Page 5 - 2016 february issue

Toastmasters Saves Lives

by Allan Edinger, DTM - D7 Prison Liasion

“Thank you for saving my life,” is a phrase the $36 twice-a-year dues
I’ve heard many times during the 25-years which many can’t afford.
I’ve worked with Toastmaster inmates in penal The prison pay for a
institutions. Sometimes I’ve seen those life 40-hour workweek is $25
changes happen while they are still incarcer- per month. This money is used to buy toilet-
ated and sometimes after they are out. ries and other personal items. The tragedy of
having to make a choice between toothpaste
In Oregon, the inmates who chose to join and Toastmasters is it will only get worse when
Toastmasters join the same real-life kind of
Toastmasters clubs that the dues increase in
we do. They learn how October.
to speak, how to listen
and how to evaluate The District 7
effectively in a positive Prison Foundation has
way. They get district supported our inmates
support and training, by holding a raffle and
education rewards and silent auction at our
everything else that conferences. We have
comes with being a managed to help out
dues-paying member. with dues most years.
Many believe that if Due to circumstances
they had learned these beyond our control
things at an earlier age, we will not be able to
they may not have ended up behind bars. fundraise at the spring
conference.
John (not his real name), was 16 when he Our committee has a new fundraising plan
entered the system. At 20, he found himself we are excited to share with you. We will be
on the edge of his bunk wondering what he designing a fundraising Facebook page that
was going to do with his life. He had no plans. can accept PayPal donations year-round. This
He had no education or training and he was will open our fund raising appeal to the 3,000+
overweight. He decided to change, and one of district-wide members as well as the commu-
those changes included joining Toastmasters. nity, instead of to the limited 200 conference
attendees.
John has since passed his GED and trained Prison clubs are full of success stories.
in the field of construction. Once 300-pounds, They include inmates who have moved on
he became a svelte 160-pounder. During one to Portland State,
of his speeches he proudly lifted his shirt and University of Oregon
showed his fellow inmates his non-flexed six- and Oregon State
pack. He told us how Toastmasters had changed University as well
his attitude and thereby completely changed as those who have
his life. He is a much better speaker now and become employed
he listens to other people. The last I heard he throughout Oregon and beyond. Toastmasters
was looking forward to working construction is there to give the inmates a chance to succeed
in Hawaii. by giving them leadership skills and the tools
to become better speakers, better listeners and
There are many Toastmasters success stories better employees.
in prison. To continue making a difference the The goal of the District 7 Prison Foundation
program needs our help. To provide skin-in- is to make sure those who can’t afford the dues
the-game, we require all inmates to pay the
$20 new member fee. This leaves them with

Volume 2 Issue 7 - FEBRUARY 2016 5