Following the announcement at the District Council Meeting last weekend, below is the outcome of how speech contests will be held.
The short version:
- Area Contests will be online
- Division and District Contests will be Hybrid
Note that clubs may hold their own contests in whatever format they prefer.
The longer version:
On the 28th July, the Toastmasters International Board of Directors made the decision, that due to COVID-19 and the uncertainty of the ability of Districts around the world to plan for in-person speech contests, all speech contests at Area, Division and District levels MUST be conducted in either hybrid or online format for the 2022-23 speech contest cycle.
Hybrid contests are those in which some participants (contestants, judges, and/or audience members) are onsite in a physical location and others are online.
Online contests are defined as those in which all participants are online.
Hybrid contests must allow each contestant to select the format in which they will participate (onsite or online). Contestants cannot be penalised for selecting one format versus another.
In Hybrid contests, all briefings and rehearsals must also be offered in a hybrid format.
Unfortunately, there is no additional funding we are able to offer in the delivery of hybrid contests – although there is a ‘hybrid meeting tech kit’ available – one per state – for loan…
As yet there are no specific guidelines from World Headquarters on the way hybrid contests should be conducted and this is not to be expected for a couple of months. This guidance will include: logistical recommendations for how to set up camera equipment, manage contest officials, and coordinate contestants. Communication from World Headquarters will also include recommendations for briefing judges and formatting contests to ensure an equitable experience for all contestants. We, together with many Districts, are already collaborating on best practices to support both online and hybrid contests and this information will be shared as it becomes available
It was gifted to each District, to determine through a vote of the District Executive Committee, the format for each level of contest.
Having discussed and debated the pros and cons of the directive from World Headquarters – which included the cost and equitability across the District given the challenges of a hybrid format and the availability of suitable venues and resources for the average contest coordinator… It was acknowledged that it is too much to expect from all our Area Directors to be able to conduct a hybrid Area Contest – but that we will be able, following guidance from World Headquarters later this year, to be able to assist Divisions to conduct their Division Contests. And also have a hybrid contest at the District Conference to be held on 19th, 20th and 21st May 2023.
It was moved and carried at the District Executive Council, that the 2022-2023 Speech Contest season at the Area Level be conducted in an online format and that Division and District levels be conducted in a hybrid format.
My thanks to you all for your continued service and resiliency.
Kevin Broughton DTM
Program Quality Director 2022-23