In a Humorous Speech the contestants must prepare their own 5 – 7 minute speech, which must be substantially original and certified as such in writing prior to the presentation of the speech (on Form 1183, Speaker's Certification of Eligibility and Originality).  Any quoted material must be so identified during the speech presentation. The speech must be thematic in nature (opening, body, and close) and not be an act or monologue (series of one-liners). The following is a link to a Toastmaster magazine article on arguably the most challenging of all Toastmasters contests, the Humorous Speech. http://www.earnestspeakers.com/humorous-speech.html please communicate this information with your club and start now planning for the fun.

District 54 Fall Humorous Speech Contest Schedule

We are only doing the Humorous Speech Contest for the Fall 2010 Conference. We will have a Tall Tales Showcase at the Fall Conference, but no Tall Tales Contest this year. This doesn’t mean we won’t do it again in the future; it’s just something new we are trying at this Fall Conference.

It’s not too early to start planning your Club’s Humorous Speech Contest. If you have questions about the contest please contact your Area Governor for assistance.

Instead of a Tall Tales Contest, the Fall Conference will host a Tall Tales Showcase on Friday, October 29^th during the Friday Night Fun Night. Tentative Friday evening schedule with the Tall Tales Showcase:

5:00 - 7:00 Registration & Credentials desk open

5:00 - 10:00 Silent Auction open

5:30 - 7:00 Networking / Dinner

5:30 - 6:30 First Timers reception

6:00 - 7:00 DTM Club Meeting ~ everyone welcome to attend

7:00 - 8:30 Tall Tales Showcase ~ free event w/ conference registration

8:30 - 10:00 Halloween Bash ~ free event w/ conference registration

The Tall Tales Showcase is open to anyone that has registered for the conference on a first come first served basis, each Division can have up to 3 participants. There will be certificates for those who participate and timing lights to keep them on track, but there will be no individual judging. When the conference registration goes live an e-mail will be sent out to the Division Governors to cascade down to all clubs/ members in their division explaining that if they are interested in participating they need to register for the conference then they may submit their name to Sherri Scott@ sherri.scott.h653@statefarm.com.  Participants will be signed up on a first to contact, first signed up basis.

A Tall Tale speech should be of a highly exaggerated, improbable nature and have a theme or plot. Humor and props may be used to support or illustrate the speech. Tall Tale speeches are 3 – 5 minutes in length.