Our first thoughts on program variety usually involve changing the whole meeting; however, adding variety can also be achieved by applying it to small program elements or segments.

For example, variety can be applied to the opening or closing of the meeting, the introduction of the speakers, Table Topics, or perhaps by changing how the club handles evaluations.

One Toastmaster recently had the members give an acceptance speech upon receiving their awards that day. Another Toastmaster called the speakers to the lectern for an interview, which became the introduction of their speech, covering the subject, the speaker's interest in the topic and the purpose of the presentation.

When thinking
about adding variety to your club programing, keep in mind the small touches within the meeting as well as the possibilities of changing the entire program.

Some clubs use theme meetings every week, others only on special occasions and others not at all.

The influence the theme has on the meeting varies with the desires of the members and the occasion. In many clubs the theme is used only to provide an overall direction for the Table Topics questions. In others, it is used to cover the entire program, but not the formal speeches. In a few cases, the theme will include the formal speeches.

Table Topics can also provide an opportunity to inject variety. Look for ways to add an educational value. One Table Topics Master set guide lines which would help develop the speech construction skill of making a point, illustrating the point with three examples and concluding with a re-emphasis of the point and the action desired.

Other ideas clubs has used:

Table Topics evaluations: Every other person called on provides an evaluation of the preceding Table Topics response.

The Second Chance Table Topics: Most of us usually sit down then realize what we would like to have said. The "Second Chance Table Topics" approach provides that opportunity. After all participants have been called on, everyone gets a "Second Chance."

Table Topics in 99 seconds: One Table Topics Master gave each member 99 seconds to prepare for a 99 second speech in front of the lectern. It was a challenge.

Another club has begun a "Round Table of Current Events" discussion designed around societal, economic, environmental and other viable subjects. The program's intent is to expand the members' base of information and ability to speak effectively on these subjects. Members have become aware that they are more likely to use broken sentences, ahs, etc., during this meeting format than when at the lectern, and yet they agree, they are more likely to speak in this type setting than at any other.

A Mesa area club was pleased with the educational value provided by their Video Day Program. The club chose to use short three-to-four minute speeches so that all the members could participate and still allow ample time for the group to evaluate each speaker's performance as they viewed the video playback.

The Gilbert Club fondly recalls its Stage and Mike Fright Night, a program which proved very enjoyable and beneficial according to its members. The club moved its meeting to a high school auditorium where the members spoke from a stage and used a microphone.

An Anniversary Meeting to celebrate a club's birthday is often used successfully by inviting charter members and other past members.

A north Phoenix club rolled up copies of a local newspaper for members to use as they expressed their anger over pet peeves during a Get Mad Meeting. They said it was very hard to get mad when laughing!

Chrip N' Choke tried an unusual approach to Table Topics one evening. Those chosen to speak were asked to stand with their back to the audience, and describe an illustration they had been given. The audience was to attempt to re-draw it based on the speaker's verbal directions. It was an interesting exercise in communication.

Open House Meetings are a good method to add variety. Its purpose may be to get guests and increase membership, but---it also increases member enthusiasm---which adds to the variety.

Sunrise Toastmasters still remember inviting members from another club to visit and participate in a Debate Meeting. The guest club won the debate!

A Scottsdale club invited a networking club to participate in one of its meetings and mixed the speaking formats of the two clubs into a full Table Topics session. It was an interesting program approach for both groups according to club members.

Several club members have said they like the idea of holding a Visual Aid Meetings at which the speakers utilize an overhead projector. Focusing one full meeting on a specific visual aid media provides the opportunity for a greater depth of instruction than trying to cover all the presentation possibilities at one time.

Speak E's held a Bosses & Mentors Day. One member used his speaking time to explain why he should get a 20% raise. Another lit a candle for his boss' birthday and one member simply stated that his wife was "the Boss." It was a good opportunity for all the members to demonstrate to their bosses the value of Toastmasters in action.