Toastmasters International

Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to improving public speaking, communication, and leadership skills. Founded by Dr. Ralph C. Smedley on October 22, 1924, at the YMCA in Santa Ana, California, the organization initially focused on young men practicing public speaking. As of 2020, Toastmasters had approximately 364,000 members worldwide[1].

History

Dr. Smedley, the educational director of the Bloomington YMCA in Illinois, started a club to train young men in speech. This concept led to the establishment of the first Toastmasters club in Santa Ana. The organization began expanding internationally with its first international chapter opening in Vancouver, Canada, in 1932. Toastmasters began admitting women in 1973, marking a pivotal shift towards inclusivity[1][2].

Structure and Membership

Toastmasters operates through local clubs, with each club having around 20-30 members. Meetings typically occur weekly or biweekly, lasting about one to two hours, and involve roles such as Chairman, Toastmaster, Speaker, Evaluator, Timer, and Grammarian. Members engage in prepared speeches and impromptu speeches, known as Table Topics, and receive constructive feedback to enhance their communication skills[2][3].

Education Programs

The organization offers various educational programs:

• Pathways: A modern learning experience with eleven paths focusing on public speaking, interpersonal communication, management, strategic leadership, and confidence. Each path consists of 14 projects, with materials available in several languages[1].
• Speechcraft: A short program designed to introduce non-members to Toastmasters techniques, usually conducted over four to eight weeks[1].
• Competent Communication Manual: This manual guides members through ten prepared speeches to develop basic communication skills[2].

Mission

Toastmasters International's mission is to empower individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders by providing a supportive learning environment. The organization values integrity, respect, service, and excellence in all its operations[5].

Events and Competitions

Toastmasters hosts the World Championship of Public Speaking, a global competition that attracts participants from over 100 countries. The championship is one of the largest speech contests worldwide, culminating in the Toastmasters International Convention[3].