Tools for Club Program DevelopmentDistrict 45 Speak Out Contest
Each year D45 clubs invite high school students (Seniors, Juniors, Sophomores and Freshmen) to compete in a 5 to 7 minute public speaking contest. The 2023 theme is "How can the environment be saved for our future?". Local clubs host local competition, sending one finalist to the district competition which will be held at the District Spring Convention on April 29th in Manchester Vermont. There will be a maximum of 8 participants at the District competition.
Students who participate in this program gain valuable experience preparing their presentation, working to a timeline, and confidence. Many young people today have something to say but do not have the tools to speak in public effectively and with confidence. Good communicators make good citizens.
What can your club do?
1) Select a Speak Out chairman and share that information with the
2) Your Speak Out committee should develop promotional materials to distribute which explain the purpose of the contest, rules, and prizes. You will need to decide on local awards to be presented. At district 1st place receives $500, 2nd place $300, 3rd place $250 plus additional prizes. Your local awards should be what your club determines it wants to provide for awards. You will also need to select a date for the local competition and consider the venue. Each competitor takes about 10 minutes (this might be longer depending on time needed for 3 judges to ask questions of the speaker and the speaker's response to such questions). DEADLINE TO REGISTER A COMPETITOR FOR THE STATEWIDE COMPETITION IS APRIL 8TH!!!. Please contact the District Chairperson for a sample flyer to modify for your club's competition
3) Find a contact person, preferably at your local High School: the head of the English Department or a Guidance Counselor are excellent options. Other possible contacts: local 4-H and Scout Group Leaders, Debate Coach, etc.
4) Your club will need to set a local contest date, amount of prizes, location of contest and list your chairperson person on the bottom of your form. Fill out your form and make copies including the judging form and the International President’s message, if you wish, to give to your contacts. They in turn can make copies for the students that are interested in participating.
THINGS TO DO BY YOUR FIRST MEETING (PREFERRED TO BE IN JANUARY:
1) Please contact me if your club is going to be participating in the Speak-Out Contest and give me the name of your Speak-Out Chairperson and the date of your local contest. My email address is listed below.
2) IMPORTANT: PLEASE HAVE YOUR LOCAL CONTEST AT ONE OF YOUR CLUB MEETINGS ALTHOUGH AN ALTERNATIVE DATE / LOCATION IS FINE. BE SURE TO ASK AT THE SCHOOL ABOUT DIFFICULT DATES SUCH AS EXAMS, ETC.
AFTER THE CONTEST:
1) Send ME the results of your Contest and the number of guests (family members) your winner will have with them at the District Contest in April.
2) The District 45 final contest will be held at the April 29th Spring Convention in Manchester, Vermont.
3) The District covers the costs of all contestants’ meals at the stateswide competition so please let me know the total number of guests that will be attending the Contest so that enough meals and tables are provided. Meals of any guests of the contestants’ are covered by the clubs that invite them and should be paid by the club when they check in at the Spring Convention.
4) The District also covers the meals of each club’s Speak-Out Chairperson.
Thank you and good luck, we hope to see you in March!
Lion Ken Emery, Speak-Out Contest Chairperson
Lion Connie St. George, Speak-Out Associate
