Harassment
Providing an enjoyable
harassment-free environment
Toastmasters International strictly prohibits all types of harassment, including sexual harassment. This includes, but is not limited to, verbal, physical and visual harassment.
Sexual harassment includes:
- Making unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature a condition of participation or advancement in any Toastmasters program;
- Making submission to or rejection of such conduct the basis of participation or advancement decisions; or
- Creating an intimidating, offensive, abusive or hostile program environment where sexual conduct, or comments or conditions of a sexual nature, alter the conditions under which an individual experiences the Toastmasters program.
If a member believes he or she has been harassed, the member should promptly report the incident(s) and the individuals involved as follows. In each case the person or group receiving the report must conduct a confidential investigation of the allegation and report the outcome to the executive committee, which shall take whatever action may be appropriate to resolve the matter and should include steps to minimize the likelihood of a reccurrence.
| Reporting Person |
Report Incident(s) to |
| Club member or club officer |
Club president, or any member of the club executive committee if not satisfied or if the club president is implicated |
| District officer |
District governor, or any member of the district executive committee if not satisfied or the district governor is implicated |
| International officer or director |
International president, or any member of the executive committee of the Board of Directors if not satisfied or if the international president is implicated |
| Employee or paid agent of Toastmasters International |
Executive director, or any member of the executive committee of the Board of Directors if not satisfied or if the executive director is implicated |
Retaliating or discriminating against any individual for reporting harassment is prohibited.
Toastmasters International recognizes that the issue of whether sexual harassment has occurred requires a factual determination based on all the evidence received. Toastmasters also recognizes that false accusations of sexual harassment can have serious effects on innocent men and women. We trust all members will continue to act in a responsible and professional manner to maintain a positive environment that supports every person’s desire for self-improvement within the Toastmasters educational program.