judges training jan 2010

Judges Training - Jan 2010 1

Contest Judge

Judge’s Training for Division ‘D’

Judges Training - Jan 2010 2

Objective

• To provide basic information about Contest Judge.

• Role Clarity• Eligibility• Important Areas• Tips• Forms

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Speech Contest

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Tradition

• Speech contests are a Toastmasters International tradition. The biggest contest is the International Speech Contest.

• Each year, thousands of Toastmasters compete for the

coveted title of World Champion of Public Speaking, awarded at the International Convention in August.

• Competition begins with club contests, and winners compete upward through the area, division, district, regional, and international levels.

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Types of Contest

1. International Speech

2. Humorous Speech

3. Evaluation Speech

4. Table Topics

5. Tall Tales Speech

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A SUCCESSFUL CONTEST REQUIRES

• Planning• Fair and Impartial Judges• Knowing the Rules

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THE INTERNATIONAL

SPEECH CONTEST RULES

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THE INTERNATIONAL SPEECH CONTEST RULES

1. Eligibility

2. Originality

3. Humor

4. Props

5. Timing

6. Protests

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Contestant’s Eligibility

• Be a member in good standing of the club in which he or she is competing.

• The club also must be in good standing. • A new, dual or reinstated member must have dues and

membership application current with World Headquarters.

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Contestant’s Eligibility

• Have completed at least six speech projects in the Competent Communication manual prior to the club contest.

However,

• A charter member of a club chartered since the previous July 1 is eligible to compete. The club must be officially chartered prior to the area contest.

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Ineligible for competition in any contest

• District officers, Division governor, Area governor, whose terms expire June 30.

• Anyone who has agreed to present an educational session at the area, division, district, regional and/or international event at which the contest will be held.

• A judge at any level of a contest in which he or she is still competing

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Originality

• Speakers must prepare their own 5 to 7 minute speeches, which must be substantially original and certified as such in writing.

• Speakers may not use the works of others as their entire speech or as the bulk of their speech, with or without identification of the source.

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Humor

• No contestant should be marked down by judges simply because humor is used. To the contrary, humor can be a very important part of any speech.

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Props

• They are not restricted in any way other than the bounds of good taste.

• A contestant may use any prop or visual aid

– provided it is not used before the beginning of the speech, and the speaker takes full responsibility for setting up and removing it.

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Timing

• Each contestant must proceed directly to the speaking position upon being introduced.

• He or she may not attempt to communicate with the audience, either via sound or action, prior to uttering the first words of the speech.

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Timing

• Should a 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 should activate the timing device at that point.

• If this results in the speech going overtime, the contestant will be disqualified.

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Protests

• Only judges and contestants may protest any aspect of a speech. Any protest must be lodged with the chief judge and/or the contest chairman before the winner and alternates are announced.

• Protests are serious matters and should be handled promptly, efficiently, and fairly.

• The contestant whose speech is being questioned should be given the opportunity to respond to the accusations.

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SPEECH CONTEST JUDGING

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Types of Judge

• Chief Judge• Contest Judge• Tie Breaking Judge

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SPEECH CONTEST JUDGING

• Most controversies related to judging arise at the lower levels of competition, especially at area level.

• Many judges don’t understand how to use the judging form.

• Others fail to realize that their job is simply to pick a winner –not to evaluate a speech.

• Judges are human, and it’s impossible to totally solve the problem of bias.

• But you can take steps to minimize bias and improve the quality of contest judging in your district.

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THREE STEPS TO QUALITY JUDGING

• Conduct training workshops for speech contest judges.• Select judges carefully.• Conduct brief judge orientation sessions before every

contest.

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Qualities

• Good Judges are:– Accurate– Fair– Trustworthy– Knowledgeable– Good listeners

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Judges code of ethics

• Avoid bias in selecting winners• Do not time speeches or consider possibility of under

time or overtime when making a selection• Support contest rules and do not reveal scores.

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Barriers to objectivityBARRIER JUDGES CHALLENGE

First or last speakers is the best

Treat each speaker the same

Lets help the underdog Don’t let feeling influence your judging

Halo effect Resist giving speakers high marks for anything other good performance

Reverse Halo Don’t downgrade in one category because of performance in other category

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CONTEST JUDGE

BARRIER JUDGES CHALLENGE

Second time around Judge the speech as if it’s the first time you have heard it

Give some else a chance Never consider past success or failure

Club norms Think about the norms of TMI.

