What's so awesome about tournaments, anyway?

I went to my first tournament two years ago. As a first-timer for a tournament, I can remember not really being sure what to expect. I was nervous, but beyond that, I wasn’t sure how things were going to work, or how I was going handle everything. I’ve been to quite a few tournaments since then, and one thing remains consistent; I always learn a lot. 

There are a lot of things I can think of personally that make a tournament experience valuable, and...almost none of them have anything to do with competition. ICC’s focus is on blessing the community, so it isn’t really a surprise that it worked that way for me. 

When I went to my first tournament, I learned that tournaments are helpful because they help to set a deadline. I was working on a speech for YSG at the time, and was dragging my feet on it. When I decided that I was going to do that speech at the tournament, I suddenly had a deadline that was very fast approaching. Because I’m a person that’s pretty deadline-driven, I found it helpful to have a set time that I had to be done, and a standard that was beyond something that I could give myself. 

Another thing that the tournament gave me is a good grasp of ways I could improve my speech. Since I’d be giving my speech in the community, having evaluators from the community is great guidance. The short two or three minutes of critique that we give at chapter are useful, but having two or three ballots for one speech in just one round, really helped me get a good perspective. I was able to see patterns with many people telling me the same things, which helped me to weigh which things I should keep in my speech, and what exactly I could improve on. 

On average, most of us don’t speak on a platform two or three times a day with up to four or five speeches. The tournament gives the opportunity to do just that. Like so many other things, the more you speak in the public, the more comfortable you get with it. Being scheduled to speak as much as I was at the tournament boosted my confidence so much. It didn’t make me want more competition, but it did make me more confident and willing to command the public platform. 

The tournament isn’t something that’s necessary for communication, but it does teach you a lot in a short amount of time. I’m still learning from the tournaments. Chances are, if you go to one, you’ll see me there. Until then, though, I hope this gave you a good glimpse of what a tournament is all about.

Jocelyn

Unexpected Blessings on the Road to ICC Leadership

During the most recent CFC fall tour conference, I had the privilege of serving as an
Apprentice 2. The Apprentice 2 program is a new step in the ICC leadership ladder.
Being a part of this program really broadens your view of what it means to be an intern.

This year’s team included five other amazing servant leaders, and I had a fabulous
time working with all of them! In addition to the objectives of an Apprentice, this role
allows one to be a role-model and a leader to other apprentices and students. One of the
jobs I had this year, was BPS Point Person. In this job, I was asked to shadow the BPS
coordinator interns helping with anything that was needed.

I learned many different things in this position, but something that really stuck with me
was knowing that God has a reason for everything. I remember it was the first day and
we were supposed to be doing open activities outside. It rained. Not knowing what
to do, we decided to move the students to the third floor in three different rooms. And
you know, it went wonderfully, even if it wasn’t what we had in mind. Being part of
the Apprentice 2 program allowed me to see how much the Lord was a part of that
conference.

I encourage you to consider whether God would have you seek being part of the
Apprentice 2 program. You have to be 15 years or older; serve as an Apprentice a
minimum of two different times; and have a letter of recommendation from your Chapter
Sponsor. I had a blast doing this, even though sometimes it was a little overwhelming
and tiring. I thank God for giving me this opportunity.
Until next time,

Your Community Ambassador,

Kaylin Rutkowski!

WHY, OH WHY??

We have our second homework assignment.  A recitation.

I know a lot of kids wonder why they need to do a recitation.  I know a lot of parents think it is because it is (hopefully) an easy piece to memorize and is just to get their kids comfortable being in front of people.

I want to challenge both sets of people with the following video.  It is a group recitation that the interns did as a small devotional.  It is powerful and impactful.

So, even if your kids are doing a cute, or funny, or SHORT recitation.....you never know who it might impact.    Keep them at it!!

The Lion's Den?? INDEED!

