Community-Based Outreach Programs

Programs that support the broader community

Youth Leadership Program

Develop Interpersonal Communication

The Interpersonal Communication program helps teenagers build effective listening and communication skills while understanding their own communication style. The program features materials designed to be used by teachers and other adult community members who mentor young people.

Youth Leadership Program Resources

The Youth Leadership Program is a workshop consisting of eight one- to two-hour sessions that enable participants to develop communication and leadership skills through practical experience. The program is presented during or after school, or on weekends. Participants learn to:

  • Evaluate present speaking ability
  • Organize and give speeches
  • Give impromptu talks
  • Control voice, vocabulary and gestures
  • Give constructive feedback and more

Each Youth Leadership Program group is limited to 25 people. Participants are selected by the sponsoring Toastmasters club or by a cooperating organization (such as a school).

A local Toastmasters club serves as sponsor and provides a coordinator to present the program. The individual coordinator attends each meeting, where he or she will lead most of the presentations and counsel participants. The coordinator assigns an assistant who can fill in for the coordinator should he or she be unable to attend a meeting. Meetings generally follow a format similar to that of a Toastmasters club meeting, including an announced agenda, practice in parliamentary procedure, and the selection of presiding officers.

Email the youth leadership program director →

Gavel Clubs

Education for Non-Toastmasters

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.

For more information, including how you can form a Gavel Club, please see the Toastmasters International page on this topic.