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Toastmasters International
Toastmasters International Quick Facts
Main Areas: Communication & Leadership TrainingCareer Focus: Non-Profit
Affiliation: Toastmasters International
No, we don't make toasters!
From a humble beginning in 1924 at the YMCA in Santa Ana, California, Toastmasters International has grown to become a world leader in helping people become more competent and comfortable in front of an audience. The nonprofit organization now has over 250,000 members in over 12,500 clubs in 106 countries, offering a proven – and enjoyable! – way to practice and hone communication and leadership skills.
Most Toastmasters meetings are comprised of approximately 20 people who meet weekly for an hour or two. Participants practice and learn skills by filling a meeting role, ranging from giving a prepared speech or an impromptu one to serving as timer, evaluator or grammarian.
There is no instructor; instead, each speech and meeting is critiqued by a member in a positive manner, focusing on what was done right and what could be improved.
Good communicators tend to be good leaders. Some well-known Toastmasters alumni include:
Favorite Quotes & Thoughts from Toastmasters International
"The unprepared speaker has a right to be afraid."
-- Dr. Ralph C. Smedley, Founder, Toastmasters International
"We learn best in moments of enjoyment."
-- Dr. Ralph C. Smedley, Founder, Toastmasters International
To learn more about Toastmasters International, please visit:
http://www.toastmasters.org/MainMenuCategories/WhyJoin.aspx
For help with public speaking issues, please visit:
http://www.toastmasters.org/MainMenuCategories/WhyJoin/WhatToastmastersCanDoForYou.aspx
Getting Started With Toastmasters International
Whether you work in a corporate environment or from home, whether you are a student or retiree, Toastmasters is the most efficient, enjoyable and affordable way of gaining communication and leadership skills.
Become a Better Speaker
Toastmasters will give you the skills and confidence you need to effectively express yourself in any situation. By learning to formulate and convey your ideas, you open a new world of possibilities. You will be more persuasive and confident when giving presentations and you will improve your one-on-one dealings with others.
Become a Leader
Leadership is the art of persuading others to do what you wish. To succeed, you need to communicate, and you need to work as a team. In Toastmasters, you’ll do both. And you’ll find out how to vary your approach to suit the needs of different people, be they the audience for a speech, the committee for a fundraiser or your coworkers and managers.
It Really Works!
Don’t worry! Everyone in a Toastmasters club was once at the level you are now. The environment is friendly and supportive, and the self-paced program allows you to build confidence with each speaking assignment.
And you’ll love the applause! Constructive evaluation is the heart of the Toastmasters program. Each time you give a prepared speech, an evaluator will point out strengths and suggest improvements.
What Happens When I Join?
With more than 250,000 members in over 12,500 clubs in 106 countries, you’re sure to find a meeting near you. Most groups meet weekly or biweekly for one to two hours. The meetings are organized so that everyone will have a chance to speak, should they want to. You schedule your own speaking assignments a few weeks in advance, so you’ll have plenty of time to prepare.
Speaking assignments are varied, with the first one designated as an “ice breaker” – a description of yourself and your life that lasts between five and seven minutes. You’ll be assigned a mentor to help you settle in and get through your first speaking roles. As you grow in confidence, you assignments will grow with you.
Importantly, whenever you stand up and speak, you receive encouraging, helpful feedback on how it went and how you can improve next time.
Contacting Toastmasters International
Have a question? Search our site for your answer! Visit us at: www.toastmasters.org.
Member-specific questions
Phone
949-858-8255
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday-Friday, excluding holidays
Automated system: 949-835-1300
Fax: 949-858-1207
Visiting Toastmasters World Headquarters
Tours available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday-Friday
