In the fall of 2013, as Mayor of Grenfell, Saskatchewan, I was instrumental in putting in place one of the first community Anti-Bullying Bylaws in Saskatchewan. This was a very progressive step and at the time, even the Government of Saskatchewan had not fully addressed this issue thru the application of laws or regulations.  They have advanced on the issue, but to use their words “More work needs to be done.”  Not to make light, but this is sadly very evident when you listen to the current issues of the day in Saskatchewan.

Why did I feel it was important for our community to have written laws and regulations?

Our focus was mainly on the younger generation, even though the bylaw could be applied to adult harassment and bullying as well.  Prior to the bylaw our local schools had limited ability to deal with what I would call “advanced bullying.”  It was a two-step process.  Step 1 was to apply warnings, eventually involve parents and give out verbal and/or written notice.  Step 2 was to involve the RCMP in criminal charges.  

It seldom (probably never) made it to step 2 as the task to document, involve the police, bring charges, obtain lawyers, attend court, etc. was too onerous.  Many times bullying continued, step 1, after step 1, after step 1.  The school, community and RCMP needed another tool.   

After consultation with the schools, local RCMP and Town Council, the bylaw was put in place to give a mid-level deterrent with stepped financial fines that could be applied. This gave the school and the RCMP an extra tool in their tool box to deal with repeat, advanced bullying, or better still act as a deterrent in the first place.

How do I relate this to Toastmasters?   At Toastmasters we also have written rules and regulations within the Toastmasters International Governing Documents.  They are easy enough to find by Googling “Toastmasters Governing Documents.”  On joining the organization we pledge to abide by the rules, regulations and policies within these Governing Documents.

How is this pertinent to us?   Have you ever attended a club meeting where someone gave a rather lewd joke?  More then once?  Made rude remarks?  Was insensitive on social media?  Yes, bullying, racism and harassment can, and does, happen in the Toastmaster world.  For most individuals on the receiving end it is unwelcome, unwanted, disrespectful and hurtful.  Left unchecked it can cause members to leave the organization or clubs to fold.  It has happened.

Do we need to put up with it?  Should we put up with it?  The simple answer is NO.   The preamble to the Club Mission states:

“The mission of a Toastmasters Club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment..”

This implies an environment free from bullying, racism and harassment.  Furthermore, in recent years Toastmasters International’s Board of Directors has done extensive work updating the Policy and Protocol Documents with more current code of Ethics, Protocol and Conduct in this regard.  In the very simplest form they state:

“Toastmasters International prohibits all types of harassment and bullying. This includes, but is not limited to, sexual, verbal, physical, and visual harassment and bullying (including electronically).”

In Policy 3.0: Ethics and Conduct they define the type of behaviour that is not acceptable with very specific examples in an attempt to take away any subjectivity so there is no misunderstanding.  Furthermore, they explain how matters can be handled, which levels are responsible, actions that can be taken, and ultimately member discipline procedures which could end up in dismissal from the organization.

Got a problem?  You now have the “formal” tools to handle it.  At the club I have seen it handled well by experienced General Evaluators, or Meeting Chair/Toastmasters of the Day, by stating to a particular member that a joke might not be acceptable, a comment might be off or a certain practice might not fit this club, this age, this community, etc.  All done in a respectful way.  It works.  

On Social Media?  Wow, that is a different world.  Indeed look at almost any online political forum or news article site.   It is deplorable!  I think our organization is stronger than that.  I did a presentation at PBS Toastmasters on our club’s expanded launch into Social Media and I offered three simple tips on conduct:

1. Respectful conversation.

2. Positive and constructive.

3. Air laundry elsewhere.

In item 3, I believe heated differences of opinion are best handled in person outside the medium of Social Media.  Simple debates are acceptable (even healthy), but once things get heated, it does a disservice to the Toastmasters organization.

Remember the Toastmasters International Values: Integrity, Respect, Service and Excellence. Together we can keep our organization respectful, inclusive and proud.  

At least, that is my opinion.