District 26 Toastmasters Contest Overview District 26 Toastmasters

Part One Contest Roles

Contest Chair Responsible for the entire contest Make room arrangements Make sure you have all materials needed to run a contest Know the contest rules

Contestants Prepare and deliver a speech Participate in Evaluation and Humorist (Fall) or Table Topics and International (Spring) Contests.

Chief Judge Appoint and brief timers, counters and tie breaking judge Brief the judges Provide the names of the winners to the contest chair Knows the contest rules

Chief Judge Brief judges by reviewing the judges guide ballot Remind judges that their decision is confidential Brief timers Brief counters

Chief Judge Explains to the audience that… The contestants have been briefed The judges have been briefed The timers and counters have been briefed

Chief Judge Explains to the audience… Contestants know where the timing lights are No photography during the speeches Turn all cell phones off Announces the speaking order

Toastmaster Briefs contestants Verify their presence and name pronunciation Review rules Review timing protocol Review speaking area Draw for speaking order

Toastmaster No opening remarks about any contestant Announce each contestant by name, speech title, speech title, name Observe one minute of silence between speakers

Toastmaster After the contest… Conduct brief interview Have each contestant give club name and area Present certificate of participation Announce any disqualifications without naming any contestants names

Toastmaster Announcements from Area, Division and District Officers Announce winners Contest with five or more contestants announce 1st, 2nd and 3rd place (in reverse order) Contest with four or fewer contestants announce 1st and 2nd place (in reverse order)

Toastmaster The announcement of contest winners is final unless the list of contest winners is announced incorrectly If the list of winners is announced incorrectly… The chief judge or counters may immediately interrupt to correct the error

Judges Use the judges ballot to select a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winner All information is confidential

Tiebreaking Judge Rank all the speakers numerically on the tiebreaking judges ballot Ballot is given only to the chief judge Ballot is only opened in case of a tie

Timers To record the duration of each speech Submit the information to the chief judge All times are confidential

Counters Collect and count all ballots All information is confidential

Sargent at Arms Opens meeting Introduce the Toastmaster Ensures that no one enters or leaves during a speech

Part Two Judging

What is the purpose of a Judge? To Pick A Winner!! To Select the person who has given the best speech

What is the difference between judging and evaluating? Is a speech appraisal Measures presentation against purpose Offers improvement advice

What is the difference between judging and evaluating? As a Judge: You do not Evaluate Your decision is confidential Don’t explain your decision Don’t offer contestants suggestions for improvement

What makes a good judge? Fair Completely impartial Set aside - friendship, age, race, gender, etc.. Don’t let anything including disapproval of speech topic get in the way of your decision

What makes a good judge? Accurate Dedicated to making the correct decision Filling out the judges form correctly Adding points carefully

What makes a good judge? Trustworthy Understand that the contestants, contest officials and Toastmasters International is counting on you to select the best speaker

What makes a good judge? Knowledgeable Know the current contest rules Be familiar with the judging form

What makes a good judge? Good Listener Listen carefully to each speaker Don’t become distracted Don’t daydream

Barriers to Objectivity Speaker position People tend to remember the first and last contestant May hold a slight advantage

Barriers to Objectivity Champion for the underdog Normal to want to give a break to someone with a handicap or has overcome a hardship As a judge you do not

Barriers to Objectivity Halo effect Attributing a favorable trait because of another favorable trait Example: “Joe’s delivery is dynamic so his content is really good”

Barriers to Objectivity Reverse halo effect Attributing a non-favorable trait to another non-favorable trait Example: “Jane has questionable grammar, therefor her speech is weak”

Barriers to Objectivity Second time around Longer you are in Toastmasters the more likely you are to see a speaker more than once Imagine you are hearing the speaker for the first time

Barriers to Objectivity Give someone else a chance Betty won last year, let’s give Bob a chance this year Never let past performance effect your decision

Barriers to Objectivity Not the norm Social behaviors that are not common to you Behaviors differ from club to club

Common Misconceptions Speeches must to be serous Contestants can use humor Speeches must be motivational or inspirational Contestants can give any kind of speech they wish

Common Misconceptions Contestants CAN use props, visual aids or music As long as they are in good taste Must place them on the stage and clean up right after the speech

Disqualifications Contestants can only be disqualified for Eligibility Timing Originality

Disqualifications Eligibility Member of good standing in a club of good standing Maintain eligibility at ALL levels Check eligibility with Word Headquarters prior to the contest

Disqualifications Timing 30 second grace period Clock starts with the first definite verbal or non-verbal communication with the audience

Disqualifications Originality No large amounts of quoted material Properly cited sources No plagiarizing

Disqualifications Protest For originality only Must protest in writing to the chief judge before the winners are announced Only contestants or judges can protest

Judges Guide and Ballot Part Three Judges Guide and Ballot

Judges Guide and Ballot Is laid out in two parts Top portion to help you pick a winner Is not given to the counters

Judges Guide and Ballot The bottom portion is the official ballot Will be given to the counters and must be complete Three different names for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Must signed by the judge Chief Judge will throw out if not filled out correctly

Judges Guide and Ballot Not only one way to fill out the ballot Use a notebook to take notes then fill in ballot This way you are focused on the speech not the ballot You must break your own tie

Judges Guide and Ballot Three main categories Content Delivery Language

Judges Guide and Ballot Content Worth 50% of the speech points Determines the quality of the speakers message

Judges Guide and Ballot Content Speech development Structure – defined opening, body and conclusion Organization – purpose clear and defined Support material

Judges Guide and Ballot Content Effectiveness Achievement of purpose – Subject matter clear to audience Audience interest – Subject relevant to the audience Reception – How does the audience react

Judges Guide and Ballot Content Speech Value Ideas – Does the speaker have something to say Logic – Have a clearly defined message Original Thought – Stimulate listeners thinking

Judges Guide and Ballot Delivery Worth 30% of speakers points The way the content of the speech represented Delivery is both verbal and physical

Judges Guide and Ballot Delivery Physical Appearance – Does the speaker look neat and appropriate Body Language – Gestures have purpose, facial expression match the message Speaking Area – How well the area is used

Judges Guide and Ballot Delivery Voice Flexibility – Good quality, modulate to show feeling and emotion Volume – adequate for the room, words clear, easy to understand

Judges Guide and Ballot Delivery Manner Directness – Does the speaker believe in their message Assurance – Clear and confident in sharing the message Enthusiasm – Speak with enthusiasm conveying the message

Judges Guide and Ballot Language Counts for 20% of the speech points Is about the speakers word choice and grammar

Judges Guide and Ballot Language Appropriateness To speech propose – Does the language fit the speech To audience – Promote understanding of the speakers message

Judges Guide and Ballot Language Correctness Grammar – Is the speakers grammar good Pronunciation – Enunciation good Word Selection – diction and word choice effect, show study and preparation

You are now ready for a successful contest! Have fun and enjoy Contest Overview You are now ready for a successful contest! Have fun and enjoy