1. JUDGING CONTESTS DISTRICT 39 (Session 2) Brought to you by

2. RULES!!!
Toastmasters International recognizes & supports International, Evaluation, Humorous and Table Topics contests.
They are an important part of the Toastmaster’s Educational Program.
Functionaries at all contest levels should be familiar with the current Speech Contest Rulebook.
The Speech Contest Rulebook is protocol for all Toastmasters Speech Contests at all levels.
District Speech Contests are only conducted annually.

3. START WITH THE RULES
Get the latest copy of the Speech Contest Rulebook, July 1, 2018 to June 30, Free online download on the TI website (
READ IT! Don’t assume that you know the rules. It ALWAYS contains rule changes from the previous year.

4. QUALIFICATIONS To be eligible to compete in any contest a member must
Be a paid member of the club, area, division or district in which he or she is competing
The club must be in good standing
Membership must be on file with Toastmasters International
To be eligible for the International Speech Contest, a member must
completed six speeches in the CC Manual
or have earned a Certificate of Completion Levels 1 and 2 of any path in the Toastmasters Pathways learning experience prior to the club contest.
Maintain eligibility at all levels of competition
NOTE: Ineligible to compete are: judges, international, regional & district officers, immediate past directors, presenters of education sessions, contest chairs, timers, ballot counters, SAA, etc.

5. CONTESTANT SELECTION Each Club selects contestant by whatever means.
Qualifying contestants are listed on form 1182 Notification of Contest Winner form and given to Area Contest Chair.
Winners (1st & 2nd) go to Area Contest to compete.
Each Area must hold a speech contest.
Qualifying contestants are listed on form 1182 Notification of Contest Winner form and given to Division Contest Chair.
Winners (1st & 2nd) go to Division Contest to compete.
Each Division holds a speech contest.
Qualifying contestants are listed on form 1182 Notification of Contest Winner form and given to District Contest Chair.
Winner (1st) participates in District Contest.

6. INTERNATIONAL SPEECH CONTEST
Each contestant will use the same speaking area. Speaking order is announced Before the contest begins. Speeches are 5 to 7 minutes long. There will be 1 minute of silence between speeches for voting.
The winner of each Division Contest will compete. If a contestant misses a contest briefing, he or she is disqualified. An alternate who attends the briefing may participate instead.
Before the contest, judges, timers and ballot counters are briefed by the Chief Judge. Contestants are briefed by the Contest Chair & Chief Judge.
At the end of the contests, Ballots are collected and counted by the Chief Judge and the Ballot Counters. Results are on the results sheet and given to the Contest Chair.
The Toastmaster will perform contestant interviews while ballots are counted. Winners will be announced “3rd place, 2nd place, then 1st place”. Results are final unless announced incorrectly.

7. EVALUATION CONTEST
Evaluations are 2 to 3 minutes. All evaluators will be present when the target/model speaker gives a speech. All contestants will be asked to leave the room after the speech and given 5 minutes to make notes.
All contestants will remain outside of the room while the first evaluator is called. After the evaluation, the next evaluator is called in while the others remain outside. When all have spoke, ballots will be collected.
Results will be given by the Chief Judge to the Contest Chair.

8. RESPONSIBILITIES
The Chief Judge will counsel voting judges, counters, timers, and secret tie-breaking judge
Only voting judges and contestants can lodge protests with the Chief Judge or Contest Chair before winners are announced. Only eligibility & originality can be protested.
Proper forms for all functionaries (ballots, tally sheets, rule books, results forms, etc.) will be provided by the Contest Chair and Chief Judge
Work closely with the A/V Team Leader . Echoless microphones and HD cameras will be used carefully for un-edited recording.
Judges will remain as anonymous as practicable. The Tie- breaker Judge will be known only to the Chief Judge.
Encourage all speech contest functionaries to view the Speech Contest Training at

9. CONTEST DIFFERENCES INTERNATIONAL CONTEST: EVALUATION CONTEST:
Speeches are 5 to 7 minutes and judged on content, delivery and language.
District Winner goes to the TI Convention for the World Championship of Public Speaking
All contestants remain in the room while each speaks
EVALUATION CONTEST:
Evaluations are 2 to 3 minutes long and judged on analytical quality, recommendations, technique and summation.
Contest advancement stops at District level.
Contestants are held outside and brought in to speak after each previous speaker

10. JUDGES
Judges are interviewed and selected by the Chief Judge in accordance with the Rule Book.
Each judge must meet qualifications as follows:
be a paid club member for at least six months
have completed at least six speeches in Competent Communicator or earned Certificate of Completion in Levels 1 and 2 of any path in Pathways learning experience
be physically present at the contest for which you are serving
Experience and integrity are important factors

11. OBJECTIVE JUDGING
All judges must complete the Judge’s Certification of Eligibility and Code of Ethics Form, then submit it to the Chief Judge at all levels
Maintain objectivity throughout the judging process
Support all contest rules and refrain from public criticism of the contest
Ensure no conflict of interests with any contestant
Do not bring your prejudices to a contest. Avoid bias.
Know the rules!

12. FORMS
Judge’s Certification of Eligibility & Code of Ethics (Item 1170)
Results Form (Item 1168)
Speech Contest Time Record (Item 1175)
Counter’s Tally Sheet (Item 1176)
Evaluation Contest Notes (Item 1177)
Evaluation Contest Judges Ballot (Item 1179)
International Speech Contest Judges Ballot (Item 1188)
Speech Contestant Profile (Item 1189)
Speaker’s Certification of Eligibility & Originality (Item 1183)
See the Contest Rule Book pages 25 & 26 for a list of all forms for all contests

13. FORMS
A list of all forms can be found in the Ruler Book on pages 20, 25 and 26. The Contest Chair and Chief Judge, working together, should make sure that enough forms are provided for each contestant ballot counter, and judge.

14. RESOURCES AND CHECKLISTS
Additional resources, manuals, articles and web pages can be found on page 26 of the Rule Book
Checklist can be found as follows:
Contest Chair Checklist – Page 20
Chief Judge’s Checklist – Page 23
Contestant’s Checklist – Page 23

15. BE EXCELLENT TO EACH OTHER!”
IN CONCLUSION
Preparation and training are the keys to success before, during and after a Speech Contest, no matter the contest level (Club, Area, Division, District, Regional or International).
If you have questions or comments, or just need additional help, just text me at (916) or
District Contest questions –
Finally, it is imperative that you visit our contest website at You must review this site if you plan to have a successful contest.
BE EXCELLENT TO EACH OTHER!”