Chief Judge Guidebk Cmpiled by Mark Kramer, DTM Original Date: March 2010 as the District 5 Judging Chair Updated: May 2011, May 2012, May 2013, May 2015 Cngratulatins! Yu re serving as the Chief Judge fr an area r divisin cntest! These guidelines may help yu get ready by suggesting hw t prepare fr the cntest, suggesting what t bring t the cntest, suggesting what t d at the cntest, and suggesting what t d fllwing the cntest. In additin, yu ll find suggested briefings fr judges and functinaries. Befre The Cntest Attend Chief Judge Training fr a refresher and t becme familiar with new rules. See the www.d5tm.rg website fr dates f training sessins. Review the latest update f the Speech Cntest Rulebk n the www.tastmasters.rg website; just search fr speech cntest rulebk (item 1171 r 1171DCD). Cntact the District 5 Cntest Chair t cnfirm hw the cntest frms (fr timers, judges, etc.) will be supplied fr the cntest (dwnlad fr free frm the Tastmasters website stre; search fr cntest kit digital ). If a Table Tpics cntest will be held, cnfirm wh will prvide the questins. Technically, it is the area r divisin Cntest Chair s respnsibility but, traditinally, it is the District Cntest Chair wh supplies them. Wrk with the Cntest Chair (see the area/divisin directr fr name f Chair) and the area/divisin directr t find judges. Page 1 f 12 Area/divisin directrs are generally tasked with recruiting judges frm clubs. Members are encuraged t cntact the area/divisin directr t vlunteer. Yu ll need a minimum f 5 judges fr area cntests and 7 fr divisin cntests. Cnsider finding tw additinal just in case it kay t use mre than minimum. Fr area and divisin cntests, select judges frm utside the area wh are nt district fficers. If impractical fr an area cntest, then use an equal number f judges frm each club in the area cntest. Fr Internatinal Speech Cntests, each judge must have cmpleted at least 6 speeches frm the Cmpetent Cmmunicatr manual. Judges fr an area cntest r higher are ineligible t cmpete at any level during the cntest seasn. Wrk with the Cntest Chair t find Timers and Cunters: Cntest Chairs are generally tasked with recruiting Timers and Cunters. Timers: Tw timers. Timers shuld be frm different clubs and preferably nt frm the same club as any cntestant. Cunters: Three cunters. Cunters shuld be frm different clubs and preferably nt frm the same club as any cntestant. Als crdinate the fllwing with the Cntest Chair: If there will be an Evaluatin Cntest, remind the Cntest Chair that the Test Speaker shuld be a Tastmaster frm a club nt cmpeting in the cntest and, preferably, shuld be a member frm a different area r divisin. If there will be a Table Tpics Cntest and the District Cntest Chair tld yu that the Area r Divisin Cntest Chair is respnsible fr writing the questins, ask the
Cntest Chair t write 3-5 questins and place each in a sealed envelpe fr the Tastmaster t select during the cntest. The number f questins and the sealing f questins in envelpes is nt a requirement but has becme a traditin. Request the Cntest Chair cllect and prvide the cmpleted Speaker s Certificatin f Eligibility and Originality and Speech Cntestant Prfile frms frm each cntestant prir t the start f the cntest. Cnfirm wh is respnsible fr the cntest briefings. As Chief Judge, yu are respnsible fr briefing the judges, timers, and cunters. Briefing the cntestants and sergeant at arms is the respnsibility f the Cntest Chair; hwever, the Cntest Chair traditinally delegates this t the Tastmaster but smetimes delegates it t the Chief Judge. If the Cntest Chair will delegate the briefing t the Tastmaster ensure that the Cntest Chair ntifies the Tastmaster befre the day f the cntest. Yu shuld plan t be present during this briefing regardless f wh cnducts the briefing. Cnfirm that the Cntest Chair will prvide yu with the Certificates f Participatin s yu can give them t the judges during their briefing. Decide wh will bring the stp watch. Technically, it is the respnsibility f the Chief Judge. Usually, the respnsibility is delegated t smene else. Cnfirm that yu will be reimbursed fr judging packet supplies (yu must bring a receipt t the cntest and present it t the Cntest Chair) Cnfirm that the Cntest Chair will prvide several cpies f the Pht Release Frm and the Vide Release Frm (search the Tastmasters website stre fr pht