1 45th annual oratorical chairpersons conference

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45th Annual Oratorical Chairpersons Conference

2015 Conference Objectives

EducateEducate our contest staff on how to conduct the contest correctly , with proper tabulation, and procedures.

Ensure contest uniformity and consistency.Ensure that our contests are the same for everyone and every time.

Continue to increase contest participation.Opportunity to evaluate National and

Department procedures

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2015 Conference Agenda Review3

45th ANNUAL MEETING OF DEPARTMENT ORATORICAL CHAIRPERSONS 16th ANNUAL NATIONAL AMERICANISM CONFERENCE

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA September 26 - 28, 2014

The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program – “A Constitutional Speech Contest.”

Friday, September 26, 2014

Noon – 6:00 p.m. Conference Registration Mishelle Evans, Program Secretary Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel - Upper Lobby

Saturday, September 27, 2014 7:30 a.m. Conference Registration Mishelle Evans, Program Secretary Panorama Ballroom, 21st Floor, Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel Note: If you registered on Friday, please report to Lower Lobby for Conference Photograph before reporting to Panorama Ballroom. 8:00 a.m. Conference Photograph Bass Photos Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel - Meridian West, Lower Lobby 8:15 a.m. Call to Order David King (KY), Conference Chairman Panorama Ballroom, 21st Floor, Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance & POW/MIA Empty Chair Ceremony Victor Desloover (IA)

Remarks; Introductions; Conference Objectives David King (KY), Conference Chairman Welcome & Greetings Richard Anderson (CT), Chairman National Americanism Commission Mike Helm (NE), National Commander The American Legion Americanism Updates Jill Druskis (NE) Director, Americanism Division 9:00 a.m. Review of the 2014 Contests Shayne Abrahams Sr. (IN), Assistant Director, Americanism Division 9:30 a.m. Break 9:40 a.m. Oratorical College (Session 1) “How To Conduct the Oratorical Contest, By the Book – Best Practices” Anthony Pasternostro (NY) 10:10 a.m. (approximate) Oratorical College (Session 2) Tabulation & Tie-breaking Procedures on Excel Contest Scoring & Tabulation Program Jan Scott (AK) 11:30 a.m. Lunch (On your own)

1:00 p.m. “How to Promote Your Contest – Best Practices” Duane Benton (MO) 2:00 p.m. Break 2:10 p.m. 2014 National Finals Planning Shayne Abrahams Sr. (IN), Assistant Director, Americanism Division David King (KY), Conference Chairman 3:00 p.m. Open Forum; Questions and Answers David King (KY), Conference Chairman 4:00 p.m. Recess 7:00 p.m. Reception Honoring Program Chairpersons and The American Legion Volunteers Meridian Ball and Circle Suites Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel – Lower Lobby – Light Refreshments & Cash Bar Hosted by S. A. Van Dyk, Inc.

Sunday, September 28, 2013 7:30 a.m. Catholic Mass: Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel - Meridian West, Lower Lobby 7:30 a.m. Protestant Worship Service: Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel - Meridian Center, Lower Lobby 9:00 a.m. Call to Order David King (KY), Conference Chairman Panorama Ballroom, 21st Floor, Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel Post Everlasting Service Shayne Abrahams Sr. (IN), Assistant Director, Americanism Division Conference Action Items; Staff Follow-Up Shayne Abrahams Sr. (IN), Assistant Director, Americanism Division For the Good of The American Legion; Closing Remarks; Benediction; Adjourn David King (KY), Conference Chairman

Welcome & Greetings4

2014 Contests In Review5

2014 National Finals Contests in Review

National Champion Ashwath Kumar (MO)

2nd Place Brandon Posner (PA)

3rd Place -- Ellen Densmore of (CO)

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2014 National Finals Contest In Review

2014 Semi-Finalists:

Ashwath Kumar (MO) Brandon Posner (PA) Ellen Densmore (CO) Caitlyn Crowder (AR) Phoebe Petrovic (CT) Elizabeth Barahona (FL) Jana Minich (IN) Emma Schalk (ME) Astha Berry (WI)

http://youtu.be/0svvPmgTftQ

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0svvPmgTftQ


53 Department Finalists competed in the National Finals – Mexico did not hold a Department Contest

4 Repeat contestants from 201314 Home-schooled contestantsSaturday evening contestant “pizza-party and

social mixer” was once again a HUGE SUCCESS!!

