Tall Tales Speech Contest Rules

These rules apply to the Sherwood Park Tall Tales Speech Contest and have been slightly altered from the Toastmasters International rules. These rules may not be supplanted or modified, and no exceptions may be made.

1. PURPOSE

1. To provide an opportunity for speakers to improve their speaking abilities.
2. To provide an opportunity to learn by observing the more proficient speakers who have benefited from their Toastmasters training.
3. To provide participants with the opportunity to create an original, highly improbable, humorous tale.

2. ELIGIBILITY

1. All Toastmasters who are members in good standing, in a District 99 Toastmasters Club, are eligible to compete.
2. Contestants must prepare their own three- to five- minute speech, which must be substantially original and certified as such in writing to the chief judge by the contestants prior to the presentation of the speeches (on form 1183, Speaker's Certification of Eligibility and Originality). Any quoted material must be so identified during the speech presentation.
3. The speech must be of a highly exaggerated, improbable nature and have a theme or plot. Humour and props may be used to support or illustrate the speech.

3. SPEECH PREPARATION

1. The subject for the Tall Tales speech shall be selected by the contestant.
2. Since this contest is limited to a single level, any number of contestants from each club may compete and District 99 Officers are eligible to enter.
3. There is no requirement that a contestant have completed a set number of speech projects in order to be eligible, brand new members may compete.

4. GENERAL PROCEDURE

1. A contest chairman, chief judge, at least three judges, two counters, and two timers are appointed. All judges will judge all contestants.
2. Before the contest, contestants are briefed on the rules by the contest chairman. Judges, counters, and timers are briefed on their duties by the chief judge. Contestants will then draw for their speaking position with the contest chairman.
3. If a contestant is absent from the briefing, a speaking position will be drawn for them. When the contest Toastmaster is introduced, if not present, the absent contestant is disqualified.
4. All contestants will speak from the same platform or area designated by the contest chairman with prior knowledge of all the judges and all the contestants. The contestants may speak from any position within the designated area and are not limited to standing at the lectern/podium.
5. Introduce each contestant by announcing the contestant's name, speech title, speech title, and contestant's name.
6. There will be one minute of silence between contestants, during which the judges will mark their ballots.
7. Contestants may remain throughout the duration of the contest, in the same room.
8. Announcement of contest winners is final unless the list of winners is announced incorrectly, in which case the chief judge, ballot counters, or timers may immediately interrupt to correct the error.

5. TIMING

1. Speeches shall be from three to five minutes. Contestants who speak less than two minutes 30 seconds or more than five minutes 30 seconds will be disqualified.
2. Time will begin with the first word uttered by the contestant. However, should the contestant engage in definite verbal or nonverbal communication with the audience (including the playing of music or other sound effects, a staged act by another person, etc.) prior to reaching the speaking position and uttering the first word of the speech, the timer shall activate the timing device at that point. If this results in the contestant going overtime, the contestant will be disqualified.
   The green light will be turned on at three minutes and remain on for one minute. The amber light will be turned on at four minutes and remain on for one minute. The red light will be turned on at five minutes and remain on until the speech is concluded. No audible device, such as a buzzer, shall be used for the overtime period.
3. Any sightless contestant may request and must be granted a form of warning signal of his or her own choosing. Acceptable warning signals would include but not be limited to: a buzzer, a bell, or a person announcing the times at three, four and five minutes. If any special device and/or specific instructions for such signal is/are required, the contestant must provide same.
4. In the event of technical failure of the signal, a speaker is allowed 30 seconds extra overtime before being disqualified.
5. Prior to announcing results, the chairman should announce if time disqualification(s) occurred, but not name the contestant(s) involved.

6. PROTESTS

1. Protests will be limited to judges and contestants. Any protest will be lodged with the chief judge and/or contest chairman prior to the announcement of the winner and alternate(s). The contest chairman shall notify the contestant of a disqualification regarding originality or eligibility prior to that announcement before the meeting at which the contest took place is adjourned.
2. Before a contestant can be disqualified on the basis of originality, the contestant must be given an opportunity to respond to the judges. A majority of the judges must concur in the decision to disqualify. The contest chairman can disqualify a contestant on the basis of eligibility.
3. All decisions of the judges are final.

7. WINNERS

In contests with five or more participants, a third place winner (if wanted), a second place winner, and a first place winner will be announced. In contests with four or fewer participants, a second place and first place winner will be announced.