Due to COVID-19, there are modifications to how 4-H Public Speaking can be held this year.
Please expand the accordion below (by clicking the + symbol) to see what it means for each level of competition.
Please expand the accordion below (by clicking the + symbol) to see what it means for each level of competition.
CLUB LEVEL COMPETITIONS
- Clubs can continue to host their competitions through video submissions, live, virtual competitions or safely in-person.
- If a 4-H member is not comfortable competing in-person, the club should accommodate them through a virtual platform. If you need help on how to do this, please contact your regional 4-H specialist.
- If a 4-H member is not comfortable competing in-person, the club should accommodate them through a virtual platform. If you need help on how to do this, please contact your regional 4-H specialist.
- It is not necessary for clubs to host their public speaking event now if they are uncomfortable with in-person events or with technology, unless they want to be included in the competition beyond club level. Clubs could wait to host an in-person competition before August 31, when they feel more comfortable meeting in-person
- Any guests (judges, volunteers) who have not completed a COVID-19 Waiver, must fill one out before any in-person event takes place. Club members and leaders who have already filled out a waiver do not have to fill out another. The waiver can be found on the COVID-19 Preparedness Page.
DISTRICT LEVEL COMPETITIONS
- District level public speaking can be held in a live, virtual format or safely in-person
- If a 4-H member is not comfortable competing in-person, the district should accommodate them through a virtual platform. If you need help on how to do this, please contact your regional 4-H specialist.
- If a 4-H member is not comfortable competing in-person, the district should accommodate them through a virtual platform. If you need help on how to do this, please contact your regional 4-H specialist.
- Although either option is available, we recommend at least having a practice live, virtual event, to help prepare speakers and give them more confidence in moving on to the regional or provincial levels of competition.
- District competitions should be held from March 13 to April 10
- Any guests (judges, volunteers) who have not completed a COVID-19 Waiver, must fill one out before any in-person event takes place. Club members and leaders who have already filled out a waiver do not have to fill out another. The waiver can be found on the COVID-19 Preparedness Page.
REGIONAL AND PROVINCIAL COMPETITIONS
- The Regional and Provincial level competitions will be hosted by the 4-H office, with support from the original hosting committees.
- These will be LIVE virtual competitions. Members will present their speech live (in real-time), but virtually using teleconference platforms (such as Zoom).
- Regional events will be held April 24-25 and/or May 1-2.
- Provincials will be held May 15-16
Safe In person Public Speaking
As of February 22, 4-H Saskatchewan has received direction from the Government of Saskatchewan on how we can currently host 4-H Public Speaking competitions in-person in a safe manner.
- Competitions must stay under 30 people in the venue. This includes competitors, leaders, judges and family members. The 30 person capacity does not include video staff, instructors or building staff. Audience/spectators are limited to family members and judges under the 30 person capacity.
- Physical contact of any kind is prohibited.
- No group arrivals are permitted. Entry and exit times must be pre-determined and scheduled.
- Attendee lists must be collected and kept for a minimum of 30 days. Contact details must include date, time, name, address and phone number or email address.
- Competitors, their families and judges must wear masks at all times. Competitors CANNOT take off masks while speaking.
- Videos must be recorded in the largest space possible to maintain maximum distance between participants.
- 4-H Saskatchewan recommends to have one person designated to record videos and take photos, which you can then share after the event. This way, any extended family not allowed at the in-person event would be able to watch the speeches at a later date. To allow the same person to take video and photos, competitors can pose at the front after finishing their speech and wait for the photographer to take the photo.
- Everyone present must self-monitor for symptoms and use the self-assessment tool at saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
- Follow proper hand hygiene and coughing/sneezing etiquette:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Scrub for 20 seconds.
- If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN).
- Avoid touching your face, mouth, nose and eyes.
- Cough/sneeze into the bend of your elbow and then wash your hands with soap and water.
- Signs and warnings about the risk of COVID-19, including mandatory masks and frequent handwashing, must be posted. Commonly touched surfaces and shared equipment must be cleaned and disinfected after contact between individuals, even when not visibly soiled. Special attention should be paid to commonly touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, rails, etc. Please see the Cleaning and Disinfection Guidelines for more information.
- No food and beverage is permitted.
- Close drinking fountains. Water bottle filling stations are acceptable if appropriately and frequently sanitized.
- You must also following the guidelines for Banquets and Conference Facilities
Resources For hosting during covid
Since there are many government restrictions in place, there are some documents available for you to help you in planning your public speaking competition. Please read through the "How To Host Club and District Level 4-H Public Speaking" document to help you plan your competition.
This document contains details to host an
This document contains details to host an
- Submitted videos competition
- Virtually/Online event
- In person event
Please note: this document will be updated as more information comes available. Please make sure to use the most current edition. The above edition was posted on February 22, 2021.
Looking for specific appendices from the "How To Host" booklet? Check out the accordion below.
Appendix 1 - Virtual Public Speaking Judges' Orientation (contains scoresheets)
If you would like a full judges orientation package for your judges, please click on the button below:
Appendix 2 - Agenda and Program
Appendix 3 - member registration form and waiver
appendix 4 - using technology
Appendix 5 - Notes for virtual competition emcee
Appendix 6 - Notes for virtual competition technician
appendix 7 - logo guidelines
appendix 8 - speaker tracking spreadsheet for coordinators
Appendix 9 - fillable public speaking certificate
tutorial videos
If you need a little extra help, please check out these tutorial videos to help you with these subjects!
