Blaine County Republicans

Proposed Guidelines and RulesI

 

Comments or additional information Contact:

 

Rick Ryerson
FoundingFathers.speech@charterequities.com

760.310.8505
 

 

Founding Principles Speech Contest

Proposed Information Packet for:
Blaine County Republicans
Wood River Valley, ID

Founding Principles Speech Contest is being proposed to start locally within our area, with an eye to incorporate into a national program with Conservative Principled Sponsorship with alliance organizations such as the Heritage Foundation or other National Organization that supports our Founding principles of the Constitution and Bill of Rights, or espoused in the Jefferson Papers.

The intent is create both a learning environment within high school level Civics as to the intent of our founding fathers for the frame work of our way of government, with specific focus on the rights of individuals, state rights and the collective good as outlined within these founding documents. Further, to incorporate these principles as their intent of the day of formation and provide a focus of these items as we apply them to our lives today.

1. Declaration of Independence
2. Constitution as the legal basis for our government, along with its amendments
3. The Bill of Rights
4. The Federalist Papers, espousing the ratification of the Constitution and
4. Other such writings as the Jefferson Papers

GENERAL GUIDELINES

1. The purpose is to help youth, our local leaders and the community-at-large to more completely
understand, encourage, and foster the principles of the Constitution and related documents and the objects of we have set upon this Country as a sovereign nation that values the rights of individuals, states rights and the role of the Federal Government .
2. The contest is open to all students approved by the high school. Each school will hold its
own contest, sponsored and arranged by the local Chapter of RNC, or such individuals of organizations such as the Heritage Foundation, supporting the principles within these founding documents, when available, its associated Civics classes.
3. The topic for the speech is to be the student’s choice. However, the speech must show clearly
the practical application of the Founding Principles in our lives. Although, we open the competition to all Students, those that who do not follow this guideline should not advance beyond the high school competition and cannot compete on the Regional or District levels.
4. The speech may not be read verbatim, but notes may be used at the club and regional levels
(limited to one 3 × 5 card at the regional level). It may not be less than five (5) minutes nor
more than seven (7) minutes in length. Penalty points will be assessed for any speech which
is undertime or overtime.
5. Speech contest organizers must not identify the speaker, the organization sponsor nor any
association of the individual.
6. It is suggested that previous District First Place Winners may not compete. All other First Place Winners (Regional, Club) and any student who has competed before and won awards is eligible. All
other high school students are eligible.
7. Local clubs and regions will make their own contest arrangements and schedule their own
competition within the time schedule set up by the District for the speech contest. The type
and nature of any award given on club and regional levels is strictly within the jurisdiction of
the Club and Regional Coordinators.
8. Indication of the club intent to participate is necessary in order to arrange for winners to
compete at the Sub-regional, Regional, and District levels. Clubs that will sponsor elimination contests beyond the Club Level must notify the District Coordinator by January 15. Between January 15 and January 31, your Club will be notified of the elimination round dates for Club winners.
9. There is no obligation on the part of any Club to participate beyond the Club level.
10. The Top Finalist compete the Thursday either at the high school, or at a finalist awards dinner the evening before President's day weekend.

AWARDS
In order to make the contests meaningful to students, parents, educators, and to your own club
members, students who participate should be recognized for their effort. Every student should
receive an award at each level of competition.
1. Club Level: At this level, the club may elect to provide cash, plaque, certificate, or gift
awards, but it is important that all students be presented with some kind of recognition on
the day of competition. Suggested cash awards are $100, $75, $50, and $25 or more.
2. Sub-Regional and Regional Levels: Regional Coordinators should contact participating
clubs to determine appropriate awards of sub-regional and regional competition. It is
suggested that cash be considered. Sub-Regional $125, $100, $75, and $50; Regional
$150, $125, $75, and $50 or $150, $100, $50, and $25. Every contestant must be
recognized for having reached that level of competition.*
3. District Level: Each Regional winner from 1 through 4 will compete at the District
Council.
In engraving plaques, IT IS SUGGESTED NONE BE SHOWN AS “SECOND PLACE,”
“THIRD PLACE,” ETC. Rather, show them as a Finalist. A small plate can be made reading,
“FIRST PLACE,” which can be put on top of the winner’s plaque.

