Toastmasters International is a self-help, international organization designed so members may become better speakers and more effective listeners, with improved skills in the organization and conduct of meetings.

See www.toastmasters.org.

Toastmasters began in 1924, founded by Dr. Ralph Smedley, a YMCA Program Officer in Santa Ana, California. Since that date, nearly four million members have enjoyed the benefits of this unique organization. Today, nearly 250,000 members are active in 12,036 clubs in 106 countries around the world. In Canada, Toastmasters Clubs are to be found in every province.

Toastmasters works at the Club level – either in the community or in the workplace – grouped into Areas, Divisions and Districts, but with policy coordination and teaching materials coming from world headquarters in California.

Teaching is done by the members themselves, who work at their own pace, through a series of training manuals. They are helped and encouraged by the example of their fellow members, who provide instant feedback, helpful suggestions and constant support for personal development. There are also opportunities to attend workshops and conferences, where more experienced members make presentations based on materials developed by Toastmasters International.

The Club program also affords opportunities to practice parliamentary procedure for more effective business meetings, impromptu speaking and formal speeches as well as to receive immediate evaluation and feedback from one’s peers. The goal of each meeting is to learn while having fun.

Toastmasters International is a self-help, international organization designed so members may become better speakers and more effective listeners, with improved skills in the organization and conduct of meetings.

Toastmasters began in 1924, founded by Dr. Ralph Smedley, a YMCA Program Officer in Santa Ana, California. Since that date, nearly four million members have enjoyed the benefits of this unique organization. Today, nearly 250,000 members are active in 12,036 clubs in 106 countries around the world. In Canada, Toastmasters Clubs are to be found in every province.

Toastmasters works at the Club level – either in the community or in the workplace – grouped into Areas, Divisions and Districts, but with policy coordination and teaching materials coming from world headquarters in California.

Teaching is done by the members themselves, who work at their own pace, through a series of training manuals. They are helped and encouraged by the example of their fellow members, who provide instant feedback, helpful suggestions and constant support for personal development. There are also opportunities to attend workshops and conferences, where more experienced members make presentations based on materials developed by Toastmasters International.

The Club program also affords opportunities to practice parliamentary procedure for more effective business meetings, impromptu speaking and formal speeches as well as to receive immediate evaluation and feedback from one’s peers. The goal of each meeting is to learn while having fun.