Optimist International, under whose guidelines and policy we operate, has established various "standard" projects for the clubs to perform. Accomplishing these projects can be part of qualifying for District, Regional or International recognition. One such project is our Oratorical Contest. Each of our clubs in the Zone, select a school, church or other organization to conduct a youth competition. Contestants between the age of eleven to sixteen must write and deliver a speech, with a specified title, five minutes in duration, in front of an audience and three judges. Optimist members cannot be judges, so qualified members of the community are selected for this task. There is a girl's category and a boy's category. The two winners at each club will compete at the Zone level. Those winners (one girl, one boy) will participate in an Area contest, between Zones, where those winners go on to the final, District level competition. The winners each receive a $1000 scholarship. Throughout these competitions, the participants and immediate family are "guests" of the Optimist Organization, with all travel expenses, meals and lodgings provided for.