Lion Alan M. Winkelstein District 4-L5 Student Speakers Contest Chairman.

CONDUCTING A SUCCESSFUL STUDENT

SPEAKERS CONTEST

Lion Alan M. Winkelstein District 4-L5 Student Speakers Contest Chairman

“The human brain starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public.”— George Jessel

"Public speaking is the art of diluting a two-minute idea with a two-hour vocabulary."— Evan Esar

"It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech."— Mark Twain

“It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu PowerPoint presentation.”Lion Alan M.

Winkelstein

Topic for 2010-2011 MD-4

Student Speakers Contest

ENFORCING OUR BORDERS –

STATE OR FEDERAL RIGHTS?

Where do we begin?

Select a chairperson If your Club has not done so already,

send in postcard for speech contest materials.

No postcard – no problem… Contact MD4 through website (md4lions.org) and request materials.

Preparing for the Contest

READ Handbook from cover to cover.

READ it again! READ it again!

How do I get my Student Speakers?

Open to students grades 9-12, including foreign exchange students

From any high school, charter school, private school, home school or independent study program

How do I get my Student Speakers?

Begin with your Leo Club Contact principal at school(s)

Get on agenda at Principal’s meeting May be more effective talking directly with:

Speech teacher English teacher Debate coach Mock Trial coach Drama teacher

How do I get my Student Speakers?

Once you have established school contact(s) give Handbook to participating teachers and coaches, not to students.

Info now available online at http://studentspeaker.md4lions.org/

Make certain you exchange phone numbers and e-mail addresses and keep in contact.

Eventually you will need contacts for students who are participating.

How do I get my Judges?

No Lion, Lioness, Leo, spouse, partner, or family member can be a judge.

Seek prominent citizens with: Public speaking experience

Toastmasters Public officials Teachers/College professors Attorneys/Judges

How do I get my Judges?

Seek individuals with: Expertise/Familiarity with this year’s topic

Border Patrol Immigration attorneys University/College professors Immigration-related agencies

Preparation for Speakers Contest: Set

a date Set date for contest well in advance

CLUB LEVEL – on or before February 22nd*

ZONE LEVEL – on or before March 14th* REGION LEVEL – on or before April 11th

DISTRICT LEVEL – on or before May 3rd

*Mountain communities need to think about weather and an alternate date, if necessary

Preparation of Students

Before Contest Keep in contact with each student

Make certain the contestants know the exact date, time and location. Have them arrive at least 15 -30 minutes early.Encourage them to bring family and/or friends for support

Ask if they have any questions about the rulesShould be familiar with rules through

teacher/coach/websiteMake certain no contestant is wearing a watch

Must result in disqualification

Preparation of JudgesBefore the Contest

Confirm selection as judge

Provide Judge’s Information & Worksheet

Meet with judges right before contest to review rules/scoring chart

Ask them to bring a short bio to use when they are introduced

During the Contest Keep judges separated

and not talking with students

Supply with pencil/pen, calculator and clipboard

Make certain judges sign worksheet when finished

As soon as they are done you can start with introductions

Preparation for Speakers Contest

(Game Day): Materials All Student Speakers Contest Materials

Handbook Judges’ Worksheets (have extra copies available) Timers’ Worksheets Tellers’ Worksheets Student /Judges/Coaches Certificates

Pens and pencils for judges, timers, and tellers Stopwatches or timers

Make certain you can show timer how to operate Calculators Clipboards

Preparation for Speakers Contest: The

Room Room size adequate for anticipated

audience Must be able to be closed during the

contest Should be reasonably quiet when closed If meal is to be served, arrangements

should be made to pay for contestants, coaches, judges, and others at your discretion.

Preparation for Speakers Contest: The

Room Public address system must be available.

Check it before the contest begins.

It is the speaker’s option to use the microphone and/or podium.

Clocks must be removed or covered.

Meeting Agenda

Old Format New Format

Call to Order Pledge of Allegiance Introductory Remarks

Call to Order Pledge of Allegiance Draw of Speaker Order Introductory Remarks

A late contestant will not compete if arrival time is after the draw of the speaker order.

Introductory Remarks Purpose of Contest

See top of page 12 of Handbook Brief outline of the objects and history

of contest See page 3 of Handbook

Subject title of current contest See page 3 of Handbook

Contest RulesMUST BE READ AS PRINTED

1. A late contestant shall not compete if arrival time is after the draw of the speaker order for that contest.

2. No one may enter of leave the room while a contestant is speaking. (Call upon guards to man the doors.)

3. No smoking, food, beverages or water during the contest, except intermissions.

Contest Rules (continued)

4. Do not applaud the speakers until after the judge’s worksheets have been collected.

5. Each speaker is allowed 10 minutes, but no warnings signals shall be given.

6. There will be a quiet 3 minute intermission between and after speakers after the final speech is given, to allow the judges to complete scoring. There shall be no conferring with judges during the contest.

