District 5 Toastmasters Speech Contests

Two series of contests are held in the fall and spring:

• Fall: Humorous or Tall Tales Speech / Evaluation

• Spring: Int'l Speech /Table Topics
  
  

Please view the District Calendar for more information about the individual contests (details and contest flyers will be posted as they become available).

Toastmasters speech contests have three main purposes:

• To provide an opportunity for proficient speakers and those Toastmasters who are interested in competitive speaking to gain contest experience.
• To provide an interesting educational program for Toastmasters and the general public (contests can create a community awareness of the opportunities in the Toastmasters program).
• To provide an opportunity to those Toastmasters who are not participating in the the contest to learn by observing proficient speakers. They are also a great way to meet other Toastmasters outside of your club, to see the "bigger" picture and scope of Toastmasters, and above all - have fun!

Each of these contests begins with competitions at the club level. Club winners compete at the local Area Contest. Area Contest winners compete at the local Division Contests. Division Contest winners compete at the District Conference. District International and Humorous Speech contest winners compete at the Regional Conference. Winners of the regional International Speech Contest go on to represent the region at the International level.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

1. Contest Schedules, location, contact person, and other information can be viewed on the District Calendar. Contest flyers will also be posted to the calendar as they become available.
   
2. Speech contests forms and certificates are available as FREE downloads from Toastmasters International.
3. See Toastmasters International 2011 Speech Contest Rule Book or web page for specific information on each contest and its rules and regulations.

Contestant Eligibility

In general, to be eligible for any contest, a contestant must be a member in good standing of a club in good standing (dues current). If a member belongs to more than one club, the member may enter the club contest for each club where he/she maintains good standing. However, a contestant may not represent more than one club at the area level, even if the clubs are in different Areas or Divisions. District officers may not compete in any contest.

For the International Speech Contest, the contestant must have completed six speech projects from the basic Communication and Leadership Program manual.

Guidelines for Contests:

• Organizing Area & Division Contest Guidebook by Mark Kramer, DTM
• Chief Judge Guide Book for an Area or Division Contest by Mark Kramer, DTM
• Opportunity Drawing Chair Guidebook by Mark Kramer, DTM
  
• D5 Dignitaries List - 2012-2013
• Toastmasters International 2012 Speech Contest Rule Book
• The Official D5 Calendar