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What exactly
is the Golden Gavel
contest?
It is a speech contest open to novice speakers from the community or
from organized public speaking groups. Eligible contestants must be 17
years of age
or older and have less than 18 months public speaking
experience prior
to the contest.
Where and when?
All this basic information can be confirmed on the website at www.goldengavel.ca,
which contains the
same information.
You will see detailed information on the contest; venue address;
contest times, entry form, how to address the audience etc.
What is the cost to enter
this contest?
Contestants entrance is FREE, including admission to any or all times
of the preliminary contest(s) as well as the
final contest a week later. Tell the volunteers manning the door that
you are a contestant and give them your name.
Why would I want to attend
more than one contest?
Unless you are scheduled to speak on the first time slot, it provides
you
with an opportunity to see the venue and get a feel for the speaking
area and general layout of the facility. Additionally, you will be able
to watch how the contest is run so you know what the process is by the
time you have been scheduled to speak, for the preliminary contests.
To attend the final contest is a great idea also, to cheer on speakers;
provide support and encouragement and to hear some great novice
speakers deliver some incredible speeches. Attendance
at the Final is also FREE to any contestant.
How am I scheduled to
speak?
After the cutoff date, scheduling speakers happens based on times that
have been indicated on the entry form where contestants advise if there
are any times they are unavailable. The Scheduling Committee first
checks all entries and lists all contestants and all times. Then they
block off the times that people have indicated they are unavailable to
speak. For multiple entrants from the same organization, every effort
is made
to schedule them on separate times so that they are not speaking
against their fellow members. Then all other speakers are scheduled
around that, trying to ensure as wide a range of organizations and
community entrant mix as possible.
How long are the speeches?
Speeches are to be 5-7 minutes in length. Contestants have a 30 second
buffer at either end of this time so they cannot be less than 4 minutes
30 seconds or longer than 7 minutes 30 seconds in length. Any speeches
outside this time frame result in an automatic time disqualification.
TIP
We always remind speakers that knowing their timing is important as you
don't want to go to all that work of preparing and practicing your
speech and then be disqualified due to time. If there are any time
disqualifications, that is stated to the audience, but the specific
individual is not named.
We suggest that contestants when practicing, write the numbers 1
through
6 vertically down a piece of paper; then add 6:30 and 7 below that e.g.
1
2
3
4
5 (Green Light)
6 (Yellow Light)
6:30
7 (Red Light)
Then every time they practice their speech have someone time them and
write down a couple of words at each minute mark. With repeated
practice, you will find that you are about the same place each time. It
gives you good notice to know you are within the speech time frames and
gives you a good idea where you will be approximately in your speech as
the lights come on and then they don't throw you, but are a good guide.
TIP
Some speakers present humourous speeches and some present more serious
ones. Regardless, timing is as important as ensuring your speech has an
opening, a body and a conclusion. IF you are presenting a humourous
speech, we strongly suggest that your speech be not longer than about 6
minutes in length. The reason we tell people this every year is that
you
have to build in audience time. By that, we mean that if you say
something funny and your audience laughs, you have to wait until the
audience finishes laughing before you can continue with your speech -
that takes time, so you need to build in and leave enough time to
include that and not go over time.
Can I have already given
the speech before?
Yes, if you have presented the speech to your organization or as an
individual at a community event and received good feedback on it, you
can dust it off and
spiffy it up and present that speech. In both instances, you cannot
present a speech that
has been given in any contest prior to Golden Gavel.
Speech subject matter?
This is the choice of the individual speakers and any topic should be
appropriate in nature. For example, know your audience. We always
remind
no swearing or foul language is a good idea. As well, avoiding really
controversial issues.
Notes?
Yes speakers can use notes if they choose. Bring multiple copies as one
copy must be given to the Scheduling Committee before the contest
starts and if you want notes on the stage with you, you need a copy to
give to the Sgt at Arms who will be responsible to have them set up for
you before you speak. Then have a 3rd copy for yourself if you want to
peruse them one more time before speaking.
Many speakers want them available just in case as security but you will
find that after all your practicing 99% of the time you don't refer to
them.
Lectern/Podium?
Yes one will be available if required.
Miked?
No, we don't put microphones on contestants.
Flip charts/computer and
projector?
If contestants need these they need to let Scheduling know as soon as
possible and mention it on the entry form, so that it can be confirmed
whether or not the facility has these devices available. If not the
contestant will have to make arrangements to obtain the necessary
equipment. Scheduling lets Sgt at Arms know as they need to ensure its
set up ready before contestant speaks.
Props?
The same with props. If you are using any props as part of your speech,
make a note on the entry form please.
Arrive early
Contestants are asked to be present at the venue when they are
scheduled to speak at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the
contest.