Department of Missouri…..3PEAT?

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The rewards are enormous in terms of memories, friendships, knowledge gained & Scholarships received

Goal of the contest operation is invisibility therefore letting the contestants shine through

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After Action Results:Overall , great event!Wyndham, great venue!Outstanding volunteer and staff

contributions!

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Oratorical College

“How to Conduct the Oratorical Contest”• Mr. Anthony Paternostro (NY)

Department of New YorkOratorical Chairman

Resources:• http://www.legion.org/oratorical/how-to-videos• Videos (1-9 & 11)• http://www.legion.org/documents/pdf/oratorical_the_judges

_briefing.pdf

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http://www.legion.org/oratorical/how-to-videos

http://www.legion.org/documents/pdf/oratorical_the_judges_briefing.pdf


Oratorical College

Department Final Contests SHALL CONFORM with National Contest procedures, rules & regulations

It is strongly recommended that ALL contests follow the National Contest procedures, rules & regulations.

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Oratorical College

National Finals Contest Scholarships: 1st -- $18,0002nd -- $16,0003rd -- $14,000Semi Finals -- $1,500Quarter Finals -- $1,500

And an all-expensed paid trip to Baltimore, Maryland, August 28th – September 1st , 2015. In Baltimore the National Champion and his or her chaperone will be honored at The American Legion National Convention as part of the American Legion Youth Champions delegation.

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Oratorical College

National Finals Contest ScholarshipsMay be used to attend any college or university in the United States or possessionEight years to use the scholarship after it has been awarded

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Oratorical College

Prepared Oration Contestants MAY have a copy of their Prepared Oration in the First Holding Room

They will leave the copy behind after commencing the contest!!

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Oratorical College

Prepared Oration Eight to ten minutes in length

Assigned Topic Discourse Three to five minutes in length

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Oratorical College

Props The United States flag isconsidered to be a prop if contestant were to grope or grasp the flag.

Simply pointing at the flag is NOT considered using it as a prop.

Dressing in a costume is considered to be a prop No medals from previous competitions.

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Oratorical College

Judges WILL be seated in DIFFERENT LOCATIONS in the contest facility.

WILL NOT be identified in advance to the Contestants!!

Resources: http://www.legion.org/documents/pdf/oratorical_the_judges_briefing.pdf

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Oratorical College

Tools to help you “The Contest on legion.org”

How to Conduct the Oratorical ContestNational Finals ContestJudges BriefingPublic Service Announcements (PSAs)

Rules BrochureChairman’s GuidePromotional BrochureProgram WebpageNational Staff

Do not hesitate to call, write, or send an e-mail

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Oratorical College

Printed program publications The Rules Brochure, Chairman’s Guide and the Promotional Brochure are bulk-shipped to the Department Headquarters by the middle of June.

It is the responsibility of the Department Headquarters to distribute as they see fit.

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Oratorical College

Summary Helpful HintsQuestions?Parking Lot Issues?

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Tabulation and Tie Breaking Procedures(Tabulation & Tie-breaking Procedures on Excel

Contest Scoring & Tabulation)

• Jan Scott (AK)Department of Alaska Oratorical Chairperson

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Tabulation Procedures

Five judges are designated as PRIMARY; the other two judges are ALTERNATES.

The more the merrier! Discussion of methods to determine the primary and

alternate judges.Whatever method is used ensure at least two people

are involved in the process! When to use alternates?Let’s hear from you!

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Number the judges scorecards 1 – 5 for the five primary judges

Write a BIG “A” on the alternate judges’ scorecards!!ONLY the FIVE PRIMARY JUDGES’ SCORECARDS ARE

USED TO DETERMINE A WINNER!!!!

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Record of Choice on Judge’s Score Card – Highest # of Final Total Points is the 1st place winner and so on

This data is transcribed to the Tabulation Card for each respective judge in the Contestant Record of Choice Block

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Contest Tabulation Process WILL be done in private NO CONTESTANTS, COACHES,PARENTS in the same room

Don’t sacrifice accuracy for contest expediency!

