If You Have Any Questions Or Would Like to Schedule a Training, Contact Us At

2009 Individual Development Competition’s Guide
~prepared for the Nebraska Jaycees~

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a training, contact us at:

Lisa Johnson, Individual Development Vice President
(402) 366-7543,

Sheila Hoppe, Competitions Program Manager

(402) 564-3726,

Julie Sharp, JC Idol Competitions Program Manager

308)-238-1972,

General Guidelines

Why Participate….

The USJC Individual Competition Program is designed to help promote the skills of its members in the areas of speaking, writing, debating, and interviewing. These competitions help members become more confident in presenting themselves verbally and in written format; skills that can be transferred to a member's personal and professional life.

Eligibility

Participation is open to any Nebraska Jaycee in good standing. Excluded from competing is any national officer, state officer*, or local chapter president* during the current year. Also ineligible are any past national officers and past state presidents. Past National competitors cannot compete in the same category competed in at National. In addition, past Nebraska year-end first place winners of an given competition-regardless of whether they have competed at nationals or not will, with the exception of Jaycee Idol, will be ineligible in that event.

* The eligibility rules may be different for debate and Master Speak Up...

Novice competitions are only open to members who have never competed in any of the regular competitions before. A member can only complete in a particular voice competition once. Current or past chapter or state officers are not eligible for the novice competitions. There will be no year-end novice competitions.

Advancement

Competitions will be held at first, second, third quarter conventions and fourth quarter region meetings.

All competitors who place first, second or third will advance to year-end competitions.

The first place winners of 2nd quarter competitions are eligible to compete at the USJC TOYA/Annual Meeting in September, while the first place winners at the year-end competitions are eligible to represent Nebraska at the US JC Year-End Celebration in March.

Note: Portfolio competitions are not held at either the NEJC First Quarter Convention or the USJC TOYA/Annual Meeting.

Dress

Contestants are encouraged to wear business professional attire during competition. Military uniforms are considered business professional attire. No chapter or state uniforms, badges, pins or buttons will be allowed. A membership pin of the USJC is allowed and encouraged, but will have no impact on the competitor’s score.

Supervision

Competitions will be supervised by the Individual Development Vice President and the Competitions Program Manager and/or an assistant appointed by either of the above-mentioned people.

ALL RULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Please make sure you have the most current information.

You can find more information and judges forms for competitions at
s

Write-up

The Write-Up competitions are designed to give members an opportunity to refine their writing skills. The competition experience is invaluable and will give the competitor a greater understanding and appreciation of the Jaycees.

Regular vs. Novice

“Regular” Write Up:Competitors will be given the impromptu topic at time of competition. Each contestant will have 30 minutes to complete.

“Novice” Write Up:Topic will be announced no later than one month prior to competition. Contestants will bring their two-to-three page essay to the state convention for judging. Two copies will be needed. NOTE: There is no Novice Write Up competition at the national level.

Length/Other Requirements

Write-Up

No word limit.

Include name on all top right corners of the page.

“Novice” Write-Up submissions must be typed and double-spaced.

“Regular” Write-Up will only have 30 minutes to complete.

“Regular” Write-Up must be double space and neatly written.

Advancement

1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners from 1st, 2nd, 3rd Quarter convention and 4th quarter region meeting will compete at Year End Competition to determine who will advance onto National competition. The ONTO competitors may be determined by an impromptu Write-Up.

Content

The content of the essay must relate to the published topic. The exact words of the topic (title) must be used at least once in the entry.

Judging

Judges will be selected at the discretion of the Competitions Program Manager and/or the Individual Development Vice President.

Write-Up:All submissions will be judged on how well the topic is communicated on the basis of comprehension and clarity of the topic, format (opening, body, and closing) of presentation, and mechanics (grammar, spelling, and neatness). Points will be given for each area.

Speak-up

The Speak-Up competitions are designed to give members an opportunity to refine their speaking skills. The competition experience is invaluable and will give the competitor a greater understanding and appreciation of the Jaycees.

Regular vs. Novice

“Master” Speak Up:Only eligible state officers (RD’s and Up) and local chapter presidents, while in office, will be allowed to compete in “Master Speak Up.” Competitors will be given the impromptu topic and will be allowed 3-5 minutes to prepare and give their speech.

“Regular” Speak Up:Topic will be announced no later than one month prior to competition. Contestants will prepare a 5-7 minute speech. Finalist round may be held at Year-End convention including a 3-5 minute impromptu speech.

“Novice” Speak Up:Topic will be announced no later than one month prior to competition. Contestants will prepare a 5-7 minute speech. Note cards are allowed. NOTE: There is no Novice Speak Up competition at the national level.

Advancement

The first place winner of “Regular” Speak-Up must deliver his or her winning prepared speech at the excitement seminar Sunday morning at Convention. All 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners from 1st, 2nd, 3rd Quarter convention and 4th quarter region meeting will compete at Year End Competition to determine who will advance onto National competition. The ONTO competitors may be determined by an impromptu Speak Up.

