The purpose of a speech contest is to provide an opportunity for speakers to improve their speaking abilities, to recognize individual Toastmasters as an encouragement to all, and to provide an opportunity for all Toastmasters to learn by observing speakers who have benefited from their Toastmasters training. Each contest focuses on a particular set of skills, providing a terrific opportunity to learn about a specific area of communication.

Access all most up-to-date contest information including the most recent Contest Rule Book and other resources at https://www.toastmasters.org/resources/speech-contests

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). The International Contest has some additional requirements described below. 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.

Below is more information about each speech and the qualifications for each. If you are interested in competing, please ask your club President, VPE, or the Area Director for more information.

Special Note

Areas with four or fewer Clubs as of July 1st may send 1st and 2nd place winners from the Club contests to the Area level contest. Divisions with four or fewer Areas as of July 1st may send 1st and 2nd place winners from the Area contest to the Division contest. Clubs can elect to choose a representative rather than conducting a contest.

Fall – Tall Tales & Table Topics Contest

The Table Topics Contest is a 1 to 2 minutes impromptu response to a selected table topic question. All contestants are taken out of the room and brought back in one by one to respond to the same question. The question or topic asked should be general in nature and not require specialized knowledge which some contestants might have while others might not. Since no contestant hears the topic before his turn to speak on it, you can judge their impromptu speaking abilities by the way in which each person’s effort stacks up against the others. This contest competes as far as the District level.

The Tall Tales Contest is speech of 3 to 5 minutes in length.  In addition to the general contest rules, the following additions and exceptions apply: 1.) The subject for the Tall Tales speech must be of a highly exaggerated, improbable nature and have a theme or plot. 2.) Humor and props may be used to support or illustrate the speech.

Fall Contest Dates:

• August – September: Clubs begin holding their contests
• September – October:  Area contests are held
• November – Division Contests are held.
• No contest will be hosted at the district level in the Fall.

Spring – International Speech Contest & Evaluation Contest

The Evaluation Contest features a 2 to 3 minutes evaluation of a target speaker. The target speaker gives a speech which all the evaluation contestants are to evaluate. The contestants are taken from the room and given five minutes to prepare their speeches and make notes. Then, their notes are taken away and they are brought back into the room one by one (at which time the contestant gets his notes back) to deliver their oral evaluation of the target speech. Since no contestant hears what another said about the target speech, the judges can compare the analytical abilities of the contestants.

The International Speech contest provides an opportunity for members to put all their skills together into a performance that can take them as high as the International level. Speeches that win are typically motivational or inspirational in nature. It is a 5 to 7 minute speech on any topic, so long as it’s original. It can be funny, or serious. It should be the best speech you can give, and it must be original. Did I mention that it must be original?

Eligibility Requirements for International Speech:

• Have been an active member in good standing since the previous July 1 of a club in good standing or be a charter member of a club chartered since the previous July 1. (The club must have been chartered before the Area Contest.)
• Have earned certificates of completion in Levels 1 and  2 of any path in the Toastmasters Pathways learning experience or earned a Distinguished Toastmaster award. Only required for the International Speech Contest.
• A charter member of a club chartered less than one (1) year before the club contest is permitted to compete.  However, the club must have officially chartered before the Area contest.
• Not be a current District Officer and Directors
• Not be a candidate for elected positions for terming beginning the upcoming July 1.
• Not have won this contest at the International level

Important Note:

This is the only contest that goes as far as the International level. Each August, winners from all Districts compete at the International Convention for the World Championship of Public Speaking.

The Division winners in the Spring contests advance to the District 58 Contest to be held at the D58 Spring Conference.