different set of requirements for completion that will help you better prepare for your role.

 

Speak Outside Your Club

If you are unable to schedule a prepared speech because your club's meeting agendas are full, then maybe you need to become a target speaker.

As a target speaker, you will give a prepared speech at another club- either at a contest like speech evaluation or just as a regular guest speaker during a meeting.

What are the benefits of being a Target Speaker?

• You experience speaking in front of different audiences and in different environments.
• You learn to be calm and comfortable in dealing with different situations.
• If you're a target speaker in an evaluation contest, you get multiple speech evaluations.
• You meet new people, network and broaden your circle of acquaintances.

How do you become a Target Speaker?

• Tell your Club Executives of your interest in speaking in outside clubs. They usually get requests for speakers.
• Some clubs advertise their need for a target speaker on places like facebook. You can usually find some requests on the District 86 facebook page.
• Directly contact a club that you can visit easily and ask if they have any open speaking positions that you can fill in for.

Let's Watch, Learn and be Inspired

 

World Champion of Public Speaking 2015

Mohammed Qahtani, "The Power of Words."