Nenagh library is the Europe Direct Information Contact (EDIC) for counties Tipperary, Limerick, Cork and Kerry; we serve as a point of contact and information between the European Commission and Irish citizens in this region. As part of our Programme of Events 2018 we are holding a Soapbox competition, the regional heats of which will be held here in Nenagh library on Tuesday, 13th November at 6.30pm. The topic for debate is ‘European elections: Every Vote Counts.’
There will be two separate categories in the competition, 18 & under and 19 & over. A winner and one runner-up in each of the two categories will be chosen by a judging panel and prizes will be awarded (see below for more details). Both category winners from each regional competition will proceed to debate in the national final held in the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Dublin on Tuesday, 27 November 2018. Entrants aged 18 & under will be entered into the schools’ category and entrants aged 19 & over will be entered in the adults’ category. Please see below for further information.
How to apply:
Application forms and Soapbox Rules are available from:
Nenagh library, O’Rahilly Street , Nenagh, Co Tipperary
or download from this link Soapbox Application_General 2018 v 4 , Soapbox Rules for Applicants 2018
or www.europedirect.ie .
The closing date for receipt of forms is Wednesday, 31st October. Forms can be submitted to Nenagh Library, O’Rahilly Street, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary or emailed to nenaghlibrary@tipperarycoco.ie
Soapbox Competition 2018 – information
Presentations
Each speaker will give a three-minute presentation either for or against the soapbox topic. The presentation will be made at the regional competition before a public audience and panel of judges.
The order of speakers will be decided by random draw before the event.
A library staff member will act as timekeeper for each presentation. At 2 minutes 30 seconds, a bell will be rung to inform of 30 seconds remaining. At 2 minutes 50 seconds, a second bell will ring to inform of 10 seconds remaining. At 3 minutes, the final bell will ring to inform contestant that the full 3 minutes have been reached. Each speaker will have 5 additional seconds to wrap up their speech. Speakers will be informed of the timekeeping procedure in advance.
Evaluation
Each speaker, in both categories, will be judged on the following elements of their presentation: content, delivery, structure, and overall impact. Marking for each of these elements will be weighted equally. A maximum of 25 marks can be awarded for each element. The decision of the judges at the event is final.
Winners
Two category winners, one from each of the schools’ and adults’ categories, will be chosen at each regional event as well as one runner-up from each category.
The two category winners of the regional competition will qualify for the national soapbox final in November. In the event of a regional winner being unable to travel, a runner up will be invited to compete at the final in their place.
Regional Prizes
The two category winners (schools and adults) will be awarded an iPad each, sponsored by the European Commission Representation. Prizes for the runners-up will be organised locally by the EDIC.
Refreshments
Refreshments will be provided at the event.
Photographer
Photos will be taken of the event and uploaded to the regional centre’s page on the Europe Direct website and distributed to the press.
Information on the National Soapbox Final
The national final will take place at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland on Tuesday, 27 November.
The final competition will be divided into two categories, schools and adults, with winners from each of the regional competitions delivering the same presentation they gave at the regional event.
The time allocation for each speaker’s presentation will be the same as the regional competition, each contestant having 3 minutes to speak. At 2 minutes 30 seconds, a bell will be rung to inform of 30 seconds remaining. At 2 minutes 50 seconds, a second bell will ring to inform of 10 seconds remaining. At 3 minutes, the final bell will ring to inform contestant that the full 3 minutes have been reached. Each speaker will have 5 additional seconds to wrap up their speech
The invited audience at the national final will include representatives from government departments, the European Commission Representation in Ireland, local authorities and education institutions, national organisations whose work relates to the topic of the soapbox and national media. Each speaker will be provided with a number of guest invitations and the winner of each regional schools’ category will receive an invitation to bring a class group from their school to the final. Any allowance provided by the regional centres, from their Europe Direct funding allocation, to the travel costs for speakers or speakers’ guests will be at the discretion of each regional centre.
The overall winner in each category at the final will be presented with a prize of €1,000 and a trip to Brussels to visit the European Parliament. Libraries Development will secure this prize which is sponsored by the European Commission Representation in Ireland and local Members of the European Parliament.