Using Google Sheets Scorecard
Judges Orientation Video
How to host 4-H public speaking during covid webianr
Are you looking for a little extra help about how to host this virtual event? This is the prerecorded webinar to help you with planning your club or district level event!
How To Host Public speaking - original book
Since in-person public speaking events are allowed as of February 22, we wanted to provide you with the original How To Host Public Speaking. It is important to note, you must use the "HOW TO HOST CLUB AND DISTRICT LEVEL 4-H PUBLIC SPEAKING DURING COVID" and incorporate all the COVID-19 safety regulations into your in-person event.
Please read the In-Person 4-H Public Speaking Considerations & Troubleshooting Tips document below. This is to accompany the How To Host Public Speaking document.
Please read the In-Person 4-H Public Speaking Considerations & Troubleshooting Tips document below. This is to accompany the How To Host Public Speaking document.
Public Speaking FAQ
Can speakers remove their masks during in-person competitions?
No, public speakers must be wearing their masks while saying their speeches. We understand this makes it more difficult for judges to hear and see expressions, but wearing masks in public spaces is a public health order.
Can a face shield be used instead of a face mask during speeches?
No, they cannot. Face shields are not a substitute for masks. Do not use face shields in place of masks.
Where can I find signage to put up during our public speaking event?
Please visit the Saskatchewan Health Authority or Government of Saskatchewan websites.
Do the members need to fill in the member registration form if they are not submitting a video?
Yes, please still fill it out. This will help you be proactive, in case the speakers are recorded at the next level of competition. It will also be helpful to submit it just in case you run into technical difficulties at the competition and have to submit an impromptu video.
Can we use a microphone during public speaking competitions?
We are following the banquets and conferences guidelines around microphones. It states, "Microphones should not be shared by multiple people and must be cleaned and disinfected between uses."
We recommend not using microphones, if possible. If you do need to, make sure to have multiple microphones. The MC should have their own microphone they do not share.
There should also be multiple microphones for the speakers. After each speaker, the microphone should be switched out for a clean and disinfected microphone. We also recommend having a volunteer, whose job it is to clean and disinfect the microphones.
We recommend not using microphones, if possible. If you do need to, make sure to have multiple microphones. The MC should have their own microphone they do not share.
There should also be multiple microphones for the speakers. After each speaker, the microphone should be switched out for a clean and disinfected microphone. We also recommend having a volunteer, whose job it is to clean and disinfect the microphones.
Do our judges have to fill out COVID waivers?
Yes, if you are holding an in-person public speaking competition, your judges must fill out the COVID-19 Participation Waiver. It can be found at: COVID-19
Provincial Public Speaking
Provincial Public Speaking will be held May 15-16 through a virtual platform. It will be hosted by the provincial office staff.
REGIONAL PUBLIC SPEAKING
Regional Public Speaking will be held through a virtual platform.
REGION |
North West |
South West |
North East |
South East |
DATE |
April 25 |
May 2 |
April 24 |
March 27 |
Additional Details |
Go To Event Page for more details |
Go To Event Page for more details |
District Public Speaking
- District level public speaking will be held in a live, virtual format or as a safe in-person event
- We ask district public speaking hosts to refer to “Option 2” or "Option 3" in the “How To Host Club-Level 4-H Public Speaking During COVID” manual.
- Option 2: This will help you host your live, virtual public speaking where members present their speech live (in real-time), but virtually using teleconference platforms (such as Zoom).
- Option 3: This will help you understand how to host a safe in-person competition, using the restrictions from the Government
- District competitions should be scheduled between approximately March 13 to April 10 to allow clubs to hold their competitions before, and to have results in time for regional competitions.
- District event hosts: the 4-H staff is here to help you. They can help you find a virtual platform, set up your meeting and be available for tech support.
North West
District |
Date |
Location |
North East
District |
Date |
Location |
South West
District |
Date |
Location |
South East
South East |
Date |
Location |
It's been said all the world's a stage ...
but what if all the world was an audience?
Could you get on the stage? 4-Hers of all ages can, because they have experience in public speaking!
Public Speaking is a proud 4-H tradition that allows members to share a persuasive, informative, or entertaining speech on a topic of their choice, developing self-confidence and communication skills! 4-H clubs across the province will host their own club public speaking days, with the top place speakers having the opportunity to advance on to districts, regionals, and provincial levels of competition.
Throughout the club year, members have many chances to try a little public speaking, whether it’s telling their fellow club members the results of bowling costs research, or preparing and delivering a speech for a club competition.
Members of all age categories may compete at club, district and regional competitions each spring. Regional winners in all age categories qualify for the Provincial 4-H Public Speaking competition, held each April in a different location in the province.
Public Speaking is a proud 4-H tradition that allows members to share a persuasive, informative, or entertaining speech on a topic of their choice, developing self-confidence and communication skills! 4-H clubs across the province will host their own club public speaking days, with the top place speakers having the opportunity to advance on to districts, regionals, and provincial levels of competition.
Throughout the club year, members have many chances to try a little public speaking, whether it’s telling their fellow club members the results of bowling costs research, or preparing and delivering a speech for a club competition.
Members of all age categories may compete at club, district and regional competitions each spring. Regional winners in all age categories qualify for the Provincial 4-H Public Speaking competition, held each April in a different location in the province.
