• This site will be a place to compile resources to support Toastmasters clubs in prisons. There are a few key elements involved in supporting Toastmasters clubs inside correctional institutions. These include

• ensuring that the members in the prison are able to make use of the Toastmasters educational material,
• mentoring members within the club,
• ensuring that the club is able to work effectively within the rules of the Department of Corrections (DOC),
• ensuring that the club is able to meet Toastmasters requirements,
• helping members be prepared to change their lives when they are released.

 

What are some common issues faced by the members of Toastmasters clubs in prisons?

• Finances – Toastmasters membership requires payment of dues, and often those who are incarcerated are unable to pay the dues themselves.
• Educational Materials – Toastmasters International educational program materials are designed to be accessed online, and as a general rule incarcerated individuals are not use of the internet to access material online.
• Meetings – In most correctional institutions, groups are required to have outside volunteers present in order to hold a meeting.
• Turnover – Many correctional institutions have a high rate of turnover, which limits the ability of clubs to maintain long term continuity.
• When leaving prison, individuals face a barrage of issues and challenges that make it difficult to continue participating in a voluntary program such as Toastmasters.

To meet these needs, the following resources will be developed on this site:

1. Support for being a Toastmasters prison club volunteer

• Links to existing guides

1. 1. • • Methods for communication among volunteers
      • • How to communicate with AICs
      • • How to get the project materials
          
          • • Updates on Changes to Toastmasters materials
          • • Communicating changes/requirements

      • • How to work effectively with DOC staff
          
          • • DOC Clubs vs Toastmasters Clubs
          • • Stories of specific incidents dealing with DOC staff
          • • Helping members in prison communicate well with DOC staff
          • • Understanding DOC rules in combination with TI rules

      • • Working effectively with TI
          
          • • WHO TO CALL
          • • Stories of specific issues
          • • Handling of dues payments, money
              
              • • Club funds vs outside funds for dues
              • • Scholarships

2. 2. Support for Toastmasters clubs in prisons
      
      • • How to get the Pathways projects and other materials
      • • Fundraising support
      • • FAQs about how to deal with club issues
      • • Analysis of Gavel club versus full club
      • • Guides for how to work with DOC staff and COs.
      • • Presentation at facility staff meetings
      • • Guides for how to organize a prison club
      • • List of partnering organizations i.e. CURE
      • • Guides for helping clubs to function successfully
          
          • • Participation in contests
          • • Gavel club participation
          • • Participation in outside clubs

3. 3. List of Toastmasters clubs in prisons
      
      1. 1. Links to pages for each prison club
      1. 1. Contact information for each prison club
            
            • • We will be starting with prison clubs in Districts 7 and 15, which are combining to become District 207.

      1. 1. Lists of where there are prisons without clubs (starting in District 207)

4. 4. Studies of prison clubs
      
      1. 1. Analysis of how many prison clubs exist, full clubs and gavel clubs
      1. 1. Analysis of past prison clubs
      1. 1. Analysis of impact on recidivism

7. 7. A procedural analysis of how AICs can become Toastmasters.
      
      1. 1. Prison has a club
      1. 1. Prison has a Gavel club
      1. 1. Prison that has neither (participate in outside club)
      1. 1. Resources for supporting AICs transition to outside clubs.

9. 9. Success Stories from Toastmasters in prisons
      
      1. 1. Links to articles and media covering prison clubs
      1. 1. New stories about what AICs in clubs are doing

10. 10. Opportunities to support speakers in prisons beyond Toastmasters