Ever feel like Daniel in the lion's den? I had a day like that yesterday. Or rather my son did.Yesterday, I had to miss my first chapter meeting as a chapter sponsor. I have shingles and I am quarantined. My kids, however, are fine and non-contagious so they were allowed to go. Good thing - one was giving a speech and the other was teaching! And then there was my 6 year old.Before I tell you Gecko's story, I should back up a couple of weeks to the Parent's Informational Meeting that I had. For those of you there, you may remember me implicitly saying, "If your SIX year old balks at coming to a conference or chapter, do not tell them they don't have to go! Encourage them in every way and take them. Don't back down. If they are a believer, they are called to give an answer for the hope that is within them. We want to help train them to do that effectively, in a non-intimidating, fun and exciting environment. Don't give them the out. You will be amazed at what your six or even your nervous 16 year old can do!" And I meant it! I have seen kids come through this all the time.Yesterday, I saw it happen in my own home!As Angi Rutkowski, our Assistant Chapter Sponsor, and our student leader team and member students got ready to leave my house for the meeting (Gecko, my SIX year old son's first meeting), Gecko began hysterics! I mean REAL hysterics. He screamed, he cried, he blubbered about how scared he was to go. I reassured him that ICC only wants to make it easy for kids to speak and so everything would be fun! I told him this was how we would learn to talk well about Jesus to others. I told him he needed to face his fear so he can go to the conference and see his sister while she is here. I told him he just needed to do it this one time and it would be easier after this. Nothing worked. My husband put him in the car, as my words to the parents at our info meeting went through my head...."Don't give them an out!".....As Angi backed out of my driveway, Gecko OPENED THE CAR DOOR so he could try to jump out of the MOVING vehicle! That is how frightened my son was to speak in front of ANYONE. I am a Chapter Sponsor, one of my daughters is the chair of our chapter, one daughter is almost done with YSG 1 at 12 years old, my last daughter is TOURING with ICC as an intern, for goodness sake....but here was my son, who would rather risk life and limb than have to speak in front of people. I had a choice. Keep him home, or throw him in the Lion's Den.Anyone who was at the meeting yesterday knows that I threw him in the den. You know what the beautiful thing about the Lion's Den is? God shows up. In BIG ways. He overcame my son's fear enough that he was willing to give OUT LOUD a try. As the rest of us prayed, God gave him courage to face one of his greatest fears. Public Speaking.As of today, Gecko STILL won't stop talking about the "TON of fun" he had yesterday! He is searching high and low for the perfect recitation piece to give at the next meeting....in front of people. And he is excited to share Jesus.I know that some of you may have felt like you were throwing your kids into the Lion's Den, too. But, trust me, with your encouragement and OUT LOUD's training and activities, God can really show up! Give your kids every chance to be strong and courageous! God will do the rest. Even in Public Speaking!

• Here is a slide show. When you watch it, you can see why my son...and your kids, too....come to enjoy Public Speaking!

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!

www.onetruemedia.com

YSG ICCE CREAM SOCIAL

YSG stands for Young Speakers Guild.  It is a three phase curriculum that ICC Chapter students from ages 11-18 may participate in.  YSG books focus the student first on God and Scripture to meditate on and pray about the purpose they are speaking.  After studying the Word, they move on to preparing for the audience that God has laid on their heart.  This might include research, interviewing, reading, praying and discussing current issues.  Once they have determined their message and their audience, they present these speeches to their audience in the community.

Each level of YSG that the student completes offers them more opportunity to serve in leadership with their chapter and at national events.  Once a student completes all three phases of YSG, they may be inducted into the Young Speakers Guild.  Because of the development of their character and competence through this program and their service within their chapter, community and ICC, they are then eligible for all new levels of opportunity nationally and internationally with ICC.

YSG students take public speaking to a whole new level.  They are committed not just to character and competence development, but also to teaching, leading and serving in all areas.

Oh yeah....they also have a LOT of fun!!

We just had an ICCe Cream Social for the YSG students to get to know one another and to see how much fun public speaking can be.  Once or twice a year, YSG students who complete a level of YSG will be invited to a party to celebrate their commitment and their progression.

