Contests and Judging
Competing in a contest? Want to run a quality contest?
For contests and judging, you need the rulebook!
How do you get the contests and judging running smoothly? The first step – check out the
It is dated July 1 2021 – 30 June 2022. Not only does the rulebook tell you the rules for each contest. It also has very helpful checklists for the contest chair, chief judge and contestants.
Contests and judging – training video and briefing notes
When organising a contest, it is important that you take into account the difference between an online contest and a face-to-face contest. To help you to run a quality contest, our District 91 Chief Judge for 2020/21 programme year, Neil Coleman, has created some helpful guides.
Start by reading the Online Contest Organisation Presentation by Neil Coleman and watch the webinar on running a successful online contest.
We’ve even created some guidance on how to brief the judges and contestants, along with some useful contest management documents to support you.
Online Contests
- Chief Judge Briefing Guide: Voting Judges
- Chief Judge Briefing Guide: Tiebreaker
- Chief Judge Briefing Guide: Functionaries
- Chief Judge Sample Email; Voting Judges
- Contest Chair Briefing Guide: Contestants
- Contest Chair Sample Email: Contestants
- Contest Script Notes
- Organisation grid and participant chart
- Virtual Timing cards
- Winners Certificates
- Participant Certificates
- Neil Coleman running a online successful contest
Face to face Contests
- Chief Judge Briefing Guide: Voting Judges
- Chief Judge Briefing Guide: Tiebreaker
- Chief Judge Briefing Guide: Functionaries
- Chief Judge Sample Email: Voting Judges
- Contest Chair Briefing Guide: Contestants
- Contest Chair Sample Email: Contestants
- Contest Script Notes
- Organisation grid and participant chart
There are also some additional resources on Toastmasters International including digitally editable forms.
Evaluation contest
Copies of the Evaluation Contestant Notes sheet will be required for all members who choose to make preparatory notes during the test speech.
This is the only sheet contestants can now use to make notes during the contest at all levels. Notepads, iPads, evaluator forms, etc. are no longer permissible in contests.
Contestants may have multiple copies of the sheet, with equal numbers being available to all members.
Get all the materials you’ll need on the day of the contest – free
You can get free digital downloads of all the contest materials you need including ballots and certificates at the Toastmasters Online Shop (click on the contests tab which is likely to be right at the bottom of your screen or just below!).
But you can also use our New Powerpoint winner certificates or participant certificates, especially for online contest meetings.
Coronavirus impact on District Speech Contests
Please read the changes for Best Practices for Online Speech Contests.
District Chief Judge Chris Walker
If you have any questions about contests – how to run them or whether you’re eligible to compete or judge – check our FAQ or please contact Chris.