Welcome To The 2026 Four Way Test Competition!
Dear Students,
Rotary Club of Calgary West is excited to introduce ourselves to your school and share a little bit about our organization. First, we would like to briefly introduce what Rotary is about. We provide volunteer-based humanitarian services locally and internationally and promote good will and peace in the world. For example, our club has helped provide clean water to areas in Guatemala and Honduras. Rotary members volunteered at local reading programs to help elementary school students improve their reading skills. We volunteer for the Food Bank, Community Kitchens, Feed the Hungry, Habitat for Humanity and much more! On our website you can find stories of local and international projects we have done in the past. We are proud of our work and like to share it with our community!
One of the tools we use to implement projects, address conflicts, solve problems and make decisions is a 4-way Test. The Four-Way Test of the things we think, say or do is a test used by Rotarians world-wide as a moral code for personal and business projects /relationships. The test can be applied to almost any aspect of life. It can help us be more successful in reaching mutually beneficial and sustainable solutions.
You can get familiar with our club, Rotary Club of Calgary West, Rotary District 5360 and Rotary International at the following websites:https://calgarywestrotaryclub.org, https://rotary5360.ca/, https://www.rotary.org/en
On these websites you can learn more about the projects we do which will help you understand specific contexts The Four- Way Test is used in, and you will get to know your audience 😊
We would like to know what you think about The Four-Way Test and are inviting you to:
The Four Way Test Competition!
Our judges will choose the top 3 presentations by using the following criteria:
1. Your depth of understanding of the 4-way test (how it resonates with you, share one or two examples on how it may apply/have applied to your real-life situations/or life situations of your family/friend)
2. Originality/uniqueness of your presentation (use your own ideas and experiences to create the presentation)
3. Clarity and organization of the presentation
Cash Prizes Will Be Awarded:
First Place -$500
Second Place-$300
Third Place-$200
Important instructions, please read it carefully:
You are only allowed to participate in this competition once.
You are expected to present live at our club.
You have 3-5 minutes to present.
The Four Way Test Questions page is in the attachment package.
If you would like you can use power points to support your presentation.
Each of the criteria will be marked on a scale from 1 to 10:
1-2 this criteria is not portrayed in a presentation at all
3-4 this criteria is somewhat portrayed
5-6 this criteria is at a medium
7-8 this criteria is well portrayed
9-10 this criteria is excellently portrayed in a presentation
Content, delivery, and language of the presentation are important and can guide you on how to for example, immediately engage and keep audience’s attention, how to keep a presentation directly related to the main topic and so on (refer to the resource page 1 and 2 in the attachment package).
Important dates and instructions:
The Competition is open to Grade 10-12 students.
Presentation must be submitted by March 5th.
Presentation day is on March 30th at 11:45 am at Grey Eagle Hotel at 779 Grey Eagle Drive SW, Calgary AB, T3E 3X8
Once you submit your presentation to the contact below, we will let you know if it meets the required criteria and/or if something needs to be fixed, we will give you specific feedback so you can resubmit.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. I look forward to hearing from you.
Dale Rudd
Youth Committee Member
Cell: 403-483-2494
Email: dale.rudd7@gmail.com Download Details
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Resources
Resource page 1: This is a resource for your presentation-developed by Toastmasters. It’s for your information, use it as needed.
CONTENT
Speech Development is the way the speaker puts ideas together so the audience can understand them. The speech is structured around a purpose, and this structure must include an opening, body and conclusion. A good speech immediately engages the audience’s attention and then moves forward toward a significant conclusion. This development of the speech structure is supported by relevant examples and illustrations, facts and figures, delivered with such smoothness that they blend into the framework of the speech to present the audience with a unified whole.
Effectiveness is measured in part by the audience’s reception of the speech, but a large part is your subjective judgement of how the speech came across. You should ask yourself such questions as “Was I able to determine the speaker’s purpose?” “Did the speech relate directly to that purpose?” “Was the audience’s interest held by the speaker?” “Was this speech subject appropriate for this particular audience?”
Speech Value justifies the act of speaking. The speaker has a responsibility to say something meaningful and original to the audience. The listeners should feel the speaker has made a contribution to their thinking. The ideas should be important ones, although this does not preclude a humorous presentation of them.
DELIVERY
Physical presentation of a speech carries part of the responsibility for effective communication. The speaker’s appearance should reinforce the speech, whether profound, sad, humorous or instructional.
Body language should support points through gestures, expressions and body positioning. The speaker makes effective use of and stays within the designated speaking area.
Voice is the sound that carries the message. It should be flexible, moving from one pitch level to another for emphasis, and should have a variety of rate and volume. A good voice can be clearly heard and the words easily understood.
Manner is the indirect revelation of the speaker’s real self as the speech is delivered. The speaker should speak with enthusiasm and assurance, showing interest in the audience and confidence in their reactions.
LANGUAGE
Appropriateness of language refers to the choice of words that relate to the speech purpose and to the particular audience hearing the speech. Language should promote clear understanding of thoughts and should fit the occasion precisely.
Resource page 2: This is an additional resource on clarity and organization of a presentation, developed by Google. It’s for your information, use it as needed.
Correctness of language ensures that attention will be directed toward what the speaker says, not how it is said. Proper use of grammar and correct pronunciation will show that the speaker is the master of the words being used.
A clear and organized presentation is one that is easy for the audience to follow and remember. To achieve this, you can:
- Know your audience: Consider their communication style, level of expertise, and preferences.
- Use a clear structure: Create an outline that organizes your key points into a logical sequence.
- Use simple language: Use clear and straightforward language to convey your message.
- Practice: Practice and rehearse your presentation.
- Get feedback: Ask others for feedback on your presentation.
- Use visual aids: Incorporate visual aids to help your audience understand your message.
- Keep the audience engaged: Use strategies to keep your audience engaged so they can remember the content.
Structure your presentation
- Start with a hook: Grab the audience's attention with an interesting opening.
- Define the purpose: State the purpose of your presentation and how it's structured.
- Cover the main points: Organize your main points into the body of your presentation.
- Summarize and conclude: Summarize your main points and highlight their significance in the conclusion.