Contest Outline

Call to Order [Sgt at Arms]

Welcome & Introductions [Area Governor]

[Contest Master]

Introduce Chief Judge

Table Topics Contest

Contestant Interviews

Break

Reconvene

Contest explanation

Re-Introduce Chief Judge

Humorous Speech Contest

Contestant Interviews

Return control to Area Governor

[Area Governor]

District 27 Comments [Division Governor and/or other representative of the District]

Acknowledgement of those who helped with the contest

{Door Prize & 50/50 Drawing etc. - optional}

Announcement ofWinners [Area Governor reads the results while the Division Governor/District officials present the awards]

Contest Agenda/Script -- Page 1

  1. Introduce the contest.
    Thank you [Area Governor______]. The contestants in the Table Topics and Humorous Speech contests were selected by their Clubs to represent them here in the Area [____]Contest. The winner of each contest will represent the Area in the Division [__] Contest on October [____].
  2. Purpose of the contest.
    The contests have 3 purposes.
  1. To provide an opportunity for speakers who are interested in competitive speaking to gain contest experience;
  2. To provide an interesting educational program for Toastmasters and guests. This can help provide community awareness for Toastmasters.
  3. To provide an opportunity for Toastmasters who are not participating to learn by observing proficient speakers.
  1. Table Topics Contest:
    Announce the Speaking Order and changes to the agenda.
  2. Procedure for Table Topics – Explain that -
  • Table Topics respondents are taken out of the room (except for the 1st).
  • Name, Question, Question, Name.
  • Contestants will be disqualified if they speak less than 1 minute or more than 2:30.
  • Minute of Silence between speakers.
  • After all respondents have finished, the judges will have as much time as they need to complete their ballots.
  1. Introduce the Chief Judge ... ______
  2. Rules of Common Courtesy, enforced by Sgt At Arms (Chief Judge should do this)
  • No one can leave the room during the speeches.
  • Minute of silence between speakers.
  • No flash photography.
  • No beepers or cell-phones.
  • The contestants and judges have been briefed for BOTH CONTESTS.

PLEASE TURN OFF ALL Beepers and cell-phones NOW.

Will the Sgt At Arms please escort all the Table Topics Contestants except for the first, out of the room.

Contest Agenda/Script -- Page 2

Table Topics Contest

While Chief Judge and Counters are Determining Winners

  1. Interview the Contestants while the counters are out.
    Skip contestants in both contests.
    Have them stand in speaking order.
    Give them their Certificates of Participation. Read the first one only.
    (1) What Club are you in?
    (2) How long have you been in Toastmasters?
    (3) Why did you join Toastmasters?
  2. Take a 15-minute refreshment break from [x:xx] to [x:xx]. Ask the Sgt At Arms to call us back.

Contest Agenda/Script -- Page 3

  1. Introduce the contest.
    Welcome back to the 2nd half of this evening's contest. This is the Humorous Speech Contest.
  2. Purpose of the contest.
  3. Humorous Speech Contest:
    Announce the Speaking Order and changes to the agenda.
  1. Procedure for the Humorous Speech Contest:
  • All the contestants can remain in the room.
  • Name, Title, Title, Name.
  • Contestants will be disqualified if they speak less than 4:30 or more than 7:30.
  • Minute of Silence between speakers.
  • After all respondents have finished, the judges will have as much time as they need to complete their ballots.
  1. Introduce the Chief Judge ... ______
  1. Reminder of Rules of Common Courtesy, enforced by Sgt At Arms (Chief Judge should do this)
  • No one can leave the room during the speeches.
  • Minute of silence between speakers and after the final speaker.
  • No flash photography.
  • No beepers or cell-phones.
  • The contestants and judges have been briefed for BOTH CONTESTS.

PLEASE TURN OFF ALL Beepers and cell-phones NOW.

Humorous Speech Contest

Contest Agenda/Script -- Page 4

  1. Interview the Contestants while the counters are out.
    Mention contestants in both contests.
    Have them stand in speaking order.
    Give them their Certificates of Participation. Read the first one only.
    (1) What Club are you in?
    (2) How long have you been in Toastmasters?
    (3) Why did you join Toastmasters?
  2. Return Control to our Area Governor, ______