Speech Contests FAQ

  1. In what format are 2023-2024 speech contests taking place?
    Back to Top
  2. How are in-person, online, and hybrid contests defined?
    Back to Top
  3. Can my District conduct in-person contests?
    Back to Top
  4. What are the guidelines for Districts conducting online or hybrid speech contests?
    Back to Top
  5. Can my District change our selected contest format in the middle of a contest level?
    Back to Top
  6. Can reaction buttons or emojis be used during online contests?
    Back to Top
  7. What are the guidelines regarding video or audio recording of a District speech contest?
    Back to Top
  8. Where can I find more information or resources on speech contests?
    Back to Top
  9. Where can I find the dates and times of the speech contest in my Area, Division, or District?
    Back to Top
  10. Who is ineligible to compete in any speech contest?
    Back to Top
  11. What happens if I pay my dues on time but my club treasurer does not submit my dues to World Headquarters?
    Back to Top
  12. Are contestants required to have completed a minimum number of speeches, projects, or levels to participate in a speech contest?
    Back to Top
  13. Can a member compete in two Area contests if the areas are in different Divisions or Districts?
    Back to Top
  14. Can a member serve as a contest chair at one contest and compete in another?
    Back to Top
  15. What is a contest official? Can they serve more than one role?
    Back to Top
  16. Who can be an alternate speaker?
    Back to Top
  17. Do judges need to remain anonymous?
    Back to Top
  18. Does the chief judge’s role include judging contestants?
    Back to Top
  19. What does it mean that "a member serving as a chief judge, voting judge or tiebreaking judge beyond the club level for a contest in which the member is still competing or intends to compete" is ineligible?
    Back to Top
  20. An Area with five clubs has one club that is not in good standing. Can the clubs in good standing in that Area send two contestants to the Area contest?
    Back to Top
  21. What does the Speech Contest Rulebook mean when it says a speech must be “substantially original?”
    Back to Top
  22. Back to Top
  23. Can members be charged an entry fee in order to compete in a speech contest?
    Back to Top
  24. What are the rules regarding usage of music, media, or props in a speech contest speech?
    Back to Top
  25. Can the current Division and Area Directors serve as the contest chair for their respective speech contests if they are a candidate?
    Back to Top
  26. Back to Top
  27. Can the Program Quality Director(s) serve as the speech contest chair for the District level contest?
    Back to Top