1. Contest Chair Opening: 2-3 minutes. Welcome to Evening Edition Evaluation contest. Speech contests provide an opportunity to by observing proficient speakers who have benefited from their TM training, and to encourage development of impromptu/and or extemporaneous speaking skills and to recognize the best as encouragement to all. The winner at our club contest tonight will represent the Club/Area at the Area/Division contest.
2. Inspiration: Call for thought of the day
3. Rules:

• Contestants must be members in good standing, i.e., dues must be paid, and the club must be in good standing
• A club may choose its contestant by whatever means the club desires. If the club holds a contest, it must comply with all these rules and the contest result is final.
• Contestants must not hold a district office, or be an incumbent officer.
• Contestants must complete the Certificate of Eligibility and submit it to the chief judge prior to the contest.
• All contestants shall receive the same topic, which shall be of a general nature, and shall speak for two minutes.
• The topic shall be of reasonable length, shall not require a detailed knowledge, and should lead to an opinion or conclusion. The speaking area is not limited to standing at the lectern. The floor space is…
• When the contest begins, all contestants except the first will leave the room.

Other:

Anyone with a pager or cellular phone should turn it off or place it on silent alarm.

No photography of the contestants is allowed during the contest. There will be photo opportunities later.

Once the contest has begun, the Sergeant at Arms will limit interruptions. If you need to leave or enter the room, you may do so during the minute of silence between contestants.

At the club level the following are appointed, as far as is practical: contest chair, chief judge, at least five judges, a tiebreaking judge, three counters and two timers.

4. Timing: timing begins with the first definite communication with the audience. Disqualifications: less than one minute or more than two minutes thirty seconds. Lights: Green: 1 minute and stay displayed for 30 seconds… Amber: 1:30 minute and stay displayed for 30 seconds… Red: 2 minutes and stay on…there will be no audible device used for overtime.
5. Procedure:

Speakers will draw for speaking order. The order for the contest will be:

• Name __________________________
• Name __________________________
• Name __________________________
• Name __________________________
• Name __________________________
• Name __________________________

As Contest Chair, I will introduce contestants by stating the person’s name and the topic, and then repeat the topic and the name. The speech will be 2 minutes in length.   There will be one minute of silence after each contestant to allow time for the judges to mark their ballots and two minutes after the final contestant, to allow time for the Judges to mark their ballots.

Are all contestants in the room? Are there any questions at this time? We will now begin the Contest.

5. Introduce Contestants, one at a time.
6. Next Contestant Note: Ask for one minute of silence. Mister or Madam Time Keeper will you signal me at one minute? After the final contestant, ask for two minutes of silence. Ask the Judges to hold up their ballots for collection. Are there any ballots not yet picked up?
7. Call for Break

On return, ask contestants to join you in the order of appearance. Ask for applause as they approach stage. Present certificate, and ask each the same question. If time is short, perhaps just the club (area and/or division) they represent and the length of time they have been in Toastmasters.

How long have you been a member of this club, and what is your current project? How did you prepare for this contest? How did you enjoy the experience of the contest? What tip would you give to the rest of us on contests?

8. Acknowledgements, Appreciation:

Recognize dignitaries in audience. Thank Chief Judge, judges.

9. Presentation of Awards: Ask Division or District Officer to present trophies. Announce winners, beginning with third place, then second place and finally the first place contestant. (In contestants with four or fewer participants, a 1^st and 2^nd place winner is announced.
10. Audience Feedback, Closing comments  The winner of tonight’s contest will compete at the Area Contest, which will be held at Ocean Park Community Hall, at the corner of 128^th and 16^th–7:00 pm on Friday, March 28. Ask for volunteers—we need to supply two judges. Please put that on your calendar, and come out to support the Toastmasters in our Area.
11. Adjourn the contest.