*All clubs participating in a Region should share equally in the costs of Sub-Regional and
Regional awards.

Founding Principles Speech
PUBLIC SPEAKING CONTEST
INFORMATION PACKET FOR HIGH SCHOOLS

1. WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO COMPETE
Any high school student in good standing except a student who has won 1st Place at the
District level in a previous year may compete. Schools may participate through one club
only.
2. RULES FOR THE SPEECH
Subject:
Apply the Founding Principles to everyday relationships with people:
"Perhaps" Take on current legislation that is either proposed, and/or repealed: Example "Gun Control", or the "Affordable Health Act" as examples. Pros and Cons.
1. Compliant to Constitutional Law?
2. Is it congruent with the intent of the founding principles?
3. Will it build better understanding of the founding principles of our government?
4. Will it be promote better processes in local, state or federal government?
Delivery:
The speech should be delivered in an extemporaneous manner. Notes will
be permitted at the Club and Regional level, but will be limited to only one
3 × 5 card at the Regional finals. No notes will be permitted at the District
Finals.

Length of Speech:
The speech should be not less than five minutes nor more than seven
minutes in length. Penalty points will be assessed if the speech
length is outside these limits.

Speech Contest:
The speech given by each contestant must be original in content and
must show clearly the practical application of the Rotary Four Way
Test to the subject of the speech and the lives of the age-group of the
contestant when applicable.

3. CLUB PARTICIPAITON IN ELIMINATION CONTESTS REQUIREMENT
In order for a student to progress to the District Finals, the successful Club Level winner
must participate in elimination round contests.

Certain Clubs may not wish to participate in the District Finals. The decision to send club
Level winners to further rounds is left to the Club.

4. COPY JUDGE’S SCORE SHEET (attached)
5. COPY TIME/TALLY SHEET (attached)
6. COMPETITION PROCEDURES:
School Level – At the High School level, competition and choice of contestants may be
handled at the discretion of the coach and/or speech instructor. Consider using a principal
or vice principal as a judge. Use the score sheets which will be used at the club and
regional levels.
Club Level – The speech contest will be held during the regular Rotary club meeting.
There should be no less than three nor more than four speakers. At the club level
contestants should be from high schools in the Rotary club area.

Sub-Regional level – The need for a sub-regional contest will be determined by the
Rotary 4-Way Test speech Regional Coordinator. The Coordinator will determine the
venue of the contest if considered necessary 9six or more clubs participating). The club
speech winners shall be divided into two groups with the top two winners in each group
continuing on to compete in the Regional speech contest.

Regional level – The Regional Coordinator will determine the manner and venue in
which the particular regional contest is held. The winners at each club level or the top
two contestants at the sub-regional level will compete at the Regional contest.

District Contest – The winning speakers of each Region – representing four regions – will
participate in the District competition to be held during the District Council
meeting.

7. PRIZES
Awards will be distributed to all contestants at each level of competition. Plaques will
read “1st Place” for the winning speaker at each level. All other plaques will read
“Finalist.”
Cash awards will be determined by each Club and Regional Speech Coordinator. It is
recommended that the winner at the Club level receive $100, the winner at the Sub-
Regional level receive $125, and the winner of the Regional contest receive $150. The
winner of the District contest will receive $1,000.
8. CONTEST PROCEDURES
Judges (3) Timer/Tallier – Club level – Qualified members (political or judicial) from sponsoring club. Sub-
Regional – Members from other clubs in the Region which do not have competing
speakers. Regional level – Speech teachers and communication specialists from colleges
and professional organizations in the contest area who know our contest rules or qualified
persons with a background in Constitutional law from another region.
Speakers – May use podium and microphone if desired. (It should be pointed out that
vocal projection, body action, and use of gestures are elements to be judged.)
Contestants – Will draw for speaking order. They will be introduced by number only at
time of speech. Speakers, their coaches, and other appropriate persons will be introduced
by name, school, and Rotary club sponsorship while the judges are deliberating. Judges
will arrive at their decision before the contest is concluded.
9. IMPACT
The impact of the Founding Principles High School Speech contest is immeasurable both for
our local Constitutional Conservatives and the school participant attends. Each student who competes in these contests spends much effort preparing and rehearsing his or her speech. The impact among all
members who hear and are influenced by these speeches and upon the families and
friends of the speaker is also immeasurable as they react to the fresh perceptions of these
youths’ thoughts and share their experiences with us all.