Prejudice & personal preference

Set aside likes and dislikes

Unfamiliar judging forms Study them thoroughly

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TIEBREAKING JUDGE

• Only chief judge knows who is the tie breaking judge• To rank contestants numerically on special tie breaking

judge’s ballot.• Submit ballot to chief judge who will open only when

there is a tie.• In the event of a tie, the contestant who ranks higher on

the t/b judge’s list will be awarded the contested place.• No place higher than the tying position will be affected.

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Chief Judge (Eligibility)

• You are not a contestant.• CC and higher• Qualified judge – undergone training (within 2 years).

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Chief Judge - Duties

• Reviews the list of judges and ensures eligibility.• Briefs the judges, timers & tally counters.• Ensure that the contest rules are strictly followed by

contest chair at the pre-contest briefing and also during the contest.

• Oversees the contest, time keeping, and tally counting.• Notifies the winners to the responsible official.

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Chief Judge -Duties (continued)

• Before the contest.– Liaising with contest chair and education head.– Act as coordinator between the various role players.– Ensure that all the necessary forms are available.– Study the contest rules thoroughly, and keep the

latest rule book handy for reference.

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Chief Judge -Duties

• Before the contest:

– Chief judge appoints and counsel contest judges, counters, timers, tally counters and a secret tie breaking judge. Chief judge does not vote unless appointed as a voting judge.

– Distributes an information package to each contest judge– Provides list showing placement of all contestants to contest

chair.

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• Provides judges with a pre contest orientation:– Review speech contest rules.– Review & explanation of judging form– Reminder not to consider time as judging criteria– Admonition against bias of any kind– Review of speaking area– Reminder that failure to comply with any rules should be taken

into consideration while judging.– Acting as chief counter

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Chief Judge -Duties (continued)

• During the contest

– Check arrangements for smooth contest.– Briefing for judges, timers, tally counters and sergeant at arms.

Appoint the tie breaking judge secretly.– Check timers report.– Oversee tally counters and guide them if necessary.– Keep the tie breaking judge’s ballot separately.

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Chief Judge -Duties (continued)

• After the contest:

– Pass on the winners names to the responsible official

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FORMS

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Forms

• Speech Contestant Biographical Information.• Speaker’s Certificate of Eligibility and Originality.• Judge’s Scoring Sheet and Ballot.• Time Record Sheet• Counter’s Tally Sheet

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Panel size

• At the club level contests, a contest chairman, chief judge, at least five judges, a tiebreaking judge, three counters, and two timers are appointed, as far as practical.

• At the area level contests, there shall be at least five judges or equal representation from the clubs composing the area in addition to a contest chairman, chief judge, a tiebreaking judge, three counters, and two timers.

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Panel Size

• At the division or district level contests, there shall be at least seven judges or equal representation from the areas composing

• The division or district in addition to a contest chairman, chief judge, a tiebreaking judge, three counters, and two timers.

• At the district contest, no judge shall be a member of the club represented by a contestant.

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Judging ItemsHumorous Speech Contest

• Content 55– Speech Development

– Effectiveness

– Speech Value

– Audience Response

• Delivery 30– Physical

– Voice

– Manner

• Language 15– Appropriateness

– Correctness

100 Points

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Ballot

• Rank the contestants in order of First Place, Second Place and Third Place.

• Detach the lower part of the form and submit to Tally Counter.

• First Place 3 points• Second Place 2 points• Third Place 1 point• Sign and write your name. • Do not share the scoring matrix or your notes with

anyone.

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Tips

• BYOB • Bring your own bag. Forms / Pads / Pens / Pencils• Study the Judging Items description one day before the

contest.• Most contests have hair line finish. So listen very

carefully. Make extensive notes. Score immediately at the end of speech.

• Fold the portion of completed speeches so that you don’t see previous points.

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Finally

• Read the Speech Contest Rule Book 2010.• Discuss any doubts with your Area Governor.• Do a good job.

• There is wisdom in experience.

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Gurbinder S Punn

Asst Div Gov. Education & Training

Division ‘D’ , Oman

toastmasterpunn@yahoo.com