What is Toastmasters?
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 nearly
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:
- Peter Coors of Coors Brewing Company
- Debbi Fields, founder of Mrs. Fields Cookies
- Tom Peters, management expert and author
- Linda Lingle, Governor of Hawaii
