The Omer Roberts/Dori Drummond Inmate Scholarship Fund is named after two people that were passionate about the prison Toastmasters Clubs. Omer and Dori both knew the difficulties associated with inmates paying their dues.

The purpose of the fund is to assist inmates with their Toastmaster dues and educational materials. Many inmates do not have the means to pay for these items on their own. Inmates pay half of their dues, and the Inmate Scholarship Funds pays the remaining half. Currently, the Alpha Toastmasters Club in Jefferson City and Talu Toastmasters in Moberly are receiving funds.

The fund has been supported by various fundraising activities in the past, including silent auctions for gift-filled baskets, the selling of St Louis area entertainment coupon books, profits from the flyover photo at Pier Marquette, and individual donations. Constant fundraisers are needed to keep the fund going.

Many past fundraisers required an in-person event. Although we would love to get together with your trivia team, we are hosting virtually to allow everyone to participate safely.  Our goal is to turn this into an annual event and eventually host it in person.

Why is a prison TM club important? The best answer to this question is given by one prison club Toastmaster, who described his club as a “gorgeous isolated pocket of positivity and inspiration in an environment that typically breeds negativity and hopelessness”. He went on to reveal how the members share similar stories of pain – being distanced from their family, shame from the crime they committed, and the desire to change themselves to lead a life of transparency (no masks). This is one important reason why prison Toastmaster clubs are important – and also why this is an effort that is worth funding and supporting as individuals and as an organization. Our goal is to help and support prisoners anticipating release to prepare them for the outside world by acquiring and improving something that can most benefit them – confident communication and leadership skills.

Thank you for your interest and willingness to support folks on the “inside” who greatly wish to participate in Toastmasters programs!