Help and Guidelines for Rotary Youth Speaks

Transcription

1 Rotary International District 1070 Youth Service Help and Guidelines for Rotary Youth Speaks Page 1 5 Page 5 6 Page 7-8 Page 9 Organising a local competition (procedures and tips for team members) Information for Adjudicators, Questioner and Timekeepers Marking sheets Timekeeping sheet The RIBI Rules are followed at District competitions. Although not compulsory, it is to the competitors advantage if they are also followed at Club competitions. Please use these Guidelines in conjunction with the RIBI rules that are available from the RIBI website These Rules also include information that relates to further stages in the competition. Whilst the Rules and Guidelines might appear to be complicated, they are quite easy to follow. If you are running your first Youth Speaks event do please contact the District organiser who will be happy to assist Rotary Clubs and schools. For clubs wishing to develop their understanding of the competition benefit can be derived from obtaining a copy of the Youth Speaks DVD or attending one of the District Semi Finals Clarification of age groups: Intermediate dates of birth between 01/09/1999 and 31/08/2002 Senior dates of birth between 01/09/1995 and 31/08/1999 District Contact: Joyce Marston. RC of Uppingham. joyce.marston1@btinternet.com Eligible Teams: In addition to teams from schools, Scouts, Guides, St John s Ambulance Brigade, Young Farmers Clubs, and other similar youth organisations are encouraged to take part. Progress from Club to District Semi-finals: It is suggested that 1 team for every 3 competing teams should be entered. How to Organise a Youth Speaks Competition. 1. Contact other Local Rotary Clubs to see if they are interested in having a competition. A local competition could take place within one school or organisations or between a number of schools or organisations. 2. Contact Schools. The English and Drama departments are usually the best to start with or ask the Office Manager for the name of the best contact. If possible meet with the teacher involved. 3. Go through the rules and guidelines with them so they are totally informed of what is expected of them. Give teachers a copy of these guidelines and marking scheme. 4. Offer assistance. This could mean going to the school to listen to the students presentations or advising them at practices. 5. Arrange a date and venue for a competition. Give schools plenty of notice of this event. Schools are usually delighted to host and may not charge. 6. Approach potential adjudicators. Please make sure they are aware of the rules and are happy to abide by them. We would advise you not to totally rely on adjudicators from one source, as you will miss the balance required. Presentation skills are equally as important as technicalities. Judges should be looking for a natural manner. 7. Arrange for a Questioner and for 1 or 2 people to time keep. 8. Decide on your award schemes, certificates, trophies etc. This is entirely up to you. 1

2 Programme The following outlines a typical programme for a local competition: 6. 30pm Teams arrive and sign in with the organiser. Arrival of adjudicators and doors open to the public. 7.15pm Draw to take place to determine the order of presentation pm Representative from the Club opens the meeting with a word of welcome and encouragement to the competitors and a brief introduction of the adjudicators, questioner and time keepers. It is useful here to briefly outline the format of the competition for the benefit of the audience pm First team is invited by the MC to come forward to make its presentation. Allow 15 minutes for each presentation. The adjudicators will require time to make their decisions and prepare comments. It may be appropriate to have some light refreshments available during this interval. When the adjudicators return The Chief Adjudicator should give constructive comments before the winners and runners up are announced. The final item is the presentation of awards and certificates, and a vote of thanks to all those involved. Ensure you have information on Rotary Youth Projects and Rotary available, as this is the time to catch the interest of teachers and parents. The Youth Opportunities display boards can be borrowed if booked well in advance (contact the District Organiser). Awards It is suggested where Clubs organise local competitions, prizes for the members of the winning team should be awarded. Certificates should be awarded to all participants to identify their personal achievement. At District Semi-Finals and Finals certificates will be awarded to all participants and at the District Final trophies will be presented to winners. Subject matter The Speaker may choose any subject approved by the organisers with the exception of subjects directly concerning party politics, race or religion. Procedure Teams should not take the stage until invited to do so by the MC. Judging commences as soon as the teams leave their seats and approach the stage and finishes when the team finally leaves the stage. Venue This should be a hall or large room in which the team can be clearly seen and heard by the audience and the adjudicators. As well as seating there should be tables for the team, the adjudicators and the time keepers. Water should be provided for the teams and adjudicators. Facilities for refreshments are usually necessary. Microphones and visual aids are not allowed. Walking on the stage Each team should be instructed by the MC, upon receipt of the adjudicator s signal, to walk on stage and be seated. Order of Seating. Teams should ensure that the Speaker is seated on the Chairperson s right and the Proposer on his/her left. 2

