The season for the important International Speech Contest will begin soon. The winner at the district level will represent District 51 in Anaheim, USA in August 2001. It is therefore timely to highlight important speech contest procedures and protocols which have been advised by Toastmasters International in response to issues raised in previous contests and by various divisions. This will ensure a high level of professionalism, objectivity and integrity in all future contests.
1. Balloting Procedure for Speaking Positions
1.1. The total number of ballots drawn should be equal the number of contestants. There should be no extra ballot left in the box. Eg.: If there are 10 contestants “There should only have been 10 numbers distributed to contestants.
1.2. Any Contestant who arrives last for the draw for speaking position will pick the last remaining ballot.
1.3. Any contestant who missed the drawing for speaking position will lose the right to draw a speaking slot.
1.4. Any contestant who is not satisfied with the balloting procedure by a Contest Chairman should voice is/her protest to the Division Governor (if a Division Contest) or to the DG and/or LGET (if a District Contest) BEFORE the start of the contest.
2. Responsibilities of the Contest Chairman
2.1. The Contest Chairman must give the speaking position of contestants to the Chief Judge, Judges and Timers. “One of the Contest Chairman’s responsibilities is to ensure all Contest officials are able to carry out their duties. This will enable them to do their required paperwork before the Contest begins which allows them to listen carefully to Contestants’ speeches without distractions.”
2.2. The Contest Chairman must ensure that the Speech Contest be planned carefully and conducted professionally. The Contest Chairman arranges for the logistics, supplies and services required for this event.
2.3. The Contest Chairman must ensure that the Contest starts on time. “If, at the scheduled time, the Contest Toastmaster is introduced and the Contestant in question has not arrived, the alternate would become the primary Contestant.” This means that when the Toastmaster for the contest is introduced, if a contestant has not arrived, the alternate takes that contestant's place. This applies even if the missing contestant is scheduled to speak later in the program (eg fourth or fifth speaking position).
3. Selection of Judges
3.1. World Headquarters always recommends that, whenever practical, different judges are selected for each contest at each level. It is not fair to contestants when the same set of judges or even a few of the same judges are used at the Area, Division and/or District levels. Listening to the same speech the second or third time may affect the judge’s response and hence the marking of the speech.
3.2. Likewise, selecting one Area’s speech contest winner as a judge for another Area’s speech contest could also be reasonably questioned, since the winner of the contest could be competing against that judge at a higher level.
3.3. Non-Toastmasters may NOT serve as judges. This is because a speech contest is a Toastmasters event and participating in a contest as a judge or other contest official is an opportunity available only to Toastmasters members.
3.4. A Contestant should not invite or recommend the appointment of the Chief Judge or Judges.
3.5. The Contest Chairman appoints the Chief Judge and the Chief Judge appoints the Judges.
3.6. Likewise, it would not be perceived as fair and unbiased if the spouse or best friend or business partner of a Contestant is invited as Chief Judge or Judge.
3.7 Toastmasters International strongly recommends that the names of judges not be divulged. Toastmasters International does not even reveal the names of the judges for the International Speech Contest finals held during the International Convention. This is good practice, for several reasons. It prevents contestants from "playing" to the judges as they present their speeches. It prevents contestants from contacting judges before the contest and after the contest.
4. On Judging Criteria
4.1. Can Manglish (Malaysian English) and local dialects be used in speech contests?
4.1.1. Toastmasters International’s speech contest rules state that each contest must be conducted in English.
4.1.2. According to WHQ, judges may indeed penalize contestants who use another language. The District cannot waive this rule or make exceptions or replace it with a rule of its own.
5. Miscellaneous
5.1. Taking photos
5.1.1. At the beginning of the Contest, the Contest Chairman must announce that the taking of photographs during the Speeches is not permitted
5.1.2. If a photographer from the local newspaper walks in with his camera, the Sergeant-At-Arms situated at the door should caution the photographer.
5.2. Professional Integrity of Contestants
5.2.1. A Contestant should not be shaking hands with Judges or members of the audience immediately before or immediately after his/her speech. The contest guidelines states that: “Each Contestant should proceed directly to the speaking area when introduced and return directly to his or her seat after speaking.” The shaking of hands by the Contestant may give the Contestant added advantage over the other Contestants or may be perceived as such by the other Contestants and audience.
5.3. Professional Integrity of Contest Officials
5.3.1. "Every effort should be made to avoid bias in Judging"
5.3.2. Contests should not only be fair but also give the appearance of fairness. In other words, Contests should be perceived as such by Contestants, Judges and the audience.
