At Cambridge Speakers’ Club last night, part of Toastmasters’ International, I performed the role of Table Topics Master for the first time.
This meant I had to select a topic and provide a series of questions on that theme for members. It is very challenging for them, they have to think and speak on their feet for up two minutes and include the word of the day, which was “fathomless”. It is considered by some to be the most terrifying part of the evening as they are totally unprepared, they have no idea what question is going to be thrown at them.
My topic was the gripping American presidential election campaign. I asked speakers to imagine they were a candidate on a soapbox and had to persuade the public to vote for them. I asked them to outline their policies on different issues, and I phrased the questions so no expert knowledge was required.
It went really well, everyone rose to the challenge, and I wondered if you might want to answer some of the questions too. I also included some lighthearted ones to keep the proceedings entertaining. Here goes:
1. What would you propose to help working mothers get a better deal?
2. Very few young people vote in elections, how would you encourage them to become more interested and active in politics?
3. The elderly complain they have been neglected by successive governments, what kind of help would you give them?
4. Many groups have expressed concern about the lack of respect from today’s young people, what are your views on this, what would you suggest?
5. You are championing climate change, what are your proposed polices for this, how will you encourage the public to support them?
6. Some voters complain that space exploration is a waste of money, that the money should be spent on health or education instead. What do you think, would you like to see space travel continue?
7. Some children feel their views are ignored and would like a minimum figure set for compulsory pocket money. Do you support this idea and, if so, what amount would you suggest?
8. You want to initiate a new Ministerial role, a Minister of Fun, as you believe there are too many miserable people in the country. What kind of fun – and please keep it clean – would you like this Minister to introduce to make the public happier?
9. It’s now neck and neck in the last primary, the final decision rests on this last nail biting count. Please explain simply what your three top priorities would be if you were elected President of the United States.
10. Congratulations, you are now President of the United States, what will your first action be, and why?
*I wonder if Jeremy Jacobs has used this topic at his Toastmasters.
5. First step is to wear an I Love Al Gore badge.
To most of the questions spending more on education may well be the answer; particularly so to question ten…
Oh Lord, I hate that sort of thing! I prefer to give what I am going to say a lot of thought (lectures, wedding speeches, etc.). I might have had a go at the climate change topic, but even then I would like to have a few moments to organise my thoughts! LOL!
Well done Ellee. I’m surprised you didn’t ask them which regime was top of their list to change.
Hi Ellee – it was a great TT session.
For readers who weren’t there, I was amazed how well the speakers rose to the topic with their off-the-cuff ideas and how they built on each others’ campaigns. Everyone was brave in having a go – and that’s how your build your confidence. Giving it a go & then learning for the next time…
Wonder if Maalie is tempted to try it?
Kate
You do do a lot of fun stuff don’t you? Do you get paid or is it a kind of hobby?
1. Fewer taxes
2. Make voting compulsory as in Australia
3. Fewer taxes
4. Better education and treat them like young adults (if possible)
5. I won’t have any policies on this, I don’t subscribe to the erroneous theories thrown at us by well paid intergovernmental researchers.
6. Spend more, and set up an inhabitable penal colony on the moon.
7. £1 per week and get a part time job in a Corner Shop.
8. I’m an MP get me out of here!
9. Get the troops back home, reduce taxes,control government spending.
10. Take an afternoon nap, it’s been a long year!
With number 9 it would be no income tax for four years.
Sounds like you did brilliantly, Ellee.
1. Nothing. Help the single instead!
2. Don’t listen to politicians: read, observe and make up your own mind.
3. No means testing.
4. Respect has to be earned.
5. Sorry, not interested. Fed up with being lectured on environmental issues by people who have several cars.
6. It was only ever developed as a possible war strategy.
7. Pocket money means different things to different people. Some parents don’t give any but buy their offspring cars and stuff.