3 The Chairperson. (Refer to allocation of marks sheet) The Chairperson is in control of the presentation and is the link between the Speaker and Vote of Thanks. The Chairperson bears the ultimate responsibility for the success of the presentation and the performance of the Speaker in many ways. Adjudicators will be looking for a business-like handling of the meeting, attention to the duties stated and the creation of a receptive atmosphere for the Speaker. Time allowed is 2 minutes The Chairperson should: Ensure that the team is acquainted with the layout of the stage before the competition starts and agree amongst themselves any minor changes that may be necessary to their presentation. Usher the Speaker and the Proposer of the Vote of Thanks on to the platform. Ensure the smooth running of the meeting. Play the role of host. This may involve small gestures such as pouring a glass of water for the Speaker, adjusting the chairs so there is room for all and having a quiet word with the Speaker and Proposer to check that they are ready to start. The Chairperson must make the Speaker feel completely at ease. The Chairperson should also make the whole audience feel welcome and important. This entails speaking clearly and audibly so that everyone can hear, making eye contact with as many people as possible all over the auditorium (not just with someone they know). Open the presentation and take control by standing up and gaining the attention of the audience. Give a brief and relevant introduction of all three people on the platform. This must include a welcome to the audience and introduction of the Speaker and a brief reference to the subject of the address (see rule 4) but could also include a very brief description of age, interests and ambitions of the team as a whole. Say sufficient to make the audience attentive. Introduce the Speaker in an informative and welcoming way without raising the audience expectation unduly or embarrassing the Speaker. (This is particularly important in Youth Speaks where the Chairperson probably knows more about the Speaker than they would wish the audience to know). Ask for a question from the audience after the Speaker s presentation, paraphrase or repeat it, ensure that the Speaker understands it and ask for clarification if necessary. Very briefly thank the Speaker, and possibly add some remarks to give the Proposer time to finish preparing. Stand up when the Speaker has finished and lead the applause. Round off the presentation confidently with thanks to everyone involved, including the audience for turning out, the host school and the organisers. Any reference to the time of day or weather could be appropriate. When the proceedings are completed lead the team off. This procedure is part of the adjudicators assessment. The Speaker. (Refer to allocation of marks sheet) Makes the main presentation to the audience and answers a question from the floor, posed by a questioner who has been selected beforehand. Please see guidelines for Questioners. Time allowed is 6 minutes and up to 2 minutes to answer the question The Speaker should note the following: The construction of the presentation should include an introduction, the main subject matter and a firm conclusion. The content of the speech and the logic and weight of the arguments developed will be given great importance. A weak argument, however good the presentation, will not produce top marks. Misstatements of facts and tactless remarks lose points. The speech should be informative but not overcrowded. The impact created on the audience is important. The answers to the question should be courteous, to the point, full but not unduly wordy. Effective use of voice, clear enunciation, an easy manner, natural gestures and personality all help score points. 3

