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Gavel Clubs for Youth (Under 18)

Youth Gavel clubs are Toastmasters clubs for students under 18.  Those 18 and above are required to join an Adult Toastmasters Club.  Gavel clubs provide the Toastmasters experience to those who cannot be regular members due to  age, inability to pay dues or other circumstances.  

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Gavel clubs provide a safe platform for youth to practice public speaking, giving and receiving evaluations in a constructive manner, and thinking on their feet (impromptu table topics).  The focus is broader than speeches. The club provide opportunities to master leadership skills by taking up meeting helper roles or serving as a club officer.  This is a self-paced program, offering a challenging, enjoyable environment to nurture lifelong communication and leadership skills.
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2ChangeU Toastmasters Club sponsors two youth clubs, Agents of Change Gavel Club for Middle School students and Change the World Gavel Club for High School students.  Eligibility is as of the last day of the school year. Examples: a student completing 5th grade may join Agents of Change, and  a student completing 8th grade may join Change the World

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Prospective members and parents are welcome to visit a club meeting at any time. Membership is now open, but we may "tap the brakes" if we become crowded. 

 

Questions? Contact youthleadership@d50toastmasters.org..

When?

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Every 1st and 3rd Sunday

1:15- 2:15 PM for Middle School

2:45 - 3:45 PM for High School

(Please check in 15 minutes early)

How To Join?

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Middle School click here to apply.

High School click here to apply.

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Cost

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$30 application + $30 six months dues.

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Where?

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Plano YMCA Class Room,

3300 McDermott Road,

Plano, TX - 75025

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Note: You do not need to be a member of YMCA to participate in this program.

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Typical Club Meeting Agenda

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Gavel Club Meetings have three distinct parts:

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  • 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..

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Gavel Club Meeting Roles

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  • 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

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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.

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