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Background

The Story 
   of Toastmasters

Since Toastmasters began, more than two million men
and women have benefited from the communication and
leadership programs of the organizations.

The first club was formed in October, 1924 when a
group of men assembled by Dr. Ralph C. Smedley met to
form a club “to afford practice and training in the
art of public speaking and in presiding over meetings
and to promote sociability and good fellowship among
its members.”  The group took the name Toastmasters.

This club started in Santa Ana, California and was
followed a year later by a club in Anaheim.  By 1930
it was apparent that a federation was necessary to
coordinate activities of the clubs and to provide
standard methods.  After formation of a club in
Victoria, British Columbia, the group became
Toastmasters International. 

The forerunner of today’s Communication and Leadership
program, Basic Training, was introduced in 1942 and
has been expanded and updated many times to keep
abreast of the times and the members’ needs. 

Growth was slow in the early years, but grew more
rapidly after World War II.  By 1954, the number of
clubs had approached 1500.  Gavel clubs were formed in
1958 to accommodate groups wanting Toastmaster
training but not qualified for Toastmaster membership
such as high schools, hospitals, mental institutions,
etc.  In 1966 the Youth Leadership program was added
to the list of programs being offered.

In 1962, World Headquarters was moved to a new
building in Santa Ana, CA, not far from the YMCA where
the first club began. 

In 1973, Toastmasters opened its membership to
women.That same year saw the establishment of a
comprehensive listening program to further help
members develop their communication skills.

The 1980’s brought forth the Success Leadership
Modules, ATM Bronze, ATM Silver and changes in the
Communication and Leadership basic manual. Clubs have
now been formed in Russia, rounding out our
involvement to 50 countries. In 1989 World
Headquarters was moved to a larger facility in Mission
Viejo, CA and there are now nearly 7,200 clubs. 

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