release frm and vide release frm. Remind the Cntest Chair that it is the Chair s respnsibility t retain these signed frms fr 1 year after the cntest. Persnally find a Tiebreaking Judge. The tiebreaking judge shuld be frm utside the area r divisin being cntested. N ne else shuld knw wh the tiebreaking judge is. It is highly recmmended that yu email the judges, timers, and cunters prir t the cntest t ensure that all knw their duties. Take this pprtunity t remind them f the lcatin fr the cntest and what time they shuld arrive. Cnsider sending the briefing examples fund later in this dcument. Fr the judges, ask them t cnfirm which area and divisin they are in, that they have given at least 6 speeches, and that they are nt a cntestant in anther cntest. Cnsider including a cpy f the Speech Cntest Rulebk in yur email t each judge (yu may dwnlad the PDF versin frm the Tastmasters.rg website). IMPORTANT: email the tiebreaking judge separately. If yu will be creating the judges packets: Purchase flders at stres that sell ffice supplies such as Staples, Wal-Mart, etc. The thicker the flder the easier it is fr the judges t use t write n. Include the Judge s Certificatin f Eligibility and Cde f Ethics frm (frm 1170DCD may be dwnladed free frm the Tastmasters website). Each judge must sign it. Include a judge s frm fr each cntest. Yu shuld cut ff the bttm prtin f the frm abut 80% f the way. If there is mre than ne area cntest, write the number f the area at the tp and bttm f each frm. Include an envelpe fr the judge t place each cntest s ballt. Befre the briefing, insert the judges Certificates f Participatin int their flders. Page 2 f 12
What T Bring T The Cntest Prepared judges packets fr each judge, including the tiebreaking judge. If yu will be prviding nn-judge frms, such as timer frms and cunter frms, bring the frms. Technically, yu are respnsible fr bringing the stp watch t the cntest. Smene else, thugh, will prbably be given respnsibility t bring ne crdinate this with the Cntest Chair. Nevertheless, cnsider bringing ne just in case. Bring pens fr the judges, timers, and cunters in case they are needed. A deck f cards (r just Ace thrugh 6) t select speaking rder in case the Tastmaster did nt bring cards. Receipt fr any supplies yu purchased such as the flders fr the judges packets. Even thugh yu are nt respnsible fr them, cnsider bringing extra supplies such as extra frms, timing lights/cards, etc. Yu never knw when these items may be needed. Envelpes fr the judges t place their ballts. At The Cntest Befre It Starts Arrive 60-90 minutes early as requested by the Cntest Chair. If there will be an Evaluatin Cntest, ask t be shwn the rm where the cntestants will prepare their ntes. Get the judge s Certificates f Participatin fr the judges frm the Cntest Chair. Cllect each cntestant s Speaker s Certificatin f Eligibility and Originality frm. Ensure that each cntestant is eligible: A cntestant is a member in gd standing and a member f a club in gd standing, and that the cntestant is cmpeting in nly ne area cntest. If there will be an Internatinal Speech Cntest then cnfirm that the cntestant has cmpleted at least 6 speeches frm the Cmpetent Cmmunicatr manual (exceptin: n minimum requirement fr members f newly charted clubs since July 1). Page 3 f 12 A cntestant wh is late and misses the briefing may still cmpete as lng as the cntestant has submitted a Speaker s Certificate f Eligibility and Originality, reprts t the Cntest Chair, and waives the pprtunity fr a briefing befre the Tastmaster is intrduced. Ensure that each cntestant s Speech Cntestant Prfile frm is given t the cntest Tastmaster. Brief judges, timers, and cunters. Yu must cllect a signed Judge s Certificatin f Eligibility and Cde f Ethics frm frm each judge. If yu are t brief the Tastmaster, sergeant at arms, and cntestants, brief them. Privately brief the tiebreaker judge. Remind the Cntest Chair that phtgraphy (even nn-flash phtgraphy) and videgraphy is nt permitted unless the phtgrapher, videgrapher, and subjects cmplete the Pht Release frm and/r Vide Release frm prir t the cntest. Each member wh ptentially will be phtgraphed r recrded must be briefed abut the recrding and must be tld hw the recrding will be used (ex. will it be psted n the web?). Thse nt signing the Release frm may nt be phtgraphed r videtaped.
