table topics Archives -

We will gather on November 12^th from 6-8:15pm (gavel drop at 6:30pm as normal) at DiMille’s outside on their patio (https://dimilles.com/) for our first ever, TABLE TOPICS MANIA NIGHT AT DIMILLE’S!

That’s right! For the first time since March, we’re going to gather together to eat pizza, have drinks, and bond (…James Bond…sorry, couldn’t resist). The pizza is on us, you’ll just need to purchase your own drinks.

This will be for members only to ensure that as many of us are able to get together as possible. We will open it up to others if we have room closer to the event. If you haven’t registered with the link below and you show up, we may have to turn you away (which will be awkward…my stomach hurts just thinking about it).

There is only one requirement (in addition to mask wearing and physical distancing), the number of people is limited to 20 so we are asking everyone to register at https://tinyurl.com/sd7pizza to reserve your spot.

For those who are new, this is a great opportunity to meet us in person and DiMille’s is practically an honorary member. Because it is close to our usual meeting space, it’s become the place that we gather before and after meetings to have dinner, drinks, and conversations. It’s a place where mentor/mentee matches have been made, awards have been given, and where we’ve encouraged each other’s goals.

Frankly, in order to guarantee my spot, I registered before I wrote this and I can’t wait to see 19 of my fellow club members and meet new members.

Stay safe!

Chris Hammell, DTM

When you attend a couple of Toastmasters 7 meetings, you will recognize how the meeting is divided into three main sections – Table Topics, Prepared Speeches, and Evaluations. A week ago, Salam Alchi, a seasoned Toastmaster who recently joined our club was the Table Topics Master (TT Master) and his explanation for the purpose of Table Topics was on point:

sdtm7

“The purpose of Table Topics is to help us sharpen our skills in impromptu speaking. Our goal is not just to simply speak for one minute and provide an answer to the question. Rather, it is to perform a miniature well-organized 1 to 2 minute speech addressing the question concisely and articulately.

The response should be given with purpose, whether to teach, inspire, confound, or amuse the audience. Tying the response to the theme is an added bonus.

The reason we are here is to hold space for each other to improve. The most crucial part of Table Topics is to do your best and have fun. Our inner critic is often the harshest one.

As the TT master, I believe it’s important to set up the participants for success by asking thought provoking and understandable questions. This provides participants a better opportunity to develop confidence and improve.”

Salam’s approach, which is a good example on how to conduct a Table Topics session, was to ask the question first then call on a member. This allows everyone to digest the question and start thinking about on how to answer it appropriately. Typically, the TT Master would call on a few members, then give an opportunity for guests to participate.

Here are some of the thought-provoking questions crafted by Salam surrounding the theme and Word of the Week: Satisfaction.

What does it mean to be satisfied?
What should be the goal of humanity?
Is suffering a necessary part of pleasure or satisfaction? Why?
How would you define genius?

If you’d like to take a stab at these questions and share it with us, write in the comment section below! And if this is something that you’re interested in participating, you’re welcome to attend our meetings as a guest. Check out our Meeting Info page for location and time.

About Salam Alchi:

Salam was born in Baghdad in 1988 and immigrated to the US in 1993. His passion in life is to study and understand the nature of our existence, both individually and collectively. When ready, he will apply what he has learned for the betterment of his family, peers, and environment. “

Oct, 2020

Table-Topics-Mania Night at DiMille’s

The purpose of Table Topics

The response should be given with purpose, whether to teach, inspire, confound, or amuse the audience. Tying the response to the theme is an added bonus.

The reason we are here is to hold space for each other to improve. The most crucial part of Table Topics is to do your best and have fun. Our inner critic is often the harshest one.

As the TT master, I believe it’s important to set up the participants for success by asking thought provoking and understandable questions. This provides participants a better opportunity to develop confidence and improve.”

What does it mean to be satisfied?

What should be the goal of humanity?

Is suffering a necessary part of pleasure or satisfaction? Why?

How would you define genius?

About Salam Alchi:

Salam was born in Baghdad in 1988 and immigrated to the US in 1993. His passion in life is to study and understand the nature of our existence, both individually and collectively. When ready, he will apply what he has learned for the betterment of his family, peers, and environment. “

As above, so below, as within, so without, as the universe, so the soul…” – Hermes Trismegistus

Tag Archives: table topics

Oct, 2020

The response should be given with purpose, whether to teach, inspire, confound, or amuse the audience. Tying the response to the theme is an added bonus.

The reason we are here is to hold space for each other to improve. The most crucial part of Table Topics is to do your best and have fun. Our inner critic is often the harshest one.

As the TT master, I believe it’s important to set up the participants for success by asking thought provoking and understandable questions. This provides participants a better opportunity to develop confidence and improve.”

What does it mean to be satisfied?

What should be the goal of humanity?

Is suffering a necessary part of pleasure or satisfaction? Why?

How would you define genius?

About Salam Alchi:

Salam was born in Baghdad in 1988 and immigrated to the US in 1993. His passion in life is to study and understand the nature of our existence, both individually and collectively. When ready, he will apply what he has learned for the betterment of his family, peers, and environment. “

As above, so below, as within, so without, as the universe, so the soul…” – Hermes Trismegistus