Important Dates

  • September 1, 2009 - Club begins marketing campaign to attract students to club contest
  • January 1, 2010 - Club notifies Aliyah Levin of club's interest in sponsoring a student
  • March 2010 - Club hosts club contest to select a winner that advances to the district competition
  • April 10, 2010 - District Speech Competition 10AM - 2 PM
  • May 15, 2010 - District Conference in Palm Springs - 1st Place Winner Speaks

Contest Purpose

Speech contests provide an opportunity for young people (rotarian and not) to learn about the fellowship and opportunities in Rotary and present their understanding through prepared speaking. This also allows for Rotarians who are not participating in the contest to learn by observing and to share the understanding of Rotary. It is important that all contests be conducted fairly. All contests originate at the club level and proceed to the semi-finals. By reading the official rules carefully and following them, a fair speech contest and an enjoyable event is ensured.

Contest Instructions

  1. Club creates it own marketing material and solicits teen competitors.
  2. Club notifys Aliyah (District Speech Contest Chair) that Club will be nominating a competitor.
  3. Club hosts club contest in March.
  4. Club downloads and complete the contestant's entry form and emails or faxes to Aliyah.
  5. Teen writes the title of the speech and a one paragraph description of the speech on the back of the entry form.
  6. Club submits entry form by April 1, 2010, to Aliyah Levin, Fax number: 310-402-5975


Official Contest Rules

  1. One entry per student
  2. Entrant must be currently enrolled in high school or home schooled at a high school level.
  3. Speech shall be between 5-7 minutes.  A 30 second grace period will be allotted.  Contestant shall be disqualified if the speech is less than 4 minutes and 30 seconds or longer than 7 minutes and 30 seconds.
  4. Speech shall answer the question directly and completely based on the Rotary Four-Way Test.
    1. Is it the TRUTH?
    2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
    3. Will it build GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
    4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?  
  5. Entrants shall first compete at their local club level during March 2010. Local club shall determine the exact date, and location of club contest.
  6. Club level winners advance to district finals to be held on April 10, 2010.
  7. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place district winners shall be available to receive their awards at the District Conference.
  8. 1st place winner shall speak at the District 5280 Conference.
  9. Contestant(s) may be disqualified for any reason, by the Vice Speech Chair, with or without cause.
  10. Contest may be terminated, by the Vice Speech Chair, without notice, for any reason.
  11. Eligibility and Official Rules may be changed, by the Vice Speech Chair, without notice, for any reason.
  12. Contestant(s) must be present in order to compete.
  13. Contestants shall create their own speech. Speech shall be substantially original.
  14. All entrant applications shall be received by the the speech chair by April 1, 2010.
  15. Club must be in good standing to select a contestant to compete on its behalf.
  16. All contestants shall speak at the local club level.
  17. If there is only one contestant at the local club, contestant shall still deliver his/her speech in order to qualify advance to the next round.
  18. All minors shall have parental or legal guardian's permission to enter the competition.

Downloads

  • Official Contestant Entry Form must be currently enrolled in high school or home schooled at a high school level at the time of submitting the entrance form on/before (April 2010).
  • Promotional Flyer Rotary Club members please download, print, copy, and distribute this flyer.
  • Judging Criteria
 

CONTACT INFORMATION

Click here to e-mail your questions or telephone Aliyah Levin at 310-809-2977 fax # 310-402-5975

 

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL LINKS

District 5280 Official Website

Rotary International