Founding Principles Speech Contest
JUDGE’S SCORE SHEET (Proposed)

GUIDELINES FOR JUDGES

1. The topics for speeches are the students’ choices.
2. The speeches may not be read verbatim, but notes are permitted at the Club and Regional levels.
No notes are permitted at the District finals.
3. Judges should sit apart from each other and will not communicate about their evaluations of
speakers until the final rankings have been determined.
4. Speakers will be ranked from first through the number of speakers in the contest with no ties.
5. Speakers’ names and schools will not be announced until after the judges’ decisions are finalized.
6. Point Scale 10=Outstanding, 8=Excellent, 6=Satisfactory, 4=Lacks Some Essential Element.
ITEMS TO BE JUDGED Points
Possible
Points Awarded
SPEAKERS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
A B C D E F
I CONTENT
Use of example. Theme/subject
adherence. Human interest, appeal,
and color. Clarity and
expressiveness. Persuasiveness.
0 – 10

II ORGANIZATION
Introduction. Logical development.
Support of ideas. Smooth
transitions. Conclusion.
0 – 10
III DELIVERY
Voice control, articulation,
enunciation. Body language
(gestures, facial expression).
Sincerity.
0 – 10
IV APPLICATION OF Founding Principles
Is it congruent to the principles?
Does it follow factual points within the Constitution?
Will it provide a better understanding of the issue?
Will it be beneficial to the advancement of the principles and strengthen our community?
0 – 10
POINT SUBTOTAL max=40
V PENALTY
1 point for each 15 seconds (or
fraction thereof) that the speech is
under 5 minutes or over 7 minutes.
(Subtract
points)
TOTAL POINTS
RANKING

Date
Judge’s Signature

CONDUCTING THE CONTEST
Prepare your club members so that proper courtesy is shown to each of the speakers. Speech
students are well trained, as a rule, in the communication arts, but the following courteous rules
will make your contest more enjoyable to the members and will aid each of the speakers whether
trained in speech or not.
1. Do not leave the room during a speech.
2. Do not enter the room during a speech.
3. Noise is disruptive. Ask food servers to refrain from serving or bussing during
speeches.
4. Conversation between members must be withheld during a speech.
5. Select members to serve as door guards at entrance and exits to prevent the speaker
from being interrupted.
6. Have the contestants draw lots ahead of time to determine the order in which they will
speak.
7. Introduce the speakers by number only – Speaker Number One, etc. so that their
school name, their own name, and the sponsoring club name (in the case of Regional
Contests) is kept from the audience and the Judges until the contest is completed.
8. Timing is part of the speaker’s rating. Have a stop watch available and select a
member to keep time. It is appropriate to give speakers cues for timing (i.e., 2
minutes, 1 minute) at the Club level.
9. Use of notes is permitted at the Club and Regional level as long as the speech is not
read. At regional Finals notes may consist of only one 3 × 5 card. NO NOTES WILL
BE PERMITTED AT THE DISTRICT FINALS.
10. Speakers may use amplification if they wish. This should be made available, but
speakers who prefer not to use it should be given the privilege of speaking without amplification.

PLACE YOURSELF IN THE SPEAKER’S POSITION and whatever courtesy or aid you
would need, assume the speaker would appreciate that as well. After all, these are all young
people and whether or not they are speech students, a room full of adults can have a disquieting
and disrupting effect.