• International Speech Contest
• Evaluation Speech Contest

Club contests for International and Evaluation Speech Contests will advance to the Area level, and must comply by the contest rulebook. Club that do not choose to hold a contest may still appoint one club representative to compete in the Area contest for each of the International and Evaluation Speech contests.

• Area Contests: In-Person
• Division Contests: In-Person
• District Contests: In-Person

Club contests may be held in-person, virtual or hybrid, at the discretion of the club.

Area contests will be held between February 14 – March 13, 2026

Division contests will be held between March 14 – March 31, 2026

District contests will be held at CLCON, exact dates in May 15 (Evaluation) and May 17 (International). Check the District 31 website and look out for newsletters for CLCON updates)

Check the District calendar and and look out for newsletters with CLCON updates on dates, times, and registration info.

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 or have earned their Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award. The District 31 winner will advance to the Region Quarterfinals for a chance to compete in the World Championship of Public Speaking.

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

Clubs may conduct their own contests for all contests at any point, but winners of contests not chosen by the District will not advance beyond the club. Possible contests include Online, Humorous Speech, Table Topics, or Tall Tales. Contests not run past the club level 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 District 31 is happy to promote them as special club events on the District calendar if clubs would like visitors from other clubs — please share info with fabfour@district31.org.

Even though the district only holds official contests in the spring, this doesn’t mean that your club can’t hold other and promote contests in the Autumn. Check the district calendar for club contests that you can watch or participate in.