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Judges Score Card27

1 2 3 4

Prepared Oration 12 points

Assigned Topic 4 points







1 2 3 4







Prepared Oration

Assigned Topic

THE AMERICAN LEGION

A. CONTENT

3. Were body actions -- poise, eye contact, posture, gestures, facial expressions -- appropriate?

3. Was the speech logical, well organized, and developed?

4. Did the student show a comprehensiveness of knowledge of the subject matter?

1. Was the speech original, fresh, and direct, applying the student's knowledge?

2. Did the student skillfully select examples, descriptions, analogies, and specific data?

HIGH SCHOOL ORATORICAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM - "A CONSTITUTIONAL SPEECH CONTEST"

JUDGE'S SCORECARD

Score all contestants - NO TIES PERMITTED

Final Total Points

NAME OF JUDGE:

SUB-TOTAL

PENALTIES: 1 point for each minute or fraction thereof over or under allotted time

1-10 points for failure to speak on the Constitution

Position Number - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (Highest Points = 1st place, second highest points = 2nd place, etc.)

B. SPEAKING SKILLS

1. Did the student use volume, rate, pitch, and diction effectively?

2. Rate the speaker's style: language use, word arrangement and selection, and transitions.

Contestants

Tabulation Card28


The National Americanism Commission STRONGLY recommends that Departments consider the use of the Excel Spreadsheet Tabulation Program for the scoring and tabulation of the Department Oratorical Finals Contest.

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Excel Spreadsheet Tabulation Program30

http://www.legion.org/oratorical/resources


Two - Way Tie - Breaker

CONTESTANTSRECORD OF CHOICE

CONTESTANTSFINAL TOTAL POINTS

JUDGES C #1 C #2 C #3 C #4 C #5 C #1 C #2 C #3 C #4 C #51 5 4 3 2 1 62 67 71 78 912 4 1 5 2 3 74 93 69 87 843 2 3 1 4 5 89 85 92 80 794 5 4 3 1 2 65 73 79 90 885 4 5 2 3 1 74 67 91 85 94

TOTALS 20 17 14 12 12 364 385 402 420 436

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TOTALS 20 17 14 12 12 364 385 402 420 436

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TOTALS 20 17 14 12 12 364 385 402 420 436

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TOTALS 20 17 14 12 12 364 385 402 420 436

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TOTALS 20 17 14 12 12 364 385 402 420 436

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TOTALS 20 17 14 12 12 364 385 402 420 436

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CONTESTANTS RECORD OF CHOICE

CONTESTANTS FINAL TOTAL POINTS

JUDGES C #1 C #2 C #3 C #4 C #5 C #1 C #2 C #3 C #4 C #5 1 5 4 3 2 1 62 67 71 78 91 2 4 1 5 2 3 74 93 69 87 84 3 2 3 1 4 5 89 85 92 80 79 4 5 4 3 1 2 65 73 79 90 88 5 4 5 2 3 1 74 67 91 85 94

TOTALS 20 17 14 12 12 364 385 402 420 436

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Three - Way Tie - Breaker




TOTALS 12 12 12 15 24 407 410 411 380 338

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Three - Way Tie - Breaker




TOTALS 12 12 12 15 24 407 410 411 380 338

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Second Place Winner?




TOTALS 12 12 12 15 24 407 410 411 380 338

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TOTALS 12 12 12 15 24 407 410 411 380 338

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TOTALS 12 12 12 15 24 407 410 411 380 338

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TOTALS 12 12 12 15 24 407 410 411 380 338

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TOTALS 12 12 12 15 24 407 410 411 380 338

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TOTALS 12 12 12 15 24 407 410 411 380 338

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Four - Way Tie - Breaker46

For National Contest, decided by meeting of all judges!May vary for Post and Department level Contest!Let’s hear from you!

Tabulation Exercises47

Who is the Winner?




TOTALS

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 20 17 14 12 12

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 20 17 14 12 12

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 20 17 14 12 12

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 20 17 14 12 12

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 20 17 14 12 12

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 20 17 14 12 12

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 20 17 14 12 12

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 20 17 14 12 12

3 1 2

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 20 17 14 12 12

4 3 1 2

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 20 20 14 12 12

5 4 3 1 2

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 12 12 12 15 24 407 410 411 380 338

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 12 12 12 15 24 407 410 411 380 338

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 12 12 12 15 24 407 410 411 380 338

1 4 5

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 12 12 12 15 24 407 410 411 380 338

1 4 5

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 12 12 12 15 24 407 410 411 380 338

1 4 5

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 12 12 12 15 24 407 410 411 380 338

1 4 5

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 12 12 12 15 24 407 410 411 380 338

