Eastern Region 2025 Southern Cluster Area Work Day
When we Nourish, We Flourish: Mind, Body & Soul 

 

Below are frequently asked questions related to the event, payment and refunds.

Where is Metropolitan Cluster Area Work Day being held?

Metropolitan Cluster AWD will take place at the University of Massachusetts Boston - Campus Center, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston MA 02125-3393.  

What is included with the price of registration?

Mother registration costs $195.00 for Active Mothers and Associates, and Life Members $175. This includes general sessions, the Town Hall, a souvenir, breakfast, lunch and the option to attend up to four workshops on Thursday and Saturday.  Teen and Middle School registration costs $150.00 and includes general sessions, workshop attendance, and a souvenir.  

How many workshops am I required to attend to receive 1 in 4 credit?

Members must attend the opening session and a minimum of three workshops to receive 1 in 4 credit. Attendance will be tracked through the sessions you registered for. Details on how to confirm your attendance will be provided during Area Work Day. 

Can I pay by chapter check? 

Payment is by credit card only. If you are a new member and have already paid your chapter, you will need to submit a voucher for reimbursement to your chapter treasurer. If your chapter typically covers your registration, you must present the registration confirmation invoice and request reimbursement. Any exceptions to this policy require approval from the Regional Director and Regional Treasurer. 

How will I receive 1 in 4 credit?

Mothers will receive 1-4 credit by checking in via the Digital Cheetah app during AWD. To receive full credit, Mothers must be onsite and attend the General Session and three workshops.  One of the three workshops can be attended virtually on Thursday.  There will be a separate check in for each session the day of the event.

What is the refund policy?

Refunds are not permitted. However, substitutions for "Like" registration types (e.g., Mother to Mother, Teen to Teen) are accepted. All substitution requests must be received by September 25, 2025. Contact registration@viprllc.com for any substitution requests. 

If I cannot attend, can another mother take my place?

Yes, substitutions for "Like" registration types (e.g., Mother to Mother, Teen to Teen) will be accepted until September 25, 2025. Please submit the names of those requesting substitution to registration@viprllc.com. All monetary transactions must be handled between the two parties. After September 25, 2025, substitutions will no longer be accepted. 

When is the last day to register?

Registration is open until September 18, 2025, or until it sells out, whichever comes first. If registration closes, a waiting list will be established.  

Can I register for a cluster outside of my home cluster?

Yes, but you must first seek permission from the Regional Director to ensure there is available space. If you cannot attend your designated cluster on the scheduled date, please complete the Out of Cluster AWD Attendance Request Form. 

What is the attire for Saturday, October 11th? ​​

Business casual attire is appropriate for the day. 

Our chapter would like to place an Ad in the Cluster Souvenir Journal. How can we do this?

During the registration process, you can select "Souvenir Journal" and choose the ad size. Payment and camera-ready art must be submitted by September 24, 2025. Ad placement is on a first-come, first-served basis. You can purchase ads directly through the registration site. 

How do I change the workshop selections made during registration?

To change your workshop selections, email registration@viprllc.com with a detailed request. Changes are subject to availability, and you will be notified once your registration record is updated. Please note, changes only apply to your individual registration record and do not include adding another registrant. Changes will be accepted until September 25, 2025. 

How do I reserve a hotel room at the group rate?

You will be able to reserve your room at the DoubleTree by Hilton Boston Bayside, 240 Mt. Vernon Street, Boston, MA 02125 through our registration site. The last day to reserve your room through the group block is September 19, 2025. 

Can my teen compete in the Oratorical Competition?

Yes, during the registration process, you will have an opportunity to indicate whether your teen would like to participate in the oratorical competition. The deadline to register your teen is September 18, 2025. There will be NO DAY OF COMPETITORS.  Please note that the teen must be 13 by the date of the cluster to participate.  

What are the Oratorical Competition Requirements? 

