| Toastmasters is embraced inside Oregon prisons |
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| Offenders learn re-entry skills |
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Contestants listening to instructions from Chief Judge
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Toastmasters has been around for decades, providing participants with knowledge that will follow them throughout their lives. Skills include preparing or impromptu speeches, acting as an evaluator or grammarian, becoming a better listener, and increasing confidence. Within recent years, the Department of Corrections (DOC) has expanded their inmate programs to include Toastmasters International.
Inmates from several Oregon institutions are reaping the benefits from becoming members of Toastmasters International. Seven institutions are now offering this educational program to their inmates: Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, Columbia River Correctional Institution, Deer Ridge Correctional Institution, Oregon State Correctional Institution, Oregon State Penitentiary, Two Rivers Correctional Institution, and Warner Creek Correctional Facility.
Communication is the main focus for Toastmasters participants. The program helps individuals become effective communicators, give better presentations, work better with others in a group, develop and present ideas, accept criticism more objectively and improve speaking skills. All of these are important skills for life inside prison, but more importantly for life outside of prison.
The meetings within the prisons consist of 8 to 80 inmates; OSP is the largest club with an average of 60 inmates attending on a continuous basis. There is a cost to be involved in Toastmasters - a $20 enrollment fee and $4.50 in monthly dues. Coverage of the fees varies from inmates paying the total cost, Toastmasters paying for the enrollment fee, and donations/fundraisers paying for monthly fees or lowering the fees.
Meetings are held weekly and last up to two hours. These meetings provide support and provide offenders with important skills in transitioning back into Oregon communities.
Toastmasters gives several awards to clubs and individual participants for meeting certain goals. Many DOC institutions have reached these goals, and many offenders have received individual awards. DOC is very proud of each club and all of their members.
| CCCF |
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Rising Stars, started in June 2004 |
| CRCI |
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Rose City Toastmasters, started in January 2006 |
| DRCI |
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Spirit Trackers, started in May 2009 |
| OSCI |
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Tabula Rasa Toastmasters, started in March 2006 and then became an official Toastmasters club in 2008 |
| OSP |
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Capital Gavel Toastmasters, started in August 1968 and then became an official Toastmasters club in June 2004 |
| TRCI |
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High Desert Talkers, started in May 2009 |
| WCCF |
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Smooth Talkers, started in March 2006 |
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