Preliminary Chapter Round (Video)

Must be a current member of NSA North Texas.  Not a member?  Click here to Join Now
To enter, send a video recording of you telling your story no later than February 10, 2025 by 11:59 pm CT

• Use this form to submit
• The recording can be done by Zoom, cell phone, etc.
• Submit your recording using WeTransfer.com, Zoom link, Google Drive link, YouTube link etc.
  

Stories are limited to five minutes total. Entries with stories that exceed five minutes (from the time you start talking to the time you stop talking) will be disqualified

The chapter’s Executive Committee will review and select* three finalists based on the scoring criteria to compete at the Chapter Finals.

The final 3 Chapter Finalists will present at the March 15, 2025 Chapter meeting LIVE-  can be presented virtually through zoom. By submitting your story, you agree you are available to present live on this date. 

There is a $100 finalist fee for the 3 finalists who will receive: 

• A Storytelling Coach to help refine your story for the finals (Coaches will provide two 45-60 minute feedback and coaching sessions virtually or in-person at a mutually convenient time.)
• Unedited video footage of your finalist speech for your business use.
• Bragging rights -  You can promote yourself as a "Chapter Finalist" as well as the winner will receive the title of "2025 Chapter Champion" and advance to the finals.
• Recognition at the Year End Awards event.
  
  *Note: Any BOD members who choose to compete will be excluded from the selection process.

Scoring Criteria

Stories will be evaluated based on the following criteria for all levels of this competition:

• Purpose.  The story’s ability to reveal, and communicate a clear lesson, point or action step that an audience member could leverage.
  
  
• Impact: How well the story was crafted and structured to entertain, educate and motivate.
  
  
• Delivery: The teller’s ability to deliver the story and employ professional techniques including eye contact, vocal tone and body language.

This competition is not just about winning; it's about improving your skills, collaborating with the best in the business, and taking your storytelling to the next level. Whether you're looking to refine your craft, gain recognition, or simply be part of a vibrant community of storytellers, this competition is for you.

See the NSA National criteria and competition information at: https://nsaspeaker.org/last-story-standing/

More Information: 

- Story Time Limit: 5 Minutes total from the competitors first word to their last word. (This does not include an introduction. An introduction should be 30 seconds or less.)

- Individuals that exceed the 5-minute boundary will be disqualified.

- Contestants cannot ask for time to restart and/or to start over.

General Competition Assumptions & Limitations:

- The teller must tell ONE story with a beginning, middle and end.

- The story should have ONE theme and ONE outcome.

- The story should provide a purpose for telling the story with a call to action.

- This should not be a TED style talk - it must be ONE STORY.

- The teller should stay within the storyline for the duration of the story except for setting up the story or until extending a challenge or summarizing the purpose of the story.

- The teller must use their voice only, no Instruments, no props, no costumes, physical examples or additional elements are allowed. Any attempt to ‘enhance’ the story outside of their voice should be scored down.

- The teller can use their voice in any way, but the story cannot be a SONG in its entirety.

- The message of the story should be clear and directed to the identified market.