*Note: These rules have been copied from the 2000 Speech Contest Rules (#1171). Clubs need to use that document when planning and conducting speech contests. This page is for information only.

These rules apply to all Evaluation Contests, which are conducted in English only. These rules may not be supplanted or modified, and no exceptions may be made.

To encourage development of evaluation skills and to recognize the best as encouragement to all. To provide an opportunity to learn by observing the more proficient evaluators who have benefited from their Toastmasters training.

All Toastmasters who are members in good standing, in a Club in good standing, are eligible to compete.

The following are ineligible to compete in any contest: incumbent International Officers and Directors; District Officers (Governor, any Lieutenant Governor, Division Governor, Area Governor, Secretary, Treasurer, or Public Relations Officer) whose terms expire June 30; International Officer and Director candidates; Immediate Past District Governors, District Officers or announced candidates for the term beginning the upcoming July 1.

Toastmasters who are members in more than one Club and who meet all other eligibility requirements may compete in more than one club contest. However, no contestant may compete in more than one Evaluation contest per level, at any level above the club.

A contestant must be a member in good standing of the Club, Area, Division or District being represented when competing in a speech contest at the next level.

In those Areas with four Clubs or less, the two highest placed available contestants from each Club may compete in the area contest. In those Divisions with four Areas or less, the two highest placed available contestants from each Area may compete. In Districts with four Divisions or less, the two highest placed available contestants from each Division may participate in the District contest.

A contest chairman, contest sergeant at arms, chief judge, at least five judges, representing all Areas and Division fairly, two counters and two timers are appointed. These appointments will be as far as is practical at Club levels, but required for Area through District and Regional levels of this contest.

Before the contest, contestants and the contest sergeant at arms are briefed on the rules by the contest chairman. Judges, counters and timers are briefed on their duties by the Chief Judge. Contestants will then draw for their speaking position with the contest chairman.

If a contestant is absent from the briefing, the alternate speaker, if present, may be included in place of the primary contestant. When the contest Toastmaster is introduced, if not present, the primary contestant is disqualified and the alternate officially becomes the contestant. Where the primary contestant arrives and makes this known to the contest chairman and has all required paperwork in good order prior to the introduction, and missed the briefing, disqualification shall not occur and the primary contestant may speak in the drawn order, but waives the opportunity of a briefing.

All contestants will speak from the same platform or area designated by the contest chairman with prior knowledge of all the judges and all the contestants. The contestants may speak from any position within the designated area and are not limited to standing at the lectern/podium.

At the beginning of this contest a five-to-seven minute test speech will be presented. The test speech should be either a contest-type speech, or taken from one of the assignments in the basic Communication and Leadership Program manual.

Contestants may make preparatory notes during the test speech using materials of heir choice. It is recommended that at all levels of the contest; the Toastmaster giving the test speech is not a member of the same Club as any one of the contestants. The test speaker shall be introduced by announcing the Speaker's name, Speech Title, Speech Title, the Speaker's name.

Neither the manual nor any objectives that the speaker may have shall be known to the contestants, judges or audience.

At the conclusion of the test speech, all contestants shall leave the room. They then have five minutes to prepare their evaluation using materials of their choice. Timing and preparation supervision shall be under the control of the contest sergeant at arms. Where this isn't practical, contestants will complete their five-minute preparation in the same room under the control of the sergeant at arms.

After five minutes has elapsed no further preparation shall be allowed and with the exception of the first contestant, who shall be called back as first evaluator (where preparation is done in the same room, with the exception of the first contestant, the others shall leave the room), all others shall hand all written material to the contest sergeant at arms. Preparation material shall be handed back to the contestants as they are called to present their evaluation.

There will be one minute of silence between contestants, during which the judges will mark their ballots.

Evaluations shall be from two to three minutes. Contestants who speak less than one minute 30 seconds or more than three minutes 30 seconds will be disqualified.

Time will begin with the first word uttered by the contestant. The green light will be turned on at two minutes and remain on for 30 seconds. The amber light will be turned on at two minutes 30 seconds and remain on for 30 seconds. The red light will be turned on at three minutes and remain on until the evaluation is concluded.

No audible device, such as a buzzer, shall be used for the overtime period.

Timing Lights

• Green 2:00 minutes
• Amber 2:30 minutes
• Red 3:00 minutes

Any sightless contestant may request and must be granted a form of warning signal of his or her own choosing, which may be an audible device. The contestant must provide any special device required for such signal.

In the even of technical failure of the signal, a speaker is allowed 30 seconds extra overtime before being disqualified.

Disqualification for reason of time may be announced, at the discretion of the contest chairman, although it is not recommended.

Protests will be limited to judges and contestants. Any protest will be lodged with the chief judge and/or contest chairman prior to the announcement of the winner and alternate(s). The contest chairman shall notify the contestant of a disqualification regarding eligibility prior to that announcement before the meeting at which the contest took place is adjourned. The contest chairman can disqualify a contestant on the basis of eligibility. All decisions of the judges are final.

A third place winner (if wanted), second place winner, and first place winner will be announced.