Oratorical Chairman
The Oratorical Chairman is responsible for organizing and planning the District Contest.
Competition criteria:
- The District Contest will follow National Rules with both prepared and extemporaneous speeches.
- Up to six (6) contestants can be heard by a set of judges at a contest.
- Six contestants or less, all contestants compete directly in the District finals.
- Seven – twelve (7-12) contestants, two (2) run-off sites are necessary.
- The top two from each will go to the finals.
- 13-18 contestants, three (3) run-off sites with the top two going to the finals.
- 19-24 contestants, four (4) run-off sites, with the top one from each going to the finals.
- Contestant certification should be established at least one week prior to the contestant to determine the need for run offs.
The Chairman disseminates information through the personal contact with post officers, District Bulletin, Facebook Page, Newsletter to all Post Commanders and Adjutants. The Chairman will have information and brochures available at Mid-Winter and District Convention.
The Chairman will
- Submit articles for the District Bulletin providing advanced notice of the competition by Sept 26 and Oct 26 with an update by Nov 26. (This is put in the Oct, Nov and Dec newsletters).
- Select the site and date for the District Oratorical Contest; it should be 3-4 weeks prior to Department Competition. The date of the Department Competition is usually announced in September or October of the prior year.
- Identify staffing of judges (3) and timekeepers (2) with stop watches.
- Judges may not be involved in Department Competition.
- Judges should be familiar with the US Constitution and public speaking, 2/3 of the scoring is on the content and 1/3 is on delivery.
- Judges should be furnished judging criteria in advance of the contest.
- Select the site and date for a run-off District Oratorical Contest, if needed.
- Contact the Department office for supplies and information.
- Contact District Finance Officer for checks for 1st through 4th place winners (scholarship) for presentation at close of ceremony.
- Act as Master of Ceremony for program.
- Act as, or appoint, contestant escort.
- Act as contest tabulator.
- Certify winner to the Department on a form provided by them.
- Prepare presentation for District Mid-Winter Conference.
- Attend and report to the District Mid-Winter and District Convention.
- Prepare a report for the Commander for distribution at the District Convention.
- Attend the Department Convention and Department Fall Conference to get the most up-to-date information available.