New Jersey Orators

To improve the public speaking skills of New Jersey children between 7 and 18 years of age, thereby increasing their self-confidence, academic success, leadership skills and ability to maximize career choices.

Description:
The primary objectives of the program are:

• language mastery in seven categories of public speaking
• enhancement of self-esteem
• assistance in career selection
• engagement of parents in their children’s development.

Orator training consists of 40 weeks of one-hour meetings coinciding with the school year and participation in statewide competitions. With an annual membership of almost 500 students, there are chapters throughout the State of New Jersey (Freehold, Hillside, Lakewood, Montclair, Neptune, New Brunswick, Newark, Orange, Perth Amboy, Piscataway, Plainfield, Scotch Plains, Somerset, West Windsor-Plainsboro, Willingboro) in seven counties (Burlington, Essex, Monmouth, Middlesex, Ocean, Somerset and Union). There are over 200 volunteer coaches, and almost 100 volunteer judges, timekeepers, and assistants. The organization is managed by five (5) Co-Founders, who comprise the Execuitve Board of Directors, and a volunteer Management Board. The New Jersey Orators is located in Somerset, NJ and shares an office facility with ORATORS, INC.

The organization has three Critical Success Factors:

• competition performance
• depth and range of knowledge of competition categories
• high school graduation
  
  

Students are evaluated by judges, tracked by coaches in their selection and mastery of the categories, and monitored for high school completion.

History:
The New Jersey Orators (NJO) is a non-profit organization that teaches public speaking skills primarily to youth of African-American descent from 7 to 18 years of age.

The organization was founded in 1985 by a small group of African-American corporate executives who were concerned by the lack of formal language skills of young people who visited and interviewed for jobs in central New Jersey companies. Aware that communications skills play a major role in achieving academic and career success, the dedicated executive group established the first Orators chapter.

Since founding, the New Jersey Orators has established a record of achievement. It has grown from one chapter with 16 members to 15 chapters statewide. The growth of NJO is attributed to three factors:

1. excitement generated at performances and statewide competitions
2. word-of-mouth by parents and youth
3. referrals by teachers
   
   

Annually, NJO works with almost 500 youth throughout the state and receives requests for additional chapters every year. NJO children speak for themselves. They speak with eloquence, knowledge of their subject matter, and comfort in who they are. New Jersey Orators are leaders in school, church, and their communities.

Contact people:

Wanda Taliaferro, Operations Manager, (phone), (email) James Hunter, Board President, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (732) 846-5015

Address:

812 Hamilton Street Somerset, NJ 08873 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.njorators.org

Directions:

Directions to NJO Office 812 Hamilton Street, Somerset New Jersey 08873 phone # 732-846-5011 From NJ Turnpike North/South Take Exit 9-Route 18, New Brunswick Take Route 18 North Take Easton Ave / South Bound Brook exit At light make a. . . (more)   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: NJ Transit - New Brunswick Train Station,   Walk distance (in minutes): 3

Last updated on August 11, 2009