4 The Proposer of the Vote of Thanks. (Refer to allocation of marks sheet) The Proposer of the Vote of Thanks should thank the Speaker on behalf of the audience and also invite the audience to show their appreciation. Time allowed 2 minutes The Proposer of the Vote of Thanks should note the following. During the speech they should be seen to be listening to the Speaker. The response may well require making notes and writing down particularly interesting phrases or the question for reiteration. It should not be obvious that prepared notes are being read. It is difficult to give the impression that this is the first time the speech has been heard, but that is how it should be perceived by the audience. The Vote of Thanks is in itself a mini-speech, it should have a short introduction, a structured body that refers to the speech, and a short closing statement that repeats the message of thanks to the Speaker and asks the audience to acknowledge the Speaker s efforts. The appreciative remarks should contain a reference to an important issue of the address, and a remark about the handling of the question asked. They should bring the main points of the speech to the attention of the audience without flattery or criticism. The Speaker s response to the question should be referred to and relevant comments made. The Proposer should avoid: Making a separate speech on the same subject as the Speaker. Reiterating all the points made by the Speaker occasional quotes are fine and show attention has been paid, but repetition is tedious. Demonstrating his/her own eloquence instead of discussing the speech given. Criticising the content or delivery of the speech. A phrase such as her arguments in favour of were thought provoking and I m sure they will prompt debate is about as far as the Proposer can go in mentioning controversy in this competition. Thanking the audience, the Rotary Club or the adjudicators. This is the job of the Chairperson. Visuals aids and sound aids must not be used, as the object is to encourage effective public speaking. However this does not preclude the speaker from moving away from the lectern or the table No interruption should take place during the presentation, either by the adjudicators or the audience. Further rounds Where a team is successful in reaching the District Final an alternative subject to the one chosen for the District Semi- Final may be presented. Members of the teams winning at Club level should remain the same for the District Semi-Finals and for the District Final unless there are exceptional circumstances, i.e. illness or absence through holidays, when a substitute may be made. Additional Advice for Team Members All team members Anyone who has given a speech will understand the comfort to be gained from positive reactions by the audience - nods of understanding and assent, a laugh where humour has been used and facial expressions that indicate close attention to the Speaker. Those sharing the platform with the Speaker should therefore show interest in what is being said, and not be a distraction from the Speaker. Remember that the audience has turned out to support, and is keen to applaud - so give them plenty of smiles and bags of confidence. They want to be on your side. Effective use of voice, clear enunciation, easy manner and natural gestures are important. The personality of the individual should come across to the audience. Humour in the right context will be appreciated. Impact, technique and teamwork are taken into account. The sense of being part of a team, from the moment the members are introduced to the closing remarks, should be clearly conveyed. Notes can be used but they must not be too obvious otherwise marks will be lost. Reading from a prepared script will be penalised 4

5 The use of a lectern is allowed and can be a great help Elocution This important aspect will be judged on whether the voice is used effectively, the enunciation is clear. The use of local accents will not be a disadvantage as long as clarity is maintained. Adjudicators Aims: To give young people the opportunity to express themselves clearly and effectively in public as members of a team. To encourage the development of high standards of public speaking based on formal procedures. Marking and Rules: The competition is not solely about elocution. Teams should have something worth saying and say it well. Reading and reciting longish passages is to be discouraged and should be marked accordingly. In certain circumstances, previously agreed with the organisers, allowances may be made to take account of age. Teamwork is also taken into account It is recommended that Adjudicators complete the District 1070 marking grid that will also be used at district competitions and the RIBI sheet. It is requested that all adjudicators follow this marking scheme otherwise our teams may be disadvantaged at later stages in the competition. The grid is an aide to the adjudicators and the final placing of the teams should be by agreement and not by totaling the grid marks Procedure. Assessment begins immediately the teams leave their seats in the hall and continues until they leave the stage. The order of speaking is decided by a draw immediately before the presentations begin. All teams are to be heard before discussion between the judges. Adjudicators will sit in the body of the hall. Organisation: Prior to the commencement of the event, organising clubs will discuss with the adjudicators all matters relating to the Rules and the judging. The proceedings will be presided over by a Rotarian who will notify the adjudicators of the order of speaking, and will call the next team when the adjudicators indicate that they are ready. After each team has finished the panel should score their marking sheets. At the end of competition, during the interval, the senior adjudicator should ensure that all marking forms are properly completed, lead the discussion regarding the presentations and then inform the organiser of the winning teams. After the interval, which should be limited to not more than 20 minutes, the senior adjudicator is asked to give constructive comments before the winners are announced. The comments should take no longer than 10 minutes. Such comments should be both constructive and sympathetic. Feedback for schools is very much appreciated but individual marks should not be discussed. Marking sheets are available on pages 7 & 8. 5

