A Toastmaster’s/Tragicomedian’s Promise

Being a Toastmaster and a Tragicomedian (i.e., a member of Tragicomedy Toastmasters) means more than simply making a commitment to self-development. Everyone who joins a Toastmasters club is making a commitment to the club, to its members, and to the organization as a whole.

Promise to Toastmasters International

As a member of Toastmasters International and my club, I promise

  • To attend club meetings regularly
  • To prepare all of my projects to the best of my ability, basing them on the Toastmasters education program
  • To prepare for and fulfill meeting assignments
  • To provide fellow members with helpful, constructive evaluations
  • To help the club maintain the positive, friendly environment necessary for all members to learn and grow
  • To serve my club as an officer when called upon to do so
  • To treat my fellow club members and our guests with respect and courtesy
  • To bring guests to club meetings so they can see the benefits Toastmasters membership offers
  • To adhere to the guidelines and rules for all Toastmasters education and recognition programs
  • To act within Toastmasters’ core values of integrity, respect, service, and excellence during the conduct of all Toastmasters activities

Promise to Tragicomedy Toastmasters

As a member of Tragicomedy Toastmasters, I promise

  • To honor the dramatic arts mission of my club
  • To be a thespian to the best of my ability
  • To perform stand-up comedy, stage monologues, music, and nonstandard Toastmasters presentations such as films whenever possible
  • To enroll in either Pathways or the traditional program and always give manual presentations, even if they are only peripherally related to the project—friends don’t let friends give nonmanual presentations
  • To give trigger warnings for any potentially charged material
  • To be supportive of all members, even when I disagree with their personal views
  • To serve my club as a mentor for up to three mentees at a time when called upon to do so
  • To treat youth members (aka Gaveliers) and adult members (aka Toastmasters) equally
  • To incorporate the sandwich method (aka “Commend, Recommend, Commend”) in all feedback
  • To embrace tragicomedy in every role I fill