Teenagers are often more comfortable communicating electronically than speaking face to face. Yet many events in teenagers’ lives require interpersonal communication skills to be resolved successfully. Now, more than ever, they need guidance in developing their communication skills.
All these skills are necessary for earning a living in today’s competitive job market, but are also essential for maintaining healthy personal relationships and achieving academic goals in middle & high school, as well as in college.
Youth Gavel clubs are perpetual Toastmasters clubs for students under 18. Meetings are typically held twice a month, and the club operates in the same way adult Toastmasters clubs do.
Members perform the same roles, and use the same manuals (CC & CL) as Toastmasters clubs.
Participants increase their self-confidence as they become better speakers and leaders.
From personal crises to the academic rigors of high school, teenagers are constantly confronted by difficult situations. Toastmasters Gavel Clubs aim to build effective listening, expression, and communication skills that will help guide young people through their teenage years and beyond.
A Gavel Club meeting is divided into three distinct parts.
Prepared Speeches – as the name implies – are prepared ahead of time and typically last between five and seven minutes. There will be a minute between speeches for written evaluations.
Evaluations – Each prepared speaker is assigned a designated evaluator who will provide two to three minutes of constructive feedback. All of us can learn from the evaluator’s expertise.
Table Topics – “Volunteers” are asked to talk for one to two minutes on an impromptu question.
In addition to speakers and evaluators, the meeting has many additional roles:
The Ringleader of the day acts as master of ceremonies, coordinating the other roles.
The Grammarian gives a “Word of the Day” and listens for interesting use of the English language, as well as misuse of the language.
The “Wizard of Ahs” counts our “ums”, “ahs”, and other verbal fillers. (note: sentences should not start with: and, but, so, well, like, you know)
The Inquisitor asks the “volunteers” impromptu questions.
The Prepared Speaker gives a speech from the Toastmasters manuals.
The Coach evaluates the prepared speaker.
The Head Coach evaluates the coaches, as well as the entire meeting (i.e. everyone and everything else).
The Timekeeper keeps track of time, and times the different parts of the meeting.
Pretty cool, huh? It’s a lot of fun! Please come to Achievers Gavel Club or contact us with click or tap here.
