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Toastmasters Contests - For Contest Organizers

​The District 55 2026 Contest Types Are:
​International Speech and Evaluation

Organizing a contest is a fun, rewarding experience, but it can be somewhat overwhelming! On this page you'll find everything you need to know. Go step by step and get as much help as you can. Learning to delegate is an important part of organizing a successful event.

 

More resources can be found below, but these are the key documents you will need for this year's contests: ​​​​​

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Ready to start planning for your contest or already started but looking for a few resources? Click the appropriate sections below or scroll down to find what you need based on where you are in the planning cycle.  ​​​​​

Step 1: Get Prepared

Planning Documents
Roles Needed (varies based on contest level)

 

Club Contests - 13 Volunteers Required (at minimum): 

1 contest chair, 1 chief judge, 1 toastmaster, at least 5 voting judges, 1 tiebreaking judge, 2 ballot counters, and 2 timers 

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Area Contests - 13 Volunteers Required (at minimum): 

An equal number of voting judges from each club in the Area, or a minimum of 5 voting judges, 1 contest chair, 1 chief judge, 1 toastmaster, 1 tiebreaking judge, 2 ballot counters, and 2 timers

 

Division Contests - 15 Volunteers Required (at minimum): 

An equal number of voting judges from each Area in the Division, or a minimum of 7 voting judges, 1 contest chair, 1 chief judge, 1 toastmaster, 1 tiebreaking judge, 2 ballot counters, and 2 timers. The chief judge, voting judges, and the tiebreaking judge must not be a member of any club in which a contestant is a member

 

District Contests - 16 Volunteers Required (at minimum): 

An equal number of voting judges from each Division in the District, or a minimum of 7 voting judges, 1 contest chair, 1 chief judge, 1 toastmaster, 1 tiebreaking judge, 3 ballot counters, and 2 timers. The chief judge, voting judge, or tiebreaking judge must not be a member of any club in which a contestant is a member.

Get Trained​
  • Multiple Dates
    Mon, Jan 05
    Zoom
    Jan 05, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM CST
    Zoom
    Join us for an all-in-one contest training session. This hour and a half training will cover everything you need to know to organize a contest, volunteer for one (have a role), judge, and even participate as a contestant! There will be three opportunities to attend! RSVP Today!
  • Multiple Dates
    Sat, Jan 10
    Zoom
    Jan 10, 2026, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM CST
    Zoom
    Join us for an all-in-one contest training session. This hour and a half training will cover everything you need to know to organize a contest, volunteer for one (have a role), judge, and even participate as a contestant! There will be three opportunities to attend! RSVP Today!
  • Fri, May 29
    Y.O. Ranch Hotel & Conference Center
    May 29, 2026, 5:00 PM – May 31, 2026, 3:00 PM
    Y.O. Ranch Hotel & Conference Center, 2033 Sidney Baker St, Kerrville, TX 78028, USA
    Get ready to ride into growth! Saddle Up for Success is your chance to connect, compete, and elevate your leadership & speaking skills, all with a bold, Texas twist. From inspiring keynotes to trailblazing workshops, this Toastmasters District Conference is where your next big breakthrough begins.

Step 2: Choose a Date

Area, Division, & District Contests will be held IN-PERSON only. Club contest formats are determined by the club (can be virtual, hybrid, or in-person).

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Deadlines:

Club Contests complete by 2-4 weeks prior to Area Contests - in 2026 Club Contests have to be complete by February 14

Area Contests complete by 2-4 weeks prior to Division Contests - in 2026 Area Contests have to be complete between April 2-16
Division Contests complete by 2-4 weeks before the District Contests - in 2026, Division Contests have to be complete by April 30

The District Competitions will take place at this year's District Conference May 29-31 in Kerrville - these will be IN-PERSON

Area and Division Contest dates must be approved by the Program Quality Director.

If the above dates cannot be met, the date must be negotiated with the Chair of the next level contest. At a minimum, all contests must be completed at least two weeks prior to the next level contest. For example, your Club contest must be completed at least two weeks before your Area's contest.​

Step 3: Contest Day Readiness

Documents

  • ​Online Contestant Eligibility Checker - Make sure that all contestants are eligible to compete in speech contests ​

  • ​Dignitary List - ​Print out this list, check in dignitaries as they arrive, then introduce them as they appear on the list​. NOTE: If a person listed on the dignitary list is competing in a speech contest, they should not be introduced as a dignitary.

  • Contest Agendas - a starting-point for your contest agenda

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Scripts & Resources per Role

Toastmaster​

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Contest Chair 


Chief Judge

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Media Release Forms

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Forms for Evaluating Contests (optional)

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