Dual Area International Speech and Evaluation Contest

Dual Area International Speech and Evaluation Contest Script for the Toastmaster This script has been updated in order to comply with the latest Speech Contest Rulebook. The text that is in quotes is intended to be read verbatim.

Prior to the start of the contest

A) Attend the Contestants Briefing to obtain the speaking order and to learn how to pronounce all of the contestants’ names. There is space provided within the text of this script to write in the speaking order and notes on pronunciation. You will also be given a Profile for each contestant to aid you in performing the Contestant Interviews.

B) Give the Presiding Officer information for your introduction as Toastmaster. Some examples are your club name, how long you have been a Toastmaster, and your Toastmaster education level and/or officer role.

C) Obtain the Name, Speech Title and Profile for the Test Speaker.

During the contest

1. After being introduced by the Presiding Officer, open with brief remarks or a story.

2. State: “The Evaluation contest will start with a timed 5-7 minute speech which is referred to as a ‘test speech.’ Evaluation contestants will then be escorted out of the room and given five minutes to prepare their evaluations.”

“When the five minutes are up, the Sergeant-at-Arms will collect all of the contestants’ notes. Contestants will then be escorted into the room one at a time. The contestants’ notes will be returned to them as they are introduced. Each contestant will then give a 2-3 minute evaluation of the test speech which will be judged by a panel of judges. Contestants may remain in the room after they have given their evaluations.”

“The contestants and the judges have certified their eligibility. The Contest Chair and the Chief Judge have confirmed the eligibility of both the contestants and the judges.”

3. If the Areas are in the same Division, state: “The winners of each Area will represent their respective Areas at the Division ____ contest on ______.

February 20, 2016 Toastmasters District 55 Dual Area International Speech and Evaluation Contest Script for the Toastmaster If the Areas are in different Divisions, state: “The winner of Area _____ will represent the Area at the Division ____ contest on ______. The winner of Area ____ will represent the Area at the Division contest on ______.

4. State: “These proceedings are designed to ensure that we run a fair contest and that each contestant is given a level playing field on which to compete. The following announcements are made in the interest of having a distraction- free environment for our contestants.”

a. Please place all cell phones or other devices that make audible noises either off or on silent. b. No photography of the contestants is allowed during contestant speeches. Please put away cameras, smartphones, tablets, all devices that can take pictures. There will be photo opportunities after the speeches. Videorecording is allowed only if the contestant and the Contest Chair have given their approval in advance. c. Once the contest has begun, members of the audience are asked to refrain from leaving and/or re-entering the room. If you must leave, please do so during the times of silence between contestant evaluations. The sergeant- at-arms will not allow anyone to enter the room during a contestant’s evaluation.”

5. Ask: “Mister or Madam Contest Chair, have all the contestants been briefed, are all the contestants present, and are we ready to proceed with the contest?” Wait for an affirmative reply.

6. Ask: “Mister or Madam Chief Judge, have all the Contest Officials been briefed and are we ready to proceed with the contest?” Wait for an affirmative reply.

7. State: “In order to allow the judges time to mark their judging forms, we will have one minute of silence after each contestant’s speech and we will have silence after the last contestant’s speech until all the ballots are collected.

8. Ask: “Time Keepers, will one of you signal me when one minute has elapsed between contestant speeches?” Wait for an affirmative reply.

9. State: “The speaking order for the contests was determined earlier by having our contestants draw for position.

February 20, 2016 Toastmasters District 55 Dual Area International Speech and Evaluation Contest Script for the Toastmaster

The order for the Area ____ contest will be:”

1. Name ______

2. Name ______

3. Name ______

4. Name ______

5. Name ______

6. Name ______

The order for the Area ____ contest will be:”

1. Name ______

2. Name ______

3. Name ______

4. Name ______

5. Name ______

6. Name ______

10. State – “The test speaker will be introduced only by name and speech title, then I will repeat speech title and name.”

11. Ask: “Are there any questions? If not, the Evaluation contests will now begin.”

12. Introduction of Test Speaker (ONLY Name, Title, Title, Name)

Name ______

Title ______

13. At the conclusion of the test speech, Ask: “Will one of the sergeants-at-arms and one of the timers please escort all of the contestants out of the room for the five minute preparation time?”

14. Test Speaker Interview: Present the speaker with a Certificate of Thanks, and interview him/her. Sample questions: A) which club(s) s/he belongs to, B) how long s/he has been in Toastmasters, and C) an open-ended question from the speech. Dismiss the test speaker with applause.

NOTE: You may need to fill the time until the five minutes are up. Consider making brief announcements that will not exceed the time.

15. When the five minute preparation time is over, State: “Please remember: to silence your cell phone or other noise-makers, no photography, refrain from leaving the room, and honor the periods of silence after each evaluation. Each contestant will be introduced only by announcing his or her name twice.

The Evaluations for Area ____ will now begin.”

NOTE: Introduce contestants “Name, name” ONLY! No other words.

16. Lead applause before and after evaluations. After all but the last evaluation, State:”One minute of silence please. Sergeant-at-Arms, please have the next contestant move to the staging area.”

1. Name ______

2. Name ______

3. Name ______

4. Name ______

5. Name ______

6. Name ______

17. After the last Area ____ evaluation, state: “May we please have silence until all the ballots have been collected. Judges, please hold your ballots up

February 20, 2016 Toastmasters District 55 Dual Area International Speech and Evaluation Contest Script for the Toastmaster when you have completed them. Sergeant-at-Arms, please have the first contestant from Area _____ move to the staging area.”