Phtgraphy and recrding equipment must nt cause a safety hazard t any in attendance and must nt be a distractin t speakers r presenters. It is the Cntest s Chair s respnsibility t ensure that the phtgrapher and videgrapher nly recrd thse wh have given written permissin and nly psts phts r vides n the web f members wh have given written permissin. The Cntest Chair must retain the release frms fr at least a year after the cntest. Remind the Tastmaster t annunce any changes t the cntestants as listed in the prgram and annunce the speaking rder f the cntestants befre the cntest begins. Instruct the Tastmaster t speak slwly t give the judges time t write dwn the names. At The Cntest Once It Starts Once the Tastmaster is annunced, cntestants wh arrive later are disqualified. Cntestants may skip the briefing but must be present at the start f the cntest. Befre each cntest yu will be asked t make these cmments t the audience: Turn ff all cell phnes and ther sund making devices. N phtgraphs are allwed during the cntests, with r withut flash except by thse wh have signed the Tastmasters Internatinal Pht Release frm. N vide recrding is allwed during the cntests except by thse wh have signed the Tastmasters Internatinal Vide Release frm. D nt lk at the timing devices when a cntestant is speaking. Yu may nly get ut f yur seats between cntestants. If yu leave the rm yu may nt return nly between cntestants. Remain silent fr ne minute between cntestants and until after all ballts are cllected fllwing the last cntestant f each cntest. Cntestants, judges, timers, cunters, and the audience have been briefed. Let the cntest begin! Tastmaster! During the cntest: Remain in the rm during the cntest t watch fr vilatins: Audience members getting up while a cntestant is speaking Audience members entering the rm while a cntestant is speaking The Tastmaster nt allwing ne minute between cntestants Prblems with the timing signals Page 4 f 12 After the final cntestant in a cntest finishes, stand up and: See that the cunters cllect the judge s ballts nly the bttm prtin shuld be cllected; the judge s keep the remainder f the frm Persnally cllect the tiebreaking ballt discretely Persnally cllect the Time Recrd Sheet frm the timers When all judge s ballts have been cllected, annunce that the ballts have been cllected Leave the rm with the cunters t cunt the ballts Determine 1 st and 2 nd place fr the cntest: Disqualify any judge s ballt that is nt signed Disqualify any judge s ballts that des nt have at least three cntestant names written dwn if there were at least three cntestants Disqualify any judge s ballt that lists the name f smene nt cmpeting
Disqualify any judge s ballt that has a cntestant s name substantially wrng (ex. If the cntestant in the prgram is Pat Smith but the name written is Chris Smith then the ballt is tssed; hwever, if the cntestant s name in the prgram is James Smith but the ballt shws Jim Smith that is acceptable) Oversee the cunters as they cunt the ballts twice Even if it is bvius wh wn the cntest simply by lking at the ballts, yu must still cunt the ballts Only if there is a tie, use the tiebreaking ballt Disqualify any cntestant fr nt speaking within the required time range If a prtest is ldged by a judge r cntestant ver riginality r eligibility see the Speech Cntest Rulebk. Only a judge r cntestant may prtest. Call all the judges tgether (except fr the tiebreaking judge) and explain the situatin. Then ask the cntestant t jin all f yu. Explain the prtest and give the cntestant the pprtunity t cmment. Ask the cntestant t return t the audience while the judges cnfer. Disqualify the cntestant if a majrity f judges agree t d s. Nte that a speech can be disqualified nly if it is substantially (i.e. mstly) nt riginal see the Speech Cntest Rulebk. Write dwn 1 st & 2 nd place fr the cntest. Nte if there were any disqualificatins but d nt prvide details (e.g. There was ne disqualificatin. ) See frm at the end f this dcument. Hand the cntest results t the directr presenting the awards. D nt hand the results t the cntest Tastmaster r anyne else. At the end f the cntest: When the directr calls n yu t acknwledge yur judges, yu may generically thank them but yu must nt name them and yu must nt ask them t stand up. All judges must remain annymus. If the Cntest Chair did nt prvide yu with the Certificates f Participatin prir t yur cntest briefing t give t the judges, annunce that yu will prvide the certificates after the cntest. Listen clsely t the annuncements f winners interrupt immediately