Content

The content of the prepared speech must relate to the published topic. The exact words of the topic (title) must be used at least once in the entry.

Judging

Judges will be selected at the discretion of the Competitions Program Manager and/or the Individual Development Vice President.

Speak-Up:Will be judged on the basis of delivery, speech content, salesmanship and continuity. Points will be given for each area.

Jaycee Jeopardy

This competition is fun!

Participants do not need to sign up in advance but may contact the Program Manager as a courtesy. Just show up at the room reserved for Jaycee Jeopardy during convention, during the designated time and test your knowledge of the Jaycees. This is a great way to get new members involved and excited about the Jaycees. Just stop in and take the test. The top four competitors will be called back for the oral round, which will consist of five questions and a tiebreaker question.

Questions will be taken from several sources. They are: “A Legacy of Leadership” by John W. Clark, “The Book”, “Jaycees” magazine, Nebraska Jaycees website United States Jaycees website NEJC ACT book and other various state and USJC publications.

Advancement

All 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners from 1st, 2nd, 3rd Quarter convention and 4th quarter region meeting will compete at Year End Competition to determine who will advance onto National competition. The ONTO competitors may be determined by an oral round, “Jeopardy” style.

Judging

Judges will be selected at the discretion of the Competitions Program Manager and/or the Individual Development Vice President.

Jeopardy:Will be judged based on number of correct answers given.

Jaycee Debate Competition

Requirements

1. Teams should be three Jaycees; they do not have to be from the same chapter.
2. The team will include two (2) speakers and one (1) captain.
3. Only one (1) competitor may be a current state officer or chapter president. The other two (2) members must be general members, Local Chapter Officers or eligible Program Managers*.

Eligibility:

Eachchapter may send one team consisting of three persons to compete at eachconvention. The team will include two (2) speakers and one (1) coach or idea person. Only one (1) member of the team may be a current State Officer* or Local Chapter President at the time of competition. The other two (2) speaking members must be general members, Local Chapter Officers, or eligible Program Managers. * (District Directors and Program Managers will be allowed to participate.)

Advancement:

All 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners from 1st, 2nd, 3rd Quarter convention and 4th quarter region meeting will compete at Year End Competition to determine who will advance onto National competition.

Judging:

Judges will be selected at the discretion of the Competitions Program Manager and/or the Individual Development Vice President.

Competition will be on a single-elimination basis with winning teams moving onto the next level of competition. The two (2) finalist teams will face off in the final round, which should be held during a general session, if possible, to allow for audiences to experience the Debate Competition.
Each team will be given the topic fifteen (15) minutes prior to competition. Teams will argue opposite sides of the topic and a coin toss will be used to determine which team will be able to choose their preferred side. Both teams are provided with the topic at the same time and the team winning the right to choose either "for" or "against" will be provided with thirty (30) seconds to make their determination. Different topics will be used for each round of competition and may be either Jaycee or non-Jaycee related.
During the Debate, speakers will adhere to the following speaking order and time limits:

Captain FOR the motion (PRO): 2 minutes

Captain AGAINST the motion (CON): 2 minutes

1st Speaker FOR the motion (PRO): 3 minutes

1st Speaker AGAINST the motion (CON): 3 minutes

2nd Speaker FOR the motion (PRO): 3 minutes

2nd Speaker AGAINST the motion (CON): 3 minutes

Captain FOR the motion (PRO): 2 minutes

Captain AGAINST the motion (CON): 2 minutes

The “Captains” for each team will be responsible for the team’s “introduction” of their point of view and “summary” or “closing argument” for their point of view. NO NEW MATERIAL MAY BE INTRODUCED during the closing arguments; the speaker may only restate their point of view and rebut material already presented.

Point of Information:

Only a participating speaker can give a Point of Information. Substitutes, supporters, members of the audience cannot offer or answer Points of Information. A point of information may be made only during the second and third minutes of the first or second speaker's time. A Point of Information is not permitted anytime while the Captain is speaking.

Following are the procedures for giving and accepting Points of Information:

a) If giving a Point of Information, raise your hand or place your hand over your head, stand up and address the speaker at the podium, saying, "On A Point Of Information."

b) Wait for the speaker to indicate whether he or she will listen to your point. If the speaker says "No, thank you", or indicates by way of a gesture that the point will not be taken, or continues with their speech without yielding the floor, then sit down.

c) If the speaker indicates that he or she will take the point, then deliver it clearly and briefly and then sit down. Do not retort to the speakers reply. At no point should the speakers engage in a conversation with each other.

d) If speaking, and an opponent offers a Point of Information, you can accept it right then, you can refuse to accept it, or you can indicate you will deal with it in a moment when you are finished with the point you are making.

e) When replying to a Point of Information, be brief, humorous if possible, and then return to your speech.

f) The time used to ask and answer the question (or Point of Information) counts against the current speaker's time. Thus it is important that the speaker keep control of his/her allotted time.

