District 5 Toastmasters Fall & Spring Speech Contests

Plan on competing in, volunteering for, or attending District 5's upcoming Area & Division Tall Tales and Table Topics Contests this fall. Two series of contests are held each fall and each spring. In the fall, Toastmasters may compete in the Tall Tales and/or Table Topics Contests. In the spring, members may compete in the International Speech and/or Evaluation Contests. See Toastmasters International 2008 Speech Contest Rule Book.

Toastmasters speech contests have three main purposes: 1) to provide an opportunity for proficient speakers and those Toastmasters who are interested in competitive speaking to gain contest experience; 2) to provide an interesting educational program for Toastmasters and the general public (contests can create a community awareness of the opportunities in the Toastmasters program); and 3) to provide an opportunity to those Toastmasters who are not participating in the the contest to learn by observing proficient speakers. They are also a great way to meet other Toastmasters outside of your club, to see the "bigger" picture and scope of Toastmasters, and above all - have fun!

Each of these contests begins with competitions at the club level. Club winners compete at the local Area Contest. Area Contest winners compete at the local Division Contests. Division Contest winners compete at the District Conference. District International and Humorous Speech contest winners compete at the Regional Conference. Winners of the regional International Speech Contest go on to represent the region at the International level.

Contestant Eligibility
In general, to be eligible for any contest, a contestant must be a member in good standing of a club in good standing (dues current). If a member belongs to more than one club, the member may enter the club contest for each club where he/she maintains good standing. However, a contestant may not represent more than one club at the Area level, even if the clubs are in different Areas or Divisions. District officers may not compete in any contest.

For the International Speech Contest, the contestant must have completed six speech projects from the basic Communication and Leadership Program manual.

Contest forms may not be posted on the District website in accordance with WHQ Trademarks & Copyrights page: "...speech contest judges guide and ballots, and other contest forms and materials may not be photocopied or posted on Web sites, nor may they be reprinted or excerpted in newsletters or handouts."

An updated copy of the 2008 Speech Contest Rulebook was recently sent to the club President. If you are unable to locate your club's, new copies may be purchased from Toastmasters International. See the link below:

Speech Contest Manual - Item #1173

Need guidelines & help to put on a Contest? Then click here for an amazing resource put together by Mark Kramer, DTM, Lt. Governor Marketing.
PDF version - Organizing Area & Division Contest Guidebook
Word document version - Organizing Area & Division Contest Guidebook

2007-2008 District 5 Dignitaries Check In Sheet for Contests

The following are the dates set for the Area, Division & District contests:

