INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC SPEAKING
Introduction to Public Speaking provides members with the opportunity to develop and present a speech on a topic. This competitive event consists of a presentation component.
Event Overview
Division: High School (9th and 10th grades only)
Event Type: Individual
Event Category: Presentation
Event Elements: Speech
Presentation Time: 5-minute presentation time
NACE Connections: Career & Self-Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Professionalism
Equipment Provided by Competitors: Conference-provided nametag, Attire that meets the Florida FBLA Dress Code
Equipment Provided by FBLA: None
2024-2025 Topic
Develop and deliver a speech based on the following topic: How volunteerism and community service can shape your future as a leader.
District
Check with your District leadership for District-specific competition information.
State
Eligibility
· FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on December 1 (or earlier date specified by District Director) of the current program year.
· Members may compete in an event at the State Leadership Conference (SLC) more than once if they have not previously placed in the top 10 of that event at the National Leadership Conference (NLC). If a member places in the top 10 of an event at the NLC, they are no longer eligible to compete in that event.
· Members must be registered for the SLC and pay the state conference registration fee in order to participate in competitive events.
· Members must stay in an official FBLA hotel in order to compete.
· Each district may be represented by participant(s) based on the Florida FBLA scaled quota system found on the Florida FBLA website.
· Each competitor can only compete in one individual/team event and one chapter event (American Enterprise Project, Community Service Project, Local Chapter Annual Business Report, Partnership with Business Project).
· Only competitors are allowed to plan, research, and prepare their presentations.
· Each competitor must compete in all parts of an event for award eligibility.
· If competitors are late for a presentation time, they may be disqualified or placed later in the schedule. The decision is solely up to the judges.
· Participants must adhere to the Florida FBLA dress code established by the Florida Board of Directors or they will not be permitted to participate in the competitive event.
Recognition
· The number of competitors will determine the number of winners. The maximum number of winners for each competitive event is 5.
Event Administration
· This event has two parts: preliminary presentation and final presentation
· Preliminary Presentation Information: The Speech
o Presentation Time: 5 minutes (one-minute warning)
o The presentation is judged at the SLC. Preliminary presentations are not open to conference attendees.
o Competitors are randomly assigned to sections.
o The speech must be developed around the topic.
o When delivering the speech, competitors may use notes prepared before the event.
o No other reference materials such as visual aids, props, handouts or electronic devices may be brought to or used during the event.
· Final Presentation Information
o Presentation Time: 5 minutes (one-minute warning)
o An equal number of competitors from each section in the preliminary round will advance to the final round. When there are more than five sections of preliminary presentations for an event, two competitors from each section will advance to the final round.
o Final presentations may be open to conference attendees, space permitting. Finalists may not view other competitors’ presentation in their event.
o The speech must be developed around the topic.
o When delivering the speech, competitors may use notes prepared before the event.
o No other reference materials such as visual aids, props, handouts or electronic devices may be brought to or used during the event.
Scoring
· The preliminary presentation score will determine the finalists.
· The final presentation score will determine the winners.
· Judges must break ties. All judges’ decisions are final.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
· FBLA meets the criteria specified in the Americans with Disabilities Act for all competitors with accommodations submitted through the conference registration system by the registration deadline.
Recording of Presentations
· No unauthorized audio or video recording devices will be allowed in any competitive event.
· Competitors in the events should be aware FBLA reserves the right to record any presentation for use in study or training materials.
Penalty Points
· Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Competitive Event Guidelines or the Honor Code.
National
Be sure to see the National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla/fbla-competitive-events/