Are a Goldmine for Skill-Building

Speech contests often feature a select group of well-prepared contestants, but have you ever wondered how much effort goes into making these events successful? Behind every contest is a team of dedicated volunteers, each playing a crucial role in ensuring the event runs smoothly. And here’s the best part: Each of these roles helps you develop essential leadership and organizational skills.

Let’s explore the key roles in a speech contest and the valuable skills they can help you build:

TIMER

The timer plays a vital role in maintaining the structure and fairness of the contest. It’s not just about keeping time – it’s an opportunity to refine several important skills:

• Attention to Detail: Precision is key to ensuring that time limits are respected.
• Accountability: You’re responsible for keeping track of time and enforcing the rules.
• Impartiality: Your role requires neutrality and fairness to all contestants.
• Time Management: It’s a great opportunity to enhance your own time-management skills.

BALLOT COUNTER

Behind the scenes, the ballot counter ensures that the contest runs smoothly, keeping the process transparent and fair. This role helps you develop:

• Attention to Detail: Accuracy is crucial when handling ballots.
• Confidentiality: You’ll be entrusted with sensitive information that must be kept private.
• Organization: Efficiently managing ballots ensures the contest runs without hitches.
• Problem Solving: Sometimes unexpected challenges arise – your ability to stay calm and resolve them will be put to the test.
• Teamwork: You’ll collaborate closely with the contest team to ensure a seamless experience.
• Time Management: Proper handling of ballots is critical to keeping the contest on track.

CONTEST JUDGE

Judging a speech contest is an impactful role that allows you to contribute to others’ success while building a range of important skills:

• Critical Thinking: You’ll assess each contestant’s performance based on specific criteria.
• Impartiality: Judging requires fairness, free of personal bias.
• Ethical Decision Making: It’s important to make decisions that are fair and ethical.
• Attention to Detail: You’ll evaluate every aspect of a speech, from content to delivery.
• Confidence: Judging requires making tough decisions with conviction.
• Leadership: Your feedback helps participants grow and improve.
• Integrity: Ensuring the integrity of the judging process is paramount.

TOASTMASTER

As the host of the event, the Toastmaster sets the tone and keeps the event running smoothly. This role offers an excellent opportunity to hone your public speaking and leadership abilities:

• Leadership: You’ll guide the event and manage participants.
• Confidence and Fluency in Public Speaking: You’ll develop your skills in speaking clearly and confidently in front of an audience.
• Time Management: Keeping the event on schedule is a key part of the Toastmaster’s job.
• Adaptability: Every event is different, and the Toastmaster must adjust to changing circumstances.
• Coordination & Collaboration: You’ll work with the event team to ensure everything goes off without a hitch.
• Organizational Skills: From timing speeches to managing transitions, you’ll develop strong organizational skills.
• Event Planning: This role gives you hands-on experience in event coordination.

Get Involved!

District 42’s Speech Championship is fast approaching, with the Division Contests already in full swing! The District 42 Speech Championships will be held during the D42 Conference in Lethbridge on May 2 and 3.

If you’re interested in developing these valuable skills and contributing to a memorable event, consider volunteering for a role in the contest. Reach out to your Division Director, Chief Judge Russ Dantu, or Contest Chair Christina Kruis for more information.

It takes a village to create a successful District Contest, and we’d love for you to be part of the team!

Christina Kruis, DTM
District 42 Contest Chair (In-Person)