Essay / Speech contest Rotary Club of Doylestown

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1 Essay / Speech contest Rotary Club of Doylestown The Doylestown Rotary Club is part of Rotary International. Rotarians are neighbors, community leaders and global citizens uniting for the common good. Rotary Club of Doylestown is now 75 members strong. We are just one of 34,000 clubs in over 200 countries with 1.2 million members. Rotary is a community service organization - We focus our efforts in six areas: promoting peace, preventing diseases, providing access to clean water and sanitation and helping communities develop. The 4 Way Test, several community service projects and other club activities are outlined on the next page. More information about our club can be found at

2 Community Service Community Service relates to the various efforts that Rotarians undertake to improve the quality of life in their club territory. Rotarians strive to promote the ideal of service in their personal, business, and community lives. Community Service is the most visible because Rotary clubs are organized at the local level with members from the business and professional community who live and work in a community. The Rotary Club of Doylestown is dedicated to serving its community through various projects, fund raisers, and support. Honor community members for their accomplishment in volunteer service. Award Community Grants to local non-profit organizations. Award $12,000 in yearly College Scholarships. Sponsor a High School Interact Club. Sponsor a High School Leadership Program "Camp Neidig" Host the "Doylestown at Dusk" Car Show. Volunteer at the annual Designer House fund raiser for Doylestown Hospital. Honor veterans by driving them in the annual Doylestown Memorial Day Parade. Host an annual 4 Way Test Awards Breakfast recognizing students and adult volunteers.

3 International Service International Service takes on a number of different forms, but at the heart is the awareness that Rotary is truly an international organization, and that the community of Rotarians is worldwide in scope. International Service Projects are designed to meet the humanitarian needs of people in many lands, with particular emphasis on the most underprivileged children and families in developing countries. In conjunction with Rotary International the Rotary Club of Doylestown is involved in a variety of international projects. Help fund the Rotary International program to eradicate Polio. Sponsor Shelter Boxes to aid victims in disasters. Raised funds for new water wells for the Maasai in Kenya. Raised funds for a dairy project in India. Raised funds for a sanitation project in Malawi. Sponsor students in the International Student Exchange program. Sponsor a student in the Rotary Group Study Exchange program.

4 The Rotary Four Way Test Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Is it beneficial to all concerned? The Rotary Four Way Test is the key to being a Rotarian. It reminds us that we practice high ethical standards in our everyday lives. We believe that if we promote the Four Way test to others in our community, it will benefit all of us. We hope you will help us do this by participating in our Four Way Test Essay/Speech Contest.

5 Four Way Test Essay / Speech Contest FAQ s Can you tell me a little more about it? The program engages students in grades 9 thru 12. Students are challenged to identify a subject or issue that they are passionate about and to adopt a point of view of which they seek to persuade others. In doing so they are required to answer the following questions: 1. Is it the Truth? 2. Is it Fair to all concerned? 3. Will is build Goodwill and better Friendships? 4. Will it be Beneficial to all concerned? Students develop an essay and if selected are given the opportunity to deliver it in a 5-7 minute speech in the club speech contest. The contest involves cash awards and recognition as well as the ability to advance to Regional / District contests to compete with students from other school districts. What is expected? Rotary has five avenues of service: Club, Vocational, Community, International, and Youth. The Essay/Speech Contest falls under Youth Service; it is designed to offer a competitive essay/speech contest that encourages ethical thinking and enhances selfconfidence through public speaking.

6 Our Club is one of 43 in District 7430, which consists of the Lehigh Valley, all of Bucks County and Bucks County and most of Montgomery County. Prize money is awarded with the District Winner earning a total of $1,400 in prize money. Essay Guidelines Essay should be words in length. The essay should address an ethical problem using the principles of the Four-Way Test. The problem to be addressed should be something from you own personal experience or a topic you feel passionate about that can be addressed by using the Four Way Test. Specific requirements are: Each one of the four parts of the Four-Way Test should be addressed. The topic must be specifically related to the Four-Way Test and discussed during the body of the essay, not just in concluding statements. Be sure to specifically state each of the parts of the Four- Way Test and how you applied it, or how it could be applied. Speech Guidelines - Speeches must be no less than 5 minutes in length and no more than 7 minutes in length. Penalty points will be subtracted for time infractions at the rate of 2 points for every 15 seconds over or under the minimum or maximum. No props are to be used. Audience participation will be considered a prop. Penalty points will be subtracted for use of props at the rate of two points per infraction. Contestants may use notes at the club level. At the regional level a single 3 x 5 card may be used. Notes may not be used at the District competition. Infractions will result in disqualifications. Students may review video examples of speeches by going to and search on 4-Way Test Speech Contest. One can find many speeches given by students from all over the country.

7 How do the students benefit? What are you passionate about? Could you persuade others by giving a speech? Are you willing to challenge yourself and others while improving your critical thinking and ethical decision making skills? Take a step towards becoming someone who inspires and motivates others to have a positive influence upon their friends, their com- munity and the world at large. While competing in a supportive, non- threatening environment you will also have a chance to earn significant prize money as well as recognition and awards which could enhance your college resume There is value in both ethics and public speaking. Explain that on a college application, or a resume, participation in the 4 Way Test Speech Contest is noticeable and can open doors for them.

8 PRIZES FOR THE FOUR WAY TEST ESSAY/SPEECH CONTEST CLUB CONTEST 1 ST PRIZE - $200 2 ND PRIZE - $150 3 RD PRIZE - $100 REGIONAL CONTEST 1 ST PRIZE - $200 2 ND PRIZE - $150 3 RD PRIZE - $100 DISTRICT CONTEST 1 ST PRIZE - $1,000 2 ND PRIZE - $500 3 RD PRIZE - $350 4 TH PRIZE - $250 5 TH PRIZE - $150

9 Levels of Competition 1. Local Club Level Essays will be submitted by 17 January Top 6 contestants will present their essay in speech form during the month of February at a Rotary Evening Dinner Meeting. Top 3 Students will receive special recognition cash awards with the winner of the club contest being invited to deliver their speech at the Club Award Breakfast to be held on April 26, 2017 and will advance to the Regional Level. 2. Regional Level Five Regional competitions will be held on April 22, All Participants will receive recognition certificates and the top three participants will receive cash awards. The First Place winners in each Regional contest will advance to the District Finals. The first runner-up in each Regional contest will be the alternate in case the winner is unable to compete at the District competition. 3. District Level (Finals) The Five Regional winners will compete at the District Conference on May 6, 2017 at the Best Western Eden Resort & Suites in Lancaster PA. In recognition of their accomplishments, the Final contestants will receive cash prizes. The District Champion will receive a $1,000 cash award.

10 Eligibility Public and private high school students as well as charter school and home-schooled students in Grades 9 through 12 are eligible to enter the contest. No student may be a contestant in more than one local club speech contest in any one year. The winner of the Final District competition is ineligible to compete in subsequent years. Judging Criteria Judging will be based on a 100-point system, broken down into three categories as follows: 1. Content 44 points 2. Organization 24 points 3. Delivery 32 points

Rotary International Programs. Rotary E-Learning Center RI Programs

Rotary International Programs. Rotary E-Learning Center RI Programs Rotary International Programs Rotary E-Learning Center RI Programs About Rotary Programs Rotary International offers a broad range of humanitarian, intercultural, and educational programs and activities