Contest Judge
Toastmasters speech contests
Speech contests are an important part of the Toastmasters educational program. They provide an opportunity for Toastmasters to gain speaking experience, as well as an opportunity for other Toastmasters to learn by observing proficient speakers.
The 2020-2021 speech contests are Humorous and International Speech.
Serve as a Speech Contest Judge
Serving as a speech contest judge is a very important role! As a judge you PICK A WINNER—the best speaker, evaluator, or table topics participant. Contest judges objectively evaluate participants using three basic judging categories: content, language, and delivery. A good judge is an astute listener who avoids bias.
To ensure a fair, objective contest, District 5 deploys different judges at each level of competition—the same judge does not judge multiple levels of competition. To serve as a contest official, you must be a member in good standing of a club in good standing at Toastmasters International. Additional requirements may apply.
Area Contests have five judges, one tie-breaker judge and one Chief Judge. The Chief Judge ensures winners are chosen in a fair and honest manner, and chooses the tie-breaker judge.
Judges training & judging criteria
Each year, District 5 conducts training sessions for Speech Contest Judges and Chief Judges. Included in this training is information on the Judges’ Code of Ethics, the specific judging criteria for each contest, and how to handle protests. Although attendance at this training is not required prior to serving as a judge, you will get the most and best information by attending training, including lots of tips and suggestions on how to be the best judge possible.
Tools
- Chief Judge Guide Book (Sept 2020 PDF) by Mark Kramer, DTM
- Judge Training (PDF) from Toastmasters International
- Judge Certification (PDF) from Toastmasters International
General Contest Tools
- Contest rule book (Revised 2/20 for 2020-2021) from Toastmasters International
- Certify Contest Winners (PDF)
Contest Kits
Review Speech Contest Kits for all other role requirements.
Judge training
Judge and Chief Judge training takes place before, and during, each contest season. Please check the District 5 calendar of events for the next training opportunity.
Questions about judging should be addressed to the District Judging Chair.
The role of the Chief Judge
Everyone who has been to a speech contest has seen the Chief Judge, and a few in the District have been the Chief Judge. Though there are a few “moving parts” for the Chief Judge to manage, it is a do-able task.
When you initially take on the role of chief judge, you will shadow a current chief judge to see on-the-job how to manage a speech contest. Then when you fill the role of chief judge for the first time, you will be shadowed by a chief judge, to assist you if needed, and to provide some mentoring feedback. You will not be alone!
Why learn to be a Chief Judge?
It’s another Toastmasters opportunity for you to practice and improve your:
- organizational skills
- motivational skills
- ability to think on your feet
- meet and work with Toastmasters outside your club
- help District 5 ensure that our contests are fair
Chief Judge Guidebook
Interested in serving as a Judge or Chief Judge? Download and review Mark Kramer’s, Chief Judge Guidebook (link above). This guidebook is filled with great information on how to fulfill this vital role.
Within the Chief Judge Guidebook you’ll learn:
- Chief Judge responsibilities before the contest
- What to bring to the contest
- What to do before the contest starts
- Chief Judge responsibilities during the contest
- How to run a Functionary Briefing
- How to run a Judges’ Briefing
- How to run a Contestant Briefing