History of Toastmasters
In October 1924, a group assembled by Dr. Ralph C. Smedley met
in the basement of the YMCA in Santa Ana, California, U.S.A., forming a club “to afford practice and
training in the art of public speaking and in presiding over meetings, and to promote sociability and good fellowship among
its members.” The group took the name “Toastmasters.” We are a local
chapter of Toastmasters International.
Today, Toastmasters
International is a non-profit organization which gives its members the opportunity
to develop and improve their public speaking abilities through local club meetings, training seminars and speech contests. Toastmasters International includes
more than 199,000 men and women in more than 9,300 clubs in more than
70 countries.
A typical Toastmasters club is made up of 20 to 30 people who meet once a week for about an
hour. Each meeting gives everyone
an opportunity to practice conducting meetings, giving impromptu
speeches, presenting prepared speeches, and offering constructive evaluation.
Experienced
professionals and beginning speakers alike can benefit from our practical, face-to-face learning program. Whether you're speaking to the board of directors, your customers, your co-workers or your
kids, Toastmasters can help you do it better.
You'll learn and practice in a friendly, comfortable environment with people who are there for the same reason you
are—to become better communicators.
