Return speech contests to the traditional schedule!

I support this petition.

Combining them is not a good idea.

Combining them is not a good idea.

I'm in support of this position.

I am in support of this petition.

This proposed plan is not feasible.

Sorry for the double sign in. I do like traditional schedule and I am available to assist around my work schedule!

I look forward to participating in and watching each of the contests. Having such dispariate contests at the same time would force those that take preparation seriously to choose one or the other and dilute the field for both. Please return to the format that encourages all members to strive towards greater skill and execution.

please return speech contest to the traditional schedule.

it's nearly impossible to prepare both speeches at the same time and deliver them back to back If scheduling is tight just do evaluation in the fall and TT's and International Speech in the spring. Not doing evaluation and TT's takes aware competition opportunities from newer TM's

This put speakers in a near-impossible situation to prepare both such disparate speeches at the same time.

I agree with Rose Waring

I too, would like to bring back the old schedule and have two speech contests each year

I absolutely agree with the contents of this petition.

We are better than this.

I have been an ACTIVE member of this life-changing-for-the-better organization for 33 years. I believe in and fully support the mission to make better communication a world wide reality. I understand fully and support the mission of our District, but I do not understand the expectations of the Top Three officers: May, Joyce, and Bob, who were recently electeded to be SERVING the members of this District. What I and others need to know is your plan of service to and for District 5. While I know that you would like to be recognized as Leaders of a Distinguished District, I do not believe that such recognition should be your number one priority as it seems to be continuously stated both in print and orally. I believe that your No. 1 mission should be to serve the members of this District in ways that the members desire. I have seen no evidence of any request for input as to what the members desire. I have offered my services for the one request for training that I have seen posted, only to be informed that the position I offered to serve had already been filled. Presuming that was accurate information, my suggestion to you is that your requests for assistance be made specifically as NEEDED and not as a general request. For example, in your request here, you state that you do not have enough volunteers to "make Distinguished status" and conduct 2 contest seasons. Do you have any Contest Chair volunteers at this time? Apparently not, as you are asking for 34 Contest Chairs. You make this request with no mention of any intention of honoring the request which this petition asks for. Have any of you, personally, asked anyone to serve as a contest chair for the two contests you intend to conduct? Do you yet have a District Contest Chair and a job description for that position? Do you have any written job descriptions for any Chair positions? I know members who are willing to serve our District when

The mission of the District as set forth by TI is "We build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence." With that said, our goal is to be Presidents Distinguished this year. We (the Top 3) would love to see 2 contests this coming year. In order to do that we (the Top 3) need all of you to step up and help us find 34 contest chairs to to run these contests in the fall, and another 34 for the spring. We do not have enough volunteers at this time to earn Distinguished District status (as set forth as a directive through our mission by TI) AND conduct 2 contest seasons. Again, We (the Top 3) want to hold 2 contests seasons too, but we need all of YOU to step up and make it happen. The best way to do this is to be part of the solution. We would like to ask that those who signed the petition to help the district recruit the 34 Contest Chairs needed for both the Fall and Spring Contests. We would like to propose the following: 1) Recruit six people from those that signed the petition to form a committee to recruit contest chairs for the Fall/Spring Contests. Each person will be assigned one division to work with the division director and area directors in helping to recruit contest chairs for each area. If there is more than one contest chair volunteer from an area we can assign them to another area to be a contest chair. 2) Sign-up to be a contest chair for an area. Please let us know by July 15th -- May, Joyce and Bob

I have been a member of Toastmasters for over twenty five years. For decades the contests worked beautifully. Now, suddenly and without soliciting comments from District 5 members, a handful of toastmasters decide everything has to change. Mark my words; proceed on this path without the consensus of the members and it will come back to bite you. Bob Decker Mt. Helix Toastmasters

Since the World Championship of Public Speaking takes place in August, our contest should be held in the Spring. From a speaker's point of view, the energy and enthusiasm will disappear after waiting 8-9 months to compete at such a high level.

I definitely concur with the keeping the traditional contest format!