Message for Judge

Before the Contest

1. Appoint and counsel voting judges, counters, timers, and a secret tiebreaking judge.

2. Act as chief counter and provide each counter with a copy of the Counter’s Tally Sheet (Item 1176).

3. Encourage all speech contest officials to view the online Speech Contest training at www.toastmasters.org/Leadership-Central/Speech-Contests/ Speech-Contest-Tutorials.

4. Conduct the judge’s briefing for voting judges, counters, and timers. The judge's briefing may be conducted in person or online at the discretion of the chief judge. Online briefings are allowed in order to facilitate more scheduling opportunities for a thorough briefing.

Judge’s Briefing Checklist

1. Distribute the following to each voting judge:

◗ List of contestants in speaking order

◗ Judge’s Guide and Ballot

◗ Speech Contest Rulebook (Item 1171)

◗ Judge’s Certification of Eligibility and Code of Ethics (Item 1170)

2. Instruct all judges to sit close to the contest area in case of an outside disturbance or malfunctioning technical system.

3. Review the Judge’s Guide and Ballot and speaking area.

4. Brief the ballot counters in the use of the Counter’s Tally Sheet (Item 1176).

5. Review the Speech Contest Time Record Sheet and Instructions for Timers (Item 1175) with the timers.

6. Provide a stopwatch to timer.

7. Brief the timers in the proper use of the timing equipment, if necessary.

During the Contest

1. Collect the Speech Contest Time Record Sheet and Instructions for Timers (Item 1175) from the timers.

2. Collect the Tiebreaking Judge’s Guide and Ballot from the tiebreaking judge.

3. Resolve any eligibility or originality protests that may arise.

4. Oversee the counting process. See that all ballots are counted twice to ensure accuracy.

5. Provide a list to the contest chair showing placement of all contestants.