There are two Divisions: Division I (13-15 Yr. Old) and Division II  (16-19 Yr. Old) 

• All participants must be registered to attend the Area Work Day.   
• It is important that once you register your child that your child participates. Please speak with your child prior to submitting the form to ensure their commitment. 
• The Oratorical Competition for Northern AWD will take place on Thursday, October 2, 2025 from 6:30-8:30 PM. 

To participate in the Oratorical Competition, you must indicate on the registration site by 
September 18, 2025, 11:59 PM.   

There will be NO DAY OF COMPETITORS. 

It is important that once you register your child that your child participates. Please speak with your child prior to submitting the form to ensure their commitment. 

Contact RS Stacie with any registration questions: jjeasternrsstacie@gmail.com 

 Contact Gavel Chair Darlene Phillips with any Oratorical Competition questions.  jjeasterngccdarlene@gmail.com

 **ALL ORATORICAL CONTEST FIRST PLACE WINNERS MUST BE REGISTERED FOR THE TEEN CONFERENCE IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE REGIONAL ORATORICAL COMPETITION**    

What are the Oratorical Competition Rules?

The Jack and Jill Oratorical Competition will be completed in two phases. The first phase of the competition, the cluster level event as described in this document, is conducted prior to all Eastern Regional Cluster Area Work Days. First place winners at the Area Work Day cluster advance to the regional level. The final phase of the competition takes place at the Eastern Regional Teen Conferences. All first place winners must be registered for the Regional Teen Conference in order to participate in the Regional Oratorical Competition. 

THE JUDGES DECISIONS ARE FINAL AT BOTH LEVELS. 

Phase I – Cluster Area Work Day Level 
(PHASE II IS COMPLETED AT THE TEEN REGIONAL CONFERENCE) 

This is an activity for teens at the Cluster Level. Teens from each chapter registered for Cluster Area Work Day, will participate in either Division I (13 to 15 years) or Division II (16 to 19 years) competition. Regional Teen Officers and Regional Teen Appointees cannot participate. A panel of competent, non-partisan judges will select one winner from each division. Parents of participating teens may not act as judges, nor may they be in attendance during judging. The Cluster division first place winners will compete on the Regional Level. 

Speeches are to be researched, prepared, written, and developed ONLY by the teen contestants. However, they may be coached and/or advised in final preparation for the competition. 

The 2025 Oratorical Competition Theme is: The Revolution Will Now Be Televised. 

Speech/Spoken Word Guidelines

Competitors must state their topic, prior to commencing the speech. A five (5)-point penalty is deducted by the timekeeper for failure to comply. Any salutation to judges, audience members, etc., should precede the announcement of the topic. No special props, costumes, clothing, or prompts are permitted. Competitors who do not comply are disqualified. 

Three (3) minutes are allowed for each speech. A speech may not be less than two and a half minutes (150 seconds) or more than three minutes (180 seconds) in length. Participants who 
fail to meet the time parameters will be penalized one (1) point for each two second time block 
(or fraction thereof) under or over the allocated time. Timing of the speech begins immediately after the speaker gives the topic. Timing stops when the speaker finishes. The official timekeeper will make all determinations regarding the actual length of the speeches. The timekeeper’s decisions are final. 

Competitors may use notes. 

Scoring 

Personal factors – maximum 20 points. 
Appearance, personality, poise, body language, and positioning on screen will be considered. 

Organization of Material – maximum 30 points. 
Subject/theme, adherence to competition subject/theme, logic, and value will be considered. 

Presentation and Delivery – maximum 30 points. 
Voice quality, enunciation, pronunciation, gestures, projection, and emphasis will be considered. 

Overall Effectiveness – maximum 20 points. 
Appeal, effect, polish, and showmanship will be considered. 

Awards 

Regional Level, Division I and II 
Certificate of Participation to all contestants. 

The winners of each cluster Area Work Day for Division I and II will receive $250.00 off their registration for Teen Conference and a $50 gift card at the cluster Area Work Day. 

Winner of Division I at Teen Conference (13-15 Yr. Old) 
$500.00 

Winner of Division II at Teen Conference (16-19 Yr. Old) 
$750.00