Welcome D53 members!
Below you will find a variety of speech contest resources to help you make the most of speech contest season. Please be sure to check back often for updates, new resources and other Speech Contest information!
The 2024-2025 Speech Contests will be the Table Topics Speech Contest, to help our members improve their impromptu speaking skills; and the International Speech Contest.
Each Speech contest begins at the club level, before continuing through the Area and Division levels of competition. The short-form contest each year (usually Table Topics, Evaluation, Tall Tales, or Humorous) ends at the District Annual Conference with a capstone competition. The International Speech Contest continues beyond District 53’s District Conference to the Region Quarterfinals (conducted by video) and then to the Semifinals, and the World Championship of Public Speaking (WCPS) at the Toastmasters International Annual Convention.
- Current Listings for this year’s speech contest schedules.
- Current Rulebook for the 2024-2025 program year
Main Toastmasters Resources
Speech Contest
Rulebook
Speech Contest
Rule Changes
Find out how the Speech Contest Rulebook has changed and why each change was made.
Behind the Scenes of a Speech Contest
Speakers may star, but contest functionaries play a critical role.
Video Recording Guidelines
Guidelines to support conducting your District International Speech Contest online and ensuring your winner’s speech is recorded for region quarterfinal submission.
District 53 Resources
Main Briefings for Contests
Download and print the Contest Script, and the Functionary, Judges, and Contestant briefings to use before and during an in-person contest.
- Revision 2: Contestant Briefing (2023-2024)
- Revision 2: Functionary & Judges Briefing (2023-2024)
Presentation on Contests
for Area & Division Directors
graciously contributed by Jennifer Cimilluca, DTM
Synopsis of Contests and Contest Types
graciously assembled by Norm Thibodeau, DTM
Timing Backgrounds
Online backgrounds for use with any online service.
Area & Division Director Speech Contest Training – V2
Training materials from D53 Chief Judge Tracey Adkins (Nov 2021)
Additional Toastmasters.org Resources
Speech Contests FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions on all aspects of Toastmasters Speech Contests.
Online Speech Contests Best Practices
A guide explaining how to successfully conduct online speech contests.
Conduct Quality Speech Contests
A facilitator’s guide for conducting training for how to conduct speech contests.
International Contest Kit
Supplies for conducting an International Speech Contest. All contest forms are user-printable and includes everything for contestants and judges.
Humorous Contest Kit
Supplies for conducting an Humorous Speech Contest. All contest forms are user-printable and includes everything for contestants and judges.
Speech Evaluation Contest Kit
Supplies for conducting a Speech Evaluation Contest. All contest forms are user-printable and includes everything for contestants and judges.
Table Topics Contest Kit
Supplies for conducting a Table Topics Contest. All contest forms are user-printable and includes everything for contestants and judges.
Tall Tales Contest Kit
Supplies for conducting a Tall Tales Contest. All contest forms are user-printable and includes everything for contestants and judges.