A Living Legacy: How Toastmasters Started 90 Years Ago A Brief History Prepared by Paul F. Clark, DTM, PDG In Cooperation with Toastmasters International

Toastmasters Today Non-Profit, Educational Organization Speaking and Leadership 14,650 clubs 313,000 memberships 126 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 Founded Santa 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. 1 Photo likely taken in December 1925

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 – 1932 Ralph 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 community Document your club’s history Get FREE resources at toastmasters.org/90thAnniversary