If you have a student who is 11 older (or you ARE a student 11 or older), I hope that you will encourage them to grow through our YSG program.  Feel free to contact me regarding any questions you might have!  outloudjilly@gmail.com

ET Two Line Vocabulary
Teaches:  Limited Prep, Interpretation

WOW (Who, Object, Where)
In this case Teletubby, Rubik's Cube, in The Fiery Furnace
Teaches:  Interpretation, Limited Prep

I Came, I Saw, I Conquered
Teaches:  Persuasive, Limited Prep, Most Platform Speeches

Toy Story/Star Wars/Megamind/Jetsons Two Line Vocabulary

Be PREPared

I just returned from being gone for three and a half weeks in
Murfreesboro Tennessee! Here, I was at the ICC training center as
part of the prep team. PREP stands for Pursing Responsibility
and Excellence Purposefully. This year’s team included 10 other
teenagers from across the country, that were there to serve the
2011 interns. We cooked, cleaned, went grocery shopping, and
did basically anything we could to help the interns prepare for their
upcoming tour. During my stay there, we had about 30 people living
at the ICC Training Center and I had to learn how to work with all of them.

One of the weekends when I was there, the PREP team went out
and served at a local mission in Tennessee called Mission 615. At
Mission 615 we worked with inner-city kids and the homeless. We
got to participate in the children’s program, help with worship, paint
faces, and just have a good time with them. We also got to help
with their homeless program, by passing out clothes, feeding a home
cooked meal, and talking to the people. I really enjoyed going out to
the community and serving others, just as Jesus has called us to do!

Daily while I was there, we would have team time in which we
would either play cards, talk, or work through our PREP booklets and
learn about each others' strengths and weaknesses. The longer I
was there, the more the others became part of my family, and as a family
you need to learn to work together as a team. Here, I learned that
when working together you couldn’t take a job and then say, “ this is
my job and nobody else can do this job because I was assigned this
job.” You have to let others help you because you’re working as a
team and not just by yourself. And also it helps things progress faster
so that you can get to your next task.

Overall I had an amazing experience being part of the prep
team, and I would do it again in a heartbeat! Even though sometimes
it was tiring and I missed my family back home. I learned many new
things that I will be able to bring back to our chapter! I’m so thankful
for getting to serve on the prep team! I’m so excited to see y’all very
soon!!

Your Community Ambassador,
Kaylin Rutkowski

ICC SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCE

Hello everybody! 

I'm back from the ICC summer camp! Not only did I get to do a lot of really fun things like: Canoeing, hanging out with friends, meeting new people, having campfires, and playing with water balloons - but I also learned a lot through labs, bible studies, and large group activities. 

Every day, we had classes that we could choose to go to. There were different tracks so we all could learn on our own experience level. During labs like this, I got to learn things like: different ways to use media to communicate different things. How to use music to communicate different things. How to change my perspective so that I can talk to different audiences and relate to them better. And how to interact with a duo partner. 

Every night, we had a bible study based on a theme and some scripture. It was a really neat time to discuss what we thought about the theme, and how it applied to the overarching theme of "The Future is Now", meditate on the scripture, pray and grow closer in our cabin.

All through the day, we learned things as a large group, as well. During this time, we learned about things like debate. We also had something called Model United Nations almost every day. It taught us how to resolve conflict when there are several people each trying to get what they want. Then there was my personal favorite; the simulation. In the simulation, we had to choose different strategies in our teams and try to get the most points. We had to solve riddles and decide if we were going to invest in attacks, defenses, the black/stock market, or to just save up- sometimes with only three dollars. That was a lot of fun (and I'm excited to say that both model UN and the simulation are going to be at this year's fall tour conference!)

All together, I learned a lot and really enjoyed myself in the process. (Which is always a good thing :D )

Jocelyn Yuen

Chapter Chair for OUT LOUD.