In a survey of worst fears, public speaking was second only to death. Many years ago, Dr. Ralph C. Smedley recognized the need to overcome this fear. In October 1924, a group of men led by Dr. Smedley met in the basement of the YMCA in Santa
Tally Ho ToastmastersNeighborhood: 11315 Falls RoadPotomac, MD 20853 Ana, California. Their purpose? To form an association “to afford practice and training in the art of public speaking and in presiding over meetings, and to promote sociability and good fellowship among its members.” They called themselves “Toastmasters.” The innovative group was onto something. Soon, men in other communities asked for assistance in forming Toastmasters chapters of their own. By 1930, a federation was necessary to coordinate activities of the many clubs and provide a standard program. When a speaking club in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada, expressed interest in forming a Toastmasters club, the group became known as Toastmasters International.Growing Strong For many years, Toastmasters International met in rented office spaces. In 1962, the Toastmasters International staff moved to its first World Headquarters building in Santa Ana, California, not far from where the first club began. By the late 1980s, however, this building could no longer adequately house the growing staff needed to provide services to the growing number of Toastmasters. In 1990, World Headquarters relocated to a new building in Rancho Santa Margarita. The building is designed to accommodate Toastmasters International’s expected growth well into the 21st century. On A Roll
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