if there is a mistake. D nt ask the judges t prvide yu with the tp half f the ballt frm; the judge s shuld take these with them and destry them. Immediately Fllwing The Cnclusin Of The Cntest If the Cntest Chair did nt give yu the judges Certificates f Participatin befre the cntest t place in each judge s flder, discretely hand each judge a certificate. Cmplete the Ntificatin Of Cntest Winner frm (r a similar frm that the District prvides yu) and hand it, alng with the Speaker s Certificatin Of Eligibility And Originality and Speech Cntestant Prfile frms t the directr fr the next level. Prviding the infrmatin t the District Cntest Chair is als acceptable if the District Cntest Chair plans t attend the next level f cmpetitin. If neither are available, yu may give the frms t the Cntest Chair. Hld n t all ballts, tally sheets, timer s sheets, judge s certificatin frms until after the next level f cmpetitin has been cmpleted; then destry them in a lcatin ther than where the cntest was held. Page 5 f 12
Disqualificatin Case Studies Only a judge r cntestant may issue a prtest. Shuld this ccur, call all the judges tgether (except fr the tiebreaking judge) in a private lcatin and explain the prtest. Then ask the cntestant t jin all f yu. Explain the prtest and give the cntestant the pprtunity t cmment. Ask the cntestant t return t the audience while the judges cnfer. Disqualify the cntestant if a majrity f judges agree t d s. Nte that a speech can be disqualified nly if it is substantially (i.e. mstly) nt riginal see the Speech Cntest Rulebk. Even thugh the rulebk states that disqualificatins may nly ccur if a speech is nt substantially riginal r fr nt meeting timing guidelines, Chief Judges have disqualified cntestants fr the fllwing reasns because f the ptential fr bias: Evaluatin cntestants must nt knw the test speaker. At ne cntest, just befre it began, an Evaluatin cntestant met smene and they began talking. It turned ut he was the test speaker. Instead f immediately ending the cnversatin, the tw cntinued talking anyway. During her cntest evaluatin, the cntestant mentined smething that she had learned abut the test speaker during their shrt pre-cntest cnversatin. Since the ther cntestants were nt privy t this infrmatin, the judges ruled that there was a bias and the cntestant was disqualified. A member served as an area cntest judge fr an area nt assciated with his club. Hwever, he was barred frm cmpeting in his wn area cntest after winning his club cntest! Why? Because it was pssible that if he wn his area cntest he might cmpete against this area s winner. What s wrng with that? It s pssible that, knwing this, he might have vted fr the weaker cntestant s he wuld have an easier cmpetitin. In an evaluatin cntest, a judge realized that the test speaker at a cntest was frm the same club as ne f the evaluatin cntestants. The judges cnferred after the test speaker spke, declared it an invalid speech, and selected a vlunteer frm the audience t give anther test speech t ensure that n cntestant had prir knwledge f the test speaker. An area cntest chair had wn her club s speech cntest was nt allwed t cmpete in the area cntest because she had selected the judges fr the area cntest and it might have appeared that she had chsen judges wh wuld be biased twards her. A cntestant did nt hear the Tastmaster call the cntestants fr their briefing and missed it. When the Tastmaster annunced the speaking rder, the cntestant didn t hear his name and let the Tastmaster knw that he was present. The Tastmaster tld him that she had called all the cntestants fr the briefing multiple times and, since he missed the briefing, he was disqualified. The Chief Judge intervened and allwed the cntestant t cmpete because, she said, the rulebk states that cntestants have the right t waive the briefing. In this case, all parties had it wrng. The Tastmaster cannt disqualify anyne; nly the Chief Judge may disqualify a cntestant. Cntestants cannt be disqualified fr missing the briefing; cntestants have the right t waive it; hwever, a cntestant wh waives the briefing must still reprt t the Tastmaster, request t waive the briefing, and submit a certificate f eligibility frm prir t the intrductin f the Tastmaster. In this case, the cntestant shuld have been disqualified fr nt reprting t the Tastmaster befre the Tastmaster s intrductin. Had the cntestant tld the Tastmaster he was waiving the briefing after handing his frm it becmes the Cntest Chair s respnsibility t either appint the cntestant as the last cmpetitr r gather all cntestants t draw speaking rder prir t the intrductin f the Tastmaster. Cntestants are reminded f these rules in bth the Speech Cntest Rulebk and in the email sent t cntestants if the Cntest Chair is using the District 5 Organizing Area & Divisin Cntests Guidebk. Page 6 f 12
