• Contest Chairperson - The CC is the person ultimately responsible for making sure that a contest actually occurs. Sometimes the Contest Chair delegates the role of Toastmaster and Chief Judge.
  
  
• Toastmaster - The TM is responsible for the actual contest program. To have a program, one needs contestants. So, the Toastmaster should contact by phone EACH scheduled contestant to encourage them to show up to compete and to instruct them when to be where. The TM also recruits a Sergeant-at-Arms and conducts the actual contest.
  
  
• Chief Judge - The CJ recruits all judges, timers, counters and anyone else related
  
  
• Judges - Club contests should have at least 4 judges. Area contests should have 2 representative judges from each club competing.
  
  
• Tie Breaking Judge - A tie-breaker is unknown to the audience but completes a separate judging ballot in case of a tie.
  
  
• Sergeant-at-Arms - Begins the contest by introducing the Contest Chairperson. The SAA also assists with the room setup and serves as an escort to contestants during the Table Topics and Evaluation portions.
  
  
• Contestants - Clubs should strive for 5 contestants in each contest.
  
  
• Test Speaker (plus backup) - A Test Speaker is recruited from another club for a club contest, another Area for an Area contest, or another Division for a Division contest. This presentation can involve any subject and should be focused toward 5-7 minuts, although the Test Speaker is typically not timed.
  
  
• Timers - Two timers are required to make sure timing is conducted acurately.
  
  
• Vote Counters - At least 2 vote counters should be responsible for being trusted with the counting job.
  
  
• Chief Counter - The Chief Counter oversees the 2 counters and delivers the ranking results to the Toastmaster.
  
  
• Table Topics Master - Sometimes a TTM is recruited to conduct this portion of the contest.
  
  
• Photographer - Don't forget to promote the results of the contest to the media! In addition, the contestants who take home trophies will appreciate receiving a picture of the experience.

Have questions or suggestions about how to conduct a contest?

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