From: Catalina Dickerson 
 
Hello Fellow D5930 Rotarians!  
 
Now it is the Rotarians of District 5930’s turn to ask the 4 questions that we use to screen our behavior and navigate our actions. 
 
The Four Way Test Speech Contest for Rotarians is here!
 
And it is VERY IMPORTANT that we, as D5930 leaders inform the hubs and clubs of our areas as soon as we can this month so that the clubs have time to organize themselves to conduct their own contests that will funnel to hub contests. The hub contest finalists will then move on to the District Contest Final on February 24th in McAllen.
 
Again, the event will take place on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at the City of Mission City Hall prior to the Grants Certification Training Seminar.  
 
Attached is a complete kit that can be used by each club and hub if they so wish. It includes a sample flyer for both the club and hub contests, ready to be tailored and edited to suit your contest event. Also included are the Contest Rules, a registration form and a Media Kit that can help you promote your events along the way (thank you, Aleda for sending!).
 
Like the students, the participating Rotarians will be judged on Content (50%), Organization (30%), and Delivery 
(20%).  The Rotarian must follow the Four-Way Test Theme throughout, must relate the speech to his/her own activities, must present a human-interest appeal, and must choose language that is clear, vivid and persuasive. The Rotarian must demonstrate organization of thought including an introduction, clear and orderly points and a brief conclusion that drives home the point of application. The Rotarian must be effective in his or her speech delivery including volume, grammar, gestures and attitude toward the audience. And finally, the Rotarian should have plenty of FUN!
 
A Paul Harris Fellow Recognition will be awarded to the GRAND PRIZE WINNER and will be ANNOUNCED at the District Conference in April.
 
Again, the event will take place on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at the DoubleTree Suites in McAllen prior to the Grants Certification Training Seminar and District Foundation Dinner.  
 
Please contact me if you have any questions.
 
Yours in Rotary,
Catalina Dickerson
District 5930 Special Events Director 2017-2018
Member of The Laredo Rotary Club since 2005
 

The Four Way Test Speech Contest

The test, which has been translated into more than 100 languages, asks the following questions: Of the things we think, say or do
  1. Is it the TRUTH?
  2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
  3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
  4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Now it is the Rotarians of District 5930’s turn to ask the 4 questions that we use to screen our behavior and navigate our actions. The Four Way Test Speech Contest for Rotarians is here!
 
Like the students, the participating Rotarians will be judged on Content (50%), Organization (30%), and Delivery (20%). The Rotarian must follow the Four-Way Test Theme throughout, must relate the speech to his/her own activities, must present a human-interest appeal, and must choose language that is clear, vivid and persuasive. The Rotarian must demonstrate organization of thought including an introduction, clear and orderly points and a brief conclusion that drives home the point of application. The Rotarian must be effective in his or her speech delivery including volume, grammar, gestures and attitude toward the audience. And finally, the Rotarian should have plenty of FUN!

RULES

  • Participants must be Rotarians of District 5930.
  • Each of the 5 Club Hubs (Victoria Hub, Corpus Christi Hub, Brownsville Hub, McAllen Hub, Laredo Hub) will send a contestant to represent their hub.
  • Club level first place winners to represent and compete at the hub level must be selected by December 31, 2017.
  • Hub level first place winners must be selected to compete at the District Conference by January 31, 2018.
  • District level contestants will compete on Saturday, February 28, 2018 before the Foundation Dinner in McAllen (location to be determined).
  • The District level winner will be announced at the 2018 District Conference set in South Padre Island in April 2018.
  • The speech must be between 5 and 7 minutes in length. Even one second out of that range will disqualify the contestant.
  • The speech must relate to Rotary's Four Way Test.
  • Contestants will be allowed note cards. The speeches do not have to be memorized.
  • Any contestant that does not place first at one of the five club hubs cannot continue participating at subsequent club hub contests in the District.

SELECTING JUDGES

Club, Hub and District Level: Three NON-ROTARIAN JUDGES please. They can have a background in Education, particularly English, Speech or Drama, are recommended.
 
District Level: There should be five judges, who are NON-ROTARIANS.

TIME KEEPER

It is very important to have a time keeper at all levels of competition communicate with the contestants on a consistent basis. The District level contest will use letter sized placards with the numbers 2, 1 and 1/2 to indicate the time left. It is very important to adhere to the time requirements. A second too short or a second too long will disqualify the contestant. The speeches must be between five and seven minutes. After all have spoken, the time keeper will give the judges all contestants' times.

CONTEST ENTRY

Each Rotarian competing at the club level is to pay a $25 contest entry which will be collected for a donation to The Rotary Foundation. The winner of the Rotarian Four Way Test Speech Contest will have the donation given in their name, to include points for a Paul Harris in their name.
Registrations forms are to be sent to Catalina Dickerson via email (catalina.dickerson@dickersonlaw.com) and the $25 contest entry fee is to be collected by each club and sent as one check. Checks should be made out to (Rotary International Foundation??) and mailed to Catalina Dickerson at 2 Lindenwood, Laredo Texas 78045.

CLUB AND HUB CONTESTS PRIOR TO FINAL CONTEST – IMPORTANT DATES

  • Interested Rotarians should coordinate with their individual clubs to hold a club level contest by December 31, 2017 (or sooner).  Club level first place winners to represent and compete at the hub level must be selected by December 31, 2017.
  • Hub level first place winners must be selected to compete at the District Conference by January 31, 2018.
Winners at the club level should coordinate with a hub level contest (hubs include Victoria Hub, Corpus Christi Hub, Brownsville Hub, McAllen Hub, Laredo Hub) to determine which Rotarian will represent the area hub at the final contest. Final contest rules apply to club and hub level contests. Entry fee collected only at club level contest and hub level participants need not pay again.
 

WINNER OF FINAL SPEECH CONTEST TO BE HELD FEB. 24, 2018

The winner will be announced at the D5930 Conference in South Padre Island in April 2018 and will receive a Paul Harris.