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Put Your Name �in the Hat…�The Contestant Role

Presented by

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Gil Smith, II, DTM

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gilsmith@brownandpratt.com

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Contestant Eligibility�

    • Paid member of club in Area, Division, and District in which they are competing
      • The club must also be in good standing.
      • New, dual, or reinstated members must have dues & membership application current with World Headquarters

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    • Maintain eligibility at all levels of contests

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*2024-2025 Speech Contest Rulebook, page 6

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Contestant Eligibility�

    • Eligibility for International Speech Contest
      • Levels 1 & 2 in Pathways or DTM

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    • District Officers Ineligible to Compete
      • + Immediate Past District Directors
      • + District Officer Candidates (NEW)

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    • Paid Members of More Than One Club…
      • Permitted to Compete in Each Club Contest
      • Must meet requirements for Int’l Speech Contest

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*2024-2025 Speech Contest Rulebook, page 6 & 7

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Speech Subject & Preparation�

    • Subject of Int’l, Humorous & Tall Tales Speeches*
      • Must be selected by contestant

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    • Subject of Table Topics Contest Speeches**
      • Must be determined by Contest Chair (see TT Contest Section)

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    • Subject of Evaluation Contest Speeches**
      • Limited to oral evaluations of test speaker’s speech

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*2024-2025 Speech Contest Rulebook, page 9 & ** page 19 & *** pages 18 & 19

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Speech Subject & Preparation�International Speech Contest�

    • Contestants Must Create Their Own Speeches
      • 25% or less devoted to quoting, paraphrasing or referencing
      • All quotes, paraphrases and references must be identified during

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    • Contestants Must Not Reference Another Contestant
      • Another Contestant or their speech during the same contest

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    • All Contestants Must Certify Content is Original

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*2024-2025 Speech Contest Rulebook, page 9

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Selection Sequence�

    • Club / Area / Division / District – Contestant Advancing*
      • Club (in good standing) – Choose by any means
      • Area, Division & District – Contests must be held
        • Paid member for minimum of six (6) months
        • Completed Levels 1 & 2 in Pathways or six (6) speeches within the CC Manual (member prior to Pathways rollout)

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    • Club, Area & Division Winners Unable to Advance*
      • Highest-placed available contestant will advance

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*2024-2025 Speech Contest Rulebook, page 8 & 9

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Contestants�Prior to Contest�

    • Are You Eligible?

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    • Review Speech Contest Rulebook

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Contestants�Day of Contest�

    • Contestants are Briefed by Contest Chair*
      • Then draw for speaking order with Contest Chair

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    • Contestants Not Present During Briefing*
      • Arrives before person conducting contest is introduced
      • Report to Contest Chair upon arrival, waive right to briefing

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    • When Person Conducting Contest is Introduced*
      • Contestants must be present

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*2024-2025 Speech Contest Rulebook, page 11

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Contestants�Day of Contest�

    • All Contestants Will Speak from Same Platform*
      • Contestants, Chief Judge, Voting Judges and Tiebreaking Judge to be advised of speaking area before contest
      • Lectern/podium will be available (use is optional)
      • If amplification is necessary, a fixed-mounted microphone and a portable microphone must be made available
      • Equipment must be available for contestants to practice with prior to the contest.
      • Contestants are responsible for arranging their preferred setup

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*2024-2025 Speech Contest Rulebook, page 9

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Contestants�Day of Contest�

    • Use of Props and Electronic Devices*
      • Notify Contest Chair prior to the contest
      • Must be setup during the 1 minute of silence
      • May ask someone to assist with props (No officials)

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    • Table Topics Contest**
      • Contestants receive same topic – selected by Contest Chair
        • No advance knowledge & no electronic, digital or other devices
      • Contestants must leave room or move to waiting room (exc. 1st)

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*2023-24 Speech Contest Rulebook, page 16 & **pages 19&20

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Contestants�What You Need to Do�

    • Write, Prepare and Rehearse You Speech

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    • Work Your Tail Off!

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    • Harder You Work, The More You Will Grow!

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