Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Seminar and Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Speech Contest

Rotary District 7570
2009 DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE PREVENTION SPEECH CONTEST

Contest Rules

TOPIC: "What Must Be Done to Prevent Drug and Alcohol Abuse in the U.S.?"
TIME: Maximum of six minutes.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The United Nations has as one of its goals to educate the world against drug abuse. The UN found, "The monetary value of traffic in illicit drugs throughout the world is now estimated to be second only to that of trade in armaments." The Secretary General said, "Drug and drug trafficking have already claimed millions of lives, weakened national economies, undermined the integrity and stability of Governments, and endangered society as a whole . . . We see the threats to health, including the growing menace of AIDS, the destruction of families, the high costs to society, and damage to economic, and social progress through the waste of great human and other resources. Drug related crime has reached alarming proportions. All nations are vulnerable."

OBJECTIVE OF SPEECH CONTEST: The Speech Contest is part of Rotary International's continuing efforts to promote drug abuse prevention. The speech contest is to encourage high school students to:

  1. consider the extent and seriousness of the use of mind-modifying drugs including alcohol;
  2. learn of current efforts in their community and nation to reduce and prevent drug abuse;
  3. prepare them to be future leaders in informing their peers of this dangerous problem; and,
  4. provide an opportunity to speak out against drugs.

CRITERIA:

1. DELIVERY 2. ORIGINALITY 3. CONTENT
a. Enunciation & Pronunciation a. Imaginative Approach a. Knowledge of Subject
b. Expression/Poise b. Positive Approach b. Logical Development
c. Sincerity & Tone   c. Clarity of Ideas
    d. Persuasive to Peers

HIGH SCHOOL: In class or assembly, students and teachers select four students to represent the High School at Rotary Club meeting. Notes are permitted, but SPEECH SHOULD NOT BE READ.

ROTARY CLUB: Each club participating in a joint contest may sponsor a student from the same high school. A club may sponsor a student from each high school in the area of their membership.

SPEECHES: Presented at a regular Rotary Club meeting.
JUDGES: Members of the Rotary Club serve as judges.
AWARDS: All speakers receive certificates. Rotary Club may give a cash award to the winner.
FINALIST: One finalist to represent each Rotary Club (or high school) at District Competition.
ELIGIBLE: All high school students.
REGISTRATION: $30 fee.
DEADLINE: By November 6, 2009 the names of club winner contestants should be provided to Katherine Rodgers, at (540) 951-2785 or e-mail krodgers@vt.edu.

DISTRICT FINALS: To be held on December 11 @ 11:00 a.m. at The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center, Blacksburg, Virginia. Students will be finished by 3:00 p.m. We recommend that contestants be included by their Rotary Club sponsor in the weekend Youth Leadership Awards Seminar.

DISTRICT AWARDS: 1st - $200; 2nd - $150; 3rd - $100

Top two District finalists are required to attend the 7570 District Conference on March 20, 2010 at The Homestead Resort, Hot Springs, VA, and awarded their prizes then.




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