Contest Rules (continued)

7. No photography, video or audio taping will be allowed during the contest.

8. All noise emitting electronic devices such as phones, beepers, etc. should be turned off until the contest is completed.

9. Any protest relative to the contest must be made to the chairperson before the winner is announced.

10. The contest chairperson shall review and verify the tellers’ worksheets before announcing the results.

Instructions to Timers

Three timers recording the time used by each contestant in minutes and seconds.

Stopwatches are recommended. The official time shall be the average of

the three timers worksheets. Timing begins when the speaker first

speaks, not at the conclusion of their salutation to the chair and audience.

Awards for Students

Note: Zone and Region Chairs make certain checks are prepared and ready to give to winner. May need to contact Cabinet Secretary for funds.

Club Contest (Club pays) $75.00 to winner $25.00 to each finalist

Zone Contest (District pays) $100.00 to winner only

Region Contest (District pays) $150.00 to winner only

Awards for Students District Contests (15)

$4500.00 scholarship Area Contests (4)

$6500.00 scholarship MD-4 Final Contest (1)

$10,000.00 scholarship

Paid by the Lions 4th District Student Speakers Foundation Inc

Preparation of JudgesAfter the Contest

I like to introduce the judges before the students and have them say a few words

Present them each with certificate printed in a professional manner in certificate holder or frame

Discuss Lionism with them. Invite them to your next meeting.

Send a thank-you note to each of the judges

Preparation of Students

During the Contest Call up each speaker by

number onlyIf only one speaker is

present, he/she must still speak and be judged.

Provide water at podium for each speaker

Three minutes intermission between speakers

Speaker #1

Speaker #2

Speaker #3

Preparation of Students

After the Contest Introduce each student and

present certificate Certificate should be

presented in holder or frame and printed in a professional manner

Student should provide: Name, school, grade, college

interested in attending, major

Introduce family/support in attendance

Instructions to Tellers At least 2 tellers at each contest Collect Timers’ Worksheets and average

time scores Collect Judges’ Worksheets and check

their scores for accuracy Follow instructions on Teller’s Worksheet

to determine winner The one who has earned the majority of 1st

places shall be declared the winner. (Must take into account any percentage penalties on timing.)

Instructions to Tellers If no speaker has a majority of 1st

places, total the places earned for each contestant and the one with the lowest total of places earned will be declared as the winner.

If still a tie, add the scores of the tied speakers and the one with the highest total, after deducting for time penalties, shall be the winner.

If a tie still exists, the winner will be awarded to the speaker who comes closest to the 10 minute limit, without going over.

It’s Almost Over – And The Winner Is…

Verify the tellers’ worksheets before announcing the results

Announce the winner ONLY! Present the award Present awards to

finalists (Club level only.)

The Contest is Over – Now What?

1. Make sure the Teller’s Worksheet is completed in its entirety.

2. Send/deliver the Teller’s Worksheet, Judges’ Worksheets and contest winner postcard to Chairperson at next level contest.

3. Zone & Region Chairs upon receipt of the above material send a photocopy of the form letter of congratulations to that contest winner.

The Contest is Over – Now What?

4. Two weeks before the prior level contest send the original form letter of congratulations to your prior level chair.

5. The scores given by the judges for an individual student may be given to that student or the student’s speech coach. Do not identify the judges or disclose the scores of the other students.

The Contest is Over – Now What?

6. All winners at the Club level contests shall receive a Student Speakers Handbook prior to the Zone Contest . They should leave with one after the Club contest.

7. Students should be reminded of their obligation to complete the contest and arrive to contests on time. Scheduling conflicts are the student’s responsibility to resolve.

Following the Winner Personally contact your level winner at

least one week before the next contest to make certain that they are prepared and know when and where the next contest is being held.

Announce the next level contest at your Club meeting and in your bulletin.

Encourage your Lions Club members to attend and support your winner.

Summary Image is important. The chairman and

assistants should dress appropriately. Follow Lions official protocol when

introducing Lions officers. If you have any concerns or in doubt

about a decision, take your time and consult with your assistants.

Read the Handbook from cover to cover one more time!!

Questions/Resources

Lion Alan Winkelstein Any questions at all regarding contest issues or “assistance” [email protected] Cell: 951.265.1044 Office: 951.676.WINK (9465)

Cass Cara - MD4 offices For limited supply of additional packet materials 800.546.6634 www.md4lions.org

Lions Club International Club Supplies To purchase Lions Club Certificate holders www.lionsclubs.org – Click on Shop tab