Four Way Speech Contest

 

Every year the Rotary Clubs of District 6040 hold this contest for area students to compete for cash prizes. From the earliest days of the organization, Rotarians were concerned with promoting high ethical standards in their professional lives. One of the world's most widely printed and quoted statements of business ethics is the 4-Way Test, which was created in 1932 by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor, when he was asked to take charge of a company that was facing bankruptcy.

 

Please note the following:

 

I encourage your club to participate in this contest. To enter, please complete the online entry form and submit the video of your club’s entrant presenting his/her speech to 4waytest6040@gmail.com.  This email will also be your way to contact us with any questions you may have.   The information you will need to complete the online form will include the sponsoring Rotary Club’s contact person, as well as contact information for the student.  A direct link to the submission site is included here:  https://forms.gle/rFYYuteRD5rTZPKT6 . Information and best practices are available on the Rotary District 6040 web page rotary6040.org  under Events, 2025 4 Way Speech Contest.

 

 

 

 

Any high school student enrolled in grades 9 through 12 in a public or private school, home school, or exchange program may participate in the contest. Former winners may compete again, if otherwise eligible.
 

 

Subject:   Any topic which a contestant feels is timely, interesting, and important may be used for the contest speech as long as it is not profane, obscene unpatriotic or racist. If a contestant or coach has any doubts at all, he/she should clear his/her topic with the Contest Chairperson for the next level where he/she will speak. The decision of the Chairperson is final.  The speech must apply the Rotary 4-Way Test as a standard in connection with other topics or life experiences or as a main topic. It need not include all of the 4 elements of the 4-Way Test, but may center on one or more, demonstrating the impact of the Test upon life or society.  The topic must be specifically subjected to the Rotary 4-Way Test. It must be used throughout the body of the speech and is not to be reserved for the beginning or concluding statements only.

 

Content:   Content must be original, prepared by the contestant, but may include references to research, quotations, statistics and material from other sources, as long as it contains an original or unique approach, not a substantial copy of another's product. Demonstration objects and visual aids may be used, but should not be a major portion of the speech. No slides, videos, or overhead projected images may be used.

 

Delivery:   The speech should not be read, but adequate outline notes may be used. The speech may be delivered partly or entirely from memory.

 

Length:   The speech should be no less than 3 minutes or more than 5 minutes in length. A speech that is delivered in less than 3 minutes or more than 5 is disqualified.