1 4 5

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 12 12 12 15 24 407 410 411 380 338

1 4 5

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 12 12 12 15 24 407 410 411 380 338

3 2 1 4 5

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 14 14 14 22 11

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 14 14 14 22 11

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 14 14 14 22 11 418 413 412 366 430 2 1

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 14 14 14 22 11 418 413 412 366 430 2 5 1

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 14 14 14 22 11 418 413 412 366 430 2 5 1

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 14 14 14 22 11 418 413 412 366 430 2 5 1

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 14 14 14 22 11 418 413 412 366 430 2 5 1

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 14 14 14 22 11 418 413 412 366 430 2 5 1

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 14 14 14 22 11 418 413 412 366 430 2 4 3 5 1

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 17 17 9 10 22 382 396 432 431 361

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 17 17 9 10 22 382 396 432 431 361

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 17 17 9 10 22 382 396 432 431 361 1 2 5

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 17 17 9 10 22 382 396 432 431 361 1 2 5

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 17 17 9 10 22 382 396 432 431 361 1 2 5

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 17 17 9 10 22 382 396 432 431 361 1 2 5

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 17 17 9 10 22 382 396 432 431 361 1 2 5

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 17 17 9 10 22 382 396 432 431 361 3 4 1 2 5

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Who is the Winner?



JUDGES C #1 C #2 C #3 C #4 C #5 C #1 C #2 C #3 C #4 C #51 3 2 5 4 12 5 1 4 3 23 1 3 2 5 44 1 5 2 3 45 4 3 2 1 5

TOTALS 14 14 15 16 16

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Who is the Winner?



JUDGES C #1 C #2 C #3 C #4 C #5 C #1 C #2 C #3 C #4 C #5 1 3 2 5 4 1 2 5 1 4 3 2 3 1 3 2 5 4 4 1 5 2 3 4 5 4 3 2 1 5

TOTALS 14 14 15 16 16

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 14 14 15 16 16

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 14 14 15 16 16

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 14 14 15 16 16

90

Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 14 14 15 16 16

91

Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 14 14 15 16 16

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 14 14 15 16 16

2 1 3

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 14 14 15 16 16

2 1 3

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 14 14 15 16 16

2 1 3

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 14 14 15 16 16

2 1 3

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 14 14 15 16 16

2 1 3

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Who is the Winner?




TOTALS 14 14 15 16 16

2 1 3 5 4

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SummaryBest Practices?Questions?Parking Lot Issues?

Resources:• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVOVG44qTtQ• http://www.legion.org/oratorical/resources

Tabulation & Tie-breaking Procedures on Excel Contest Scoring & Tabulation

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVOVG44qTtQ


How To Promote Your Contest

• Mr. Duane Benton (MO)Department of Missouri

Oratorical Chairman

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Today’s High-School Student

Access to smart phones89 % — high school students (grades 9–12) 73 % — middle school students (grades 6–8)

Project Tomorrow, Speak Up survey (of 3.4 million students, teachers, administrators and parents) (last

quarter 2013)

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Electronic Promotion102

“Everything is online. Everyone is online. The Internet is where we all go for information about everything. If you’re not online, you don’t exist.

Even if you’ve done OK without a website, times change. Just because it’s worked so far, doesn’t mean it will continue to work for you.“

Ken Mueller, author

Does Your Program Exist?

http://www.legion.org/oratorical/contests“State and local oratorical contests”

Four states do not have a website

Six states get an “error” message

Ten states link to the main Department site, which has no information on the Oratorical program

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http://www.legion.org/oratorical/contests

http://www.legion.org/oratorical/contests

Do You Tell How To Enter?

No hint, really – ?Give contact – 19 statesGive form – 13 statesElectronic entry – 3 states

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Electronic Entry Is Free.

CoffeeCup Web Form Builder Litehttp://www.coffeecup.com

https://www.coffeecup.com/sdrive/plans/

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http://www.coffeecup.com/

http://www.coffeecup.com/

https://www.coffeecup.com/sdrive/plans/

facebook.com

monthly active Facebook users in USA201 million

four times Twitterboosting facebook?

