Omer Roberts / Dori Drummond Inmate Scholarship Fund
The Omer Roberts / Dori Drummond Inmate Scholarship Fund is named after two Past District Governors who were passionate about the prison Toastmasters Clubs. Omer and Dori both knew the difficulties associated with inmates paying their dues.
How the Fund Began
In March, 2010, District 8 established the Omer Roberts Inmate Scholarship Fund with approval from Toastmasters International (TI) Executive Director, Daniel Rex. This is because districts are not permitted to manage funds directly, the scholarship is maintained at TI in a special trust account. The purpose of the fund is simple, but powerful: Inmates pay a portion of their dues, and District 8 Trust Fund pays the rest of the dues.
Fundraising Efforts
To support the fund, many fundraising activities have been held by District 8 including:
- Silent auctions of gift baskets at district conferences
- Sale of St Louis area entertainment coupon books
- Photo opportunities with a TI backdrop
- Proceeds from Pere Marquette flyover
- Individual donations
Since the need is ongoing, regular donations and fundraising activities are essential to sustain this program.
Why Prison Toastmaster Clubs Matter
One inmate Toastmaster described his club as:
“A gorgeous isolated pocket of positivity and inspiration in an environment that typically breeds negativity and hopelessness”. Within these clubs, members share similar stories of pain, separation from family, regret for past choices, and – most importantly – the desire to change. Toastmasters gives them the tools to build transparency, self-confidence, and communication skills that prepare them for life after release. Prison clubs are more than meetings - they are lifelines of hope, accountability, and personal growth.
How You Can Help
District 8 is committed to supporting all prison clubs in our district and starting new ones. You can make a difference by helping fund inmate scholarships.
To contribute:
- Make checks or money orders payable to Toastmasters International. On the memo line add Omer Roberts / Dori Drummond Inmate Scholarship Fund
- Send to:
Raymond “RJ” Stratton, DTM
2229 Wendy Way Dr Belleville, IL 62221
This allows District 8 to track donations and forwards them to TI.
For more information, contact:
(618) 610-1488 RJWildcard@gmail.com
Thank you for helping us support “voices on the inside” who are working hard to change their lives through the power of Toastmasters.
Raymond “RJ” Stratton
Chair, Omer Roberts // Dori Drummond Inmate Scholarship Fund