According to the Speech Contest Rulebook, non-English contests must be conducted using the rules of the corresponding English speech contest. If a non-English contest is conducted using the rules of the International Speech Contest, all rules, including eligibility requirements, apply. Therefore, contestants in prepared speech contests in Portuguese, Spanish, and French must have completed Pathways Levels 1 and 2 or be a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM), unless they are charter members of a club chartered less than one year before the club contest.

Yes, for the International Speech Contest and Prepared Speech Contests in Portuguese, Spanish, and French, contestants must meet the eligibility requirements, including having completed Pathways Levels 1 and 2 or being a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM), at all levels of competition, starting with the club contest.

This ensures that contestants participating in these contests have demonstrated a consistent level of skill development. An exception applies to charter members of clubs chartered less than one year before the club contest. In these cases, contestants may compete even if they have not completed Pathways Levels 1 and 2, provided the club is officially chartered before the Area contest.

For other contests, such as Table Topics or Evaluation, this requirement does not apply.

Yes, a club can nominate a contestant directly without holding a contest. However, if the club decides to hold a contest, it must follow all official rules, including the required roles (e.g., judges, timers) and contestant eligibility criteria. Even if there is only one contestant, the club contest must be conducted according to the rules.

If the contestant is disqualified due to eligibility or timing issues, they will not advance to the Area level, even if they were the only contestant in the club contest.

Yes, even if an Area or Division has only one or two contestants, a contest must still be held, following all official rules and procedures. Contestants in these contests must meet all eligibility requirements and adhere to timing rules. If a contestant is disqualified due to eligibility or timing issues, they will not advance to the next level, even if they were the only contestant in the contest.

At the Club level, a dual member may compete in the same type of contest in different clubs, provided they meet the eligibility criteria for each club. However, once they advance to the Area level, they can only compete in one Area contest of the same type, even if the contests are held in different Divisions or Districts.

For example, a dual member may compete in the International Speech Contest at Club A and Club B, but can only represent one club at the Area level for the International Speech Contest.

Contests conducted in different languages are considered different contest types, so a dual member may compete in different languages at the same level (e.g., International Speech Contest in English in one Area and Prepared Speech Contest in Portuguese in another Area).

Protests can only be made by voting judges and contestants, and they must be lodged with the chief judge and/or the contest chair before the contest is adjourned.

Protests are limited to three specific grounds:

Eligibility: If a contestant does not meet the eligibility criteria.

Originality: If less than 75% of a contestant’s speech is original content.

Reference to another contestant or their speech: If a contestant references another contestant or speech presented during the contest.

If a protest is raised regarding originality or reference to another contestant, the contestant in question must be given the opportunity to respond. A majority of the voting judges must agree for a disqualification to occur. Protests related to eligibility can be decided solely by the contest chair, and their decision is final. Audience members are not allowed to lodge protests.

Speech contests may be recorded by contest organization, but only if all participants—contestants, judges, and officials—have signed the Data Protection Form. Similarly, photos may be taken during the contest, provided prior consent is obtained from everyone involved. Personal recordings by audience members, contestants, or others are not allowed under any circumstances.

Yes, if audio amplification is necessary for the venue, the contest organizers must provide a fixed podium microphone and a portable microphone. All equipment should be available for contestants to test prior to the contest. Contestants are responsible for arranging their preferred setup discreetly before being introduced. This ensures that all contestants can be clearly heard by the judges and audience.

Upon being introduced, contestants must immediately proceed to the speaking position and say, “Thank you, Contest Chair” to confirm that the audiovisual equipment is working properly.

If the equipment is not functional at the time of introduction, the contest chair will pause the contest to allow for necessary corrections. Once the issue is resolved, the contest chair will reintroduce the contestant, and they may begin or resume their speech. Timing will start as soon as they resume after reintroduction.

If a technical issue occurs during the speech, contestants are generally expected to continue their presentation unless the issue makes it impossible for them to proceed. In such cases, the contest chair may decide whether to pause the contest. Contestants are advised to familiarize themselves with the audio equipment beforehand to minimize the risk of disruptions.

Yes, a Contest Chair or Contest Toastmaster can compete in speech contests, provided that the contest they are competing in is not part of the same event where they are serving as Contest Chair or Contest Toastmaster.

This rule ensures there is no conflict of interest or overlap between your role as an organizer and as a contestant.

No, the Chief Judge cannot serve as the target speaker in the contest they are overseeing.

According to the Speech Contest Rulebook, contest officials—including the Chief Judge—cannot perform more than one role in the same contest (with the exception of the Area level, where this may be permitted due to practical constraints).

Additionally:

• The target speaker’s speech, project, and objectives must remain confidential and cannot be disclosed to the Chief Judge, voting judges, tiebreaking judge, contestants, or the audience.

• Allowing the Chief Judge to serve as the target speaker would compromise the impartiality and fairness of the contest, as the Chief Judge is responsible for ensuring the judging process complies with contest rules.

No, a member competing in a specific contest type (e.g., International Speech Contest) cannot serve in any of the specified contest official roles (e.g., voting judge, tiebreaking judge, or chief judge) for any contest of that type, even if it is held in another club, area, division, or district.

This rule applies to all levels of the same contest type, regardless of location, to ensure fairness. It prevents situations where a member might serve as a judge for someone they could later compete against in the same contest type.

However: A member competing in one contest type is eligible to serve as a voting judge, tiebreaking judge, or chief judge in a different contest type (e.g., competing in Evaluation Contest but serving as a judge for Table Topics Contest) at any level.

Yes, contestants are allowed to use props and electronic devices, such as music, PowerPoint slides, or virtual backgrounds, but they must adhere to the following rules:

Notification:

• Contestants must notify the contest chair prior to the contest if they plan to use props or electronic devices.

Venue Restrictions:

• Contestants must comply with any restrictions imposed by the venue regarding the use of props or electronic devices.

Setup and Removal of Props:

• All props must be set up during the minute of silence before the contestant’s speech and removed during the minute of silence following the speech.

• Contestants may request assistance from someone to handle props, but it is not the responsibility of the contest chair or contest officials to help.

Demonstration Requirement:

• Contestants must demonstrate to the contest chair, prior to the contest, that the props can be set up and removed within the allotted time.

• If the contestant is unable to demonstrate this, they will not be allowed to use the props during the contest.