Do Clubs Need to Recite the Pledge of Allegiance?

In District 55, some Toastmasters are quite certain that every club meeting, every contest, every event should open with the Pledge of Allegiance, and teach this to new and existing clubs. Toastmasters International has very little to say on the matter, but let’s take a look at what is in writing.

http://www.toastmasters.org/Members/MemberExperience/MeetingRoles/Pledge.aspx says:

The pledge of allegiance, or other recognition of the club’s host country, is an optional part of club meetings.

And http://www.toastmasters.org/Members/OfficerResources/ClubOfficerResources/InvocationsandPledges.aspx has:

Pledges
A pledge to the flag or other recognition of the host country is another optional part of Toastmasters meetings. Each individual member’s participation in the pledge is optional, and club leaders should ensure that members are not pressured into taking part.

Members decide at the club level
It is up to each club to decide whether or not to include an invocation, thought for the day, inspirational message, and/or pledge at each meeting. The decision is made by majority vote at a club’s business meeting when a majority of active members is present. Club leaders are responsible for arranging and abiding by this vote.

Interestingly, note that the emphasis is on the webpage. Toastmasters International wants to heavily stress that this role is not required. In fact, the page goes on to note that the club should have a formal vote to even include this role in their meetings.

So do clubs “need” to perform the pledge? A resounding no. Then comes a much trickier question... should they?

This is most definitely a matter of opinion. Different individuals and different clubs will have different answers. This should be a conscious and carefully considered decision, however, not one that is simply assumed to be one way or the other.

On the one hand, some people feel giving the pledge respects local tradition, or is something that should be done in every place and occasion possible to reflect patriotism.

On the other hand, the pledge takes up valuable meeting time without providing any educational value. It makes non-citizens feel uncomfortable and out of place. They often are not sure of how to act (it is polite to stand with the others, but there is no need for them to speak or put their hands over their hearts). It requires the presence of a flag, which adds to the burden of club inventory, meeting room setup and teardown. College classes do not start with a pledge. Workshops do not start with the pledge. Meetings at businesses do not start with the pledge. Social gatherings do not start with the pledge. Why should Toastmasters start with the pledge?

I’ll admit to being a bit biased—but the point is that a club should say “this is an optional meeting segment, with these advantages and disadvantages. Let’s vote on whether to include it or exclude it in our future meetings” instead of “hey, we have to do this in every meeting.”