Effective Speaking

A foundation for the Air Cadet program is our Effective Speaking and Debating programs. What may seem intimidating to many citizens who have to speak to, and engage, an audience, has been called one the Air Cadets ‘diamonds’ in the rough!

Cadets learn the fine skills and confidence of speaking in a public forum, with the benefits being a lifetime of confidence that carries to their jobs and social situations. With coaching and practice at the Squadron level, Cadets gain the passion and confronting their fears of public speaking to move on to regional, provincial and national competitions. From gold to bronze medals, all Cadets have the opportunity to learn and grow in their debating and public speaking skill. Those who succeed at a high level will have the chance to travel to National competitions against Cadets from other provinces who bring proficiency, verbal dexterity and artful pontification that will serve them well and impress even the most seasoned toastmaster!

The Aims of ES

The aims of the Effective Speaking program is

to provide an opportunity for Air Cadets to develop self confidence, improve communication skills and increase their ability to reason, organize and express ideas - logically and persuasively; and
to foster the principals of team working and enable cadets to further develop the skills acquired through the mandatory LHQ and Summer Training Centre leadership and instructional techniques courses ; and
to promote the citizenship component of local squadron training by familiarizing Air Cadets with Robert’s Rules of Order; and
to increase public awareness at the provincial and local levels of the citizenship and leadership aspects of the Air Cadet program.

2024 Topics and Dates

The National Cadet and Junior Canadian Ranger Support Group (Natl CJCR Sp Gp), in consultation with the Air Cadet League of Canada (ACL), may require a virtual competition at Provincial and/or National level. See Video Format document in attachments section. As of Mar 2024, the Provincial Competition has been planned as In-Person, Regional and National may be virtual.

RCAF 100TH ANNIVERSARY

In support of the RCAF 100th anniversary, the ACL has approved that the 2024 Effective Speaking competition include RCAF themes and judges. The winner of the competition will be invited to speak at the RCAF 100th anniversary banquet, to be held in Ottawa in May. To that end, our competition timelines will be somewhat compressed this year to generate provincial/territorial winners by 20 April and a national winner by 4 May 2024.

To assist cadets with preparing for the 2024 competition season, please refer to the training resources located on the ACL website at https://aircadetleague.com/effective-speaking-program/

Cadets: Please sign-up once using the on-line form for Sqn or Regional (Wing) Competitions!

The application form is on-line at

https://aircadetleague.com/acc54-cadet-effective-speaking-competition-for-royal-canadian-air-cadets/

Follow instructions. Complete and obtain signatures (form has digital pen) where applicable. CO or designate will forward to Regional coordinator if the cadet will be representing a squadron. For Wing 11 each squadron may enter a maximum of two (2) participants.

As with previous years, the Provincial Committees will be responsible for hosting the Regional and Provincial Competitions and the ACL will host the National Competition. Local and Regional comps may be in-person or virtual.

Prepared Speech Topics for 2024 - Pick One

1. Unveiling Unsung Heroes: Remarkable Stories of RCAF Personnel

Highlight the stories of lesser-known individuals within the RCAF who have made significant contributions to Canada’s aviation history and their impact on inspiring future generations.

2. Wings of Change: RCAF's Role in Disaster Relief Operations

Explore how the RCAF has played a vital role in disaster relief missions, both domestically and internationally, showcasing how it has utilized its capabilities to aid in times of crisis.

3. Breaking Barriers: Diversity's Impact on RCAF's Effectiveness

Discuss the importance of diversity within the RCAF and how it has influenced the effectiveness of operations, innovation, and the organization’s connection with the broader Canadian population

4. Innovations in Aerospace: From Hypersonics to Hypoxia Training

Delve into the cutting-edge technological advancements that have propelled the RCAF forward, exploring not only the benefits but also the challenges associated with adopting new aerospace technologies.

5. RCAF and Arctic Sovereignty: Guardians of Canada's North

Explore the vital role of the RCAF in safeguarding Canada's Arctic region, including its contributions to surveillance, search and rescue, and maintaining sovereignty over this vital territory.

6. Guardians of the Final Frontier: RCAF's Role in Space Exploration

Examine the RCAF's involvement in space-related endeavors, including the 3 Canadian Space Division, and discuss the potential future applications of space technology for Canada's defense and beyond.

7. Air Cadet Program: Forging Future Aviation Leaders

Highlight the significance of the Air Cadet Program in nurturing the next generation of aviation leaders, fostering skills, discipline, and values that contribute to both the RCAF and Canada's aviation heritage.

8. Cadet's Choice: A topic related to the RCAF and their 100th anniversary.

Key Dates

12 March 2024 - Deadline for 3 Squadron cadets to inform CO of desire to enter ES Competition
19 March 2024 - 3 Squadron ES Competition (If Necessary) - In-Person - LHQ
22 March 2024 - Deadline for all cadets in Wing 11 Comp to submit on-line form for ES Competition, CO should cc Coordinator to confirm names, ranks and topics
22 March 2024 - 1900h deadline to upload videos through Air Cadet League, Ontario
23 March 2024- Regional/Zone (Wing 11) ES Competition - Dress: C3 - Virtual - Videos on Wing11 ES YouTube channel
13 April 2024 - Provincial ES Competition - In-Person Dress: C3 - CF College Toronto - Transportation, Accommodation provided
4 May 2024 - National ES Competition

Supplementary Rules

The following Effective Speaking regulation has been developed to supplement and clarify Rule 21 to guide ES coaches and judges in Ontario. These rules are to be applied at the Squadron, Regional and Ontario level Effective Speaking Competitions beginning in the spring of 2018. More in the Supplementary Rules document in the Attachments section below.

Speakers who fail one or more of the following rules are to not to be disqualified. Judges are to instead notify the Teller at the end of the event, which cadets are to be penalized. The final marks for these cadets will marked-down a maximum of 15% (each judge can recommend a 5% penalty) by the Teller after the final scores have been tallied:

Cadet Competitors' Must Not Use Animation:

Speakers may, but need not, stand at attention while speaking.
Speakers may place one or both of their hands and or arms on the podium, where a podium is being used.
Speakers may hold a microphone in their hands where a microphone without a stand is being used. Otherwise a microphone on a stand should be adjusted to the correct height.
Cadets are to speak from one location. Cadets may choose to stand behind, in front of or to either side of the podium.
Once a cadet begins speaking they may stand still or slowly take a few paces in a triangle about the lectern but must never turn their back on the audience (see National Rules, Delivery, Page 68).

Cadet Competitors’ Must Not Use Gimmicks:

Speakers may infrequently use modest (not dramatic) arm and hand gestures to emphasize the points being made. Pointing with an extended arm or finger will be penalized.
Speakers may use index cards with speaking points during the Prepared Speech Round. Speaking cards should be bound together such that were they to fall, they’d not lose their order.
Speakers may not sing, hum or make sound effects during their speech
Speakers must not use props of any form
Speakers must remain in a standing position during their speech, except where the health condition of a competitor requires them to be seated, etc.

Documents

Effective Speaking Guide, Application Form, Cadet Workbook and more are in Attachments below

#3 Squadron cadets who wish to participate in the Effective Speaking Competition should talk to the CO. 3 Sqn cadets participating at Regionals will be in WING 11 which includes squadrons 3, 19, 27, 44, 201, 294, 364, 535, 614, 741, and 862.