Confer with Toastmaster and send a short introduction
Prepare a brief introduction to your topic. Keep in mind that your job as Table Topics Master is to create opportunities for all members to speak at every meeting- not for you to make a speech
Prepare 12 short, clear questions (you might not use them all).
Prepare a brief closing remark.
At the meeting:
Check with Toastmaster regarding number of questions to ask. (If there are 4 speeches, you may only have time for 7 questions.)
Read agenda to see who has speaking roles – these should not be called on for Table Topics
Ask guests if they would like to speak.
In the following order, make a list of everyone who is eligible to participate in Tabletopics: First, those in support roles (timer, ballot counter, host/fee collector, Sergeant at Arms), next, members without speaking roles, then guests, and lastly Grammarian/Um Counter, Presiding Officer, and Toastmaster. (These 3 are only to be called on if everyone else has been called on and time permits.)
During the meeting:
Thank Toastmaster and greet the audience
Remind audience that they are to give a 1-2 minute response to questions.
Present your topic and ask each question slowly, clearly, and with sufficient volume
Insure extemporaneous response by inserting the person’s name at the end of the question
Call on people in the order described above.
Presiding Officer or Toastmaster will signal you when there’s only time for one more question.
Make appropriate closing statement.
Return lectern to Toastmaster with a handshake.
After the meeting:
Put your list of Table Topics questions into the briefcase. (We collect these to use just in case the scheduled Topics Leader doesn’t arrive at a meeting.)
