APPLICATION TO JOE GARMESON TRUST FUND
What is expected of the individual:
- Attend 75% of club meetings.
- Present two speeches or assignments per dues period that require preparation.
- Carry out a minor assignment at other meetings such as evaluator / timekeeper. The objective being to complete a path in two years.
The benefit would be forthcoming for 2 years and if growth is maintained then a further year will be permitted.
Progress will be monitored by the VPE and the Trust will request a report for each semi-annual period. If expectations are not being achieved the funds will be withheld, however there will be some flexibility in this.
Garmeson Trust Fund Background
Joe Garmeson was a very prominent Toastmaster from its early days in the 1950s up until the turn of the century. He was active in every aspect of the organisation and made a major contribution towards its growth and ultimate recognition as a District.
Joe passed away in 2003. He donated half of his estate to a trust. Three quarters of the income is used to subsidise the membership for people who are keen to join Toastmasters but can’t afford the full fee in order that they can benefit from Toastmasters programme.
A lot of the success of the birth of the District was because of his efforts and notably to lobby Toastmasters International World Headquarters to recognise Southern Africa as a full District even though it only had 50 clubs. That is low for an overseas District, but after that it continued to grow.
A second amazing thing that Joe did was to lobby the South African government to allow non-whites to attend Toastmasters meetings, explaining to them that, even though it was against the apartheid regulations, it would benefit the country as a whole if non-whites could be allowed to attend meetings.
Joe became very active in District 74 and other overseas Districts fulfilling many functions, notably Club Extension Chairman and continued with these functions until his untimely death in 2003. He is buried at the Fourways Memorial Park and his gravestone is engraved with the Mission of Toastmasters. Even in death Joe is an ongoing Public Relations Officer for Toastmasters District 74.
Gavel Clubs
Should an underprivileged group be identified that wishes to benefit from Toastmasters but where sustainable funding looks unlikely then a Gavel Club can be formed. Here the Garmeson Trust will sponsor the whole club and that sponsorship can carry on indefinitely.
Contact
Please see form above
Needless to say, members of the Gavel Club will be encouraged to join full Clubs as soon as they obtain gainful employment which is expected as they continue their Toastmasters training.
The Garmeson Trust Members
| Tim Knights | Chairman |
| Elize Janse van Rensburg | Applications |
| Des Smith | Treasurer |