This is important because the Scheduling Committee needs to confirm
that:
all contestants are present
copies of speeches have
been obtained from all contestants
bio
sheets are completed for speech titles ready for the Master of
Ceremonies, if they had not been provided at the time of entry
all contestants meet each
other and the Master of Ceremonies [MC]
all
contestants get up and stand on the stage to get a feel for the layout
of the audience so they know where to focus their eye contact
all
contestants meet with the Sgt at Arms, to ensure the Sgt at Arms knows
if contestants want to have their notes and how they would like them
laid out on the lectern; do they want water, do they have props - all
these things contestants need to think about prior to the contest start
- as the Sgt at Arms is responsible to have this in place for them
For example, if you want water available, we try to get contestants on
the stage to think about how they have their speech outlined and how
and where they will move on the stage, so that we can ensure water is
placed somewhere within reach, but doesn't interfere with the
presentation of the actual speech.
To ensure all this is all accomplished prior to the start of the
contest, its really important all contestants arrive that 30 minutes
early.
How do I know what order I
will speak?
After Scheduling has met with all contestants as above, the MC will get
all contestants together and remind about timing, how the speakers will
be introduced and then speakers will draw for speaking order.
Dress?
Yes being dressed is always a good idea (haha). Dress should be
appropriate for the occasion. Contestants are free to wear what they
are comfortable in. Usually for women, it can be a dress, suit, slacks
and blouse or sweater. For men, can be a suit or sports jacket. Jeans
for example may work with a sports jacket or other types of dress may
be totally appropriate for the speech. Individual choice.
Name badges?
As this contest for novice speakers is organized and run independently
by the Golden Gavel Committee and is open to both individuals from the
general community as well as organized groups - we request that no name
badges be worn referencing any affiliation.
How do I prepare for this
contest?
Practice, practice, practice.
TIP
We suggest contestants practice as often as as much as their time
schedules allow. If you belong to an organized group, ensure you are on
the agenda to speak and present your speech each week for as many weeks
as you can.
Additionally, whether member of the community or an organization, if
you
work we suggest you present the speech at lunch time to co-workers for
feed back and assistance on confirming timing. (This was invaluable to
me as I asked people I supervised and worked with for feedback).
Present the speech talking to yourself in a mirror so you can see your
facial expressions and some body language.
Present the speech in front of your family. (Thats the one I found the
hardest personally, because it WAS family, but it definitely helped and
the cats all paid attention too). Each time you present it to a
different audience it helps reinforce your speech and helps with nerves.
If you ride the bus, practice your speech in your head on the ride.
If you have a iPod, MP3, or tape player, record the speech and play it
with your earbuds, bluetooth speakers, or
headphones while exercising or walking. Play it in the car when driving
- where ever, how ever it works for you - its practice, practice,
practice is the key.
If you have a video (web) camera get someone/yourself to tape
you/yourself - again its a
different feeling but helps reinforce your confidence and your speech.
Plus it provides an opportunity for you to see your facial expressions,
body language and listen to your vocal variety and general demeanor.
Practice and timing - very important, so that you are as prepared as
you can be when you present your speech -- then at the
contest, you can go and have fun and enjoy yourself and have confidence
in your ability to deliver to a new audience.
One thing about Golden Gavel audiences --- you will find that 75% or
more people in the audience have entered this contest in the past; they
are all very supportive and encouraging of all the speakers and you can
feel it - its hard to describe but its tangible.
2 Speeches? Why do you say
to have 2 speeches ready?
Every year We suggest the contestants have the speech they are
presenting at the the preliminaries to be practiced as much as they can
and have it nailed down - then go have fun.
But the reason we say have a 2nd speech in your back pocket at least
80%+ practiced and ready, is that the first and 2nd place speaker from
each of the preliminary rounds goes on to the final contest.
Speakers must present a new and
different speech and you don't want to cause yourself undue stress by
having to think of a new speech and get it ready in just a week.
"When I entered Golden Gavel my sole
goal was to face my fears and take
a big personal risk presenting a speech external to the club I belonged
to - all the while hoping that I would still be breathing at the end of
7 minutes. I didn't speak until the Friday night and when I realized I
was still breathing and alive, I was on such a euphoric high it was
incredible and hard to describe.
I
ended up coming first on my night which shocked the heck out of me.
The problem was --------------- I hadn't thought that far ahead and
never thought I would even place and didn't personally care --- my goal
was to still be breathing.
What
it meant was I had to go home - think up a speech, write and fine
tune it with practice and timing and I only had until the next week.
For me it wasn't enough time. It was a good speech, but it
wasn't practiced enough and it showed in multiple ways.
So
you could be like me and just want to stretch your wings and take a
leap of faith by presenting a speech to a different audience or you
could really want to win the Golden Gavel. It doesn't matter either
way. What matters is that you are as prepared as possible. So if you
have a 2nd speech in your back pocket, you have time between the
preliminary and the final to practice and be prepared. Former
Contestant".
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| Revised
by Brian Dodd, DTM Jan 6, 2012 |
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