by David Winkowski DTM Division E Director
I remember the first Area Contest I attended. I had been a Toastmaster for maybe a couple of years. Our president was working on her DTM and was also serving as our Area Director. She needed helpers, and I volunteered to be the Sergeant-at-Arms. I did not know what to expect, so anything I saw would be a surprise to me. And it was a pleasant surprise.
We were doing all the contests in person at that time, so my job was very different from the duties as they are currently. Part of my job was to be a gopher – carrying messages between the Contest Chair and the Chief Judge or between whoever needed my services. The rest of the time was spent ensuring that speakers were not interrupted during the competition. This included guarding the doors.
I learned a lot from that experience. First, as scary as volunteering was for a first-timer, it was a great experience. I was surrounded by a lot of seasoned Toastmasters who helped me when I had questions and made sure that I was where I needed to be.
Since that time, I have returned and filled several other roles – Ballot Counter, Timer, Judge, Zoom Master, Contest Chair, and Area Director. This year I hope to add a couple more roles to that list – Division Director and Contest Toastmaster. As with the other roles, I expect to learn not only more about myself and my abilities but also about additional aspects of what it takes to run a successful contest.
I encourage you to become a participant for many reasons.
First, as a contestant, you will learn even more about the craft of speech writing and delivery. The expanded audience and the additional input during your preparation will make your speech and future speeches better and better.
Second, as a helper, you will meet new people, grow your network, and learn new skills. You will also be treated to a show – the speakers throughout the competition – witnessing the variety and styles of speeches throughout the event.
Lastly, as a spectator, you will be entertained. You will see some very talented speakers as they craft their speeches and get them ready for you. If you catch them at various stages of the competition, you will get to witness how they hone their speeches between each level.
Participate in the contest this year – as a contestant, a helper, or a spectator. Go to the Contest Season page on the Distirct 25 website. Find a contest to attend, take that next step, and reach out to the Contest Chair to take a role. You’ll be entertained, educated, and connected more than you know.
