An Affiliate of Toastmasters International The Gavel Club program is open to any group of individuals who cannot otherwise qualify to become a Toastmasters club due to age, inability to pay full Toastmasters dues, or circumstances, which would prohibit full participation in Toastmaster activities.

PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM

The purpose of a Gavel Club:

• to help its members improve their abilities to communicate effectively
• to encourage its members to read and to listen analytically
• to provide for its members’ instructions, educational materials and the opportunities which will give them skill and experience in the preparation and delivery of speeches
• to provide its members’ a fair and constructive evaluation of their efforts toward self-improvement
• to afford leadership training for its members; and
• to provide opportunities and encouragement for its members to appear before audiences and to express their thoughts creditably

THE PARTICIPANTS

This Club may classify its members as Active, Associate, Honorary and Inactive members, if it deems such classification advisable.

THE SPONSORS

The admission of this Club to affiliation with Toastmasters International, and the continued affiliation and operation of this Club as a Gavel Club, is subject at all times to the approval of the institution sponsoring this Club. Such institution shall designate an individual to serve as Counselor to this Club; that person shall exercise the rights and powers of a Counselor set forth in this Constitution and shall act as the agent and representative of the sponsoring institution in all matters regarding this Club and Toastmasters International.

HOW IT WORKS

To apply for certification, you must send in a Request for Certification, an Officers’ List , and one copy of adopted Constitution and Bylaws accompanied by the certification fee and pro-rated annual fee indicated. Upon issuance of a Certificate of Affiliation to this Club, and so long as this Club remains in good standing with Toastmasters International, this Club is entitled to all the rights and powers, and is subject to all the duties and requirements, of Gavel Clubs as may be stated from time to time in the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Toastmasters International, in this Constitution, and in policies, procedures, manuals, and other materials issued by Toastmasters International.
Regular meetings of this Club shall be held as provided by the Bylaws of this Club. Participants, working from a handbook, select officers who preside over the meetings. The remaining class members are assigned other duties on a rotating basis, so everyone is actively involved.
Generally, meetings follow a format similar to that of a Toastmasters club meeting. There is an announced agenda and participants learn and practice parliamentary procedure during each meeting. Lecturing is minimal, but discussion is held during each session. Participants also deliver short impromptu and prepared speeches. In every meeting, participants learn to apply the principles of listening, thinking and speaking.

HOW TO START A PROGRAM

Any group desiring admission as a Gavel Club shall apply to Toastmasters International on forms provided by World Headquarters. Subject to standards and procedures stated in the policies of Toastmasters International, the Executive Director of Toastmasters International has sole discretion to issue a Certificate of Affiliation to a Gavel Club. Each Gavel Club pays a one-time certification fee of $50 (U.S.). Annual dues of $48 (U.S.) are billed each November. Club applying for certification in mid-year will pay pro-rated annual fees.

Gavel Club - Club Officer Information Form