In accordance with Toastmasters International requirements, the District 71 Executive Committee met on Friday, 16th July 2021 to discuss whether speech contests at the Area, Division and District level should be held in-person or online for the Toastmasters year 2021-22.

The District Executive Committee includes all Area Directors, Division Directors and members of the District Leadership Team. The Committee was keen to ensure that all of our members could get the most out of their Toastmasters experience, whilst also considering the need to protect health and well-being of our members and the wider community.

Following a discussion in which arguments were presented for each option, the Committee voted. The decision was that District contests will be held online in the 2021-22 Toastmasters year.

This means that all Area, Division and District speech contests will be held using an online format, in accordance with the speech contest rule book and any additional guidance that Toastmasters International provides for online speech contests.

Club contests may be conducted either online or in-person. Individual clubs should make this decision in line with the wishes and best interests of their members.

Minutes

The draft minutes of the meeting (subject to approval by the District Executive Committee) are provided here:

District 71 DEC Meeting Minutes – 16 July 2021 – Draft