March 2005

Fellow Toastmasters,

We are asking for your help as a Toastmaster within District 12 to join in our efforts to maintain and expand our Toastmaster program in the correction facilities throughout our District.  We currently have clubs for the female inmates in the California Institution for Women and the California Rehabilitation Center.

We are actively in the process of starting clubs for men at the California Institution for Men (Chino), the California Rehabilitation Center (Norco), and the Chuckawalla Prison (Blythe).  We would also like to expand our program to the other two state run correctional institutions in District 12, the California Youth Authority (Chino) and the Ironwood Prison (Blythe).  As there are multiple yards at most of these correctional facilities, we may need to have more than one club at the prison to be able to reach all interested people.

The majority of those participating in the Toastmasters program within correctional facilities have no money.  The state of California does not provide financial support for the fledgling members even though they do provide the meeting space.  The current cost to sponsor a new club is approximately $900.00; a new member for a year is $65.00; or a continuing six month membership is $18.00.

It has been shown via the history of clubs in Louisiana and Texas that there is a 90% reduction in the recidivism rate for participants in the correctional institution programs.  There are not many programs which can offer so much to improve moral and provide improvement for the public good as Toastmasters does.

We ask that you find it in your heart to sponsor a member (or a club).  Send any amount you desire.  These toastmsters will be forever in your debt.

Make out your checks to Toastmasters International and mail them to:
     CI  TM CLUBS
     P.O. BOX 77734
     Corona, CA 92877

Thank you,

District 12 Toastmasters

Toastmaster Clubs for inmates in prisons need sponsors and mentors to enable these clubs to meet and obtain the optimum benefit from the Toastmaster Program. District 12 leadership encourages volunteers to help these clubs. Contact Darrell Zeller DTM, PDG for further information about trainig to become a sponsor or mentor to a Toastmasters Prison Club at  djzeller@jps.net

Click here to download the guidelines
for volunteering at a prison club (Adobe PDF 53kb)