Toastmasters International, Inc.

Abbreviation: TI, TM
Formation: October 22, 1924
Type: International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO)
EIN: 95-1300076 (Note: The given EIN 946174173 does not match the one found in public records for Toastmasters International, which is 95-1300076.)
Legal Status: Non-profit organization
Purpose: Educational
Region: Worldwide

History

Toastmasters International began as a series of speaking clubs organized by Ralph C. Smedley, who was the educational director at the YMCA in Bloomington, Illinois, in the early 1900s. Smedley saw a need for men in the community to learn public speaking skills as well as how to conduct meetings and work on committees. The first unofficial meeting took place on March 24, 1905, but these early clubs were not sustained due to Smedley’s moves to different locations.

The modern foundation of Toastmasters was laid on October 22, 1924, when Smedley founded the first permanent Toastmasters club in the Santa Ana YMCA, California. This club succeeded because Smedley remained in the area, overseeing its growth. The organization expanded rapidly, with the second club opening in Anaheim, California, in 1926. The first international chapter was established in Vancouver, Canada, in 1932, and Toastmasters International was officially incorporated as a non-profit organization under this name in the same year.

Expansion and Milestones

In the 1930s, Toastmasters continued to grow, with the establishment of clubs in British Columbia, Canada, and later in Southport, England, in 1935. The organization admitted women in 1973, marking a significant shift towards inclusivity. By the 1990s, Toastmasters had spread globally, with members in numerous countries.

Structure and Programs

Toastmasters operates through local clubs, each averaging about 20 to 30 members. Meetings are typically held weekly or bi-weekly and involve structured activities to enhance public speaking and leadership skills. Key components of these meetings include:

• Prepared Speeches: Members deliver speeches based on projects from various manuals.
• Table Topics: Impromptu speaking sessions to practice responding quickly.
• Evaluations: Constructive feedback sessions for speakers.
• Roles: Members take on roles such as Chairman, Word Master, and General Evaluator to engage in different aspects of the meeting.

The current educational system, known as Pathways, offers members eleven different paths to develop skills in areas like Public Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, and Strategic Leadership. Each path consists of 14 projects, with content available online and in print, and translated into multiple languages as of 2023.

Membership and Impact

By 2020, Toastmasters had approximately 364,000 members worldwide, with over 13,000 clubs across 116 countries. The organization celebrates its 100-year anniversary in 2024, having grown to encompass diverse memberships from 148 countries and territories.

Toastmasters International continues to play a vital role in fostering communication and leadership skills globally, staying true to Smedley’s original vision while embracing modern educational tools and technologies.