Lamorinda Club Celebrates Toastmasters International's 90th Anniversary

Ninety years ago, when Toastmasters founder, Dr. Ralph C. Smedley held the first meeting in the basement of a YMCA in Santa Ana, Calif., USA, only a few people showed up.

Now, with membership exceeding 313,000 in more than 14,650 clubs in 126 countries, Toastmasters International continues to build on Dr. Smedley’s foundation of teaching public speaking and leadership skills.

Alan Koenigsberg of Lafayette and Carlos Moreno of Concord have been member of Lamorinda Toastmasters for 2 years and close to 1 year respectively.Both credit Lamorinda Toastmasters for helping them to recently win the area’s Division Humorous Contest in Evaluation and Speaking respectively.

“Since joining Lamorinda Toastmasters, I have gained new skills in speaking and evaluation, completed my Competent Communicator and grown in confidence,” says Koenigsberg. “I recommend Toastmasters for anyone looking to improve their communication and leadership skills.”

Dr. Smedley said, “The unprepared speaker has the right to be afraid,” which is why Toastmasters teaches the art of preparation. Toastmasters clubs provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth.

Clubs around the world will celebrate Toastmasters’ 90th anniversary with special meetings. Locally, Lamorinda Toastmasters Club, which meets at Temple Isaiah on Tuesday’s at 7:30pm will host a special themed meeting and Open House on November 18th.

The general public is invited to come to the Open House and visit a meeting and learn more about what Toastmasters has to offer. Please contact Michael Merriman at (510) 910-5817 for more information. The club’s website is http://lamorinda.toastmastersclubs.org

About Toastmasters International

Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of meeting locations. Headquartered in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, the organization’s membership exceeds 313,000 in more than 14,650 clubs in 126 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people of all backgrounds become more confident in front of an audience. For information about local Toastmasters clubs, visit www.toastmasters.org. Follow @Toastmasters on Twitter.