Transcript Contest Quality Training - District 25 Toastmasters

Contest Quality Training
2008-2009
Diana Patton
District Contest Quality Chair
Contest Quality Training
Goals of 2008-2009 Contest Quality Chair
Work closely with Lt. Governor Education & Training and District Chief
Judge to continually improve contest and judging process.
Provide necessary documents (contest forms, sample fliers, agendas, etc.) in
organized format to conduct contest. Forms/information will be available on
resource CD which will be provided to Area Governor, Division Governors and
clubs.
Encourage club contests.
Work to improve participation at Area level contests (contestants, helpers,
attendance).
Be a support/resource for Area Governors, their Contest Assistants and clubs
regarding contest planning and implementation.
Contest Quality Training
Skills required/developed:
Leadership
Consider using this as your High Performance Leadership
project (HPL) towards completing of ALS
Contest planning meets requirements for several roles
toward completing projects in CL manual
Organization
Time Management
Event Planning
Budgeting
Contest Quality Training
Purpose of Contests:
Opportunity for proficient speakers to gain contest
experience
Interesting educational programs for members and the
public
Allow those Toastmasters who are not participating in
the contest to learn by observing proficient speakers
Contest Quality Training
What makes a great contest?
Lot of contestants-it’s all about them!
Lots of members and guests attending
Upbeat atmosphere
POTS (Plain Old Toastmasters – club members!) filling key
roles
Keep things moving along-try to keep to 2 hours at most!
Contest Quality Training
Rules
Be sure copy of current contest rulebook is available at contest.
Rules will be covered in Contest Judge and Chief Judge Training.
Contest Chair needs to be familiar with rules.
Be familiar with reasons for disqualification:
Originality – speech content
Eligibility – Must be member in good standing of a club in good standing.
Contest Quality Training
Types of Contest:
Humorous
Tall Tales
Speech Evaluation
Table Topics
International (only contest that progresses past
District)
Always in Spring
Requirement – 6 manual speeches from CC
Contest Quality Training
Delegate Responsibilities
Area/Division Governor Contest Assistants
Involve clubs in planning/implementation
Contest Quality Training
Date Selection
Contest dates to be selected at District Training
One contest for each Area/Division
Normally two weeks between last Area and first Division contest
Normally two weeks between last Division Contest and Conference
Day of Week
Thursday evening
Friday evening
Saturday
Morning – 8:00AM-12:00PM
Mid-day – 12:30 PM-4:30 PM
Evening – 5:00 PM-9:00 PM
Contest Quality Training
Contest Location Selection
Resource CD provides locations of past contests
Free location is best!
Location within your geographic area recommended.
Easily located/minimal security issues
Contest Quality Training
Theme Selection (optional)
Use date of contest to determine theme (Halloween,
Valentine’s Day, Super Bowl)
Use decorations from past event to select theme
Suggestions from club officers/members
Look at themes of past contests (resource CD)
Contest Quality Training
Club Involvement
First Area Council Meeting work through details of
contest. Best to hold first meeting in July!
Club to Host and/or each club have specific
assignment (flier/agenda, refreshments, location, etc.)
Encourage clubs to have club contest or at minimum
select contestant for each contest.
Contest Quality Training
Contest Flier
Date to have flier completed for posting will be
announced – August 1
Preparation instructions and samples on resource CD.
Contest Agenda
Preparation instructions and samples on resource CD.
Contest Quality Training
Roles & Responsibilities
Document on resource CD with roles & responsibilities.
Key Roles (see handout):
Contest Chair
Toastmaster
Contestants
Judges
Helpers (get helpers from clubs if at all possible)
Vote/ballot counters, timers, Sergeant at Arms
Registration, greeters, etc.
Judges
District Chief Judge assigns Contest Chief Judge
Contest Chief Judge selects contest judges
(details covered in Judges training)
Contest Quality Training
Refreshments (optional)
Keep it simple yet nice!
Suggestions:
Pot luck
Each club or host club bring food
Donation from each club to cover expenses
Contest Quality Training
Certificates
Template for certificates available on resource CD.
Participation – contestants
Appreciation
Chief Judge
Judges (responsibility of Contest Chief Judge)
Helpers
Test Speaker
Outstanding Service –Outstanding Officers (District
Awards Chair to discuss)
Contest Quality Training
Trophies
Area Contest: District to furnish 1st and 2nd place trophies for
each Area Contest (new District 25 policy 7/1/2008). If 3rd place is
awarded, Area to provide certificate
Division: District to furnish 1st, 2nd and 3rd place trophies.
Announcing Winners:
Third place winner is announced if 5 or more contestants. First
place winner is announced last.
CONTEST IS ADJOURNED IMMEDIATELY AFTER
WINNERS ARE ANNOUNCED.
Contest Quality Training
When contest is over – be proud of a job well
done!