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!
Nick, I also recommend Toastmasters to people, I got my start in Toastmasters way back in 1988 – I was a founding member of a club in Tokyo and I was active for 5 years. It was a fantastic way to learn basic skills.
Thanks, David — glad to get a further endorsement from someone who has made good:-)
Nick, thanks for this interview. It’s great to see you recommend Toastmasters. I find my Toastmasters Club a great place to practice segments of my keynote and other talks. The feedback from the other members is invaluable, as is the chance to practice in front of an audience. Additionally, as Daniel mentioned, Toastmasters provides an excellent environment for improving listening skills. For aspiring speakers, as David commented, Toastmasters is a place to learn basic skills. For experienced speakers, it’s a place to hone your speaking skills.
Absolutely, Don — thanks for weighing in.
Hey Nick, I have to say that I am consistently delighted by the positive, supportive atmosphere I find at the Toastmasters I visit. I also find that the criticism given by members to members is generally very accurate and helpful. Toastmasters is well worth looking at for anyone who feels they want to build their abilities with a regular group. Fair play to them!
Thanks, Mark — it’s always great to hear from you.
Great interview Nick! As a Toastmaster of 8+ years, it has provided a wealth of opportunities and provided a great venue for testing out content, networking, and opening up other career avenues.
Thank you, Matthew, for the testimonial.
Toasties ROCK!
I was a member for many years and continue to use skills I learned as one.
Suggestion: Visit several clubs before joining. Most are excellent, and have their own ‘flavor.’ Some are regimented, others are loosey-goosey. find one that’s a fit for you!
Thanks, Fred — that’s a great suggestion. All take note!
Thanks for this, Nick. As well as the questions you asked, I would’ve liked to see the answers to some slightly tougher ones too though.
For instance, Daniel’s longest answer was about the origins of Toastmasters. It would be fascinating to hear what he has to say about bringing the organization into the high-tech present, and his vision for the future.
The comments have made interesting reading as well. I like Fred Miller’s tip about trying several clubs, as a lot depends on the group of people who happen to attend the specific club you visit or join.
My thoughts on member feedback are quite different from Mark Bowden’s though. There’s very little time for evaluators to draft their feedback, and there’s a feeling they have to find some area for improvement, so they often make vague comments about wanting to see stronger body language or more vocal variety.
Anyway, like most people, I found membership very helpful. This professional video gives great insight into how Toastmasters meetings work.
Thanks, Craig — I appreciate your insights.
Nick, I forgot the history of Toastmasters, but remember fondly my bi-weekly meetings and area speaking contests when I was a member. I was in my twenties and learned many of the basics at TM. However, your coaching focused me more about engaging the audience. So both aspects–tools for confidence and the art of persuasion– are critical for a successful speaking career. Thanks for your help and blogs.
Thanks, Blythe — always great to hear from you, and good to hear how TM was helpful to you.