A Living Legacy:How Toastmasters Started

90 Years Ago

A Brief History Prepared by

Paul F. Clark, DTM, PDGIn Cooperation with Toastmasters International

Toastmasters Today

Non-Profit, Educational OrganizationSpeaking and Leadership14,650 clubs313,000 memberships126 countries

A Growing Global Phenomenon for 90 Years

Introducing Ralph C. Smedley Born in Illinois in 1878

YMCA in Bloomington, Illinois 1905

First “Toastmasters Club”

Smedley Moved On, Club Closed

20 Years “In a Suitcase”

1922 Came to Santa Ana, California

Managed New YMCA Complex

First Permanent Toastmasters Club

Fall 1924 – Smedley Promoted Club

October 1924 – Club FoundedSanta Ana Register, October 22: The Beginning Announced

21 Members Attend Meeting

Enjoyed Supper

Heard Educational Speeches

Elected Officers

Launched the Organization

First Permanent Toastmasters Club

YMCA Toastmasters Club – later Smedley No. 1Photo likely taken in December 1924

Anaheim Toastmasters Club No. 2

Original Club Minutes – January 19, 1926

Enjoyed Dinner Smedley Club “Mentor” Created Two Committees –

Constitution & Nominations

Agreed to Meet Regularly Began Growth of Clubs

Toastmasters International

Resolution at Santa Ana for “permanent federated organization” of the Toastmasters Clubs – 1927

Los Angeles Conference forms Toastmasters International Board – 1930• Eight clubs in existence

Articles of Incorporation Filed – 1932• Eleven clubs in existence

The Toastmaster Magazine• First Appeared – 1933

Toastmasters International

Anaheim Toastmasters Club Receives its Charter – 1932Ralph Smedley and First Four Toastmasters International Presidents

Celebrate the 90th anniversary October 2014-2015

Plan a history-themed meeting Schedule an open house for the

communityDocument your club’s history Get FREE resources at

toastmasters.org/90thAnniversary