1. BEING A CONTESTANT DISTRICT 39
(Session 3)
Brought to you by
DISTRICT 39

2. RULES!!!
Toastmasters International Speech Contest begins at the club level, proceeds through Area, Division, District Regional and International Levels
District Contest videos are submitted to World HQ to be used by the Regional & International Levels
Audio is clear without echo while Video is in HD. Camera is tripod mounted without zoom.
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 as a contestant, 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
Contestant Membership must be on file with Toastmasters International
To be eligible for the International Speech Contest, a member must have completed six speeches in the CC Manual or 2 Levels in Pathways learning experience
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, SSA’s, 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 test/model speaker gives a speech. All contestants will be asked to leave the room after the speech and given a short period to make notes.
All contestants will remain outside of the room while the first evaluator is called. After the evaluation, the next speaker 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. STAGE USAGE
All contestants will speak from the same platform. Each contestant will be advised of the speaking area during the contestant brief.
A lectern/podium will be available (optional). The camera will record the entire platform area throughout the contest
Fixed or portable microphones will be available
Props are permitted. Notify the Contest Chair and Chief Judge so they may make the Sergeant-At- Arms available

9. CONTEST DIFFERENCES INTERNATIONAL CONTEST: EVALUATION CONTEST:
Speeches are 5 to 7 minutes and judged on content, delivery and language.
The Division Winner goes to the TI Convention for the World Championship of Public Speaking
All contestants remain in the rook while each speaks
EVALUATION CONTEST:
One Target Speech ( 5 – 7 minutes )
Evaluations are 2 to 3 minutes long and judged on analytical quality, recommendations, technique and summation.
The Division Winner does not advance to an international competition
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 minimum two levels 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
Should not bring their prejudices to a contest. Judges are to avoid bias
Judges will look for the items listed on their ballots which have points assigned relative to your speech. Presence, attitude, appearance have value as well on each ballot

12. WHAT ARE JUDGES LOOKING FOR?
In an International Speech Contest, judges are looking for
Content: Speech Development, Effectiveness and Speech Value
Delivery: Physical, Voice, Manner
Language: Appropriateness, Correctness
In an Evaluation Contest, judges are looking for
Analytical Quality
Recommendations
Technique
Summation

13. FORMS Evaluation Contest Notes (Item 1177)
Speech Contestant Profile (Item 1189)
Speaker’s Certification of Eligibility & Originality (Item 1183)
A list of all forms can be found in the Rule Book on pages 20, 25 and 26.

14. RESOURCES AND CHECKLISTS
Additional resources, manuals, articles and web pages can be found on page 26 of the Rule Book

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). Contestant’s Checklist can be found on Page 23 of the Rule Book.
If you have questions or comments, or just need additional help, just text me at (916) or me at
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!”