INSTRUCTIONS FOR ROOM CAHIRPERSON/ TIMER
BEFORE CONTEST CHANGE OF EVENTS
1. Check for special instructions from the judge.
2. Make sure all equipment for timing and the performance is present. If anything is missing, locate an office runner who can help locate missing items.
DURING CONTEST ROUNDS
1. Locate performer in the hallway just outside the door and get comment sheets from the performer.
2. Mark off the performer’s name on the posted list by the door.
2. Give one comment sheet to each of the judge.
3. Close the door. If it is noisy in the hall, please ask for quiet!! Remind all observers to turn off or silence all electronic devices. Remind them that no photography is allowed.
4. Announce the following: “This is speaker Number ______, (say their name)____________from school ____ (Say the letter code for that school). THEIR TITLE IS “______________________” (ASK STUDENTS IF THEY WANT YOU TO SAY THEIR TITLE. MANY TIMES THEY DO NOT. THEY SHOULD HAVE IT IN THEIR INTRO.)
5After the performance, open the door so performers and observers may enter and leave. Return to step #1.
**IMPORTANT ** IF THE SCHEDULED PERFORMER IS NOT PRESENT WHEN THE JUDGES ARE READY TO CONTINUE, LET ANOTHER PERFORMER WHO IS READY GO BEFORE THEM. JUST TELL THE JUDGE THAT THIS STUDENT IS PERFORMING OUT OF ORDER.
TIMER
1. Practice operating the stopwatch and determine the correct time limit for the category being timed.
2. Be sure to hold up time cards so they are constantly in view of the performer. Turn the time cards at the appropriate time so the performer always know how much time remains.
3. Keep an eye on the performer so that you will be ready to start the time when they begin.
4. If a performer is still speaking when time expires, YOU MUST STAND AND LOUDLY SAY “STOP”.
5. Do NOT announce the elapsed time of a performance to the audience or the judge. (In radio news, simply say “Within time” unless they are less than FOUR minutes or More than FIVE minutes.)
AFTER THE PERFORMANCE
If the judge is taking a long time to write comments and it appears that the contest is being delayed, send a student to the office to notify the contest manager.
At the end of the EVENT, have the judges put all comment sheet and their official ballot in the envelope and seal it. Send it to the office with a runner immediately.
If judges need anything, send a message to the office or phone (EXT 701) and we’ll take care of it ASAP.
Be as friendly and encouraging to the students as possible. For many of them this will be their first experience at contest.
Thank you for helping today. We couldn’t host this contest without you.