April 26, 2024
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Category: Contests

Virtual Contest Resources for 2022-23 – Toastmasters District 57

Deborah Wiener, District Contest Co-Chair
Eliott J. Rodgers, District Contest Co-Chair
Hans E. Thoma, District Chief Judge

Overview

Speech contests are a Toastmasters tradition. Each year, thousands of Toastmasters compete in the Humorous, Evaluation, Tall Tales, Table Topics and International speech contests. Competition begins with club contests, and winners continue competing through the Area, Division and District levels. Winners of the District level International Speech Contest proceed to the Region Quarterfinals and the semifinals for a chance to take part in the World Championship of Public Speaking®.

As the COVID-19 global pandemic continues, the Toastmasters International (TI) Board of Directors mandated all Districts conduct online Area-, Division-, and District-level speech contests for the 2022-2023 Toastmasters program year.  Each contestant participates from physically-distant locations, using equipment that contestants obtain themselves.

Speech Contest Tutorials 

Overview and roles

When you are the judge

Judges Guide and ballot 

TI Contest Resources https://www.toastmasters.org/resources/speech-contests

2022-23 Speech Contest Rulebook (Item 1171) https://toastmasterscdn.azureedge.net/medias/files/department-documents/speech-contests-documents/1171-speech-contest-rulebook-2022-2023/1171-speech-contest-rulebook.pdf

2022-23 Speech Contest Rulebook – Explanation of Changes (Item 637) https://toastmasterscdn.azureedge.net/medias/files/department-documents/speech-contests-documents/637-speech-contest-rulebook-explanation-of-changes.pdf

Online Speech Contest Best Practices 2021-22 Toastmasters Contest Cycle (Item 479) https://toastmasterscdn.azureedge.net/medias/files/department-documents/speech-contests-documents/479-best-practices-for-online-speech-contests.pdf

 
Date: Sat, Oct 22, 2022 
Subject: Area and Division contest dates
 
As the chief judge for District 57, I wanted to give you some guidelines for scheduling your contests:

Clubs should do theirs between Jan 1 – Feb 15

Areas should do theirs between Feb 16 – March 31
Divisions should do theirs between April 1 – April 30
The District contest is on May 20.
 
Please contact your clubs and inform them of these dates. Remember that even if a club decides not to have a contest, they can still nominate people (1 speaker and 1 evaluator) to proceed to the Area contest.
 
Area and Division contests MUST be scheduled on the D57 calendar page.  This allows the other directors to see when NOT to schedule theirs.  No Division contest is allowed to be on the same day as another Division contest.  
 
Here is the link to the scheduling tool: 
Do not use link/form previously sent https://d57tm.org/eventform/ Request submitted using this form will not be seen nor processed 
 
If an Area believes that turnout will be very low at their contest, they are allowed to team up with another Area to conduct a dual-Area contest.  This way you could increase turnout and have an easier time filling all the volunteer roles.  The way it works is as follows:  The contestants from the first Area would speak first, then the judges would vote, and the ballots would be counted.  Then the second Area contestants would speak.  I have attached an agenda and script from a dual-area contest if you’d like to take a look.
 

Resources

  • Zoom recording from December 1, 2022 Speech Contest Training Workshop (courtesy Maureen Filler): https://youtu.be/_Tf_-9YLKq4
  • Zoom recording from January 19, 2023 Speech Contest Training Workshop (TBA): 
  • Zoom recording from February 6, 2023 Speech Contest Training Workshop (TBA): 
 

Change Log

 

Date Description Who
04 OCT 2022 Initial 2022 revision HT/WKL
05 NOV 2022 Added 22 OCT 2022 e-mail to Area and Division Directors, dual area speech contest sample agenda and script HT/WKL
01 DEC 2022 Added TI Contest Resources link, Speech Contest Rulebook, Explanation of Changes, and Online Speech Contest Best Practices WKL
07 DEC 2022 Added Contest Co-Chair WKL
20 DEC 2022 Added video recording from the Dec 1, 2022 Contest Workshop WKL
     

 

Everything You Wanted To Know About Contests But Were Afraid To Ask

Venkat Raman, District Contest Co-Chair
Ananda Sen, District Contest Co-Chair
Hans E. Thoma, District Chief Judge

Overview

Speech contests are a Toastmasters tradition. Each year, thousands of Toastmasters compete in the Humorous, Evaluation, Tall Tales, Table Topics and International speech contests. Competition begins with club contests, and winners continue competing through the Area, Division and District levels. Winners of the District level International Speech Contest proceed to the Region Quarterfinals and the semifinals for a chance to take part in the World Championship of Public Speaking®.

