The motif of ToastMaster club is “to afford practice and training in the art of public speaking and presiding over meetings, to promote sociability and good fellowship among its members”
The first club was formed in October 1924, when a group of men assembled by Dr. Ralph C Smedly met in the basement of Santa Ana
The first issue of “The Toastmaster” magazine was released in April 1933.
The basic training for communication and leadership program was introduced in 1942.
Membership in Toastmasters International increased rapidly after the end of World War II, and by 1954 the number of Toastmasters clubs had approached 1500.
Just like the award/reward programs in other institutions, Toastmaster club also encourages its members by giving awards.
The first Able Toastmaster Award (ATM) was started in 1964.
In 1968, the first Competent Toastmaster Award (CTM) was given for completing Basic Manual i.e. for completing 10 speech projects.
In 1970, the first Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award was issued. This is the highest award in Toastmaster club.
In 1973, Toastmasters club membership was opened to women, enabling them to benefit also from self-development in communication and leadership.
In 1981, The Accredited Speaker Program began and in 1982, membership reached 100000.
In 1984, The Communication and Leadership Program manual was revised, and two new educational awards were initiated: the ATM Bronze (ATB-B) and ATM Silver (ATM-S). Later on the ATM Gold (ATM-G) was introduced.
In 1993, the high performance leadership program manual was issued.
Later over 10,500 clubs and more than 200,000 members in approximately 90 countries joined the International stature
The Toastmaster emblem was introduced in 1928 and it was very simple design. The process of developing formal organization in 1931, some Toastmasters felt the need of distinctive emblem. The word “Orators” was present in top of the emblem. The word “Orator” is a Latin word and the meaning of this word is “Public Speaker”. In 1941, this emblem was changed little bit and the word Orators replaced “Toastmasters”.
During our toastmaster experience, we will have an opportunity to serve in many capacities. By participating in all functions, we will receive well-rounded experience in communication and leadership. Toastmasters wear many hats.
They are
1. Speaker – Preparation is essential to be successful when you are the speaker.
2. Evaluator – The purpose of the evaluation is to help the speaker become less self-conscious and a better speaker.
3. Timer – The timer is the member responsible for keeping track of time.
4. Table topic master – The purpose of this hat is to have members “think on their feet” and speak for a minute or so.
5. General evaluator – is responsible for evaluation of the session as a whole. The evaluation team consists of timer, grammarian, ah counter and table topics evaluator if your club has one.
6. Toastmaster – acts as a host and conducts the entire program, including introducing the participants.
7. Grammarian – Grammarian is truly an exercise in expanding your listening skills.
8. Ah counter – ah counter is to note words and sounds used as a “crutch” or “pause filler” by anyone who speaks during the meeting.
