4-H Communication: It's Not Just Speak offs

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Communication is . . .

To complete and get credit for their year, 4-H members must take part in a communications activity. Many people think that this means competing in a club speakoff. Well, it might, but this is only one option. There are lots of others to choose from. What would it take for an activity to qualify? It must be:

1. prepared by the member

2. presented in front of a group

3. at least three minutes long

Examples of activities that could qualify are demonstrations, illustrated talk, being the M. C. for an activity, formal introductions and thank yous to speakers, and reports on club activities. These would probably also be a big help to the club leader!

Using activities other than speakoffs can be a way to "kill two birds with one stone". It's often difficult to include all of the required activities in your program plan on dates that work out for all your members. By encouraging flexibility in your plan, you can get more accomplished in less time. For example, some experienced members could do a project workshop that would fulfill their communication requirement and help teach the other members project skills.

There are materials available to help you with your club's communication program. Make sure your club has copies of "Speaking Your Way to Success: A Step-by-step guide to creating effective speeches and presentations"

The following Communications supplies are used to help coach and improve members’ public speaking and presentations skills. There are also resources used to guide the organizing and judging of any 4-H communications competition or event, as well as any associated rules or responsibilities.

From Paper to Podium - Looking for a way to teach your members the ins and outs of public speaking and presentations in a fun and interactive way? Selecting a topic, talking speed, and using props are just the curve of the cloverleaf when it comes to this interactive CD-ROM; complete with video, worksheets, site hosts and learning modules.

How to Emcee An Event - A one-page overview of the responsibilities and etiquette associated with being an emcee.

Speaking Your Way to Success Manual - A guide to preparing and presenting effective presentations and speeches.

Public Speaking Competitions (2011-2013)

Public Speaking Organizer’s Guide contains:

• How to organize a public speaking competition

• Roles and responsibilities of members, Leaders and competition officials

• Information on how to judge a competition

• Public speaking rules and guidelines

• Sample Programming

• Organizers Checklist

Public Speaking Judge’s Orientation Package (one per public speaking judge) contains:

• Letter to judges

• Judge’s roles and responsibilities

• Public speaking philosophy

• Special procedures 4-H members are taught

• How to judge and score speeches

• Public speaking rules and guidelines

Public Speaking Judge’s Score Sheet - (one per judge, 6 competitors per sheet) | Score Sheet Excel | Score Sheet Word

Public Speaking Judge’s Comment Sheet - (each judge completes one sheet/speaker impromptu/prepared) sample of how to complete the comment sheet | Comment Sheet Excel | Comment Sheet Word

Public Speaking Judge’s Placing Sheet - Used by judges to record overall placing. This sheet is then given to the teller. (one per three judges) | Placing Sheet Excel | Placing Sheet Word

Public Speaking Competition Timer Sheet - Used to record speakers time faults. (10 speakers per sheet) | Time Sheet Excel | Timer Sheet Word

Public Speaking Teller Sheet (3 judge system) - Used to tally the judge’s scores when same 3 judges are used for both impromptus and prepared speech (12 speakers per sheet). | Teller Sheet 3 Judge Excel | Teller Sheet 3 Judge Word

Public Speaking Teller Sheet (6 Judge System) - used to tally the judges scores after the completion of prepared speech and impromptu. Used for larger clubs where different judges are used for impromptus and speeches. (10 speakers per sheet) | Teller Sheet 6 Judge Excel | Teller Sheet 6 Judge Word

Public Speaking Rules and Guidelines (one per family)

Impromptu Topics

Here are some hints to help you organize your impromptu list as well as some sample topics.

Presentation Competitions (2011-2013)

Presentations Organizer’s Guide (one per club) contains:

• How to organize a presentation competition

• Roles and responsibilities of members, leaders and competition officials

• Information on how to judge a competition

• Presentation rules and guidelines

• Organizers Checklist

Presentations Judge’s Orientation Package (one per presentation judge) contains:

• Letter to judges.

• Types of presentations.

• Criteria for judging and scoring.

• Presentation competition rules and guidelines.

Presentations Judge’s Score Sheet (one per judge, 7 presentations per sheet) | Score Sheet Legal | Score Sheet Excel | Score Sheet Legal Excel | Score Sheet Word

Presentations Judge’s Comment Sheet (each judge completes a sheet for each presentation) | Comment Sheet Excel | Comment Sheet Word

Presentations Judge’s Placing Sheet - Used by judges to record the overall placings. This sheet is then given to the teller. (one per three judges) | Placing Sheet Excel | Placing Sheet Word

Presentations Timer Sheet - Used to record times for presentations. (14 presentations per sheet) | Timer Sheet Excel | Timer Sheet Word

Presentations Teller Sheet - Used to tally the judges scores. (7 presentations per sheet) | Teller Sheet Excel | Teller Sheet Word

Alberta 4-H Presentations Rules and Guidelines (one per family)