The Toastmasters International (TI) Board of Directors has allowed Districts to decide contest format for the 2023-2024 Contest Cycle. All contests at the Area and Division with be VIRTUAL ONLY. Clubs can decide on their contest formats. 

The District level speech and evaluation contests for the 2023-2024 Toastmasters program year will be Hybrid. All participants at the District level contests can decide to be virtual or in-person on May 11, 2024.  Each contestant participates that chooses to participant virtually, from physically-distant locations, must use equipment that contestants obtain themselves.

General Toastmasters Rules and Updates – For All Contestants and Participants

2023-24 Contest Official TMI Rulebook D57 – Eligibility rules for contestants and participants – summary of official rules
  OLD 2022-23 Official TMI – Contest Best Practices (check D57 guides below and newest rulebook for some changes)
Judging Criteria for Speeches and Evaluations
 Rules Verification Q&A by D57 Chief Judge

For Contest Chairs, Judges, Tech Host, Timers, Ballot Counters, Toastmasters, SAA – The materials below are either old, or offer suggested ideas, and may be adapted in accordance with the 2023-24 Contest Official TMI Rulebook.

Contest Checklist Judges Guide and Ballots Video
Contest Script – Contest Agenda Contest Overview and Roles
Dual Area Contest Script and Agenda Roles summary
D57 Contest Roles Training Schedule TMI Online Tutorials
TMI Speech Contest Materials TMI Speech Contest FAQ
When You’re The Judge
  

For Speech and Evaluation Contestants

Eligibility for Contestants Evaluation Contest and Guidelines – Summary
Speech Guidelines – Summary  

D57 Speech Contest Training Workshops and older resources from previous contest cycles – The materials below are either old, or offer suggested ideas, and may be adapted in accordance with the 2023-24 Contest Official TMI Rulebook.
December 1, 2022 Video
(courtesy Maureen Filler)		 TBD
For Judges and Contest Chairs – Eligibility and Rules review
For Zoom Tech Hosts
TBD
For Contest Chairs, Toastmaster, Sergeant at Arms – Nuts and bolts of the agenda and using a script.		 TBD – [Link TBA] For Chief Judges – using digital ballots effectively
TBD – [Link TBA] For Chief Judges – using digital ballots effectively   
Date: Updated by Sally Philbin, District 57 Program Director
Subject: Area and Division contest dates

Clubs should do theirs between Jan 1 – Feb 1

Areas should do theirs between Feb 1 – February 29

Divisions should do theirs between March 1 – March 31
 
District Contests with BOTH occur on May 11, 2024
 
Please contact your clubs and inform them of these dates. Remember that even if a club decides not to have a contest, they can still nominate people (1 speaker and 1 evaluator) to proceed to the Area contest.
 
Area and Division contests MUST be scheduled on the D57 calendar page.  This allows the other directors to see when NOT to schedule theirs.  No Division contest is allowed to be on the same day as another Division contest.  
 
Here is the link to the scheduling tool – to schedule your Area and Division Contests
 
If an Area believes that turnout will be very low at their contest, they are allowed to team up with another Area to conduct a dual-Area contest.  This way you could increase turnout and have an easier time filling all the volunteer roles.  The way it works is as follows:  The contestants from the first Area would speak first, then the judges would vote, and the ballots would be counted.  Then the second Area contestants would speak.  I have attached an agenda and script from a dual-area contest if you’d like to take a look.

 

 

Change Log

 

Date Description Who
2023-01-13 Original Version LJM
     
     
     
     
     

 

New Speech and Evaluation 2023-2024 – Contest Announcements

2023-2024 Speech and Evaluation Contest Announcements 

Venkat Raman, District Contest Co-Chair
Ananda Sen, District Contest Co-Chair
Hans E. Thoma, District Chief Judge

First – a must read for planning, officials, and contestants: 2023-24 Contest Official TMI Rulebook.
2023-2024 District 57 Area and Division Contest Calendar and Contacts HERE
 
 
SEE more resources below…

Speech contests are a Toastmasters tradition. Each year, thousands of Toastmasters compete in the Humorous, Evaluation, Tall Tales, Table Topics and International speech contests. Competition begins with club contests, and winners continue competing through the Area, Division and District levels. Winners of the District level International Speech Contest proceed to the Region Quarterfinals and the semifinals for a chance to take part in the World Championship of Public Speaking®.

