48th annual oratorical chairpersons conference
TRANSCRIPT
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
Shayne Abrahams Sr. (IN) Assistant Director Americanism Division
10:00 a.m.
Break
10:15 a.m.
2018 National Finals Planning
Shayne Abrahams Sr. (IN) Assistant Director Americanism Division
10:30 a.m.
Brainstorming & Sharing:
Shayne Abrahams Sr. (IN) Assistant Director Americanism Division
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.
Affiliate Spotlights:
National Speech & Debate Association
Steve Schappaugh, Director of Community Engagement
3:30 p.m.
Affiliate Spotlights:
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
Clarence Ortega (NM)
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
Clarence Ortega (NM)
Conference Chairman
Victor Desloova (IA)
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 National Finals Contest In Review
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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2017 National Finals Contest In Review
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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2017 National Finals Contest In Review
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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2017 National Finals Contest In Review
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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Tabulation Procedures
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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Tabulation Procedures
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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Tabulation Procedures
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
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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Judges Score Card35
1 2 3 4
Prepared Oration 12 points
Assigned Topic 4 points
Prepared Oration 12 points
Assigned Topic 4 points
Prepared Oration 12 points
Assigned Topic 4 points
Prepared Oration 16 points
Assigned Topic 6 points
1 2 3 4
Prepared Oration 6 points
Assigned Topic 4 points
Prepared Oration 6 points
Assigned Topic 4 points
Prepared Oration 6 points
Assigned Topic 4 points
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
Excel Spreadsheet Tabulation Program
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http://www.legion.org/oratorical/resources
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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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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2018 National Finals Contest Travel Requirements
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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2018 National Finals Contest Travel Requirements
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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2018 National Finals Contest Travel Requirements
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
Quarter-Final Contest 3 (winner to SF-1) Room TBD
New Jersey Virginia West Virginia
Florida Massachusetts DC
Quarter-Final Contest 4 (winner to SF-2) Room TBD
Mississippi Iowa Wyoming
Rhode Island Kansas Indiana
Quarter-Final Contest 5 (winner to SF-2) Room TBD
Oregon Wisconsin Minnesota
Alabama Nevada South Carolina
Quarter-Final Contest 6 (winner to SF-2) Room TBD
South Dakota Hawaii North Carolina
Tennessee Colorado Michigan
Quarter-Final Contest 7 (winner to SF-3) Room TBD
New York Maryland Ohio
Louisiana North Dakota Maine
Quarter-Final Contest 8 (winner to SF-3) Room TBD
Montana Arkansas Mexico
Alaska Vermont Utah
Quarter-Final Contest 9 (winner to SF-3) Room TBD
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
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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