Our Annual Health and Safety Speaking event is scheduled for June 19th, at 1 pm. We ask that you call the office by June 1st to register for the following events:
For those members just starting their public speaking journey, we have two classes at the county level:
- Cloverbuds can say the 4-H pledge.
- Traditional Members can recite the 4-H Creed.
For those with more experience, we have classes for both individuals and teams.
- Junior and Senior Individual 4-H members can participate in the Health and Safety Speaking Event. Health and Safety Speeches are eligible for competition at the next level, which would be regionals in July and then possibly to the state fair after that. We follow the Ohio State Junior Fair Rules found here.
- Team Health and Safety Talks/Skits for two to five current members of all ages. The rules for the team talks/skits can be found here.
Here are some of the rule highlights for the individual event:
- Contestants are to select a topic of human health or safety that affects family living, whether it is in the home, on the farm, on the highway, or in public places. A local example and supporting statistics (with sources cited) are required. Speeches should be written/prepared by the 4-H member giving the speech. Contestants shall not include music, singing, or dancing as part of their speech. Contestants who do so will be penalized 5 points.
- Senior division contestants’ speeches are to be 4.0 to 5 1/2 minutes in length. Senior division speeches under 4.0 or over 5 1/2 minutes will be penalized 10 points. Junior division contestants’ speeches are to be 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 minutes with a 10 point deduction if under 2 1/2 minutes or over 3 1/2 There will be no time allotted or credit given for questions from the audience.
- Prompters (scripts, note cards, verbal cues, signaling) and props may not be used when the contestant is speaking. No visual aids or props are permitted. Trademarked or “brand names” of products should not be used or mentioned in the presentation. Gestures should be used carefully and minimally. Note cards will not be permitted in the junior or senior divisions at the preliminary or state
- Appropriate dress is required for all 4-H Public Speaking The use of costumes is not permitted. All participants must wear shoes. A five point deduction will be made for dress or shoe infractions.
- All contestants will be required to use a microphone when giving their speeches at the state level. Microphones will not be used at the preliminary level. Failure to use the microphone at the state level will be a 10 point
- Verbal profanity or inappropriate words written on clothing or visual aids/props is
- Contestants will be introduced by number and title of talk. Re-introduction is not
- Judges will evaluate all individual participants based upon the following criteria: 30% Content; 30% Organization; and 40% Delivery. NOTE: Refer to score sheet for more specific
- Each contestant must bring to the state event a legibly written or typed copy of their talk (to be written by contestant), and a completed single page biographical form (provided by mail along with state fair admission ticket). No written/typed materials will be required for the preliminary contests.
- Team talks/skits are another area that members can compete in. A team will be 2-5 current 4-H members. The rules for the team talks/skits can be found here.
Here are the rule highlights for the team competition:
- Teams shall consist of 4-H members who are eight years old and enrolled in the third grade or older on January 1 of the current year. Each team must consist of two to five current 4-H members. Subbing is not
- Each team member must bring to the state event a legibly written or typed copy of their talk (to be written by the contestant) and the state participation sheet (sent to the team coach by mail along with state fair admission tickets). Printed scripts are not required at preliminary contests.
- Teams are to select a topic of human Health or Safety that affects family living, whether it is in the home, on the farm, on the highway or in a public place. Team talks/skits should be created/prepared by the 4-H members participating in the team talk/skit. A local example and supporting statistics (with sources cited) are
- The time limit for each team shall be five to eight Each member of the team must participate with at least one minute of speaking time. Teams going over eight minutes or under five minutes OR those not meeting the one minute speaking time requirement for each team member will be penalized 10 points. There will be no time allotted or credit given for questions from the audience.
- Prompters (scripts, note cards, verbal cues, signaling) may not be used during the skit. Teams using prompters will be penalized 10 points. Note cards will not be permitted at the preliminary or state
- Props may be used for the team talks/skits, but no posters or printed materials that are used to prompt participants will be Trademarked or “brand names” of products should not be used on props, costumes, or mentioned in the skit. Refrain from using props which may leave debris, clean-up is expected.
- Live animals are not considered props and are not permitted to be used in team talks/skits.
- Appropriate dress is required for all 4-H team talks/skits participants. The use of costumes will be allowed as long as all participants are fully clothed and wearing shoes. (Violation is 5 point deduction)
- Verbal profanity or inappropriate words written on clothing is
- Cordless microphones may be available for use at the state If stand microphones are used, team coaches should work with contest staff to place microphones at their best location. Microphones will not be used at the preliminary level.
- Contestants will be introduced by number and title of talk. Re-introduction is not
- Judges will evaluate all teams based on the following criteria: 30% Content; 30% Organization; 20% Visual Delivery; and 20% Vocal Delivery. NOTE: Refer to score sheet for more specific information.