Great table topics idea – an awards meeting!

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Table Topics Idea
This week’s table topics idea simulates speaking in front of potentially large audiences and making an appropriate speech without much preparation.  Active members of Toastmasters clubs are likely to be in this scenario before they know it, and should start preparing today!  It’s also an opportunity to have some fun with it, and maybe not be so humble in accepting an award 🙂

Instructions

During this table topics session, the table topics master transforms the club meeting into an awards ceremony.  It’s up to that person to set the tone, and each participant will be called up as the winner of one of the following awards to give a brief acceptance speech. Topics are below and replace the text in angled brackets to be locale specific:

Coveted <toastmasters_club> “Excellence in Club Attendance” Award

“Radio Listener of the Year”, for your excellent selection of radio programming

Employee of the Month

Prestigious Presidential Award for your ideas on fixing the economy.

“TV Viewer of the Year”, for your excellent selection of television programs

<toastmasters_club> Award of culinary excellence for your cooking talent.

2^nd place finish in a beauty pageant

According to “THE TOASTMASTER” December 2006 Issue on page 14, “… beauty contest winners are asked to appear at public functions and speak, not wear their swimsuits”.

“<your_city> Person of the Week” for everything you do for the community.

“Safe Driver Award” for your excellence in operating a motor vehicle.

“Best Dressed <your_club> 2009” for the style you bring to each club meeting.

“American of the Year” for your big spending that stimulates the economy.

<your_club> “Least likely to say um, uh, so, or you know Award” for your excellent speaking abilities.

“Achievement Award” for most improved personal hygiene.

“Travel+Leisure’s Best Vacations Award” for your summer vacation choices.

“Realtor’s Choice Award” for picking an excellent location to live in <your_city>.

This table topics was was a lot of fun for RDU Toastmasters  and you get a lot of creative acceptance speeches.  One  memorable topic was Sue’s acceptance speech for winning second place in a beauty contest where she did a great impression.  If you try it, we would love to hear how it went.

How RDU Toastmasters helped land a new job

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Contribution by current VP of Public Relations

RDU Toastmasters has prepared its members to remain competitive in a challenging and uncertain job market.  To illustrate one example, I was called in for an interview out of 1000 candidates because the Human Resources Coordinator was also a member of Toastmasters; and decided to read the resume!  If you’re seeking employment, I encourage you to join a club during your job search to maintain your communication skills and network with existing members.  The VP of Public Relations conducted the interview below with a current member to find out how being a member of RDU Toastmasters helped land a new career with Cisco Systems.

How did Toastmaster prepare you for the job interview?

In general, I have grown more confident speaking in front of people and that showed through in the interviews. Also, the table topics rounds really do help thinking on your feet and sounding intelligent when formulating an answer.

Is your participation in Toastmasters listed on your resume, and were you asked about it during the hiring process?

Toastmasters is listed in my resume. I wasn’t asked about it directly, but I did bring it up as part of my self-improvement efforts as well as how I have learned to make presentations.

How will effective communication skills help you succeed in your new role?

I have to do presentations on technical topics to audiences not necessarily in my field, as well as conduct meetings sounding confident at all times. Most of the communication is done via phone, so I really need to work on my vocal variety and projecting my voice.

What advice do you have for others seeking employment in today’s market?

You really have to do your homework. Not just on the company, but on the people who will be interviewing you, and the general interviewing style of the company. Most of that information is available online. Practice answering behavioral type questions such as “how do you work with difficult people?” and be prepared to give examples. This is where the Toastmasters table topics really come in handy.