Why Compete in the twice a year public speaking contests?

I competed in whatever competitions I was eligible for as soon as I joined Toastmasters. Why? Why not?

If others drop out through illness or business commitments, you might get to represent your club by default. The first time I entered a club competition I did not win. 

I was second of only two speakers. The other speaker was away on business for the next round, so I was automatically the club representative at the Area competition! Going to the Area competition for the first time allowed me to meet lots of other people, network and socialise. Entering a speech competition forces you to prepare a speech and practise a speech. You have a chance to give a speech to a larger audience and in a new venue.

The Table topics contest is easiest because you don’t have to prepare in advance. Unless you think you should read newspapers all week to be genned up on current affairs.

The Evaluation contest helps you concentrate on analysing other people’s speeches.

You learn from your mistakes. When you fail, it makes you keen to ask why, and listen to the answer. You can measure your progress if you are not placed the first year but win an award the next year.

You are always a winner. Regardless of whether you are placed in the ranking, you get a certificate of participation. Count them up and after five years you can see how you have progressed.

When you meet people who say, ‘I could never give a speech!’ or, ‘I never have the courage to enter a contest," you realise that, whether or not you win, just entering is an achievement.

Harrovians is not usually short of candidates. What is annoying is the stress for organisers of having no candidates, frantic appeals, then last minute drop outs and others stepping in when persuaded, resulting in a dozen the day before or on the day who are not on the agenda, making the printing a last minute stress. You need people signed up well in advance so they can practice.

Francophone French speaking club in Singapore never enters competitions because the competition is in English and the VPE had never even heard or competitions? Competitions don’t appear in the manual. The area governor would have to send them encouragement in French. 

If a club did not enter last year, the area governor should be chasing them to enter, making it one of the tasks in the CL manual and for mentors. Mentorship should be one of the committee roles.

The contests are a draw to bring back members and visitors to hear speeches of a high standard. Some people join a club solely to compete. Others only pay their membership dues when they realise they need to do so to compete.