Empowering Voices Behind Bars
Supporting Toastmasters in prisons for growth and transformation.
Empowering Voices Behind Bars
Our Mission
At Prison Speakers Resource Center, we are dedicated to empowering individuals in prisons through public speaking. Our mission is to provide essential resources and support to Toastmasters Clubs in prisons and the volunteers who support them, fostering personal growth and communication skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach us using the contact form below if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Toastmasters is an International Organization that helps individuals develop communications and leadership skills. See www.toastmasters.org
No. The individuals who have volunteered to develop the Prison Speakers Resource Center are all current or past members of Toastmasters International acting independently in order to support those Toastmasters members who are in prisons.
We're open to it. As we get started, our primary focus is on supporting Toastmasters Clubs that are in prisons. We expect to also support Toastmasters Gavel Clubs that are in prisons. Once we know we are able to meet that goal, then we would be open to helping with other projects in prisons that help people develop their presentation and communication skills.
We don't know. We will undertake a project to identify how many there are. We know that there are many scattered around the United States, and some in other countries. In addition, there are many Toastmasters Gavel Clubs in prisons, which may be even more difficult to count.
In a Toastmasters Club members are full members of Toastmasters International. They complete projects in the Toastmasters Pathways Educational Program and achieve recognition for completing levels and paths in the Educational program. Members may eventually earn the Distinguished Toastmaster Award (DTM). These achievements in Toastmasters can demonstrate that a person spent their time productively while in prison. Members of a club pay dues to Toastmasters International and may transfer their membership to any other Toastmasters club.
In a Gavel club the members are not full members of Toastmasters International, so do not pay dues and cannot transfer membership. They complete projects in the Toastmasters International Competent Toastmaster and Competent Leader manuals, and so can use completion of those manuals to demonstrate time spent productively. Gavel Clubs are intended to be for people who are otherwise unable to join a regular Toastmasters club.
Contact Us
Below are the first clubs we will be working with, expanding to more soon.
Rose City Toasters, Columbia River Correctional Institution, Portland, Oregon
Capital Toastmasters & Toastmasters Latinos de Oregon, Oregon State Penitentiary, Salem, Oregon
Prison Speakers Resource Center
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