Note: Interested parties should contact Toastmasters International for further information and assistance. Thank you!
Gavel clubs delivers the Toastmasters experience to students under 18 or to groups who may be ineligible for regular membership; other circumstances such as bringing the Toastmasters experience to correctional centres.
Gavel clubs run similar to Toastmasters club meeting protocols, Gavel clubs use club officer titles and education manuals. Meetings are typically held weekly, and the club operates in the same way adult Toastmasters’ clubs.
Following similar Toastmasters club meeting protocols, Gavel clubs use club officer titles and education manuals, the Competent Communication (CC) & Competent Leadership (CL) manuals. However, gavel club members are referred to as “gaveliers”. Gavel clubs also provide Toastmasters members and clubs with an excellent opportunity for community service.
To form a Gavel club, a group must meet one of the following requirements:
- Must not be eligible to charter as a regular Toastmasters club
- Must include members who are under 18
To start a Gavel club, all groups must adhere to the following:
- Must have the approval or endorsement of its host institution
- Must use the program, procedures, materials and services of Toastmasters International
- Must apply to Toastmasters International for a Certificate of Affiliation
Prospective members and parents are welcome to visit a club meeting at any time. We may “tap the brakes” if we become crowded.
Typical Club Meeting Agenda
Gavel Club Meetings have three distinct parts:
- Prepared Speeches – Members deliver a speech prepared in advance based on well defined Toastmaster goals and guidelines.
- Evaluations – Each prepared speech is evaluated by a designated evaluator to provide immediate/constructive feedback on positives and improvement areas.
- Table Topics – These are impromptu speeches delivered by the members (volunteered) based on questions chosen by the Table Topics Master.
Gavel Club Meeting Roles
- Toastmaster acts as host and directs the meeting.
- Table Topics Master directs the Table Topics portion of the meeting.
- General Evaluator introduces the speech evaluators and then evaluates the entire meeting.
- Meeting Speaker – Every speaker is a role model, and club members learn from one another’s speeches.
- Evaluator provides verbal and written feedback to meeting speakers.
- Table Topics Speaker –Table Topics help members develop impromptu speaking skills.
- Ah-Counter notes overused words or filler sounds. Awareness sharpens speakers’ attention.
- Grammarian helps club members improve grammar and vocabulary.
- Timer monitors the time of meeting segments and speakers.
Gavel Club Officers
Gavel Club members elect officers to manage club activities with support from adult Toastmasters counselors.
President – As the person who sets the tone for the club, you are expected to provide helpful, supportive leadership for all of the club’s activities. You motivate, make peace and facilitate as required. Though you must occasionally step in and make a difficult decision, rarely do so without consulting club members and other club officers. Strive to show respect for all members, even when you do not agree with them and provide leadership for all.
Vice President Education – As vice president education, you schedule members’ speeches and projects and serve as a resource for questions about education awards, speech contests and the mentor program. You are an important source of Toastmasters knowledge for club members and it is your job to become familiar with all aspects of the Toastmasters education program.
Vice President Membership – You promote the club and manage the process of bringing in guests and transforming them into members. By initiating contact with guests, making them feel welcome and providing them with the information they need to join, you help maintain a constant influx of new people into your club. You also attentively monitor membership levels and strategize with the rest of the executive committee about how to overcome membership challenges when they occur.
Vice President Public Relations – You promote the club to the local community and notify the media about the club’s existence and the benefits it provides. You promote the club, update web content and safeguard the Toastmasters brand identity. It’s your job to notify the media whenever your club does something newsworthy. As vice president public relations, you’ll find yourself writing news releases, creating and distributing fliers and maintaining the club’s presence on the web and in the community.
Secretary – You maintain all club records, manage club files, handle club correspondence and take the minutes at each club and executive committee meeting. You are also in charge of updating and distributing a roster of the current paid membership and keeping the club officer list current for Toastmasters International.
Treasurer – You are the club’s accountant. You manage the club’s bank account, writing checks as approved by the executive committee and depositing dues and other club revenues. You are also in charge of submitting membership-renewal dues to World Headquarters (accompanied by the names of renewing members), filing necessary tax documents and keeping timely, accurate, up-to-date financial records for the club.
Sergeant at Arms – You keep track of the club’s physical property, such as the banner, lectern, timing device and other meeting materials. You arrive early to prepare the meeting place for members, and you stay late to stow all of the club’s equipment. You are also in charge of the meeting place itself, obtaining a new space when necessary and maintaining contact with the people who allow you to use the space for your club meetings.
EasySpeak
This is an on-line scheduling program used to schedule Toastmasters and Gavel Club meetings. It allows members to indicate their attendance, request speeches, and select roles, as well as input speech titles and intros. It also allows the counselor / officers to create meetings, keep track of members, guests, & mailing lists, and send out group emails, and meeting reminders. In addition, it takes your meeting schedule and creates an agenda, which you can easily print. Furthermore, EasySpeak keeps track of members’ CC and CL progress. And much more!
Note: FreeToastHost does not work for gavel clubs.
Liability Insurance:
Some venues will require that you have proof of liability insurance in order to use their facility. Gavel clubs are fortunately covered by TMI, and you can obtain your certificate of liability insurance from TMI after you have been chartered and receive your approval letter and new club kit. (It will not be included in your new club kit.) The certificate expires in a year, so you will need to request a certificate each year. After your Gavel Club has been certified, you may request your certificate of liability insurance by emailing tminsurance@toastmasters.org.
Ten steps to create a Gavel Club
Suggested Supplies for The New Gavel Club
For more information about Gavel clubs, contact newclubs@toastmasters.org.
Refer to the Toastmasters International website for information regarding Gavel Clubs
Toastmasters International – Gavel Clubs
Items to help with Gavel Clubs:
- Gavel Club Order Form (PDF): Use this form to order merchandise and materials for your club.
- Gavel Club Standard Fees and Materials
- General Information about Gavel Clubs
- Gavel Club Officer Information Form (PDF): Use this form to record essential information about your club officers.
- Gavel Club Blank Certificate: Item 1726, Member Price: $0.60, Blank certificate with Gavel club logo to be used for all honors and recognition.
- Gavel Club Member Badge: (Magnetic Back), Item 1756, Member Price: $8.00
- Gavel Club Membership Cards: (set of 50), Item 1722, Member Price: $2.25
- Gavel Club Pin: Item 1750, Member Price: $5.50