Contest Guidelines

Contest Chair(Humourous Speech)

  • Call out among the audience that you would like to have all Humorous Speech Contestants report to the front of the room for briefing.
  • Congratulate contestants for accepting the challenge to compete.
  • Assure that the judges have been briefed and that it has been made clear to each judge that this is an important contest and that they need to be unbiased in their selection.
  • Explain that the Speech contest will occur second?after the break, if there is one.
  • Explain that they will be introduced only by Name, Speech Title, Speech Title, Name.
  • After you are introduced, approach the Toastmaster and shake his hand but DON'T say any words or the Timers will start. Just shake the hand and, when you're ready, begin your speech and that's when the Timers will start."
  • Instruct the contestant that they are welcome to stand at the front of the room, take a relaxing breath to organize their thoughts and then deliver. Mention that the timers have been instructed to begin the clock when you say your first word or utter your first gesture to the audience.
  • Show where the timing lights are and turn them on so the contestants can see what they look like.
  • Cover the timing rules for the Speech contest:
    • Green light comes on at 5 minutes
    • Yellow light comes on at 6 minutes
    • Red light comes on at 7 minutes
    • The red light STAYS ON until the participant has finished
  • You MUST speak no less than 4 minutes, 30 seconds but no more than 7 minutes, 30 seconds or you will be disqualified.
  • Ask if there are any questions.
  • Draw for speaking order by placing numbers in a hat and having the contestants blindly draw for speaking position.
  • Write the names and speaking position on a piece of paper for delivery to the contest Toastmaster.


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