Podcast episode 6 – Gavel Clubs

Podcast: Download

Our guests today are Elle Fischer and Linda Williams. Elle is a member of the Garrulous Gregarious Gaveliers. Their host group is Fredericksburg Family Toastmasters. I hope you enjoy her speech “No Longer a Loser”.

[4-17-12 update: MP3 location changed due to bandwidth concerns]

The friendly neighborhood connection

Toastmasters benefit their communities by conducting the following types of programs:

• Youth Leadership – public speaking training for junior and high school students.
• Speechcraft – a short course in public speaking for adults in business, education, industry and government.
• Speakers Bureau – to help other nonprofit organizations and community and government groups tell their stories to the community.
• Gavel Clubs – to people who may be ineligible for regular membership due to age, inability to pay dues or other circumstances.
• Success/Leadership and Success/Communication presentations – educational modules in a how-to format on topics such as conducting productive meetings, effective listening, parliamentary procedure, evaluation, creative thinking, leadership, management and training.

What are Gavel Clubs?

Gavel clubs are a way of providing Toastmasters’ self-improvement methods and materials to people who may be ineligible for regular membership due to age, inability to pay dues or other circumstances. Gavel clubs provide Toastmasters members and clubs with an excellent opportunity for community service. They can be found in high schools, colleges, rehabilitation institutions, hospitals and elsewhere.

How Do Gavel Clubs Operate?
In many ways, Gavel clubs operate in the same way ordinary Toastmasters clubs do. They have the same club officer titles, use the same communication track manuals and follow similar club meeting protocols. Gavel club members are not, however, referred to as Toastmasters; they are called “Gaveliers.”

Gavel clubs differ in that they have limited access to the leadership track awards and materials, cannot participate in Toastmasters area and district speech contests and do not enjoy many of the privileges and benefits that come with full membership in Toastmasters.

How to Form a Gavel Club
To form a Gavel club, your group must meet all of the criteria listed below.

Gavel Clubs:

• must not be composed of employed adults;
• must not be eligible to charter as a regular Toastmasters club;
• may include members who are under 18;
• must have the approval or endorsement of its host institution;
• must use the program, methods, procedures, materials and services of Toastmasters International, whenever possible; and
• must apply to Toastmasters International for a Certificate of Affiliation.

http://www.toastmasters.org/Members/MemberExperience/SatellitePrograms/GavelClubs.aspx