Notes for the Topic Master

As the Topic Master, you should describe Table Topics to the audience
if it hasn't already been described by the Toastmaster. Assume that
there is someone new out there (there probably will be).

The purpose of Table Topics is to give us practice making impromptu
speeches. These speeches should be 1-2 minutes long (and we get a
30-second grace period after two minutes is up). The questions/topics
should not require specialized knowledge to answer--we want people to
look good, not to be stumped.

Most of the time, the questions or topics are all about some theme.
This is not a requirement, but it may make it easier for you to come up
with questions.

Once you explain what you are going to do, then you are ready to start
asking questions. You should ask a question and then call on a person.
Don't call on a person first--we want everyone in the audience to be
ready to answer. For the first question or two, call on experienced
people. After that mix it up between experienced and new people. The
new people have the opportunity to pass; experienced people should not
pass.

Please keep the questions fairly brief so that the people answering
questions say more than you do.

You should have 10-15 questions ready to go.

Table Topics gives people who aren't playing major meeting roles a
chance to speak. Therefore, you should only call on people who have
major roles after every one else has answered a table topic question.
Specifically, you should not call upon the prepared speakers or the
Toastmaster until everyone else has spoken.