JUDGES, TIMERS, AND COUNTERS BRIEFING EXAMPLES Gather all timers, cunters, and judges except the tiebreaking judge. Hand each judge a flder that includes the judging frms (with the bttm mstly trn ff), and, if yu wish, a cpy f the Speech Cntest Rulebk and this briefing. Timer Briefing 1. Only ne Time Recrd Sheet And Instructins Fr Timers, stpwatch, and timing signal will be used (lights are preferred but cards are kay if necessary). 2. While nt required, cnsider this frmat: Fr the first cntest, ne Timer shuld wrk the stpwatch and signal while the ther recrds the time. Then switch fr the secnd cntest. 3. Begin timing upn the first hint that the cntestant has begun nte that this may be nnverbal r verbal. 4. Time as fllws: a. Int l Speech Cntest: 5 min (green), 6 min (yellw), 7 min (red) b. Humrus Speech Cntest: 5 min (green), 6 min (yellw), 7 min (red) c. Tall Tales Cntest: 3 min (green), 4 min (yellw), 5 min (red) d. Evaluatin Cntest: 2 min (green), 2:30 min (yellw), 3 min (red) e. Table Tpics Cntest: 1 min (green), 1:30 min (yellw), 2 min (red) 5. Fr speeches, if a cntestant speaks fr 30 secnds less than the minimum time r 30 secnds lnger than the maximum time, circle the time t indicate a disqualificatin. Fr Table Tpics cntestants must speak fr a minimum f 1 minute and n mre than 2:30. 6. Between each cntestant, time fr 1 minute and signal the Tastmaster when the 1 minute is up. After the last cntestant in a cntest, d nt time. 7. After the last cntestant in a cntest, hld up the Time Recrd Sheet And Instructins Fr Timers frm fr the Chief Judge t cllect. 8. Times are cnfidential and shuld nt be discussed with anyne during r after the cntest. 9. If smene disqualified by time is annunced as a winner, it is the Timers respnsibility t raise up a hand and state ut lud, There is an errr. 10. Time the break fr the amunt f time listed in the prgram. Let the Sergeants at Arms knw when there is five minutes remaining, tw minutes, ne minute, and zer minutes. 11. Demnstrate the signaling device t the cntestants befre the cntest begins. 12. Timers may be excused. Cunters Briefing: 1. Cunters shuld stand fllwing the last cntestant in a cntest and cllect the judges envelpes cntaining the ballt in the air. D nt hver arund judges. 2. Hld up fingers fr each envelpe cllected s we knw when they have all been cllected. 3. After all envelpes are cllected leave the rm with the Chief Judge t pen and cunt. 4. Use the Cunter s Tally Sheet t tally scres; even if the winners are bvius. 5. D nt cunt any judge s ballt that is nt signed r has a nn-cntestant name written. 6. Ballts are cnfidential. Scres are nt t be discussed with anyne after the cntest. 7. If the cntest winners are annunced in the wrng rder, it is the Cunters respnsibility t raise up a hand and state ut lud, There is an errr. 8. Cunters may be excused. Page 7 f 12
Judges Briefing: 1. Right nw, read and sign the Judge s Certificatin f Eligibility and Cde f Ethics frm and hand me the signed frm. Once I have yur signed frms I can cntinue the briefing. 2. Review each cntest s criteria n the reverse f each judging frm. This is the nly criteria that yu shuld use during the cntests. Try t eliminate any bias frm yur judging. 3. Yur sle task is t select 1 st, 2 nd, and 3 rd best in each cntest based n the criteria. 4. The scring pints shwn n the judging frm are guidelines fr yur persnal use; yu d nt need t use the suggested pints. 5. If yu end up with a tie n yur ballt, yu must break the tie yurself. 6. Sign the bttm f each judging frm even d it nw. Unsigned ballts cannt be cunted. 7. Wait fr the Tastmaster t annunce the speaking rder befre writing names n the frm. 8. Speeches must be substantially riginal -- the majrity f the speech must be yur wn riginal material. Citatins can be used as lng as yu reference the riginal surce. If qutes are used t ften in a speech, the majrity f the cntent is n lnger yur riginal wrk. If yu have any inclinatin that the speech is nt riginal yu may ldge a prtest. (TI March/April 2011) Ntify the Chief Judge r Cntest Chair befre the winners are annunced if yu feel there is a questin abut riginality. The cntestant will have an pprtunity t respnd t the judges. A majrity f judges must agree with the disqualificatin fr a cntestant t be disqualified. 