Page 12 - October 2020 Voices

FROM THE DESK

Why Run a Club Fall Speech Contest?

Eldred Brown, DTM - Club Growth Director

“Is District 7 running any speech contests each of the three clubs again
this fall?” before finally joining one of
“No, we stopped supporting fall speech them. The rest, as you can say, is
contests at the area, division, and district levels history. If you’re a contestant, you may

a few years ago, but I encourage your club to run want to invite your spouse, a sibling,
a club-level speech contest.” a close friend, or even the
Why do I recommend this? Let me give you co-worker you see often at
a few reasons: team meetings. You want their

support, or maybe you want them to
Speech contests are fun! enjoy the contest with you. The
A speech contest is a welcome break from fun of a contest meeting is a
the routine of regular club meetings. Imagine a great way to entice your family,

humorous speech contest where your clubmates friends, and colleagues to visit a
share with each other and with their audience meeting with you. Your guest will enjoy
funny stories that make you laugh. Maybe your an evening (or morning) of fun and
contest Toastmaster comes up with a Table Topics maybe even be inspired to

question that encourages more funny speeches. return for a normal meeting,
Your club may choose instead to run a Tall Tales as I was. Who knows? Your guest
contest where you have fun hearing speakers may even become a member.
tell the biggest fibs. What is more fun than a

meeting that doesn’t follow the usual format and Running a club speech contest gives your
encourages such hilarious speeches? club practice at running a contest.
In December, the window will open for
Speech contests are a great way to bring your club to run the International Speech and
guests to your meetings. Evaluation contests to determine who will

The first meeting I ever visited in each of represent you at your area contest in February.
the first three clubs I visited was a contest. The These winter/spring contests are the ones
meetings were so much fun I came back to visit that count—the real thing. You will want to be

12 ONE COMMUNITY