Timeouts:

(a) Each team is allowed a quantity of one (1) time-out, one-minute in length, during the debate.

(b) A timeout may be taken at any time during the debate as long as it is called in between speakers.

(c) The team captain shall indicate to the Chairman that his/her team wishes to use their timeout, at which time

the Chairman will ask the Timekeeper to inform them when the minute is up.

The first place Debate winners at National Convention may represent The U.S. Junior Chamber at the World Debating Competition. This competition is held in November at the JCI World Congress.

Jaycee Idol

The Jaycee Idol competition will be held at the 1st Quarter Convention and provides Jaycees the opportunity to showcase their singing abilities. This is a LIVE competition with an audience (which makes it a lot of fun for everyone)!

Eligibility

ANY Jaycee, between the ages of 21 and 40, can compete. The individual must be a member of a recognized Junior Chamber chapter is eligible to compete, provided they meet all other eligibility criteria listed under “General Guidelines”, listed above. Past national competitors are not eligible.

Competition Rules

Performers may not wear any specific costume or clothing, nor use any specific props for the video. (i.e. Elvis, Cher, Village People, etc.) Specific clothing accessories are allowed, such that they are an enhancement to the performance. (i.e. Cowboy hat with Country song) Competitors may perform with or without musical accompaniment. Multiple performers are not allowed, all competitors must perform solo, with no “back-up” singers, dancers, or instrument players.

Judging

Judges will be selected at the discretion of the Competitions Program Manager and/or the Individual Development Vice President.

All competitors will be judged on the following criteria:

Knowledge of SongStage Presence

Audience AppealProfessional Appearance

Overall Impression (This does not mean business attire, but rather a clean, neat, orderly appearance.)

Advancement

A Maximum of three (3) competitors from each state can be submitted to National for judging by July 1. The three (3) finalists will be recorded and MUST sing acapella for their National competition submission. These recordings will be set-up by the State Individual Development Vice President or the Competitions Program Manager. Upon judging at the National level, the final competitors will be notified by mail by the United States Jaycees by August 25 (or the following Monday when that date falls on a weekend).

C. William Brownfield/John H. Armbruster/Andrew & Charlotte KennedyMemorial Awards

Description of Awards and Eligibility

C. William Brownfield Memorial Award

The C. William Brownfield Memorial Award is presented to a first year Jaycee in recognition of their significant achievements during their first 12 months of membership. The award is named in honor of the author of the Jaycee Creed. The Jaycee Creed is recited by Jaycees throughout the world at virtually every Jaycee function/event. Bill Brownfield penned the creed after attending his first ever National Jaycee Convention. As a new member from Ohio, he recognized that the spirit and enthusiasm of the Jaycee movement began with the exciting energy of first-year Jaycees.

Eligibility:

1. First-year Jaycees, during and up to their first 24 months of membership. No member is eligible to compete after the second National Convention following his or her entry into the Jaycees.

John H. Armbruster “Keyman” Memorial Award

The John H. Armbruster “Keyman” Memorial Award is presented to an outstanding Jaycee who has continued to show support, dedication, and enthusiasm for the Jaycees following their first year of membership. The award is named in honor and recognition of John H. Armbruster’s faithful service to the United States Jaycees. John was a charter member of the St. Louis Junior Chamber of Commerce and throughout his life continued to contribute to the Jaycee movement.

Eligibility:

1. Any Jaycee member who has been a member in good standing for more than twelve consecutive months.

Kennedy Award (Family of the Year) or also referred to as the Mungenast Award

The Andrew and Charlotte Kennedy Award are presented annually to one family from the Nebraska Jaycees. The family then goes on to compete at the annual meeting of the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce where up to five outstanding families are chosen. These are families who have promoted and exemplified the objectives and beliefs of the Jaycee Creed.

The award is named in honor of Andrew and Charlotte Kennedy. Andrew was one of the founders of the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce and served as its first secretary. His wife, Charlotte, was known as the first lady of the Jaycees by the U.S. Junior Chamber and Junior Chamber International.

Eligibility:

1. Any married couple with or without children and single parents with children may enter this competition. Siblings living in the same household are also eligible.
2. At least one (1) member of the family unit must be a Jaycee in good standing and meet the criteria listed under "General Eligibility Requirements.”
3. All family members that are eligible to be members of a recognized local Jaycee Chapter must be a member in good standing.

Résumé & Portfolios: Brownfield/Armbruster/Kennedy

These awards are very special in that they recognize all of the hard work and the impact of local members on their chapters and state. These competitions take a little bit more time to prepare and they are something that competitors are very proud of.

The Résumé competitions are in two parts. You create a portfolio before the competition, which is turned in Friday night of convention. It is judged based on your involvement and information given. The second part of the competition is an interview process that is similar to a job interview.