Toastmasters International

Overview

Toastmasters International is a prominent US-based nonprofit educational organization dedicated to fostering the development of communication and leadership skills in its members.

History

Toastmasters International was founded by Ralph C. Smedley on October 22, 1924, in Santa Ana, California. Smedley's vision for the organization began earlier in 1905 when he started informal speaking clubs at the YMCA in Bloomington, Illinois, with the goal of improving public speaking skills among young men. These early clubs laid the groundwork for the modern Toastmasters organization, which was officially incorporated under California law in 1932.

Structure and Membership

Toastmasters operates through a network of local clubs worldwide. Each club typically consists of 20 to 30 members and meets weekly or biweekly, usually in the evening. Meetings include prepared speeches, impromptu speeches known as Table Topics, and evaluations to provide feedback to speakers. Members take on various roles during meetings, such as Speaker, Evaluator, Timer, and Grammarian, to practice leadership and communication skills.

As of recent years, Toastmasters has grown to include over 14,000 clubs in more than 140 countries, with a diverse membership base of nearly 300,000 individuals.

Education Programs

Toastmasters offers several education programs designed to enhance members' public speaking, interpersonal communication, and leadership abilities. The Pathways system, introduced in recent years, provides a flexible, technology-driven approach with multiple educational paths, each consisting of 14 projects. Additionally, the Speechcraft program is a shorter course for non-members aiming to develop basic speaking skills.

Core Values

Toastmasters International adheres to core values that include:

• Integrity: Demonstrating honesty, trustworthiness, and sincerity in all actions.
• Respect: Treating all members with dignity and welcoming diverse perspectives.
• Service: Providing exceptional support and fulfilling duties with responsiveness and passion.
• Excellence: Consistently striving to exceed expectations and innovate solutions.

Impact

Through its global community, Toastmasters empowers individuals to become effective communicators and leaders. The organization's experiential learning environment focuses on hands-on practice, feedback, and leadership opportunities, contributing to significant personal and professional growth among its members.