Note: Ballot Counters and the Chief Judge collect the ballots for Area ____. Wait until all the ballots have been collected before proceeding.

The Evaluations for Area ____ will now begin.”

NOTE: Introduce contestants “Name, name” ONLY! No other words.

18. Lead applause before and after evaluations. After all but the last evaluation, State:”One minute of silence please. Sergeant-at-Arms, please have the next contestant move to the staging area.”

1. Name ______

2. Name ______

3. Name ______

4. Name ______

5. Name ______

6. Name ______

19. After the last Area ____ evaluation, state: “May we please have silence until all the ballots have been collected. Judges, please hold your ballots up when you have completed them.”

Note: Ballot Counters and the Chief Judge collect the ballots for Area ____. Wait until all the ballots have been collected before proceeding. Typically there is a break here. Typically, ballot counting is NOT done here – all ballot counting is done at the conclusion of ALL contests.

20. State: “The International Speech contest will consist of a series of timed 5-7 minute speeches that will be judged by a panel of judges. “

“The contestants have certified their eligibility. The Contest Chair has confirmed the eligibility of the contestants.”

21. If the Areas are in the same Division, state: “The winners of each Area will represent their respective Areas at the Division ____ contest on ______. If the Areas are in different Divisions, state: “The winner of Area _____ will represent the Area at the Division ____ contest on ______. The winner of Area ____ will represent the Area at the Division contest on ______.

22. State: “Please remember: to silence your cell phone or other noise-makers, no photography, refrain from leaving the room, and honor the periods of silence after each speech.”

23. Ask: “Mister or Madam Contest Chair, have all the contestants been briefed, are all the contestants present, and are we ready to proceed with the contest?” Wait for an affirmative reply.

24. State: “In order to allow the judges time to mark their judging forms, we will have one minute of silence after each contestant’s speech and we will have silence after the last contestant’s speech until all the ballots are collected.

25. Ask: “Time Keepers, will one of you signal me when one minute has elapsed between contestant speeches?” Wait for an affirmative reply.

26. State: “The speaking order for the Area ____ contest was determined earlier by having our contestants draw for position. The order for the contest will be:

1. Name ______

2. Name ______

3. Name ______

4. Name ______

5. Name ______

6. Name ______

27. State: “The speaking order for the Area ____ contest was determined earlier by having our contestants draw for position. The order for the contest will be:

1. Name ______

2. Name ______

3. Name ______

4. Name ______

5. Name ______

6. Name ______

28. State: “Each contestant will be introduced only by his or her name, and the title of the speech. I will then repeat the title of the speech and the contestant’s name. The first contestant will now proceed to the staging area. Subsequent contestants will proceed to the staging area during the one minute of silence. All Contestants may remain in the room during this contest.”

29. Ask: “Are there any questions? If not, the International Speech contest for Area _____ will now begin.”

30. Lead the applause before and after each speech. After all but the last speech State: “One minute of silence please. Will the next contestant proceed to the staging area.”

1. Name ______

Title ______

2. Name ______

Title ______

3. Name ______

Title ______

4. Name ______

Title ______

5. Name ______

Title ______

6. Name ______

Title ______

31. After the last Area____ speech, state: “May we please have silence until all the ballots have been collected. Judges, please hold your ballots up when you have completed them. The first contestant from Area _____ will now please move to the staging area.”

Note: Ballot Counters and the Chief Judge collect the ballots for Area ____. Wait until all the ballots have been collected before proceeding,

The International Speech Contest for Area ____ will now begin.”

32. Lead the applause before and after each speech. After all but the last speech State: “One minute of silence please. Will the next contestant proceed to the staging area.”

1. Name ______

Title ______

2. Name ______

Title ______

February 20, 2016 Toastmasters District 55 Dual Area International Speech and Evaluation Contest Script for the Toastmaster 3. Name ______

Title ______

4. Name ______

Title ______

5. Name ______

Title ______

6. Name ______

Title ______

33. After the last Area____ speech, state: “May we please have silence until all the ballots have been collected. Judges, please hold your ballots up when you have completed them”

Note: Ballot Counters and the Chief Judge collect the ballots for Area ____. Wait until all the ballots have been collected before proceeding. When all ballots are collected, the Ballot Counters and Chief Judge leave the room to count the ballots.

34. Ask: “Will the contestants for the Evaluation contests please join me up front in order of appearance?” Lead the applause as they make their way to the front.

35. Contestant Interviews: Present each contestant with a Certificate of Participation, and interview each contestant. Sample questions: A) which club s/he represents, B) how long s/he has been in Toastmasters, and C) an open-ended question from the speech or about one of his/her interests or hobbies from the Biography form.

36. Dismiss the Evaluation contestants with applause.

February 20, 2016 Toastmasters District 55 Dual Area International Speech and Evaluation Contest Script for the Toastmaster 37. Ask: “Will the contestants for the International Speech contests please join me up front in order of appearance?” Lead the applause as they make their way to the front.

38. Contestant Interviews: Present each contestant with a Certificate of Participation, and interview each contestant. Sample questions: A) which club s/he represents, B) how long s/he has been in Toastmasters, and C) an open-ended question from the speech or about one of his/her interests or hobbies from the Biography form.

39. Dismiss the International Speech contestants with applause, make final remarks, then return control to the presiding officer.

February 20, 2016 Toastmasters District 55