48th annual oratorical chairpersons conference

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48th Annual Oratorical Chairpersons Conference

Welcome & Greetings2

2017 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 Department procedures

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2017 Conference Agenda Review4

48th ANNUAL MEETING OF DEPARTMENT

ORATORICAL CHAIRPERSONS

19th ANNUAL NATIONAL AMERICANISM CONFERENCE

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

September 22 - 24, 2017

The American Legion High School Oratorical

Scholarship Program –

“A Constitutional Speech Contest.”

8:15 a.m.

Call to Order

Clarence Ortega (NM) 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

Clarence Ortega (NM) Conference Chairman

Welcome & Greetings

Jill Druskis (IN) Director

Americanism Division

Richard Anderson (CT) Chairman

Americanism Commission

Danny Smith (NE) National Commander

Sons of The American Legion

Denise H. Rohan (WI) National Commander

The American Legion

8:45 a.m.

Review of the 2017 Contest

Shayne Abrahams Sr. (IN) Assistant Director Americanism Division

9:00 a.m.

Oratorical College:

Oratorical Toolkit


10:00 a.m.

Break

10:15 a.m.

2018 National Finals Planning


10:30 a.m.

Brainstorming & Sharing:


11:30 a.m.

Lunch (On your own)

1:00 p.m.

Affiliate Spotlights:

National Christian Forensics and Communication Association

Bridget Rogers, Development Director

2017 Conference Agenda Review5

2:15 p.m.

Break

2:30 p.m.


National Speech & Debate Association

Steve Schappaugh, Director of Community Engagement

3:30 p.m.


US Coin Boards LLC

Patrick Myers, New Business Development

4:15 p.m.

Morning Recap & Recess

Clarence Ortega (NM)

Conference Chairman

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 24, 2017

7:30 a.m.

Catholic Mass, Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel –

Monument Suites, Lower Lobby

7:30 a.m.

Non-Denominational Worship Service, Sheraton Indianapolis City

Centre Hotel - Meridian Center and West, Lower Lobby

8:30 a.m.

Joint Programs Session:

Colonel Sean McKenna, USAF

Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel - Meridian Center and West,

Lower Lobby

9:00 a.m.

Call to Order


Conference Chairman

Panorama Ballroom, 21st Floor,

Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel

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


Conference Chairman

Victor Desloova (IA)

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https://www.legion.org/oratorical/videos/PLD1D27913E787209F/dBvs1BcdzZk

2017 Contests In Review

2017 National Finals Contest In Review

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2017 National Finals Contests in Review

National Champion

Andrew Steinberg (MA)

2nd Place

Robyn Anzulis (MD)

3rd Place

Chad Durante (WV)

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2017 Semi-Finalists:

Juliana Matinez (AZ) Ryan Wallace (CA) Maggi Chambers (NC) Louie Pires (KS) Katrina Callahan (SD) Isaac Taylor (TX)

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53 Department Finalists qualified for the National Finals.

100% Participation for 2018!!!!!

11 Repeat contestants from 2016

7 Home-schooled contestants

Saturday evening Parent and Chaperone “social mixer” was a HUGE SUCCESS!!

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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!

Online Certification!

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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 -- $18,000

2nd -- $16,0003rd -- $14,000

Semi Finals -- $1,500Quarter Finals -- $1,500

And an all-expensed paid trip to Minneapolis, Minnesota, August 24th – August 28th , 2018. In Minneapolis 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 Scholarships

May be used to attend any college or university in the United States or possession

Eight 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

Assigned Topics for 2018 Oratorical Contest

Amendment 2

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment 3

No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment 15

Section 1.The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

Section 2.

The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Article 2 Section 4The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

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Oratorical College

Props

The United States flag is

considered 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!!

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Oratorical College

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

How to Conduct the Oratorical Contest

National Finals ContestJudges BriefingPublic Service Announcements (PSAs)

Rules Brochure Chairman’s Guide Promotional Brochure Program Webpage National Staff

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

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Oratorical College

Printed program publications Oratorical publications are bulk-shipped to the Department Headquarters by the middle of June.

Available ONLINE!!!

Don’t wait….Recruit 24/7 and 365!!!

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

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Oratorical College

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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Tabulation Procedures

Oratorical College

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?

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Oratorical College

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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Oratorical College

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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Oratorical College

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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Oratorical College

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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Two - Way Tie - Breaker

Oratorical College

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

13 2 1 5 4 81 87 90 62 74

21 3 4 2 5 93 82 73 87 68

34 3 2 1 5 67 74 81 88 63

42 3 1 4 5 87 81 93 67 61

52 1 4 3 5 79 86 74 76 72

TOTALS 12 12 12 15 24 407 410 411 380 338

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Three - Way Tie - Breaker

Oratorical College

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

13 2 1 5 4 81 87 90 62 74

21 3 4 2 5 93 82 73 87 68

34 3 2 1 5 67 74 81 88 63

42 3 1 4 5 87 81 93 67 61

52 1 4 3 5 79 86 74 76 72

TOTALS 12 12 12 15 24 407 410 411 380 338

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Second Place Winner?

