Contest Overview District 26 Toastmasters Part One

Contest Overview District 26 Toastmasters

Part One Contest Roles

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

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

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

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

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

Chief Judge Ø 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 Ø Briefs contestants § § § Verify their presence and name pronunciation Review rules Review timing protocol Review speaking area Draw for speaking order

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

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

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

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

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

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

Counters Ø Collect and count all ballots Ø All information is confidential

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

Part Two Judging

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Common Misconceptions Ø 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 Ø Contestants can only be disqualified for § Eligibility § Timing § Originality

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

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

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

Part Three Judges Guide and Ballot

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

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

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

Judges Guide and Ballot Ø Three main categories § Content § Delivery § Language

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

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

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

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

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

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

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