9. D nt cnsider time when judging. The Timers are respnsible fr timing. 10. Cntestants will be shwn the speaking area ; hwever, if a cntestant steps beynd the speaking area it is nt means fr disqualificatin and shuld be taken int cnsideratin nly if yu feel that the mvement was awkward r inapprpriate. 11. Try t sit clse enugh t the cntest area s yu can see and hear the cntestants easily in case there is an utside disturbance r the sund system fails. While it is nt a requirement, yu may wish t avid sitting next t a cntestant and ther judges. 12. After each cntestant yu will have 1 minute t determine yur scre fr the cntestant. 13. After the final cntestant in the cntest yu will have unlimited time t fill ut the 1 st, 2 nd, and 3 rd place names at the bttm f the frm. 14. Write the names dwn as they appear in the prgram. Fr example, if the prgram says James d nt write Jim. Yur ballt may be disqualified. 15. Only write cmpetitr s names n the ballt. If the prgram lists smene and that member did nt actually cmpete and yu write dwn the name, yur ballt will be disqualified. 16. If there are three r mre cntestants yu must write dwn a 1 st, 2 nd, and 3 rd place names even if trphies are nly being awarded fr 1 st and 2 nd. 17. After yu ve filled ut the 1 st, 2 nd, and 3 rd place names and cnfirmed that yu have signed the ballt, tear ff the bttm, fld it in half, stick it in the envelpe, and hld the envelpe in the air fr a Cunter t cllect. 18. D nt discuss the judging f this cntest r explain yur judging with anyne, nt even the cntestants r ther judges. 19. Destry yur ntes immediately after the cntest in a lcatin ther than where the cntest was held. Page 8 f 12
Tiebreaking Judge s Briefing (held privately away frm thers): 1. Right nw, read and sign the Judge s Certificatin f Eligibility and Cde f Ethics frm and hand me the signed frm. Once I have yur signed frms I can cntinue the briefing. 2. Review each cntest s criteria n the reverse f each judging frm. This is the nly criteria that yu shuld use during the cntests. Try t eliminate any bias frm yur judging. 3. Yur sle task is t rank all cntestants in each cntest based n the criteria. If there are five cntestants in a cntest then yu must write dwn all five names. 4. The scring pints shwn n the judging frm are guidelines fr yur persnal use; yu d nt need t use the suggested pints. 5. If yu end up with a tie n yur ballt, yu must break the tie yurself. 6. Sign the bttm f each judging frm even d it nw. Unsigned ballts cannt be cunted. 7. Wait fr the Tastmaster t annunce the speaking rder befre writing names n the frm. 8. It is best fr the tiebreaking judge t nt make any prtests unless yu feel strngly that the speech is nt substantially riginal -- the majrity f the speech must be yur wn riginal material. Citatins can be used as lng as yu reference the riginal surce. If qutes are used t ften in a speech, the majrity f the cntent is n lnger yur riginal wrk. (TI March/April 2011). Discretely slip a nte t the Chief Judge if yu feel strngly that the speech was substantially nt riginal. When the Chief Judge gathers the judges tgether t discuss a prtest yu must NOT jin them. 9. D nt cnsider time when judging. The Timers are respnsible fr timing. 10. Cntestants will be shwn the speaking area ; hwever, if a cntestant steps beynd the speaking area it is nt means fr disqualificatin and shuld be taken int cnsideratin nly if yu feel that the mvement was awkward r inapprpriate. 11. While nt a requirement, tiebreaking judges ften sit in the very back rw and avid sitting next t cntestants and ther judges t help secure annymity. 12. After each cntestant yu will have 1 minute t determine yur scre fr the cntestant. 13. After the final cntestant in the cntest yu will have unlimited time t rank all cntestants and write their names at the bttm f the frm. Rank every cntestant. 14. Write the names dwn as they appear in the prgram. Fr example, if the prgram says James d nt write Jim. Yur ballt may be disqualified. 15. Only write cmpetitr s names n the ballt. If the prgram lists smene and that member did nt actually cmpete and yu write dwn the name, yur ballt will be disqualified. 16. After yu ve ranked all cntestants at the bttm f the frm and cnfirmed that yu have signed the ballt, tear ff the bttm, fld it in half, place it in the envelpe, and discretely hand it t the Chief Judge. D nt waive it in the air fr a Cunter t pick up. 17. D nt discuss the judging f this cntest r explain yur judging with anyne, nt even the cntestants r ther judges. 18. Destry yur ntes immediately after the cntest in a lcatin ther than where the cntest was held. Page 9 f 12
