Speech Contests – 2022

DISTRICT 103 SPEECH CONTEST SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FOR 2022-2023

The District 103 Leadership Trio is thrilled to announce a “SPECIAL” opportunity for D103 clubs and members that engage in Toastmasters International speech contests during this program year!

The Speech Contest Rulebook allows two contestants from a club contest to advance to the next contest level under certain conditions. The Trio has officially invoked Rule 3B effective from September 1, 2022, through the Division Speech Contest period ending March 31, 2023, to exercise this option.*

Check with your Area Director, Division Contest Guru, or D103 Chief Judge for more details.

Rule 3B states, in brief:

• If, 8 weeks prior to an Area Contest,
• An Area has 4 or fewer clubs in good standing,
• Clubs can send 2 contestants to each type of Area contest.

What this means for Toastmasters clubs in District 103:

• The club must hold a speech contest.**
• The club must be in good standing before holding its contest.
• The club must stay in good standing after October 1^st renewal deadline.
• Each contestant must meet all criteria of Rule 2A-B to be eligible to compete.

What this means for Area Directors:

1. Set a date for the Area Speech Contest in January or February 2023 without delay.
2. Communicate the contest date to all clubs in the Area at the earliest possible time.
3. Eight (8) weeks before the contest date, determine how many Area clubs are in good standing.***
4. If only four (4) clubs or fewer are in good standing, inform those clubs that two (2) contestants may compete in the Area speech contest if the club held a speech contest.
5. Obtain the Notification of Winner form from each club’s Contest Chair or Chief Judge.

* Clubs should not conduct a speech contest prior to the official club contest period start date.

** Rule 3A states that a club may use any method to determine its contestant for the Area speech contest.  However, a club that does not hold a speech contest can send only one contestant to Area.

*** NOTE: Rule 3B(1) gives allowance for recently chartered clubs without counting against the limit of four clubs in good standing.