In Gear | Rotary in Southern New Zealand Issue 2 | Page 50

Hear ye, hear ye, Rotarians! It’s time for each club to do its bit to find District 9980’s up-and-coming orators – let’s help our youngsters discover their voice and shine. Co-ordinators Gilly Oppenheim, of the Rotary Club of Timaru, and Don Irvine, of the Rotary Club of Wanaka, are putting out a reminder to clubs that planning is underway for next year’s District 9980 Secondary School Speech Competitions. Traditionally open to Year 13 students since its inception under Don’s district governorship in 2003, last year the contest was extended to Year 12, which has brought about more interest and participation, Gilly says. THE 4  - WAY TEST IS IT THE TRUTH? IS IT FAIR TO ALL CONCERNED? WILL IT BUILD GOODWILL AND BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? WILL IT BE BENEFICIAL TO ALL CONCERNED? Gilly Oppenheim “We need to make the most of the increasing interest – it would be great to see clubs link up with their allotted secondary schools as early as possible in term one next year to seek contestants, who’ll go on to compete to find the club winner.” Winners from the club round will go forward to the district area heats where the top four speakers are found to talk it out at the grand final, held at next year’s District 9980 Our World A Better Place annual conference, in Wanaka. The subject of the speech can touch on any topic the contestant feels is current, interesting and relevant – the only condition, Gilly says, is that it must be based on the application of the Rotary Four-Way Test: 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? Other rules for each competition include: • There must be three judges and an official timekeeper • Speeches must be no shorter than five minutes and no longer than six minutes • Microphones, palm cards and visual aids are allowed Gilly says clubs can determine the amount of cash prizes at the club and arealevel heats. “There are great incentives for the grand final winners – the overall winner takes home $1000 and the Martyn Jensen Trophy, the runner-up receives $250, there’s $150 for third and $100 for the fourth place getter. “With around 400 Rotarians present at the finals, including influential leaders from Rotary International, the speech competition is an excellent forum for our young people to showcase their skills in a ‘real world’ situation, and before a large and appreciative audience. “They, themselves, also get the chance to sit and listen to the world-class keynote speakers who will be there to address the conference.” Rotary’s 4-WAY TEST to the things we think, say or do. Gilly emphasised the contest would only ever be as strong as clubs’ support of it, and urged Rotarians to get in behind it. “This is also a great way to connect with our younger community and get them involved in Rotary.” Clubs looking for support or ideas on running a successful competition are welcome to contact Gilly: [email protected] Page 50 | In Gear - Rotary in southern New Zealand - District 9980 | www.rotarydistrict9980.org