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backgrounds. Regardless of our backgrounds,
all of us are eager to improve upon whatever
knowledge we already have. Since everyone’s
skill set is different, some people need more
one-on-one attention. Then there are those that
definitely are not sitting back and waiting for
things to be done for them. This is reflective of
Toastmasters being a self-paced learn-by-doing
organization, regardless whether in prison or
not. I’ve been honored and privileged to serve
at the club level as well as to have been an Area
42 Governor and then Division C Governor. In
all of those positions, I saw so many similarities
in the membership of the clubs. The primary
difference was where the members reside.
Our club was chartered in 1968 as Capitol
Gavel Club. Then in 2004, we officially became a
Toastmasters club known as Capital Toastmasters.
When I think about that transition, we had a lot
of learning to do when it came to Toastmasters
methods. As a Gavel Club we were very active in
the institution with debates, meetings, teaching
cognitive classes, etc. As our club sponsor,
Allan Edinger, was instrumental in sharing
Toastmasters methods with our club. Then we
hit the ground running. For the last 9 years,
our club has earned President’s Distinguished
completing all 10 Distinguished Club Program
(DCP) goals. For a few years we were even the
first in the world to attain all 10. That is our goal anytime someone wishes to visit or join. If you
again this year.
Volume 3 Issue 2 - AUGUST 2016
Yes, I just laid down a challenge to all
Toastmasters clubs to see if they can beat us.
Our theory is if we can motivate other clubs
to get active, then that is great. Our members
didn’t attain all of those goals by sitting back
and waiting. We got active and have worked as
a team ever since in order to help one another’s
growth. As Janice Hallmark said about her first
visit to our club five years ago, “I was impressed
with the quality of the meeting, the hospitality
of the group, and the dedication to Toastmasters
standards.”
There seems to be some differences in
experience. The prior articles author’s assessment
of her experiences in the prisons she visits in
eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island is her
view and I’m glad she is able to help the people
she comes in contact with that perhaps don’t have
teamwork skills. At the same time, I’m grateful
that things are different in our club and the other
Oregon Toastmasters prison clubs I’ve worked
with and/or helped start. We are very grateful
for all of the guests that visit, and for the guests
that have decided to join our club. Together, we
can learn from one another, no matter if we are
incarcerated or not. We all have different skill
sets that we come to Toastmasters with, as well
as those we have learned from Toastmasters.
In Capital Toastmasters, we welcome guests
are ever inclined to visit our club, or another
prison club, I encourage you to go with the
understanding that, yes, you can help the club
with new ideas. Also know that you very well
may leave with some new ideas for your personal
growth or for your club to try and adopt. If you
do decide to visit our club, or any prison club,
I’d also encourage you to not have preconceived
ideas about what to expect and to certainly not
stereotype anyone in any situation, whether it be
prisoners or people of any sort, as all being one
way. Instead, please remember each person is
different. Together we all can help each other in
our journeys to becoming better communicators,
leaders, and people over all.
[Ron Edgemon is President of Capital
Toastmasters. This article is in response to 2013
sidebar article appearing in the June 2016 issue of
Voices!—Editor]
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