Toastmasters International, Inc.

Toastmasters International, Inc., is a U.S.-based nonprofit educational organization dedicated to helping individuals develop public speaking, communication, and leadership skills. The organization operates worldwide and is known for its structured club-based approach to learning.

History

The concept of Toastmasters began with Ralph C. Smedley, who started a club in Bloomington, Illinois, in 1905. However, the modern Toastmasters International officially started on October 22, 1924, in Santa Ana, California. Smedley established this first official club at the YMCA, aiming to create a structured environment where young men could practice public speaking and leadership.

In 1932, Toastmasters International was incorporated as a nonprofit organization under Californian law. The name "Toastmasters International" was adopted, reflecting its international ambitions. The first international club was established in Vancouver, Canada, the same year[1][3].

Organization Structure

Toastmasters clubs are typically small, with 20 to 30 members, meeting weekly or biweekly. Each club operates independently but adheres to the guidelines set by Toastmasters International to maintain chartered status[2].

Club Meetings

Meetings are structured around several key elements:

• Introduction Circle: Members introduce themselves and share their thoughts on a topic provided by the chairman.
• Word of the Day: A vocabulary exercise where members use a new word or phrase during the meeting.
• Invocation or Toast of the Day: Brief speeches to motivate or honor a person or idea.
• Prepared Speeches: Members deliver planned speeches based on Toastmasters manuals.
• Table Topics: Impromptu speaking exercises where members respond to surprise topics.
• Evaluation Sessions: Constructive feedback is given to speakers to help them improve.
• Closing Thought: A final motivational or humorous remark to conclude the meeting[2].

Education Programs

Toastmasters offers several educational programs to enhance communication and leadership skills. The Pathways program provides 11 unique learning paths, each with 14 projects. It includes topics such as Public Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, and Strategic Leadership. The program is available in multiple languages and combines online and print materials.

Additionally, Toastmasters offers the Speechcraft program, a short course for non-members that covers the basics of public speaking.

Members also participate in speech contests and leadership roles within clubs to further develop their skills[1][2].

Membership and Growth

As of 2020, Toastmasters International had a membership of approximately 364,000 people worldwide. By 2024, it had expanded to over 148 countries and territories. The organization has grown significantly since admitting women in 1973[1][5].

Financial and Operational Highlights

In 2016, Toastmasters International reported revenues of $34,255,739 and employed 198 staff members, supported by over 117,789 volunteers[1].

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toastmasters_International [2] https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toastmasters_International [3] https://yoodli.ai/blog/the-history-of-toastmasters-international-1905-2022 [4] https://www.toastmasters.org/about/history/1905-1935 [5] https://www.toastmasters.org/about/history/our-history