Speech Contests

Volunteering for speech contests
We are looking for awesome Toastmasters (like yourself) to assist at the Area and Division Speech Contests. We can’t hold the contests without you. We are always looking for judges, target speakers, ballot counters, SAAs, Timers, and others to assist. Don’t let your fellow Toastmasters down. They have worked hard to compete.

To volunteer, click on the “I’ll Help” button to go to the calendar. There you will find any posted contest event. Reach out to the Contest Organizer or contact person to volunteer.

Looking for speech contests results from previous years?

Each Toastmasters program year, District 106 conducts 2 rounds of speech contests – fall (August-November) and spring (February-April).

All District 106 Club, Area, Division speech contents for the current Toastmasters year are virtual but are encouraged to be hybrid when possible. The District Spring contest will be hybrid

 Why Are Speech Contests Important?

Speech contests provide the following benefits:

  • They provide an opportunity for speakers to improve their speaking abilities
  • They provide an opportunity to recognize the best speakers
  • They provide an opportunity to learn by observing other proficient speakers
  • They provide variety to the Toastmasters experience and also offer social benefits through District and inter-club events
  • They inspire and encourage us to grow
  • Competing in a Speech Contest increases perseverance and self-discipline

Where Does the Speech Contest Start?

Speech contests start at the club level, then proceed through the area, division, and district. Members in good standing with Toastmasters International may compete.  The winner of the International Speech Contest proceeds to the region quarterfinal, semifinal, and final levels.

What Speech Contest Will be Held in Fall?

This Fall FY23/24 District 106 Speech Contests will be Humor and Evaluation. The contests will run from August through November, with the district-level contests held at the Spring Conference.

What Speech Contest Will be Held in Spring?

The Spring FY23/24 District 106 Speech Contests will be Table Topics and International. The contests will run from February through April, with the district-level contests held at the spring conferences. All details on the speech contests can be found in the Speech Contest Rulebook.

Speech Contest Toolkit

The resources below will help you conduct the speech contests in your club, area, or division.

Note: Speech Contest Kits are pulled directly from Toastmasters International. 

International Contest Contains all the forms needed for the International contest
Humorous Contest Contains all the forms needed for a Humorous contest
Table Topics Contest

Contains all the forms needed for a Table Topics contest

Update on 9/17/2022. We have received news that there is an error in the Table Topics ballots. Use the following as back up. 

1180a-table-topics-contest-tiebreaking-guide-ballot
https://d106tm.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/1180a-table-topics-contest-tiebreaking-guide-ballot.pdf

1180-table-topics-contest-judges-guide-and-ballot
https://d106tm.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/1180-table-topics-contest-judges-guide-and-ballot.pdf

Evaluation Speech Contest Contains all the forms needed for an Evaluation contest
Tall Tales Speech Contest Contains all the forms needed for the Tall Tales contest
2023-2024 Speech Contest Rulebook

The source of rules and information for speech contests. Most answers will come from this clearly written document.

Please read the rule book along with the changes posted below and have a copy available at each of your contests.

2023-2024 Speech Contest Cycle Rulebook exception explanation of changes by Board of Directors

 

Speech Contest Eligibility Checker For area, division, and district contests. Use this online tool to determine if a member is eligible to compete or serve as a judge.

Fall

 
Fall Contest Script for Evaluation Speech Contest Script for the Fall Speech Contest intended to help the contest Toastmaster in briefings and during the contest. The Toastmaster and Contest Chair should become very familiar with this script since it covers the contest flow. This script must be used for the Fall Speech Contest.

Fall Contest Script for Humorous Speech Contest

Script for the Fall Speech Contest intended to help the contest Toastmaster in briefings and during the contest. The Toastmaster and Contest Chair should become very familiar with this script since it covers the contest flow. This script must be used for the Fall Speech Contest.
Fall Contestants Briefing Script for Evaluation & Humorous Contest Script for the Fall Speech Contest intended to help the contest Toastmaster in briefings and during the contest. The Toastmaster and Contest Chair should become very familiar with this script since it covers the contest flow. This script must be used for the Fall Speech Contest.
 Fall Chief Judge Briefing for Evaluation and Humorous Contests  Script for the Chief Judge’s briefings at the speech contest. This script must be used to brief contest officials.
   

Spring

 

Spring Contest Script for Table Topics & International Speech Contests (Contestant Briefing included at beginning)

Script for the Spring Speech Contest intended to help the contest Toastmaster in briefings and during the contest. The Toastmaster and Contest Chair should become very familiar with this script since it covers the contest flow. This script must be used for the Spring Speech Contest.
Spring Chief Judge Briefing for Table Topics & International Speech Contests Script for the Chief Judge’s briefings at the speech contest. This script must be used to brief contest officials.
   
Contest Flyer Example for Club/Area/Division An example of a contest flyer
Speech Contest Program An example of an agenda/program for your contest
Contest Sign Template A sign to help guests find the contest area/room
Contest Registration Form A simple, customizable registration sheet
Certificate of Appreciation Template A simple certificate to recognize and thank volunteers (PowerPoint slide)
Speech Contest Staffing Worksheet Helpful worksheet to use when filling roles for a contest
Speech Contest FAQ A useful FAQ to consult for speech contests

Who Can I Ask for Help Regarding Speech Contests?

For any questions related to speech contests, ask your Area Director, Division Director and Program Quality Director.

What’s Important When Running a Speech Contest?

Speech contests should be run in a fair, professional, and consistent manner. Similar to sporting events, elections, and other competitions, speech contests demand attention to the rules and procedure. The rules and procedures involved with running a speech contest should not vary between contests. Consistency and compliance with the rules and procedures are more important than creativity. In professional sporting events, we (as fans) expect uniformity and consistency when it comes to officiating and the overall execution of the event. Contestants and guests expect the same from Toastmasters speech contests.

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