I regularly recommend Toastmasters to my clients who want a chance to get public speaking experience in a relaxed, supportive environment. As a long-time fan, I was pleased recently to have the chance to ask a few questions of Toastmasters’ CEO, Daniel Rex. So here are the basics you need to know about Toastmasters – how you can best make use of this international organization devoted to better public speaking. Enjoy!

Nick: Thanks for connecting, Daniel. Let’s jump right in. How did Toastmasters get started?

Daniel: Toastmasters began as a series of speaking clubs organized by Ralph C. Smedley during his time working for the YMCA in Bloomington, Illinois, United States. As director of education at the YMCA, Smedley saw a need for the men in the community to learn how to speak, conduct meetings, plan programs and work on committees, and he wanted to help them.

Smedley decided to organize a club where men could learn these skills in a social environment, and they responded well to the concept. He named the group the Toastmasters Club; “toastmaster” was a popular term that referred to a person who gave toasts at banquets and other occasions.

The first unofficial Toastmasters meeting was held March 24, 1905. Much like Toastmasters meetings today, the participants took turns leading and speaking at each meeting. Smedley and the older, more experienced men evaluated the short speeches, while the younger men were invited to join in. However, as Smedley accepted positions at other YMCAs—in Illinois and later, in San Jose, California—those first fledgling clubs lacked leadership and did not flourish.

In 1922, Smedley began working at the newly organized YMCA in Santa Ana, California, and for the first two years, his time was spent building a home for the organization. However, his passion to help others learn to speak and lead remained. Once the new YMCA building was christened in April of 1924, he was able to introduce the idea of Toastmasters to his colleagues, and organize the Toastmasters club that eventually became Club No. 1 of Toastmasters International. The club’s first meeting was held at the YMCA building on October 22, 1924. Word spread about Smedley’s Toastmasters club and soon people in surrounding communities and other states were asking how they could start their own.

Since that first Toastmasters meeting in 1924, millions of men and women have benefited from the Toastmasters experience. And the organization continues to grow both domestically and internationally. The organization’s membership currently exceeds 332,000 in more than 15,400 clubs in 135 countries.

Nick: What would you say is the best reason to join Toastmasters?

Daniel: Confidence. Joining Toastmasters allows people to build the skills they need to become more confident public speakers and stronger leaders in every area of their lives.

Toastmasters offers a proven education program that comprises two tracks: Communication and Leadership. The program allows members to choose one track or both, and each features a series of projects that can be completed at one’s own pace. Members also have the flexibility to work through each track separately or both at the same time, and they can repeat a track as often as they wish.

Nick: How can Toastmasters help a participant become a better speaker?

Daniel: A Toastmasters club meeting offers a supportive group environment where people with diverse skills and backgrounds come together to practice their skills and exchange valuable feedback. In addition to delivering speeches, members are asked to evaluate other member’s speeches while also developing their own listening and interpersonal skills.

Nick: How far can you go in Toastmasters?

Daniel: The opportunities for growth are unlimited. Since individuals join with their own unique goals and needs for improvement, they are able to continue to develop their communication and leadership skills for as long as they wish, and many members continue on in the program throughout their lives.

Nick: Does belonging to Toastmasters ever lead to paid speaking?

Daniel: Yes, thousands of Toastmasters members have become professional speakers earning a living as a speaker, trainer, facilitator, consultant or coach.

Nick: Thanks, Daniel, and here’s to Toastmasters!

We’ll be running a one-day conference on public speaking on April 22nd in Boston, a different kind of chance to improve your public speaking, both preparing content and delivering it.  Spaces are limited, so sign up now!