Public Speaking

Championship
Toolkit

Welcome!
This annual competition offers JCI active members the opportunity to share their ideas on important
local, national or global issues while showcasing their public speaking abilities to motivate others into
creating positive change around the world.

By participating in the JCI Public Speaking Competition, JCI members actively engage with the
Individual Development Area of Opportunity.
It is in competition such as this that young leaders must face an audience and not buckle under the
pressure. While solo on a stage, it is confidence, poise and preparedness that is key. In these
moments, your weaknesses cannot be hidden under other teammates' strengths. These programs
challenge our members to remember that as important as international collaboration is, we cannot help
others if we do not first fully develop ourselves. Here JCI provides an opportunity for young leaders to
rise to the occasion and shine with determination.

Being a more dynamic and engaging speaker and communicator shows the power of JCI to mold
enterprising young leaders. By growing in these areas and taking those skills back to their professional
lives, JCI members boost the image of the JCI brand and prove the added value of being a member.

REGISTRATION

Registration Deadline
JCI World Headquarters will announce the program registration deadline dates on JCI social media
accounts. Teams must be submitted by this date to be included in the program. Contact
programs@jci.cc for more information about program deadline dates.

The application timeline is outlined below.

Area Conferences
Opening of Applications:
Africa & the Middle East Conference: TBC
Conference of America: March 1, 2022
Asia-Pacific Conference: March 8, 2022
European Conference: March 22, 2022

Deadline for Applications:

Late applications will not be considered.
Africa & the Middle East Conference: TBC
Conference of America: April 5, 2022, 23:59 GMT.
Asia-Pacific Conference: April 20, 2022, 23:59 GMT.
European Conference: April 27, 2022, 23:59 GMT.

World Congress
JCI Area Conference finalists have the privileged opportunity and immense responsibility to represent
all JCI members from their area in the final round of the JCI World Public Speaking Championship at
the corresponding JCI World Congress.

Online Registration
To compete, active members must register online on JVC before the deadline announced by JCI
World Headquarters. Priority is given on a first-come, first-serve basis, honoring the first 12
contestants to register. Remaining constants are automatically placed on a waitlist in the event that
space becomes available. Additionally, contestants must be registered for their Area Conference to
participate in the program. For organisational purposes, please kindly ensure that your speaker has
signed up for the JCI Event no later than:
Africa & the Middle East Conference: TBC
America Conference: April 18, 2022, 23:59 GMT.
Asia-Pacific Conference: May 4, 2022, 23:59 GMT.
European Conference: May 11, 2022, 23:59 GMT.

In the event of not meeting the deadline, the team will be disqualified and the space will be given to the
first team on the waiting list.

Application Approval
To compete, contestant applications must have the National President’s approval. A National
Organization can only enter one contestant into their Area Conference competition.
Registration Fees
Contestants are responsible for covering their own Area Conference registration fee. JCI World
Headquarters covers the JCI World Congress registration fee for the four conference program winners.
Winners must contact events@jci.cc to receive their complementary registration.

NOTE: JCI Area Conference finalists have complimentary registration to the corresponding JCI World
Congress.

RULES
Speaking Topic
Contestants shall only address the speaking topic selected by members through an online voting
process. This process ensures topics are relevant for competitions; therefore, off topic speeches are
subject to deductions and/or disqualifications.

Speaking Language
Contestants may choose to speak from any of the four JCI official languages: English, Spanish, French
or Japanese for the Area Conferences. Speeches delivered outside of these official languages will be
disqualified. For the World Congress, the speeches must be in English.

Speaking Structure
Speeches should include a well-prepared introduction that engages the audience, a body that delivers
the speaker’s message and a powerful conclusion that summarizes the speaker’s arguments.

Speaker Lineup
Championship Chairpersons will cast ballots 30 minutes before the competition begins to decide the
speaker lineup. The first name drawn will correspond to the first speaker, the second name drawn to
the second speaker and so on, until the speaker lineup is complete.

Time Requirements
Contestants must speak for a minimum of five minutes and a maximum of seven minutes. Speeches
lasting less or more than the requirement will be disqualified. A visible Timekeeper appointed by the
Championship Chairpersons will use time cards to keep time.
Championship Chairpersons
JCI World Headquarters appoints Championship Chairpersons to oversee the proceedings of the
Championship. All JCI members are expected to show courtesy and respect to the assigned JCI
Championship Chairpersons.

Judging Panel
A three-person judging panel evaluates contestant speeches. Judges should understand the speaker's
selected language. The Judging Panel Chairperson delivers the winning results to the Program
Chairperson. The judge’s verdict is indisputable once announced.

Attendee Restrictions
Flash photography and recording devices are not permitted during speeches. Additionally, the coming
and going of attendees must wait until the contestant has finished their speech.

Winner Announcement
JCI will announce winners during the respective JCI Award Ceremony. Area Conference winners will
automatically take part in the JCI World Congress Public Speaking Championship and must contact
events@jci.cc to confirm their complimentary registration.

CHAIRPERSON

Appointed by JCI World Headquarters

JCI World Headquarters appoints Championship Chairpersons to oversee the proceedings of the
Championship. Chairpersons share the responsibilities of the championship, including the on-site
coordination and room set up of the program.

Serves as Championship Emcees

Chairpersons are responsible for welcoming delegates and reading the competition script at the
podium, while assisting Judges and escorting candidates as needed.

Prepares Championship Chairperson Script

Chairpersons are responsible for updating the script template found inside of this toolkit by inserting
contestant names provided by JCI World Headquarters after drawing ballot numbers.
Manages Onsite Championship Logistics
Chairpersons are responsible for the onsite coordination and room set up of the championship. This
includes checking the sound system, microphones and computer to make sure the program runs
smoothly. Additionally, Chairpersons should ensure contestants have their own private space in which
to wait before their speech, as contestants are not allowed to hear other speeches before delivering
their own.

Appoints and Trains Three Qualified Judges and One Timekeeper

Chairpersons are responsible for selecting Judges who understand the speaker's selected language.
The Chairpersons will also appoint one judge to serve as the Chair of the judging panel, and one
Timekeeper who has a watch or cell phone to keep track of the time. Additionally, Chairpersons are
responsible for coordinating with the Judges and Timekeeper on their assigned duties.

Draws Ballot Numbers and decide Speaking Order

Chairpersons are responsible for drawing ballot numbers before the event to decide the order in which
contestants will present their speeches. Then Chairpersons will place all contestants in speaking order
as they will be announced.

Reviews Program Proceedings with Contestants and Judges

Chairpersons are responsible for making sure that participants are in the room to speak when it is their
turn, and that the Judges and Timekeeper stay on track. Chairpersons will also assist ESL contestants
with program logistics when necessary.

Assigns Doorkeepers
Chairpersons are responsible for assigning doorkeepers to manage the entering and exiting of
attendees during contestant speeches.

Holds Absolute Discretion to Dictate the Use of Rounds in the

Judging Process
Contingent on the number of entries, the Chairperson may decide to hold the Championship over a
series of rounds with all contestants participating in the first round, and three contestants participating
in the final round.

NOTE: The final round may be held at the Conference Assembly if programming logistics allow.
Chairperson Checklist and Room Layout
Chairpersons are responsible to be at the room a half hour early to ensure the room is set up correctly,
microphones are working and the contestants and Judges are present.