Table topics - what are they and why are they so named? Reading and choosing topics in contests

Glossary
Table Topics - are impromptu speeches on a subject written on a piece of paper.

Contest Topics
In a contest the topics are usually selected at random from several concealed inside a sealed envelope.

In some clubs in England I have seen the topic chosen at the last minute by a visiting VIP, related by phone to somebody who types it out, such as the Sergeant At Arms. In other situations it could be the Area Governor, (maybe this was because we/they discovered at the last minute that nobody had brought the topic, so sometimes it is even written out by hand.

Picking out the topic
In a contest to promote the appearance of fairness where there are several topics the folded piece of paper with the topic written inside may be picked out of the envelope by a visiting VIP. Alternatively it is selected by somebody not competing in the contest such as the Chief Judge?

Reading out the Topic
The topic is read out to the first contestant (who is in the room). The topic is read out by the table topics master or in a contest by the contest chair (person), named table topics because in the early days and occasionally still today the topics written on slips of paper are placed face down on a table.

Where Does The Contestant Stand?
In a recent contest the first contestant was in his seat in the front or second row and the contest chairperson was about to read out the topic. Somebody in the audience called out that the contestant should move to stand at the edge of the stage. (Therefore he would not have the advantage of the extra minute taken to step forward but would be seen to be treated fairly and equally with other contestants brought in to stand just inside the door at the edge of the stage.)

I have been a judge in several contests and in the audience at several more.

Angela Lansbury, BA Hons, CL, ACG speaker.

CL = Competent Leader
ACG = Advanced Communicator Gold

How Should You Dress For A Public Meeting - Smart or Casual?

I usually dress up for speakers' meetings. We often take photos of ourselves or others. Even if not on the programme, you are in the audience in a group photo. You win a table topic. The group wants a group photo. A photo of somebody else, such as a VIP being photographed by a newspaper photographer, shows you in the background.

You might not even notice yourself being photographed. At a meeting somebody might take a selfie of themselves alone or with their family and friends and accidentally catch you on the edge of the picture.

Whenever I forget or decide I'm too busy, or I'll change later in the day, it is a mistake. I end up missing an opportunity to show myself at my best and reflect well on the club.

 I was sitting at home not very smartly dressed at breakfast, nobody to see me I thought, when a member of the family decided to try out the focus on their camera and took some pictures of me. If I'd been wearing a new outfit I could have asked them to keep the photo. I risk them forgetting to delete the photo.

So my new year's resolution, dress every day/meeting right from the moment you get up as if your photo will appear in a national newspaper and online worldwide. Even when you are alone, you could be photographed. Some people tape over the camera on their laptop because hackers can log in remotely and take photos of you - as you scowl at mistakes, yawn, or sit in your dressing gown.

Make sure if you were photographed now, you would show your clothes, posture and smile to reflect well on yourself, those with you, and every organisation with which you are connected.