District 31 Traveling Gavel

What is a Traveling Gavel, you ask? It is a tradition that was established November 4, 1995 by Karen Purple. The purpose was to encourage clubs to visit each other, share talents and knowledge of communications and leadership, and extend the fellowship of the Toastmasters organization. This District 31 tradition has become a fun and rewarding experience for both the host and capturing club. Since the creation of the Traveling Gavel, it has graced 28 Toastmasters Clubs. Six clubs have held the honor twice: Clinton, Achievers, Tri-County, Gateway Gabbers, Quincy Toastmasters, and Central Artery Tunnel.

 

How to Capture the Gavel

1. Three (or more) Toastmaster members, from the same club, visit the target Club who currently holds that Traveling Gavel. Please call ahead and announce your intent to visit.
2. The visiting Toastmasters must participate in the target Club meeting in some way.
3. The visiting Toastmasters "Capture" or take the Traveling Gavel at the end of the meeting; returning to display the captured Traveling Gavel at their next Toastmasters Club meeting.
4. Once a Traveling Gavel is captured, the visiting Toastmasters must announce the new home for the Traveling Gavel.
5. and declare the new location (Club Name, Area) so that other Toastmaster Clubs can plan to visit (raid) the Club and capture (take away) the coveted Traveling Gavel.

Gavel Protocol

There is specific protocol that must be followed in order to capture the gavel:

• Only clubs that meet at least twice a month and are in good standing are eligible to capture the gavel.
• The gavel can only be captured when at least 3 members in good standing travel to the holding club and announce their intention to "steal" the gavel.
• If two or more clubs try to capture the gavel on the same day or evening, the gavel goes to the club which is located the furthest away (this is based on the clubs location, not the members’ home location).
• It is not necessary for the holding club to tell potential captors if other clubs will also be attempting a capture or to award the gavel only to the club that has contacted them prior to the meeting.
• If all visiting clubs are equidistant, the gavel should be given to the club sending the most members.
• If there is still a tie, the gavel should be given to the club that has not previously held it.
• If necessary, a coin toss or drawing may be held to pick a winner.
• The gavel may also be captured at a joint meeting between the club holding the gavel and another Toastmasters group.
• Holders of the gavel and memory book are encouraged to put a note in the book including the date of the capture, members or "thieves" from the capturing club, and a picture of the capture. It is also nice for members to add comments about their experiences while in possession of the gavel.
• All entries must be dated, signed with the name of the club listed. The memory book is a history of this District 31 treasure: the Traveling Gavel.

Recent Gavel Travels

The Gavel was captured by the Lakesiders Toastmasters club from the Boston Speech Party Toastmsters club on February 24, 2010.

Lakesiders Toastmasters member Lena Maxwell (center) Captures the Gavel from Boston Speech Party Toastmasters President Stephanie Isabel

Pictured:

Barbara Hayden
Carolyn Melbye
Liuda Dovydenas
Nancy Trimper
Bill Ryan
Lena Maxwell
Stephanie Isabel
Kristen Henshaw
Melissa Orso
and Ray Lombardi

The Gavel was captured from Quincy Toastmasters by the Boston Speech Party Toastmsters club on January 11, 2010. The Traveling Gavel Coordinator at the Boston Speech Party Club is Melissa Orsan, melissa.orsan@gmail.com.

Happy Quincy Toastmasters "theives" with their
newly acquired Traveling Gavel

Pictured:

Vice President Marketing: Brian Connolly
Enthusiastic new member: Tina Patch
President: Mindy Milman
Vice President Education: Renee Fruzzetti
Enthusiastic new member: Kevin Murphy

Captured from the Achievers Club in Foxboro on March 17, 2009