The Toastmasters International (TI) Board of Directors has allowed Districts to decide contest format for the 2023-2024 Contest Cycle. All contests at the Area and Division with be VIRTUAL ONLY. Clubs can decide on their contest formats. 

The District level speech and evaluation contests for the 2023-2024 Toastmasters program year will be Hybrid. All participants at the District level contests can decide to be virtual or in-person on May 11, 2024.  Each contestant participates that chooses to participant virtually, from physically-distant locations, must use equipment that contestants obtain themselves.

General Toastmasters Rules and Updates – For All Contestants and Participants

2023-24 Contest Official TMI Rulebook D57 – Eligibility rules for contestants and participants – summary of official rules
  OLD 2022-23 Official TMI – Contest Best Practices (check D57 guides below and newest rulebook for some changes)
Judging Criteria for Speeches and Evaluations
 Rules Verification Q&A by D57 Chief Judge

For Contest Chairs, Judges, Tech Host, Timers, Ballot Counters, Toastmasters, SAA – The materials below are either old, or offer suggested ideas, and may be adapted in accordance with the 2023-24 Contest Official TMI Rulebook.

Contest Checklist Judges Guide and Ballots Video
Contest Script – Contest Agenda Contest Overview and Roles
NEW Area Attendance Form – make a copy and customize HERE  
Dual Area Contest Script and Agenda Roles summary
D57 Contest Roles Training Schedule TMI Online Tutorials
TMI Speech Contest Materials TMI Speech Contest FAQ
When You’re The Judge
  

For Speech and Evaluation Contestants

Eligibility for Contestants Evaluation Contest and Guidelines – Summary
Speech Guidelines – Summary  

D57 Speech Contest Training Workshops and older resources from previous contest cycles – The materials below are either old, or offer suggested ideas, and may be adapted in accordance with the 2023-24 Contest Official TMI Rulebook.
December 1, 2022 Video
(courtesy Maureen Filler)		 TBD
For Judges and Contest Chairs – Eligibility and Rules review
For Zoom Tech Hosts
TBD
For Contest Chairs, Toastmaster, Sergeant at Arms – Nuts and bolts of the agenda and using a script.		 TBD – [Link TBA] For Chief Judges – using digital ballots effectively
TBD – [Link TBA] For Chief Judges – using digital ballots effectively   
Date: Updated by Sally Philbin, District 57 Program Director
Subject: Area and Division contest dates

Club Contest DATE RANGE: should do theirs between Jan 1 – Feb 1. Club format and rules are based on Club procedures set by the club. 

Area (Virtual Only) CONTEST DATE RANGE: between Feb 1 – February 29. Area contests should be at least two weeks before Division Contests to give contestants time to prepare for the next level of competition.

Divisions (Virtual Only) CONTEST DATE RANGE: between March 1 – March 31. Division Contests should be at least one month before District Contests to give contestants time to prepare for the next level of competition.

District Contests (Hybrid) with BOTH Speech and Evaluation Contests occur on May 11, 2024
 
Please contact your clubs and inform them of these dates. Remember that even if a club decides not to have a contest, they can still nominate people (1 speaker and 1 evaluator) to proceed to the Area contest.
 
Area and Division contests MUST be scheduled on the D57 calendar page.  This allows the other directors to see when NOT to schedule theirs.  No Division contest is allowed to be on the same day as another Division contest.  
 
Schedule your Area and Division Contests – dates are reserved on a first come first serve basis, and may NOT take place on D57 Black OUT DAYS
 
If an Area believes that turnout will be very low at their contest, they are allowed to team up with another Area to conduct a dual-Area contest.  This way you could increase turnout and have an easier time filling all the volunteer roles.  The way it works is as follows:  The contestants from the first Area would speak first, then the judges would vote, and the ballots would be counted.  Then the second Area contestants would speak.  I have attached an agenda and script from a dual-area contest if you’d like to take a look.

 

 

Change Log

 

Date Description Who
2023-01-13 Original Version LJM
2023-11-1 for 23-24 EJR
2024-1-2 23-24 schedule EJR