Programs & Pathways

Public Speaking Program Includes:

• Prepared Speeches

• Impromptu Speaking (Table Topics)

• Speech Evaluations

• Role Responsibilities
  
  

Leadership Development:

Members will practice real leadership by:

• Taking meeting roles

• Serving as Club Officers (President, VP Education, Sergeant at Arms…)

• Leading club events

• Assisting with open houses

• Helping at community non-profit events

• Supporting new members
  
  

Pathways (adapted for Gavel Club)

We teach youth-friendly versions of:

• Icebreaker

• Organizing speech

• Body language

• Vocal variety

• Visual ids

• Persuasive speaking

• Storytelling

🎯 The APEX Journey

🚀 From Cornwall Road to the World.

Our journey is more than meetings—it’s a climb:
🏕️ Climb Nights: Practice speeches & roles weekly.
🔥 Gavel Sparks: Mentorship that lifts new members.
💬 Social Media Climb: visit our website, Watch us on youtube, Follow up on facebook.
🌟 Summit Nights: Showcase speeches that move hearts.

Structured like Toastmasters’ Pathways program, members experience progressive learning—from “Icebreaker” to advanced speaking projects—gaining confidence both on stage and online.

➡️ Jason, 14, posted his first speech clip on TikTok; it reached 10K views. That viral spark led three classmates to join APEX—and Jason now leads the club’s media team.

What Is a Gavel Club 

1. Purpose & Definition

   • Gavel Clubs are designed to provide the Toastmasters experience to groups that cannot form a regular Toastmasters club — typically because of age restrictions (e.g., under 18) or other special circumstances. Toastmasters International+2Toastmasters International+2

   • Members of a Gavel Club are called “gaveliers”, not Toastmasters. Toastmasters International+1

   • The club follows Toastmasters’ educational program (speech & leadership) using traditional Competent Communication (CC) and Competent Leadership (CL) manuals. Toastmasters International+1
     
     

   • However, Gavel Clubs have limitations versus regular Toastmasters clubs:

     • They cannot participate in Area or District speech contests. Toastmasters International

     • They have limited access to leadership-track awards/materials. Toastmasters International

     • They must meet in person (online-only meetings are not allowed). Toastmasters International
       
       

2. Governance & Affiliation

   • To form a Gavel Club, the group must:

     • Be endorsed/approved by a host institution (e.g., school) Toastmasters International+1

     • Use Toastmasters International’s program, procedures, materials, and services. Toastmasters International

     • Apply for a Certificate of Affiliation from Toastmasters International. Toastmasters International
       
       

   • A club counselor is required:

     • The counselor is typically over 18. Toastmasters International

     • They are a non-participating, administrative contact (they don’t take on officer or voting roles within the club). Toastmasters Internationa

     • Gavel Clubs are not part of a District like regular Toastmasters clubs, so they don’t contribute to District-level Distinguished Club Program (DCP) points. Toastmasters International

   • They are governed under special-group policy per Toastmasters’ Board rules. ccdn.toastmasters.org
     
     

3. Fees & Materials

   • There is a certification fee to charter a Gavel Club. Toastmasters International

   • Annual dues for a Gavel Club are required, but individual gaveliers do not pay individual Toastmasters membership fees the way adult Toastmasters do. Toastmasters International

   • Gavel Clubs receive digital copies of the Competent Communication and Competent Leadership manuals after certification. Toastmasters International

   • Gavel Clubs are limited to English educational materials (no translated printed manuals). Toastmasters International

How to Run a Gavel Club — Structure & Roles

Because Gavel Clubs mirror regular Toastmasters clubs in many ways, a lot of the structure is similar. Here’s how to operate a Gavel Club, especially for meetings.

1. Club Officers

   • Gavel Clubs have officer roles similar to regular Toastmasters: President, Vice President(s), Secretary, etc. Toastmasters International+2toastmasters60.com+2

   • Minimum required officers are President, one Vice President, and Secretary. Toastmasters International

   • The counselor (adult) does not serve as an officer; their role is administrative / oversight. Toastmasters International
     
     

2. Meeting Structure
   According to guidance (from District-level resources, which align with Toastmasters’ meeting norms): toastmasters60.com+1
   
   A typical Gavel Club meeting has three main parts:

   • Prepared Speeches: Gaveliers deliver speeches based on Toastmasters manuals (CC, CL) that they have prepared in advance. toastmasters60.com

   • Evaluations: Each prepared speaker has a designated evaluator who gives constructive feedback. toastmasters60.com

   • Table Topics (Impromptu): People are called on to speak “on the fly” in response to prompts or questions. toastmasters60.com+1
     
     

3. Meeting Roles
   Meeting roles in a Gavel Club are very similar to a standard Toastmasters meeting. Common roles include:

3. • Toastmaster of the Day

Acts as the host for the meeting; introduces speakers, ensures smooth flow. toastmastersd84.org+1

3. • Table Topics Master

Leads the impromptu portion (Table Topics); chooses or writes questions, calls on members. toastmastersd84.org

3. • Table Topics Speaker

Responds to the Table Topics prompts; practices impromptu speaking. toastmasters60.com

3. • General Evaluator

Evaluates the meeting as a whole; introduces speech evaluators; provides feedback on meeting management. toastmasters60.com+1

3. • Speech Evaluator

Gives feedback on a prepared speech — highlighting strengths and areas for improvement. Achievers Gavel Club

3. • Timer

Keeps track of how long each segment (prepared speeches, Table Topics, evaluations) lasts. toastmasters60.com

3. • Grammarian

Observes usage of language, introduces a “Word of the Day,” and gives feedback on grammar/vocabulary. Achievers Gavel Club

3. • “Ah-Counter”

Listens for filler words (“um,” “ah,” etc.) and reports back to help gaveliers improve fluency. Achievers Gavel Club+1

4. Meeting Etiquette & Flow

   • The meeting is “called to order” (often by the Sergeant at Arms in regular Toastmasters, but for Gavel Clubs you may adapt) — a gavel is usually struck once to start. toastmastersd84.org

   • Optional opening items can include: club mission statement, “thought of the day,” inspirational quote, or a brief educational moment. toastmastersd84.org

   • At the end of the meeting: announcements, feedback, and sometimes guest comments or “closing thoughts.” toastmastersd84.org

   • All roles should ideally be assigned before the meeting day, so people can prepare. toastmastersd84.org

Key Differences & Limitations (vs. Regular Toastmasters)

• Gavel Clubs do not participate in Toastmasters Area/District speech contests. Toastmasters International

• Gaveliers have limited access to leadership-track awards: they can work through the communication track and up to a certain level on leadership, but can't reach the highest leadership awards. Toastmasters International

• Gavel Clubs cannot use the Toastmasters logo; they use a special Gavel Club logo instead. Toastmasters Internationa

• Because many Gavel Club members are minors, there must be a club counselor in a non-voting, non-officer role. Toastmasters International

Why Run a Gavel Club / What Are the Benefits

• For Youth: It gives young people (or others ineligible for standard Toastmasters) structured, hands-on experience in communication and leadership.

• Skill Development: Gaveliers develop public speaking, impromptu speaking, evaluation, feedback, and leadership.

• Safe, Supportive Environment: Because it's “youth-friendly,” members can practice without some of the pressure of adult Toastmasters clubs.

• Community Service: For adult Toastmasters clubs, sponsoring or supporting a Gavel Club can be a meaningful way to contribute to youth development