Eastern Division
March 6		Area 21 Evaluation & International Speech Contest Thursday, March 6, 2008 6:30 - 9 p.m. Alliance for African Assistance 5952 El Cajon Blvd. San Diego, CA 92115-3828 $7.00 POC: Julia Taylor, drjulia@taylorsuccesssystems.com; 858-565-6873 Download Contest Flyer
March 8		Area 24 Evaluation & International Speech Contest Saturday, March 8, 2008 Solar Turbines 4200 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123 1:30 p.m. - Registration, Socializing, Contestants, judges & functionary briefing 2:00 p.m. - Contest Starts Promptly Price: $5.00 per person includes refreshments Opportunity Drawing: Tickets will be available for purchase. Contact: Linda Meckler, Area 24 Gov; linda.meckler@hotmail.com; 619-303-8864 Download Contest Flyer
March 20		Area 20 Evaluation & International Speech Contest Thursday, March 20, 2008 San Diego County Office of Education 6401 Linda Vista Road, Room 402 San Diego CA 92111 6:30 p.m. Social & Briefing Contestants/Judges/Functionaries 7:00 p.m. Contest begins. Cost: $5.00 at the door POC: Area 20 Gov - Sylvia Albright 858-278-4542; sylviabright@earthlink.net Download Contest Flyer
March 29		Area 4 Evaluation & International Speech Contest Saturday, March 29, 2008 6:15 pm Registration/Social 7:00 pm Contest Starts Solar Turbines 4200 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123 $6.00 POC: Malcolm Pusey, Area 4 Gov; 619-757-9057; malcp35@yahoo.com Download Contest Flyer
March 29		Area 15 Evaluation & International Speech Contest Saturday, March 29, 2008 Solar Turbines 4200 Ruffin Rd, San Diego, CA 92123 $ 5.00 per person or Club Sponsorship $25.00 3:30 p.m. - Registration & Social (Potluck), Contestant, Judges, Volunteer briefing 4:00 p.m. - Contest begins POC: Sara Appel Lennon, easterndivisiongovernor@gmail.com, (619) 825-6633 Download Contest Flyer
April 18		Eastern Division Evaluation & International Speech Contest Friday April 18, 2008 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Contestants & functionaries please arrive by 6:30 p.m. for briefing S.D. County Office of Education 6401 Linda Vista Rd. , Rooms 401 & 402 San Diego, 92111 $5.00 at the door POC: Sara Appel-Lennon; easterndivisiongovernor@gmail.com; (619) 825-6633 Download Contest Flyer
Central Division
March 1		Areas 5, 26, 27 Evaluation & International Speech Contest Saturday, March 1, 2008 8 a.m. Noon Center for Sustainable Energy 8960 Balboa Avenue San Diego, CA 92123 $7.00 per person or $25.00 per club POC: Area 5 Governor: Rhonda Walthall, 858-627-6318 Area 26 Governor: Darcy Konold, 619-602-0559 Area 27 Governor: Michael Madden, 619-417-8411 Download Contest Flyer
April 5		Areas 10, 16, 25 Evaluation & International Speech Contest Saturday, April 5, 2008 1:30 pm Social/Registration/Contestants, Judges, Volunteers arrive 2:00 pm Contest Starts Cymer, Inc. 17075 Thornmint Court Rancho Bernardo, CA 92127 $7.00 POC: Area 16 Governor: Bill Gillespie, 858-679-6948 Area 10 Governor: Charley Patton, 858-514-9858 Area 25 Governor: David Allen, 858-571-2736 Download Contest Flyer
April 19		Central Division Evaluation & International Speech Contest Saturday, April 19, 2008 9 a.m. - Noon All Contestants, Judges & Volunteers arrive no later than 8:30 am for briefings Cymer, Inc. 17075 Thornmint Court Rancho Bernardo, CA 92127 $7.00 in advance (by April 18th); $8.00 at the door POC: Monique Cordeau; 858-229-5583; mcordeau@cox.net Download Contest Flyer
Northern Division
March 8		Areas 11 & 28 Evaluation & International Speech Contest Saturday, March 8, 2008 9:30 am - Registration/Social/Contestants & Judges Briefing 10:00 am - 2:00 pm - Contests St. Peter's Episcopal Church 15th Street & Maiden Lane Del Mar, CA 92014 $8.00 - Catered Lunch included POC: Doug Kinnear; area11governor@gmail; 858-509-0283 Download Contest Flyer
March 15		Areas 3, 18 & 23 Evaluation & International Speech Contest Saturday, March 15, 2008 Area 3 Contests 8:30 a.m. Social & Briefing Contestants/Judges/Functionaries 9:00 a.m. Contest begins Area 18 & 23 Contests 11:00 a.m. Social & Briefing Contestants/Judges/Functionaries 11:30 a.m. Contest begins "Video Cafe" at North Coast Church 1132 N. Melrose Dr, Vista, CA 92083 $5.00 POC: David Macy-Beckwith; 760-518-0550; area23governor@gmail.com Download Contest Flyer
April 11		Northern Division Evaluation & International Speech Contest Friday, April 11, 2008 6:30 pm Social/registration/briefings 7:00 pm Contest begins Grappa Restaurant 328. S. Twin oaks Valley Rd. San Marcos, CA 92078 $10.00 POC: Steve Sherrod, northerndivisiongovernor@gmail.com Download Contest Flyer
Southern Division
