Before you come.

Gavel Clubs are affiliates of Toastmasters International for people who can't join a regular Toastmasters club, including students under 18. Members follow the Toastmasters education program to build public speaking and leadership skills.

Motivated middle and high school students in grades 6 to 12 who are under 18, from Warren, Watchung, Green Brook, Long Hill and nearby towns. You don't need any speaking experience. Nervous speakers are exactly who this club is for. Members must be under 18 when they join. If you turn 18 during the club year, you finish the year with us. Students who are already 18 are welcome at a regular Toastmasters club.

No. Membership is free, and members never pay dues. The club's small annual fee to Toastmasters International is covered by club fundraising, led by our Treasurer.

Those programs focus on research, argument and competition. We focus on how you speak: delivery, organization, confidence and feedback, with business and career themes like elevator pitches, interviews and networking. There are no tournaments and no rankings.

No. We are an independent, student-led club that meets at the Warren Township Library, so students from any school in the area can join.

Twice a month at the Warren Township Library, 42 Mountain Blvd, Warren, NJ 07059. Each meeting runs about an hour. Dates are posted on our Meetings page and on Instagram at @gavelclubnj.

Members give prepared speeches, answer surprise Table Topics questions, and give each other feedback. Other members keep time, count filler words and track great word choices. The whole meeting takes about an hour.

Yes. Guests are welcome while seats last. Come a few minutes early, sit with a member who explains what's happening, and just watch. We never ask guests to speak unless they want to. Please let us know you're coming so we can save you a seat.

No. Most new members start with small roles like Timer. When you're ready, the VP Education helps you plan your first speech, the Ice Breaker, which is a four to six minute introduction about yourself.

Our library meeting room has space for a small group, and officers and guests need seats too. Seats go first come, first served, in the order sign-up forms arrive.

You can still sign up. You'll go on the waitlist in the order your form arrives, and we'll contact you when a seat opens.

Come to every meeting, or tell us at least 24 hours ahead if you can't. Take a meeting role when asked, give at least three prepared speeches during the year, and keep your feedback honest, specific and kind.

Life happens, so just tell us ahead of time. Because seats are limited, members who miss meetings repeatedly without notice may be moved to the waitlist so another student can take their seat.

Every Gavel Club has an adult Club Counselor. Ours is Vik B., who guides the student officers and oversees club business and correspondence. Meetings take place in a public meeting room at the Warren Township Library.

The sign-up form asks for the student's name, grade, school and town, and a parent or guardian's name and contact details. Only the officers who manage membership and our Club Counselor can see it. We never share it or post it. Read our privacy notice.

Only with written permission from you and your child. Even then, we use first names and last initials only, and never post full last names, contact details or addresses. You can ask us to remove anything at any time by emailing gavelclubnj@gmail.com.

No, but you're welcome to watch a meeting as a guest. Please plan pickup for the scheduled end time, since students can't stay in the room after the meeting ends.