8. Let’s all get back to tiddlywinks and make the world a better place!
9. Stop Iraq bloodshed: outlaw racist groups; stop empire-building.
10. I think I’d employ someone to check that I could speak English properly!
I’ll bet you were glad to be the handing out topic end instead of the receiving end. I would be hopeless as I like to have a lot of time to prepare.
I like some of your commenters off the cuff answers
Mutley, I think you would enjoy Toastmasters, why not give it a try. Thanks everyone for your great answers. I like the idea of playing tiddlywinks Welshcakes. I love board games.
“2. Make voting compulsory as in Australia”
Having spent a bit of time in Oz, I’m confident in saying that the youngsters there are no more interested in politics than they are in the UK… and the compulsion to vote is basically seen as a bad joke.
Hi Ellee,
Having made me President of the United States for my first talk at Toastmasters was a great experience. I since signed up to become a member and look forward to the next meeting.
Hi Ellee,
Having made me President of the United States for my first talk at Toastmasters was a great experience. I’ve since signed up to become a member and look forward to the next meeting.
1. What would you propose to help working mothers get a better deal?
ANSWER: Smarter husbands
2. Very few young people vote in elections, how would you encourage them to become more interested and active in politics?
ANSWER: Gunpoint. But otherwise great; it’s unhealthy for young people to be interested or active in politics. In this country they’d all vote Labour anyway.
3. The elderly complain they have been neglected by successive governments, what kind of help would you give them?
ANSWER: I’d put many of them in charge. They have such wisdom and experience. Why are we so youth obsessed in politics and media ?
4. Many groups have expressed concern about the lack of respect from today’s young people, what are your views on this, what would you suggest?
ANSWER: I agree. Many are outrageously rude. Scrap the Human Rights laws and dust off that rod of iron forthwith.
5. You are championing climate change, what are your proposed polices for this, how will you encourage the public to support them?
ANSWER: I would never champion climate change. I quite like the weather as it is, thank you.
6. Some voters complain that space exploration is a waste of money, that the money should be spent on health or education instead. What do you think, would you like to see space travel continue?
ANSWER: These objectors ignore the spin-offs that space research has given us. Also staking a place at the forefront of human endeavour ensures that we keep striving to be a technologically advanced nation.
7. Some children feel their views are ignored and would like a minimum figure set for compulsory pocket money. Do you support this idea and, if so, what amount would you suggest?
ANSWER: What cheek ! Their over inflated opinions of themselves and their entitlements helps to answer question 4.
8. You want to initiate a new Ministerial role, a Minister of Fun, as you believe there are too many miserable people in the country. What kind of fun – and please keep it clean – would you like this Minister to introduce to make the public happier?
ANSWER: A main source of misery is the amount of ministries we now have. All very Orwellian and ‘Minister of Fun’ sounds as creepy as a circus clown. Cut the number of politicians by 50% – that would cheer people up no end.
9. It’s now neck and neck in the last primary, the final decision rests on this last nail biting count. Please explain simply what your three top priorities would be if you were elected President of the United States.
ANSWER: America, America, America. My own country’s interests above anyone else’s.
10. Congratulations, you are now President of the United States, what will your first action be, and why?
ANSWER: Claim asylum – I have no visa or other right to be in the USA.
Kevin, where are these “smart husbands”?
And Steve, I shall always call you Mr President from now on. You did brilliantly and I look forward to hearing you speak again.
[…] Just imagine you are President of the United States… […]
Hi Ellee,
I came across your blog via Jeremy Jacobs. Sounds like an interesting TT session. As a Birt I wouldn’t be eligible to become President of the US. Now, British PM is a different thing…
I’d probably ban the use of MP3 players on public transport. Reduce the expansion of the congestion charge. Tax the big money people and then plow that money into nursing, teaching, the police, the fire service and the London transport system so everyone can have free travel.
Hmm, maybe a little bit too radical.
Just my 2 pence worth
Cheers,
Jason
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