Club
Role - Table Topics Master
The purpose
of table topics is to help members become experienced in thinking
and speaking on their feet and in handling interjections. The standard
time is 1 to 2 minutes per speaker, however this can be extended
or reduced depending on the circumstances. A shorter time gives
a greater number of participants a chance to participate.
Before the meeting,
the Table Topics Master prepares a series of topics based on a theme.
Any subject can used, from giving a single word such "Blue"
to headlines from newspapers, titles from records / books, etc.
to general issues or situations. Check with the Chairman if there
is a special theme for the day which you can incorporate into the
table topics. Use short or simply stated topic - this makes it easier
for participants to remember.
Check the agenda
for the meeting and from the programme you have and make a note
of who is NOT speaking or evaluating. These are the people you should
call on. The objective is to get everyone at the meeting participating.
A copy of the programme can assist to remember members' names.
Give the Table
Topics Evaluator a written list of the topics with space to put
Commendation Recommendation and Commendation for each speaker name.
In presenting
the Table Topics session, give a short introduction of the purpose
and any theme and announce any specific challenges you would like
speakers to accept e.g. making noises or use very descriptive words
body language, facial expressions etc. Keep this simple as a combination
of meeting a theme, grammarian's challenge, table topics challenge,
speaking on a topic and thinking what to say can overwhelm a speaker.
Then call up each speaker in turn, announcing the speaker and the
topic.
Select a strong
speaker for the first topic as this will set the standard for the
rest of the session. It is suggested that the Table
Topics Master sits near the front of the room to reduce the transition
time between speakers. Also remind the participants of the challenge
for the day if the challenge is not being attempted or appears to
have been forgotten.
Top
|
