Contest in a Box

Fellow Toastmasters, welcome to “Contest in a Box”. This information was assembled in order to not only encourage you to help lead a contest, but also to give you the resources necessary to organize and be responsible for some portion of a contest. Specifically, you will find here guides, instructions, and forms that will be needed for club and area contests.

Bryant Pergerson, a toastmaster mentor of mine, has often said that competing in a toastmaster contest is like giving 10 or more speeches. Having done so myself, I totally agree as I personally grew greatly from the competing experience. But, what about being a part of a contest leadership team? Well, most recently I asked as the chief judge for a tri-area contest. What an experience! Although stressful at times, I must say that it too was very rewarding and I would recommend that besides competing, consider serving in a contest leadership role. After all, toastmaster is as much about leadership as it is speaking. Jump in! Both sides of contest participation can be extremely rewarding!

Since this is about the management side of holding a contest, I will provide a few brief observations that I experienced.

Qualifying for a contest role is both a privilege and a responsibility of being a toastmaster (I’m my opinion).To be successful, we all need to both get and offer support to our fellow toastmasters. Without volunteers to help put on a contest, the boat won’t float. So, step up and volunteer to help!
For obvious reasons, there are qualifications in order to be able to fill contest roles. However, there is typically a need for both ‘newbies’ and for the more experienced members to fill the necessary roles.
Other clubs and areas, aside from your own, would love to have you help make their contest successful. Let your area and division directors know that you are willing to help out.
Volunteer early and often unless of course you are planning on competing.
Once assigned a role, utilize all the available resources you can in order to help you understand the what, when, and how. In addition to this District 15 website, you will find invaluable information on the Toastmasters International website as well. And, there is likely some in your own club that have just the experience you are looking for. I bet they would love to mentor you in your new role or answer any questions you might encounter. The more time you invest up front, the more enjoyable your experience will be. Nothing is better than going to contest day with your eyes wide open!
Plan early and often with the other contest leaders you will be working with. For instance, many roles require certain paperwork be completed prior to filling the role. A good example is judges. If you are a judge, or responsible for the judges (i.e. Chief Judge) you will be required to complete an eligibility and ethics form. Getting any required paperwork early will minimize last minute scrambling and make the experience more enjoyable for everyone.
It is oftentimes very helpful to understand all the other roles and responsibilities in addition to your own. That way you will better understand the big picture and know what to expect during the contest. And, that also prepares you for perhaps filling a different role next time. Invest your time and learn all you can!
Oftentimes there are checklists included in the contest resources. Find and take advantage of any checklist in preparing for your role. If you’ll use them, I guarantee you will look back at them often prior to and during the contest.
If your role is one of the major ones like contest chair, chief judge, or zoom master to name a few, plan for the worst and hope for the best. That way you will have thought about most if not all possibilities. After all, regardless of what is thrown at you, the show must go on!
Take a page from a typical toastmaster meeting and evaluate both your own experience as well as the contest as a whole. You might even ask a fellow toastmaster to evaluate you or offer feedback. Invaluable!

I hope you find this information useful and encouraging. Go ahead and step outside your comfort zone and embrace the next available contest. And once you have agreed to compete or serve, go all in. Perhaps the best advice I have to offer is to simply say jump in and have fun!

See you at the next contest!

Useful Contest Forms

Contest Rulebook
Speech Contest FAQ
Online and Hybrid Speech Contest Best Practices
Video Recording Guidelines for Online Speech Contests
When You Are the Judge
Contest and Roles
The Judge’s Guide and Ballot
The World Champion of Public Speaking