Contests
30,000 Members!
That’s how many members participate in speech contests all around the world in Toastmasters.
Participating in Speech Contests provides you with an opportunity to grow as a communicator by challenging you to step up every aspect of your skills. It gives you an opportunity to hone your speaking skills to a greater degree and receive recognition in front of new audiences beyond your club. It’s also a chance to introduce new people to Toastmasters, hold a special event for your club, and develop organizational skills along the way.
Contest season begins with Club Contests conducted at the club level in February. Club winners advance to the Area Contests in March, Area winners to the Division Contests in April, and Division winners compete at the District 101 District Contests during the Annual Conference in May. The winner of the International Speech contest at the District level will have their recorded speech judged at the Quarterfinals. Those winners will advance to the Toastmasters International Convention in August where they give their speech live at the Semifinals in a battle for the title of World Champion of Public Speaking.
Challenge yourself and others in your club and participate in the speech and evaluation contests. You’ll be glad you did!
2021 Contests
District 101 offers two different speech contests each spring. In 2021 members will compete in the International Speech and Table Topics Contests on May 15-16, 2021.
Table Topics
Contestants give a 1-2 minute impromptu speech based on a topic given to them when the contest chair introduces them. All contestants receive the same topic.
International Speech
Contestants present a 5-7 minute speech on any subject they choose. The International Speech contest has three levels of competition beyond the District Contest: the Quarterfinals (video record of the District speech), the Semifinals, and the World Championship of Public Speaking® which occurs at the Toastmasters International Convention.
To be a chief judge, voting judge, or tie-breaking judge at a Toastmasters area, division, or district speech contest, the member must have completed a minimum of six speech projects in Competent Communication or have earned certificates of completion in Levels 1 and 2 of any path in the Toastmasters Pathways learning experience.
Contest Planning
Planning your speech contest involves preparation of your contest kit. Find the contest kit (handouts), rule book, FAQ and editable script on our Contest Resources page.
All contests are being held online
NO Area or Division Contests will be held in-person this year―all will be ONLINE. Contact the contest chair or Area/Division Director for specific information. You can find their information by clicking the “More Information” link for each contest.
Online Contest Resources are available on the Contest Resources page.
Gavel Club Contest on 02/28/2021
All 3 Gavel clubs within District 101 have challenged each other to a contest. The BAYacc, Bay Area Youth area contest competition, is scheduled for February 28th from 1 pm to 3 pm. For more information, please check out the following:BAYacc Contest Flyer.pptx (1)
Area and Division Contest Schedule
Division A | |
Area/Division | When |
Division A Contest More Information | April 3 9:30-1:30pm |
Area A1/A2/A3 Contest More Information | March 20 9:30-12:30pm |
Area A4/A5 Contest More Information | March 6 9:00-1:00pm |
Division B | |
Area/Division | When |
Division B Contest More Information | April 14 6:00-9:00pm |
Area B1 Contest More Information | March 6 10:20-1:30pm |
Area B2 Contest More Information | March 20 4:30-7:30pm |
Area B3 Contest More Information | March 1 5:45-8:30pm |
Area B4 Contest More Information | March 13 5:30-8:30pm |
Area B5 Contest More Information | March 14 12:30-3:30pm |
Area B6 Contest More Information | March 24 5:30-8:30pm |
Division C | |
Area/Division | When |
Division C Contest More Information | April 15 5:45-8:30pm |
Area C1/C2 Contest More Information | March 25 5:45-8:30pm |
Area C3 Contest More Information | March 26 6:00-8:00pm |
Area C4 Contest More Information | March 24 6:15-8:30pm |
Area C5 Contest More Information | March 18 7:00-9:00pm |
Area C6 Contest More Information | March 16 6:50-9:00pm |
Division D | |
Area/Division | When |
Division D Contest More Information | April 8 5:30-8:30pm |
Area D1 Contest More Information | March 24 5:30-7:45pm |
Area D2 Contest More Information | March 25 5:30-8:30pm |
Area D3 Contest More Information | March 23 5:30-8:30pm |
Area D4 Contest More Information | March 27 1:30-3:30pm |
Area D5 Contest More Information | March 18 5:30-8:30pm |
Area D6 Contest More Information | March 23 6:45-8:15pm |
Division E | |
Area/Division | When |
Division E Contest More Information | Register | April 22 5:30-8:30pm |
Area E1 Contest More Information | March 19 6:15-9:15pm |
Area E2 Contest More Information | March 24 6:15-8:30pm |
Area E3 Contest More Information | March 26 11:45-1:00pm |
Area E4 Table Topics & International Speech Contest More Information | March 29 11:30-1:00pm |
Area E4 International Contest More Information | March 29 11:30-1:00pm |
Area E5 Contest More Information | March 18 6:00-9:00pm |
Area E6 Contest More Information | March 27 5:30-8:45pm |
Division G | |
Area/Division | When |
Division G Contest More Information | Register | April 29 5:30-9:00pm |
Area G1/G3 Contest More Information | March 25 5:30-8:30pm |
Area G2 Contest More Information | March 24 6:00-9:30pm |
Area G1/G3 Contest More Information | March 25 5:30-8:30pm |
Area G4 Contest More Information | March 17 5:30-9:00pm |
Area G5 Contest More Information | March 10 6:00-9:30pm |
District 101 Contest Finals
Other Possible Contests
Evaluation
Contestants observe a 5-7 minute “test speech” and then present a 2-3 minute evaluation of that test speech.
Humorous
Contestants present a 5-7 minute humorous speech that must be thematic in nature (opening, body, and closing), not a monologue (series of one-liners).
Tall Tales
Contestants present a 3-5 minute speech on a topic that is highly-exaggerated and improbable in theme or plot.
Table Topics
Contestants give a 1-2 minute impromptu speech based on a topic given to them when the contest chair introduces them. All contestants receive the same topic.
Questions?
Contact District Speech Contest Chair Diane Bair at bairhugs@gmail.com, or Program Quality Director Shyamala Sista at quality@d101tm.org.