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Get Organized

A chair• in each Post (adjutant by default)• in each county• in each district

A supportive commission/committee

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Care and Feeding

recruit, recruit, recruitregular training sessionsencouragesupportcongratulate

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Schools – In Person

• contact• visit• get in front of students• speech & debate clubs – awards – tourneys• school newspaper• government/civics classes• parent clubs (PTA)

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Posts Auxiliary Unit SAL Squadron Community-based Organizations Past Participants Other Youth Groups Churches Coaches/Counselors/Teachers

Promoting Contests – Allies 110

National Speech & Debate Association

• NS&DA Mission: We connect, support, and inspire individuals and schools devoted to giving students access to speech and debate. Together, we give youth a voice.

• Current Sponsor• Targeted promotion.• Auto qualification to National

Championships.• Sponsorship recognition in NS&DA

publications. • https://www.speechanddebate.org/

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https://www.speechanddebate.org/

Legion.org


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How To Promote Your Contest

SummaryBest Practices?Questions?Parking Lot Issues?

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2015 National Finals Contest Planning & Arrangements

•David King (KY) Oratorical Conference Chairman

•Shayne Abrahams Sr. (IN) Assistant Director, Americanism Division

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2015 National Finals Contest Dates

April 10th - 12th Wyndham Indianapolis West

Travel date is Friday, April 10thCertification of Department winner due to

National Headquarters by MARCH 10!

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2015 Contest Administrative Requirements

Certification of Department Winner reporting form will be e-mailed mid November 2014 to both the Department Chairman and the Adjutant

Other contest forms that need to be completed by the Department Winner will be e-mailed to the winner upon receipt of Department Winner form.

Department contest dates to Mishelle Evans at conclusion of today's session!

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2015 Contest Administrative Requirements

Contestants only need to submit a digital copy of their prepared oration.

Email to [email protected] in Word or .pdf format.

Submit complete text – no notes or outline.

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2015 National Finals Contest Travel Requirements

Contestants will agree by signing the travel consent form to arrive Friday, April 10th

Once flight is booked, contestants are financially obligated.

Travel arrangements are made by National Headquarters, not the Dept., not the Contestant

Beware of Custody issues! (NC – 2012)

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We will try to fly contestant and chaperone from the airport as designated on the Certification of Winner form; however if a more reasonable airfare can be obtained from a near-by larger airport we will use this airport for travel and reimburse mileage

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We can make airline reservations for other family members, etc. that desire to attend the National Finals

Additional form is included with the Certification of Winner reporting forms & contestant instructions to capture this information

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A 400-mile limit/arrive by 4:00 p.m. requirement continues to be in place for those contestants that desire to drive – we are flexible with this requirement on a case-by-case basis(APPROVAL MUST STILL BE GRANTED BY NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS TO THOSE THAT DESIRE TO DRIVE!)This a National Americanism Commission mandated requirement

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Contestants MUST be accompanied by a CHAPERONE!! (Standing Resolution)

We still pay $18.00/day per diem to BOTH the contestant and chaperone ($4.50 per quarter day)

Mileage rate $.18 per mile to either the contestant or chaperone -- not both

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2015 National Finals

Contest pairing bracket drawn by the Youth Activities Subcommittee and approved by the National Americanism Commission during the 2014 Spring Meetings.

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2015 Contest Pairings Bracket124

Future Dates - National Finals

April 10th – 12th, 2015April 15th – 17th , 2016April 21st – 23rd , 2017

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Future Dates – Oratorical Chairman's Conference126

September 24th – 25th ,2016September 23rd – 24th ,2017September 29th – 30th ,2018

American Legion Scouting127

On October the 24th from 1:00pm to 4:00pm (ET), the American Legions Americanism Division will conduct its second annual Scouting Chairman’s Conference Session.

This year’s conference session will be held via TELEPHONE CONFERENCE CALL and is for all American Legion Scouting Department Chairmen and or their designees.

The cost of the conference call is free and conference agenda topics will include; updates from your National Headquarters staff, updates from your American Legion Boys Scouts of America liaison, and opportunities for you to dialogue with other departments!

To register, please follow the below link.

http://www.legion.org/scouting/scoutingconference



Youth Cadet Law Enforcement Program128

SPREAD THE WORD!

45th Annual Oratorical Chairperson Conference

Open Forum & Parking Lot IssuesDavid King (KY)

Oratorical Conference Chairman

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Post Everlasting Service130

For the good of The American Legion

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1 45th annual oratorical chairpersons conference

Documents

oratorical contest

national contest procedures

department contest

national finals contests

contest staff

contest operation

contest uniformity

contest participation