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 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 – 1932 Ralph Smedley and First Four Toastmasters International Presidents

Celebrate the 90 th anniversary October  Plan a history-themed meeting  Schedule an open house for the community  Document your club’s history  Get FREE resources at toastmasters.org/90thAnniversary