Toastmasters International District 76 Japan(English Site)

Q1.  In the current Speech Contest Rulebook, there are two different contest names (1) “Evaluation Contest” and (2) “Evaluation Speech Contest”.  Which contest name we should use for a contest flyer, program, banner and signboard?
 

A1.  Please use “Evaluation Contest”. We use it as the official name for the contest.

Q2.  What is the evaluation contest?
 

A2.  In evaluation contests, contestants make a two-to three-minute evaluation speech after a five-to seven-minute test speech is presented at the beginning of an evaluation contest.

Q3.  Who is eligible for contestant?
 

A3.  Any toastmaster who is in good standing of a good standing club.  A new, dual, or reinstated member must have dues and membership application current
with World Headquarters.  A new member who has not completed his/her icebreaking speech is eligible to become a contestant.

Q4.  Who will be the Test Speaker?
 

A4.  It is recommended that at all levels of the contest; the Toastmaster giving the test speech is not a member of the same club as any one of the contestants.

Q5.  In a Division Evaluation Contest, should a test speaker be a member of other Division?
 

A5.  No. The current Speech Contest Rulebook stipulates as follows:
“C. It is recommended that at all levels of the contest; the Toastmaster giving the test speech is not a member of the same club as any one of the contestants.”
Therefore, a toastmaster who belongs to a club that does not send any contestants to the Division Evaluation Contest can be the test speaker.

Q6.  Is it all right to write the test speaker’s name in a contest program, flyer and so forth?
 

A6.  In order to be fair to all contestants, please do not write Test Speaker’s name but write only “Test Speaker” in the program instead.

Q7.  Can a member of a prospective club, who has not got a Toastmasters’ member number, be the test speaker?

A7.  No. Only toastmasters who are in good standing can be the test speaker.

Q8.  Should a toastmaster who makes the test speech have completed Project #6 of the Competent Communication Manual?
 

A8.  No. There are no requirements, but it would be best that the level of the test speaker matches the level of the contestants. In other words, a more experienced speaker should be picked for the upper levels.

Q9.  Is the Test Speech a manual project and contestants are informed of the project number?
 

A9.  No, the test speech shall be either a contest-type speech or taken from one of the assignments in the Competent Communication manual. Neither the manual project nor any objectives that the speaker may have shall be made known to the contestants, judges, or audience.

Q10.  How is the Test Speaker introduced before he/she speaks?

A10.  The test speaker shall be introduced by announcing the speaker’s name, speech title, speech title, and the speaker’s name.

Q11.  Are contestants permitted to make preparatory notes during the test speech?
 

A11.  Yes, they are permitted to make preparatory notes during the test speech using materials of their choice.

Q12.  At the conclusion of the test speech, what are contestants requested to do?
 

A12.  All contestants shall leave the room. They then have five minutes to prepare their evaluation using materials of their choice in another room. Timing and preparation supervision shall be under the control of the contest sergeant at arms. Where it is not practical for contestants to leave the room, contestants will complete their five-minute preparation in the same room under the control of the contest sergeant at arms.

Q13.  When do the contestants return to the contest venue?
 

A13.  After five minutes have elapsed, no further preparation shall be allowed. They wait at another room until they are called back as evaluator.

Q14.  How are contestants introduced before they speak?
 

A14.  They are introduced by announcing the contestant’s name twice. Note that this differs from the standard name, speech title, speech title, name, because evaluation speeches do not have titles.

Q15.  Are video or audio recording and photo taking rules are reminded by the Contest Chair during the contest?
 

A15.  Yes, these rules are reminded to the audience by Contest Chair/MC before the contest speeches begin.

Q16.  Earthquakes still frequently occur in Japan. Is there any contingency procedure as risk management that is announced by Contest Chair?
 

A16.  Yes, Contest Chair/MC will inform you of what to do if an earthquake occurs during a speech contest. You will find what Contest Chair/MC needs to say in the script. Please click the link below and find it under the title of Contest Script (As Run by the Contest Chair).  http://www.district76.org/en/resources/contest/

Q17.  Has District 76 decided the number of contestants from a club and an area?
 

A17.  Yes, the district has decided that the club that belongs to an area with four or fewer clubs can send two contestants per club to compete in the area contest, and the area that belongs to a division with four or fewer areas can send two contestants per area to compete in the division contest. Please click the link
http://www.district76.org/en/organization/Procedures/ to see the District 76 Procedures.


Q18. Are contestants allowed to bring their sheets of paper where they had written standard phrases as well as points to look out for beforehand?

A18. There is no rule that says notes cannot be made prior to the contest.
 

Q19. Is it all right that the Contest Chair asks all contestants to use the same plain sheets of paper? 

A19. Contestants are not forced to use these materials.  As the rule states, they can use whatever materials they want. 


Q20. Are contestants allowed to bring an iPad to write a note?

A20. Yes, using an iPad would be okay since the rule is not specific that they cannot use electronics to take their notes.