Speech Contests

Each year, Toastmasters from across the world compete in speech contests. The competition begins with club contests and winners continue competing through the area, division, district levels. All contests at the District, Division, and Area levels in District 31 will be conducted online in the 2021-2022 program year. Club contests may be held in-person or online, at the discretion of the club.

About Contests + Contest Resources

District 31 is conducting the International Speech Contest and the Evaluation at the area, division, and district levels in the Spring of 2021. Only paid members in good standing of a club in good standing are eligible to compete.

International Speech Contest

Contestants present a 5 to 7 minute speech on any subject they choose.  International Speech contestants must have earned awards for completion of Level 1 and Level 2 in the Pathways educational program. Members who joined prior to May of 2018 may also qualify if they have completed at least 6 speeches in the Competent Communicator manual. The District 31 winner will advance to the Region Quarterfinals for a chance to compete in the World Championship of Public Speaking.

Evaluation Contest

Contestants observe a five-to seven-minute test speech and then present a two-to three-minute evaluation of the test speech.

Other Contests

Clubs may conduct their own contests for Humorous, Table Topics, and Tall Tales at any point, but winners of these contests will not advance beyond the club. These contests do not have to fully comply with the contest rulebook (ie: they may allow members of other clubs or District officers to compete, etc.)  These contests are run completely at the club level — however we are happy to list them as special club events on the District calendar if they are open to visitors from other clubs — please share info with fabfour@district31.org.

Contest Resources

We have collected numerous resources to help conduct speech contests at the club level.

Contests must be conducted according to the guidelines in the Toastmasters International 2021-2022 Contest Rulebook. Refer to our Contest Resources page for planning resources, promotion resources, contest kits, sample agendas, flyers, and lots more!

Questions? Contact our Program Quality Director.

2021 International and Humorous Speech Contest Results

District Contest Results – International Speech Contest

• 1st Place: Brashani Reece, Boston Speech Party Toastmasters Club – ‘The Other Death Penalty’
• 2nd Place: Ashley Gustafson, Early Risers Toastmasters Club – ‘Get Me Out of This Cage’
• 3rd Place: Michael F. Moore, MITRE Toastmasters Club – ‘On Sail’

District Contest Results – Humorous Speech Contest

• 1st Place: Kazuko Takayama, Metrowest Toastmasters – ‘Satisfaction Guaranteed’
• 2nd Place: Paul Roselli, Island Foghorns Toastmasters Club – ‘I Do Noses’
• 3rd Place: Beth Condon, Wachusett Toastmasters #7677 – ‘Be Careful Who You Let Pick Out Your Casket Clothes’

Division Contest Results – International Speech Contest

Division Contest Results – Humorous Speech Contest