Oratorical College31

Four - Way Tie - Breaker

For National Contest, decided by meeting of all judges!

May vary for Post and Department level Contest!

Resources:

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

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

Oratorical College32

Tabulation & Tie-breaking Procedures on Excel Contest

Scoring & Tabulation

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

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

Oratorical College

Summary

Helpful Hints

Questions?

Parking Lot Issues?

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Tool Kit

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

Videos (1-9 & 11)• http://www.legion.org/documents/pdf/oratorical_the_j

udges_briefing.pdf• Brochure• Chairman’s Guide• Rules

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

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

Judges Score Card35

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 Card36

Excel Spreadsheet Tabulation Program

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Legion.org


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2018 National Finals Contest Planning & Arrangements

•Shayne Abrahams Sr. (IN)Americanism Division

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2018 National Finals Contest Dates

April 13th – 15th

Wyndham Indianapolis West

Travel date is Friday, April 13th

ONLINE CERTIFICATION of Department winner due to National Headquarters by MARCH 18!

VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION OPENS ON NOVEMBER 1, 2017!

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2018 Contest Administrative Requirements

Online Department Certification link will be live mid November 2017.

http://www.legion.org/administration/oratorical/registration/officials

Password: YpBsR3p

Contestant and Chaperone information must be completed ONLINE immediately following Department finals.

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http://www.legion.org/administration/oratorical/registration/officials

2018 National Finals Contest Travel Requirements

Contestants will agree by completing their portion of the Online Certification to arrive Friday, April 13th .

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 Online Certification; 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.

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

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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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2018 National Finals

Contest pairing bracket drawn by the Youth Activities Subcommittee and approved by the National Americanism Commission during the 2017 Spring Meetings.

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2018 Contest Pairings Bracket47

2018 HIGH SCHOOL ORATORICAL CONTEST PAIRINGS April 13-15, 2018 Wyndham Indianapolis West

Indianapolis, Indiana April 14, 2018, All Contests Begin at 9:45 a.m. Quarter-Final Contest 1 (winner to SF-1) Room TBD

Georgia Idaho Puerto Rico

Delaware New Mexico France

Quarter-Final Contest 2 (winner to SF-1) Room TBD

Illinois Missouri New Hampshire

California Nebraska Pennsylvania


New Jersey Virginia West Virginia

Florida Massachusetts DC


Mississippi Iowa Wyoming

Rhode Island Kansas Indiana


Oregon Wisconsin Minnesota

Alabama Nevada South Carolina


South Dakota Hawaii North Carolina

Tennessee Colorado Michigan


New York Maryland Ohio

Louisiana North Dakota Maine


Montana Arkansas Mexico

Alaska Vermont Utah


Connecticut Texas Washington

Arizona Kentucky Oklahoma

April 14, 2018, All Contests Begin at 3:15 p.m. Semi-Final Contest 1 (winner to National Final) Room TBD

Semi-Final Contest 2 (winner to National Final) Room TBD

Semi-Final Contest 3 (winner to National Final) Room TBD

National Finals Contest – April 15, 2018 Hall of Champions 10:00 a.m.

Future Dates - National Finals

April 13-15, 2018

April 5-7, 2019

April 17-19, 2020

April 9-11, 2021

April 22-24, 2022

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Future Dates – Oratorical Chairman's Conference

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September 28th – 30th, 2018

September 27th – 29th , 2019

Future Dates – Oratorical Chairman's Conference

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September 28th – 30th, 2018

September 27th – 29th , 2019


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American Legion Scouting54

On October the 28 – 29, 2017, the American Legions Americanism Division will conduct its fifth annual Scouting Chairman’s Conference Session.

Boy Scouts of America Scouting U1301 Solana Blvd. Building #5

Westlake, TexasTeleconference Number: 888-278-0296

Access Code: 462 956 7

For all American Legion Scouting Department Chairmen and or their designees.

All cost associated with conference attendees are those of the conference attendees and 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!

Agenda and additional details to follow.

48th Annual Oratorical Chairperson Conference

Staff Action Items:

Shayne Abrahams (IN) Americanism Division

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48th Annual Oratorical Chairperson Conference

Open Forum & Parking Lot Issues

Clarence Ortega (NM) Oratorical Conference Chairman

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For the good of The American Legion57

48th annual oratorical chairpersons conference

Documents