Toastmasters UK North & Ireland

District 71 two contestants ruling for Autumn 2021 contests

District 71 will run 4 contests this year:

  • Humorous Speech Contest
  • Table Topics Contest
  • International Speech Contest
  • Evaluation Speech Contest

The Humorous Speech and Table Topics Contests will run through to Division finals up to 30 November 2021.  All contests will be run online. 

Speech Contest Rulebook 2021-22 is available via this link.

https://toastmasterscdn.azureedge.net/medias/files/department-documents/speech-contests-documents/1171-speech-contest-rulebook-2021-2022/1171-speech-contest-rulebook-2021-2022.pdf

Section 3B of the rulebook deals with the number of contests who qualify for the next level of the contests.  

Eight (8) weeks prior to the Area contest, if an Area has four (4) assigned clubs or fewer in good standing, Districts have the option to allow two (2) contestants from each club to compete in the Area contest.

  1. Should additional clubs charter prior to the Area contest, two (2) contestants from each club are permitted to compete.
  2. In those Divisions with four (4) assigned Areas or fewer, Districts have the option to allow the two (2) highest-placed available contestants from each Area to compete.
  3. In Districts with four (4) assigned Divisions or fewer, Districts have the option to allow the two (2) highest-placed available contestants from each Division to participate in the District contest.
  4. The decision whether or not to allow two (2) contestants to advance from club to Area, from Area to Division, and/or from Division to District must be made and communicated throughout the District prior to the commencement of the contest cycle, i.e., prior to any club contests being held.
    a) Once the decision is made, it must be implemented consistently throughout the District in all clubs, Areas, and Divisions affected.
    b) If a District decides to allow two (2) contestants to advance from club to Area, its decisions regarding the number to advance from Area to Division and/or from Division to District need not be the same.
  5. Occasionally, a contest will be held with only one (1) contestant. In such cases, a contest must still be held, and the contestant must be disqualified if they do not meet the timing, originality, and eligibility requirements

Area contests

Number of contestants who qualify from each of the clubs in an area for the area contest.  

The following areas are required to accept the top 2 placed available contestants in each of their contests from each of their clubs:

Division        Areas
A                     11,  23
B                     13, 17, 24
C                     22
D                     50
E                     6, 39
F                     4, 12, 27
G                    25, 41
H                    1 contestant per club for each area in Division H
J                     1 contestant per club for each area in Division J
M                   5, 18
N                    21, 31
S                     33, 60

 

Areas not listed above are required to accept the top placed available contestant per club in their areas.

Division contests

All Divisions are required to accept the top 2 placed available contestants from each of their areas.

Division winners will represent their Division at the District finals in May 2022. 

Division Directors, please ensure that winners in your Division contests are notified to Brenda Lannon, Program Quality Director, email blannond71tm@gmail.com using the winners notification form (please include all placed contestants).

https://www.toastmasters.org/Resources/Notification-of-Contest-Winner

Elizabeth Jordan
Elizabeth Jordan, DTM, Club Growth Director

Elizabeth Jordan, Club Growth Director

Many clubs experience a loss in membership at September renewals as existing members leave the club for lots of different reasons. This incentive rewards clubs which renew 80% or more of their membership base at 30th June 2021. Having a good base of experienced members is important to offer mentoring to new members and stability to the club. 

It’s a good idea to follow up with members who do not renew to help club officers to understand the reason for not renewing and to extend an invite to rejoin at a future stage. They may be happy to stay on the club’s email list with this in mind.

James Finnegan

James Finnegan, Public Relations Manager

Good PR attracts new guests, invites discussion and improves the reputation of the Club and Toastmasters generally.

Elizabeth Jordan
Elizabeth Jordan, DTM, Club Growth Director

Elizabeth Jordan, Club Growth Director

Many clubs experience a loss in membership at September renewals as existing members leave the club for lots of different reasons. Recruiting in the early months helps to maintain the membership based upon the number of members at 30 June.

Maintaining a healthy membership number (25+) gives the club a much better opportunity to hold quality meetings with enough members to avoid double roles. Quality club meetings attract new members. Healthy club growth is an important part of Club Success.