CONTESTANT & SERGEANT AT ARMS BRIEFING EXAMPLE It is the Cntest Chair s respnsibility t see that the cntestants and sergeants at arms are briefed befre the cntest. Usually, the Cntest Chair delegates this respnsibility t the Tastmaster but, smetimes, it is delegated t the Chief Judge. If s, yu may use this example t brief them. 1. Call fr the Cntestants and Sergeants at Arms t meet yu at the frnt f the rm frm where the Cntestants will speak. 2. Ask the Cntestants t identify themselves and then brief them: Cnfirm that yu have each cntestant s Speaker s Certificatin f Eligibility and Originality and Speech Cntestant Prfile frms. If nt, ask them t fill ne ut nw. They cannt cmpete withut the Eligibility frm cmpleted. Hand the Speech Cntestant Prfile frms t the Tastmaster. Remind each cntestant that they must be a member in gd standing in a club in gd standing. If this is an Internatinal Speech Cntest, remind cntestants that they must have cmpleted at least 6 speeches frm the Cmpetent Cmmunicatr manual unless they are a member f a club newly charted since July 1. Shw the cntestants the acceptable speaking area (usually it is befre the first rw f the audience and is ften marked n the flr with tape). Ask cntestants t meet with the Sergeants At Arms if they need help preparing fr their cntest ask the Sergeants At Arms t identify themselves. Ask the Timers t demnstrate the timing signals. Ask cntestants t cnfirm that they can see the signals frm the speaking area; keeping in mind that there will be an audience seated in frnt f the signals. Have cntestants select a playing card at randm fr bth cntests. Nte the rder and instruct the Tastmaster t annunce the rder befre each cntest. If there is a cntestant missing, explain t the thers that the speaking rder will need t be re-drawn if the cntestant r the alternate arrives prir t the intrductin f the Tastmaster. Dismiss the cntestants. 3. Ask the Sergeants At Arms t identify themselves and then brief them: Explain that they are t ensure that n ne enters r leaves the rm when a cntestant is speaking. Explain that they are respnsible fr speaking with the cntestants t find ut if they need any setup in preparatin fr their presentatins. Setups shuld be made just befre a cntestant speaks and remved befre the next cntestant speaks. If this is an evaluatin cntest, pint ut where the Sergeant at Arms are t escrt the cntestants t prepare their evaluatins. When the cntest is ready t start, call everyne t rder. Only if there is a United States flag in the rm, lead everyne in the Pledge f Allegiance (since nt everyne may be an American citizen, cnsider stating Please stand and, if yu wuld like, jin me in reciting the Pledge f Allegiance. ) Ask the audience t sit after the Pledge. If there is n flag, d nt lead the Pledge. Page 10 f 12
Only if the venue requires that an annuncement be made cncerning exiting the building in case f emergency, annunce the emergency exit prcedures. If the lcatin f the restrms is nt bvius, annunce where they are lcated. Intrduce the directr fr the cntest. Keep it simple by saying, Please jin me in welcming ur area/divisin directr. During the break, check the remaining time with the Timers. Five minutes befre the end f the break, walk arund and annunce t everyne that the break is ver in five minutes. Repeat the annuncement at tw minutes and ne minute. At the end f the break, ask everyne t be seated. If this is an Evaluatin Cntest, escrt the cntestants t a separate rm after the Test Speaker cncludes. After 5 minutes, cllect all cntestant materials. Escrt the next cntestant int the rm prir t that cntestant s name being annunced by the Tastmaster. When the cntestant s name is called, hand the cntestant s ntes back. If this is a Table Tpics cntest, escrt all the Table Tpics cntestants ut f the rm except the first cntestant. Escrt each cntestant back int the rm while the judges are recrding their scres frm the previus cntestant. Dismiss the Sergeants At Arms. Page 11 f 12
Chief Judge Please fill ut this frm and hand t the directr wh will annunce the winners. Directr please read the infrmatin in the rder listed belw (i.e. annunce disqualificatins, then 2 nd place, then 1 st place f the first cntest then disqualificatins, then 2 nd place, then 1 st place f the secnd cntest). Fr the Cntest: There were disqualificatins due t time. 2 nd Place 1 st Place Fr the Cntest: There were disqualificatins due t time. 2 nd Place 1 st Place Page 12 f 12