How
can I enter the Quest?
What
are contestants judged on?
How
is judging done?
How
many levels of competition are there?
Is
Electrical Aid, be permitted to be used?
But
I am not good at public speaking?
The
application form looks too difficult to fill in?
Where
is my nearest Lions Club?
Do
I need to know anything about Lions?
What
sort of prizes can I win?
Answers.
Why would I want to enter the
Youth of the Year Quest?
The Quest provides tremendous benefits for Youth by
providing them with:-
* opportunities to develop self confidence,
* experience in public speaking,
* interview experience,
* opportunities to meet and interact with other high
achievers,
* opportunities to travel,
* worthwhile additions to their CVs,
People who have entered the Quest find that they are better
equipped to deal with interview situations, because they are
more confident of their ability and have learned how to
handle stress. As a consequence, they perform better,
enhancing their chances of getting that elusive job,
scholarship or admission to the courses they are after.
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How can I enter the Quest?
1. From your school ( principal or year co-ordinator )
2. The nearest Lions Club
3. By contacting the District Chairman/State
Coordinators/National Chairman
4. By contacting the MD 201 Council
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What are contestants judged on?
|
Leadership
Sporting & Cultural
Citizenship & Community
Personality
General Knowledge
Academic
Public Speaking
-Impromptu
-Prepared Speech
-Diction
Total |
15
10
10
15
20
10
10
15
5
110 |
Unlike some other competitions, the Quest does not favour
any one group such as academics, the sports oriented or the
good public speakers. All round ability is what the Quest is
looking for. People who are lacking in one area can pick up
points in another.
Because the Quest is run by the Lions, the largest service
organisation in the world, we do look for an attitude that
demonstrates a community - mindedness and an interest in
what is going on in the world around you, hence the
weighting is towards: leadership, sporting and cultural
awareness, personality and general knowledge.
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How
is the judging done?
There are two stages to the judging process.
The first stage is a private judging, where the contestant
meets, in private, with the judges. At this stage, the
judges are looking to confirm information in your
application form. They may ask some questions to determine
your level of general knowledge, and to assess your attitude
and philosophies on life. It is at the private judging that
most (80%) of your points are scored.
The second stage is the public judging. In this section, you
are required to answer two two minute impromptu questions on
topics chosen for you and one five-minute prepared speech on
a topic of your choice. This stage is open to the public
(including your friends and supporters). The actual speeches
are worth 15% between them (10% for the prepared speech and
5% for the impromptu ) with a further 5% for diction.
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How many levels of competition are
there?
The following are the levels of competition, with winners at
each level proceeding to the next level:
Club
Zone
Region
District
State
National
There could be more than one winner at each level. For
example, depending on how many Regional finals there are,
there could be two progressing from a Regional final to a
District final. Three contestants from the District Final
may progress to the State Final. The winner of the State
Final will progress to the National Final.
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Can
Powerpoint presentation, overheads, tape recorders or any
other type of electrical aid be permitted to be used during
the Public Speaking section of the Quest.
NO
electrical aids like, overheads, tape
recorders or powerpoint presentations are permitted to be
used during the presentation. The Public Speaking section of
the Quest is just that, and the only electrical device
accepted is the microphone.
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But I am not good at public speaking?
You don't have to be good at public speaking to do well in
the Quest, although it helps. Remember that public speaking
accounts for only 20% of the total points scored and of
that, 5% is for diction.
Just think of it this way, for the prepared speech, you only
have to speak for five minutes on your favourite topic,
whatever that may be. This could score you 15%.
Most people are scared of public speaking, including we
adults! There is nothing wrong, therefore in candidates
finding impromptus daunting. There are two impromptus, of
two minutes each, with each being worth 5%. If you do
badly, you can expect to score at least 2 points and even if
you do well, you are unlikely to score more than 4, so there
is probably a 2 point difference between a good impromptu
and a bad one. Even if you perform badly on both impromptus,
you are only likely to lose 4 points - out of 110!. Now,
that is not so scary, is it?.
One thing we can almost guarantee - your public speaking
skills will improve by your participation in the Quest.
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The Application Form looks too
difficult to fill in !
Yes the entry forms are intimidating, if they are looked at
in totality. The trick is to break it down into individual
sections.
My advice is to take each section one at a time, to think
about anything you have done relating to that section of the
form and fill it in. Sometimes you may appear to be
duplicating information, but that is inevitable. For
example, a person who coaches a junior basketball team has
community involvement and is also demonstrating leadership.
There is no reason why that information cannot be included
in each section.
Just think that the classifications are useful for inclusion
in a CV when you are applying for jobs. Thus, by filling in
the entry form you are building the base for an impressive
CV !
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Where is my nearest Lions Club?
Lions Clubs are easy to find.
One way to find your nearest club is to keep your eyes open
when you walk down the street. You will often find a Lions
Emblem on a post or display board telling you when and where
the next Lions Club meeting is.
Or you may try your local council, where it would be listed
under Community Service Clubs
or Contact National Chairman
- Email
md201yoty@bigpond.com
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Do I need to know anything about
Lions?
No, you don't need to know anything about the Lions to enter
the Quest, but you will learn quite a bit about them in your
journey through the Quest.
You will find out, for example, that Lions have a strong
commitment to Youth and that they want to help our Youth
become better citizens of the future.
You will learn that Lions are warm, friendly people who are
willing to extend a helping hand to those less fortunate
than they.
You will meet many people that you will be pleased to have
met - and if you learn something about the Lions - well,
that is a real bonus!.
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What sort of prizes can I win?
Now, that is a hard one!
The prizes depend on the sponsorship obtained by the
particular club organising the event and could range from
badges to pens, books, gift vouchers and even trips!
The State winners will receive a 35- day tour of Australia
with the other State winners, together with a $500
allowance for any out of pocket expenses
they incur on the trip around Australia, while the
National winner will receive an overseas trip to attend an
International Youth Convention or to undertake a specific
study tour overseas. The National Public Speaking Winner
wins a trip to New Zealand.
Any of the trip prizes must be taken within the next
financial year (June to July) immediately following the
finals.
