The purpose of a speech contest is to provide an opportunity for speakers to improve their speaking abilities, to recognize individual Toastmasters as an encouragement to all, and to provide an opportunity for all Toastmasters to learn by observing speakers who have benefited from their Toastmasters training. Each contest focuses on a particular set of skills, providing opportunity to learn about a specific area of communication.

Competitions begin at the club level with winners advancing to the next level. Club winners advance to the Area level, Area winners advance to the Division level, and Division winners advance to the District level-competing at the District Conference.

District 86 Toastmasters promotes 2 contests each year:

• International Speech Contest &
• Evaluation Speech or Table Topics (alternating years)

The District is the highest level for Speech Contests except for the International Speech Competition where the winner advances to the Region Quarter Finals. From there, International Speech contest winners represent their respective Districts in International Speech competition at the Toastmaster’s Convention in August.

See below to learn who has won various District level contests in the past.