Posted by Janelle Kavanaugh on Dec 14, 2019
Invitations of participate sent Club Presidents
for the 2020 Four Way Test Speech Contest
to be held staring in Feb with District Finals in May
 
Clubs interested in participating should submit the Speech Contest Participation Form by Dec 31st. Club contests will take place in February and March with 3 regional contests taking place in April. The finals will take place at the District Conference in Arlington on May 30th. Participating clubs can find information and needed forms on the District 5790 website by clicking 4-Way Test Speech Contest. Information is also available on our blog at People of Action Promoting Rotary through a Speech Contest.
 
Rotary District 5790 invites your Club to join us in a Four-Way Test Speech contest.  The Four-Way Test is the principle which guides the Rotary Organization.  Without going into more detail, here it is.
 
The Rotary Four-Way Test
Of the things we think, say or do:
Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
 
Typically a Club will have 4 or 5 students participate. If there are more students interested in participating, it is suggested that the school hold a ‘mini-contest’ patterned after the Club contest to select the students best suited to compete at the Club level.  Information about this follows.
 
General Information
Topic of speech: “What the Four-Way Test Means to Me”
Contestants must be in high school and can be any age.
Contestants who have participated at the District level in any previous year are not eligible.
Speeches are to be 5 minutes.
No written scripts or props are allowed; however, 3x5 cards may be used
Student will need to be available to go to the Reginal and District dates if they qualify
 
Tools Needed for a School Contest
One Coordinator
One Time-Keeper – If possible, it is helpful to have 8 ½ x11 sheets with the following on each:
        One minute (showing the contestant has one-minute left)
        30 Seconds (showing the contestant has 30 seconds left)
        TIME (indicating the contestant has reached the 5-minute time limit; however, they are allowed an additional 30 seconds)
Stopwatch
At least three judges who should not be other students or friends of the students to assure objectivity.
 
Timeline
 
December 31            Submit your Club Participation Form to the District 4 Way                   Speech Director            
 
February                     Clubs should hold their contests during these months.  The winner of each Club contest advances to a Regional contest.
 
April                           Regional contest (Weatherford, Lewisville and Kennedale) each for about 10 to 13 contestants will be held.  Dates are;
 
Regional - Weatherford
Saturday, April 4, 2020 from 9 AM until Noon
The North Side Baptist Church - Fellowship Hall
910 N. Main St.
Weatherford, TX 76086
 
 
Regional - Lewisville
Saturday, April 18, 2020 from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Lewisville Government Center - Community Room
400 N. Valley Parkway
Lewisville, TX 
 
Regional - Kennedale
Saturday, April 18, 2020 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Kennedale High School - behind Football Stadium in Media Room
901 Wildcat Way
Kennedale, TX 76060
 
It is advised that someone from the school accompany the contestant.  Families and friends are welcome.  If for some reason your student cannot attend the assigned date, please contact the 4 way speech director to see whether the student can attend another region.
 
May                The District Contest will be held at the District Conference in May.
 
Contest Forms (see district website)
Four-Way Test Speech Contest Rules
Four-Way Test Speech Contest Judges Score Sheet
Club Participation Form
Photography Consent Form
Regional Participation Form
 
If you are working with more than one school, there is an additional School Participation form that is not mandatory but may help you identify participants from each school and is not to be sent to the District Chair; it is strictly for internal use within the Club.  It is found on the District website, www.Rotary5790.org.  I recommend that each contestant be given a copy of the Contest Rules and the Contest Judges Score Sheet so they will have the most complete information on which to prepare their talks.
 
Many of the 70+ Rotary Clubs in Rotary District 5790 participate. 
 
 
Q) Which high school grade levels are eligible to apply for the 4-Way Speech Contest?  
 
A) - All high school grades are included, even those who are home schooled.  Also, any age is ok.  One year we had a 13-year old who was in high school and ultimately went on to District!!!
 
Q) - Is the contest open to students regardless if they participate in an Interact Club or not?  
 
A) Again, as long as they are in high school. Some Clubs work with more than one school.
 
Q) - From our club’s level/the first level of the competition, we select one winner to go on and compete at the Regional Level.  Is that correct?  
 
A) Actually, there are 3 levels:  1) Club, 2) Regional, and 3) District.  With approximately 40-45 Clubs participating it would be impossible to have a District contest with that many contestants.  Instead, we have 3 to 4 Regional contests which are hopefully held in places that are convenient to all participants.  Last year we held them in Weatherford, Fort Worth and Lewisville; however, these are not confirmed yet.  If a Club’s winner is assigned to a specific Regional (I do the assignments) and is unable to come, let me know.  We can assign them to one of the others.  The top two winners from each of the 3 Regional contests – total 6 - then advance to the District contest which is held in May at the District Conference.
 
 
Q) - Students are only awarded a scholarship if they win at the District Level?  Is that correct?  (I’ve been having a little trouble understanding when the scholarship dollars are awarded and how those might be tiered with just one club.)  
 
A) Actually, at the District level we award only monetary prizes.  Typically, at the Regional level each of the six winners get about $100 each.  The amount is considerably higher at the District level, depending on the District budget.  Each of the 6 contestants receives something.  I have not gotten that far yet.  Regarding scholarships, a couple of Clubs give scholarships to their winners.  Other Clubs give monetary awards. 
 
For example, my Club with about 23 members gives 1st place $100, 2nd place $75, 3rd place $50, and 4th place $25, but any amount is ok.  In addition, we give certificates for participation.  Some Clubs give only certificates, and that is ok, too.  I personally believe the value to the student is creating a speech and delivering it to a group of professional people.  After all, throughout every phase of their lives they will need good communication skills.