Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program

The Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program (YLP) is an 8-week workshop for young adults under the age of 18 to practice and enhance their communication and leadership skills. Here is a snapshot of what this program entails:

Program Activities

• Overcome nervousness when speaking in front of an audience.
• Organize and present ideas clearly and logically.
• Listen carefully to others’ idea.
• Offer constructive feedback to help others improve their speaking and leadership skills.
• Participate in and/or lead group discussion or meetings.

Skills Being Practiced

• Leading a team (being chair)
• Organizing a speech
• Listening and evaluating
• Impromptu speaking
• Body gestures
• Voice and vocabulary

Starting a YLP

• Find a venue to host the Youth Leadership Program.
• Decide on the age group.
• Recruit at least 8-10 children, up to a maximum of 15-20 children.
• Recruit Toastmasters members to serve as program coordinator and assistant coordinator(s).
• Schedule the meetings (1-2 hours long, depending on the number of participants).
• Get sponsorship from one of more Toastmaster club(s).
• Purchase materials for the program:
  • Youth Leadership Program Workbooks
  • Youth Leadership Coordinator Guides
  • Completion Certificates

For more information, visit the Youth Programs page on the Toastmasters International website.

For questions, contact the Youth Leadership and Gavel Club Program Chair at youth@d101tm.org.

Gavel Clubs

Gavel clubs are a way of providing Toastmasters self-improvement methods and materials to those who may be ineligible for regular membership due to age, inability to leave a facility, or other circumstances. They can be found in high schools, colleges, rehabilitation institutions, prisons, hospitals, or elsewhere.

How Gavel Clubs Operate

Gavel clubs operate in the same way that ordinary Toastmasters clubs do. They have same club officer roles, use the same educational manuals, and follow similar club meeting protocols.

There are a few minor differences, however. Gavel club members are not referred to as Toastmasters; they are called “Gaveliers.” Also, while there is a one-time fee to charter a Gavel club, and the club must pay an annual club renewal fee to Toastmasters International each November.

Rules for Forming a Gavel Club

• Members must not be composed of employed adults.
• The club must not be eligible to charter as a regular Toastmasters club.
• Members may include individuals who are under 18 years of age.
• The club must have the approval or endorsement of its host institution.
• The club must use the program, methods, procedures, materials, and services of Toastmaster International, whenever possible.
• The club must apply to Toastmasters International for a “certificate of affiliation” (fee required).
• The minimum number of participants needed for a Gavel club is 8-10, and the maximum number is 25.
• Meeting will be 1-2 hours long.

For questions, contact the Youth Leadership and Gavel Club Program Chair at youth@d101tm.org.

Questions?

For more information about the Youth Leadership Program, the Gavel club program, or how to start one one of these clubs, please contact the District 101 Youth Leadership and Gavel Club Program Chair at youth@d101tm.org.