6 The Questioner The RIBI rules: The Questioner, who will have been briefed in advance, will ask a single question. This should be short, sensible and clearly relate to the main theme of the address. The age of the Speaker should be taken into account when framing the question. The Questioner should choose each question carefully as it could be significant to the success of the team. The Chairperson will ask if there are any questions from the floor. They may address the Questioner by name. The Questioner should ask one question which should be: Short Clear Directly related to the theme of the speech Open ended i.e. requiring more than a single sentence response Audible to the team, the adjudicators and the audience. There should be a balance in the questions asked as teams are marked on the way they respond. The Chairperson may repeat the question to the Speaker and ask for clarification if needed but may not confer on the subject. The Speaker has up to 2 minutes in which to consider and answer the question. Timing and Lights In preparing their speeches teams should pay particular attention to timing as points are deducted for both over and under runs. Marking sheet page 9. Timings for both intermediate and Senior Teams are as follows: Chairperson 2 minutes for the opening remarks and introduction of the Speaker Speaker Vote of Thanks 6 minutes plus a maximum of 2 minutes to answer the question 2 minutes Penalty points will be deducted if the Chairperson, Speaker or Proposer is under or over their time on the following basis: One point for each complete 15 seconds of over run and one point for each complete 30 seconds of under run for each speaker. Chairperson Speaker: Proposer of the Vote of Thanks: Green light commencement when speaking Amber light on at 1.5 minutes Red after 2 minutes Green following introduction by Chairperson Amber light on at 5 minutes Red light on when over the time Green light commencement when speaking Amber light on at 1.5 minute Red light on when over the time Question from the Floor: After the speaker s address the chairperson will invite a questioner (not an adjudicator) to put one question to the speaker who then has 2 minutes to consider and respond. Green light on at start, red at end of 2 minutes. Do not penalise. Lights can be borrowed from the District Organiser if booked well in advance. Clubs who do not possess a set of lights may use red, orange and green cards. 6

7 RIBI Youth Speaks Suggested Allocation of Marks to be used by the Adjudicators Date Event Team and Title of Presentation.. This sheet is for your guidance and should be used to mark each team on its merits against other teams and to form a basis for your discussions. Please note that no reference should be made to individual marks. Member Aspect Marks Points to be considered COMMENTS POINTS Chair Manages the meeting Delivery 5 Effective use of voice, clear enunciation, easy manner, natural gestures, expression of personality, humour in the right context. Control of Meeting 10 Business-like, yet courteous handling of the meeting. Maintain a good atmosphere with a calm & courteous manner showing appropriate attention. Process 10 Welcome audience. Explain meeting structure. Introduce the team & the subject. Inform audience of relevance / expertise of Speaker to subject of speech. Act as a conduit for the question & seek clarification if required. Conclude the meeting. SUB-TOTAL Speaker Presents & develops an argument and answers a question Delivery 15 Effective use of voice, clear enunciation, easy manner, natural gestures, expression of personality, humour in the right context. Impact on and ability to involve the audience. Show appropriate attention during the meeting. Subject 10 Content of the speech, logic and weight of arguments developed. Construction 15 Introduction: Get the audience to want to listen to the talk. Body of Talk: Develop the argument and demonstrate clear thinking. Use of, for example, illustrations & rhetorical questions. Conclusion: Draw threads together, summarise, give the final idea, thank the audience for listening, sit down. Answer to the Question 10 Clear, courteous and to the question. Full but not unduly wordy. SUB-TOTAL Proposer of Vote of Thanks Expresses the appreciation of the audience to the Speaker Delivery and Process Content and Reference to Question 10 Effective use of voice, clear enunciation, easy manner, natural gestures, expression of personality, humour in the right context. Show appropriate attention during the meeting. Give positive comments; give a clear signal for applause. 15 Refer to the content of the speech, picking out specific items. Invite the audience to express their appreciation of the Speaker. Comment on the Speaker s answer to the question; include originality. SUB-TOTAL Name of Adjudicator.. Signature.. GRAND TOTAL DEDUCT PENALTY POINTS TOTAL MARKS AWARDED Teamwork should be taken into account. Where I rank this team e.g. 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd... 7

8 RIBI NEW GENERATIONS YOUTH SPEAKS MARKING SHEET In completing this sheet, adjudicators should take account of the criteria set out in the rules and procedures. Adjudicator: Team: FUNCTION NAME MAX MARKS Chairperson 25 Speaker 50 Proposer 25 TOTAL 100 PENALTY POINTS TO BE DEDUCTED:. (notified by the Time-Keeper GRAND TOTAL:.. COMMENTS Chairperson: Speaker: Proposer: Team: Signed: Date: 8

9 Timekeeper s Record Sheet Date Team Name Chairperson 2 minutes time allowed Total time taken Penalty points (For welcome & introduction of Speaker) Speaker 6 minutes time allowed Total time taken Penalty points Proposer 2 minutes time allowed Total time taken Penalty points Penalty Points Total penalty points One point for each complete 15 seconds of over run for each speaker One point for each 30 seconds of under run for each speaker 9