Feb 29		Area 9 Evaluation & International Speech Contest Friday, February 29, 2008 5:30 pm - Registration 6:00 pm - Food/Social 6:30 pm - Contest Begins Union Tribune Auditorium 350 Camino De La Reina San Diego, CA 92108 $5.00 POC: Howard Marsilio; hmarsilio@gmail.com; 619-278-8938
Mar 7		Area 6 Evaluation & International Speech Contest Friday, March 7, 2008 6:30 pm - Social 7:00 pm - Contest Begins 84 East J Street Chula Vista, CA 91910 Cost: Voluntary Donation POC: RSVP 619-216-7146 Virginia Ward, Area 6 Governor Download Contest Flyer
Mar 28		Area 22 - Southern Division Evaluation & International Speech Contest Friday, March 28, 2008 6:00 pm - Dinner/Social 6:30 pm sharp - Contest Begins Educational and Support Center 84 East "J." St. Chula Vista, CA 91910-6115 $5 POC: Jeff Steichen, Area 22 Governor, email: Jsteichen@ci.chula-vista.ca.us Download Contest Flyer
Mar 29		Area 1 Evaluation & International Speech Contest Saturday, March 29, 2008 Victor's Restaurant, Tijuana 1:30 - 4:30 pm Carpool: 12:30 pm sharp at 84 East J Street, Chula Vista for more info: (858) 693-3886
Apr 5		Areas 12 & 14 Evaluation & International Speech Contest Saturday, April 5, 2008 8:15 AM - Judges, Contestants, Funcitionaries Briefed 8:30 AM - Registration 9:00 AM - Contest Starts Solar Turbines Fireside Conference Room (located inside the Learning Center) 2200 Pacific Highway Road (Hawthorn and Harbor St.) San Diego, CA 92101-1745 Admission: $7.00 at the door POC: Jan C. Lewellyn (619) 252-0751 - (Area 12 Governor) Jay M. Montenegro (619) 850-1279 - (Area 14 Governor) Download Contest Flyer
Mar & Apr		Southern Division Evaluation & International Speech Contest Saturday, April 12, 2008 County Library, Bonita 4375 Bonita Rd Bonita, CA 91902 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm - social/registration/contestant & functionary briefings 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm - contest $4.00 POC: David Carroll, 619-421 6762, dacarroll3@cs.com Maria Muett, Contest Chair: 619 585 5747, MMuett@ci.chula-vista.ca.us Download Contest Flyer
Western Division
Feb 22		Area 17 Evaluation & International Speech Contest Friday, February 22, 2008 6:00 pm - Registration/Dinner/Social 6:30 pm - Contest Begins Contestants, Judges, Functionaries, please arrive at 5:45 pm The Scripps Research Institute - Carr B/CIMBio Bldg. 3215 Merryfield Row San Diego, Ca 92121 $6.00 POC: Kathy Sterling: 858-337-5410; kathy.sterling@sbcglobal.net Download Contest Flyer
Mar 1		Areas 7, 19 - Evaluation & International Speech Contest Saturday, March 1, 2008 Noon - 2:30 p.m. Center for Sustainable Energy 8960 Balboa Avenue, Suite 100 San Diego, CA 92123 Cost: $7.00 per person OR $25.00 per club POC: Geraldine Hayes, Area 7 Governor, 619-985-8133 Jennifer Nasheed, Area 19 Governor, 619-251-1249 Download Contest Flyer
Mar 14		Area 8 - Evaluation & International Speech Contest Friday, March 14, 2008 6 p.m. - Door open 7 p.m. - Contest begins Sea World Hubbs Research Institute 2595 Ingraham Street, SD, CA 92109 $7.00 Admission (Food, Drink & 1 Opportunity Ticket INCLUDED) Contact (David YAPO) at d5.Area8Governor@gmail.com Download Contest Flyer
Mar 19		Area 13 Evaluation & International Speech Contest Wednesday, March 19, 2008 Contest: 11:30 am -12:45 pm SPAWAR SYSTEMS CENTER Dolphin Club Room Bayside, end of Rosecrans St San Diego, CA Pot Luck refreshments POC: Priya.Babu@navy.mil or or Lila.Defensor@DCMA.mil; 858-495-7498 Download Contest Flyer
Apr 4		Western Division Contest Evaluation & International Speech Contest Friday, April 4, 2008 5:45 pm - Contestants, Judges, Functionaries arrive 6:00 pm - Social/Registration 6:30 pm - Contest Begins Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute Shedd Auditorium (corner of Ingraham St. & Perez Cove Way) 2595 Ingraham Street San Diego, CA 92109 $6.00 (includes food) POC: Holley Kinnear, holleykinnear@hotmail.com; 858-829-8427 Download Contest Flyer

Questions about contests? Judging? Want to help?
Contact:
District 5 Contest Chair - Joyce Persichilli, livinfitnow@yahoo.com
District 5 Judging Chair - Gloria James, glojames@cox.net
Lieutenant Governor Education & Training - Emily Corcoran, corcoran_emily@bah.com

District 5 Mission
The Mission of the District is to enhance the performance and extend the network of Clubs, thereby offering greater numbers of people the opportunity to benefit from the Toastmasters educational program, by:

• Focusing on the critical success factors as specified by the District educational and membership goals.
• Insuring that each Club effectively fulfills its responsibilities to its individual members.
• Providing effective training and leadership development opportunities for Club and District Officers.