FAQ on Contest rules

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Speech Contest Frequently Asked Questions

At World Headquarters, we get hundreds of speech contest questions each year. Here you can find some answers to the questions which we are asked most frequently. As we get more questions, we'll add them to this page, so check back to see if we've answered your questions! If you don't see your question here, you can e-mail us at speechcontests@toastmasters.org.



What are the situations in which it is permissible to nominate a contestant to move forward in a speech contest?

What is the standard protocol regarding timing? Since we’re supposed to have two timers, should both timers be timing simultaneously?

During an Evaluation contest, will paper be provided for me to take notes on or should I bring my own?

What are the rules regarding bringing children to a speech contest?

Are contestants permitted to play music during their speech? What about using a PowerPoint presentation? What are the rules regarding usage of props?

What happens if I paid my dues on time, but my club treasurer did not submit my dues to World Headquarters by November 30?

If there is only one contestant at a speech contest, does the contest still have to be held?

I know that immediate past district governors are ineligible to compete, but what about immediate past lieutenant governors marketing (LGMs) and education (LGETs)?

If I'm thinking of becoming a candidate for district governor, director, or international officer, at what point do I become ineligible to compete in a speech contest?

If there are only two contestants in a speech contest, and the first place winner is unable to attend the next level of competition and the other contestant was disqualified, can we nominate someone else to attend the next level of competition in their stead?

Are contestants required to have completed a minimum number of manual speeches to participate in a speech contest?

What are the situations in which it is permissible to nominate a contestant to move forward in a speech contest?

At the club level, a contestant may be chosen by whatever means the club desires, therefore, a club may nominate their contestant to the area level contest. However, in the event that a club contest is held for a single contestant, should that contestant disqualify themselves by not meeting the timing requirements, the club may not nominate a different contestant to represent them at the area level. Similarly, at the area, division or district level, if there is only one contestant participating in the speech contest, should that contestant disqualify themselves by not meeting the timing requirements, a different contestant cannot be nominated to represent the area, division or district at the next level of competition.



What is the standard protocol regarding timing? Since we’re supposed to have two timers, should both timers be timing simultaneously?

It is up to the discretion of the contest chairman as to how the timing is handled during speech contests. However, please note that in the case of the International Speech Contest, at the World Championship of Public Speaking, two timers are used, with one timer managing the stopwatch and the other timer managing the timing device that displays the green, amber and red signals. This helps to avoid the confusion of two timers having different results.



During an Evaluation contest, will paper be provided for me to take notes on or should I bring my own?

Each contest varies in their speech contest procedures. The important thing to remember about the written materials used during an Evaluation contest is that they must be collected by the sergeant-in-arms before the first contestant gives their evaluation. Each contestant will have their written material returned to them prior to their evaluation.



What are the rules regarding bringing children to a speech contest?

There are no official rules against bringing a child to a speech contest, and having the support of your family when you compete is wonderful, but please practice common courtesy. Make sure that your child is well-supervised. If your child is disruptive or distracting to contestants, please handle the situation appropriately.



Are contestants permitted to play music during their speech? What about using a PowerPoint presentation? What are the rules regarding usage of props?

Both music and PowerPoint presentations are allowed during speech contests. Please note that World Headquarters does recommend against the use of both, as they have a tendency of eliciting negative responses from judges. Also, it's the contestant's sole responsibility to handle any props or technical gear used in a speech. They may have an assistant help them set up and take down props, but the stage must be cleared for the next contestant.

What happens if I paid my dues on time, but my club treasurer did not submit my dues to World Headquarters by November 30?

In this situation, you would unfortunately be ineligible to compete, because in order to compete in a speech contest, you must be a member in good standing of a club in good standing. The only way to maintain your good standing is to make sure your club treasurer submits your dues to World Headquarters before the grace period expires (by November 30 for contining members, or by the date of the speech contest for new, dual, or reinstated members).

If there is only one contestant at a speech contest, does the contest still have to be held?

Yes. And if the contestant speaks over or under time, he or she is disqualified and may not continue to the next level of the contest.

I know that immediate past district governors are ineligible to compete, but what about immediate past lieutenant governors marketing (LGMs) and education (LGETs)?

Immediate past LGMs and LGETs are eligible to compete in speech contests, unless they have announced their candidacy to become district officers for the term beginning July 1.

If I'm thinking of becoming a candidate for district governor, director, or international officer, at what point do I become ineligible to compete in a speech contest?

The moment you announce your candidacy, you are no longer eligible to compete in a speech contest. Any firm declaration of intent to run for district governor, director, or international officer for the coming year may be construed as an announcement for these purposes.

If there are only two contestants in a speech contest, and the first place winner is unable to attend the next level of competition and the other contestant was disqualified, can we nominate someone else to attend the next level of competition in their stead?

No. You cannot nominate a new contestant to compete at the next level of competition, nor can you allow the disqualified contestant to compete.

Are contestants required to have completed a minimum number of manual speeches to participate in a speech contest?

The only speech contest with a minimum manual speech requirement is the International Speech Contest. To participate in any level of the International Speech Contest, a full member must have completed at least six manual speeches from the Competent Communication manual prior to the club contest. A charter member of a club chartered since the previous July 1 may compete without having completed six manual speeches in the Competent Communication manual. The club must be officially chartered before the area contest.