The mission of a Toastmasters Club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every member has the opportunity to develop communication and leadership skills, which in turn fosters self-confidence and personal growth.Some people join Toastmasters to overcome their fear of public speaking while others join to enhance their speaking and leadership skills ... building skills for the future.Dr. Ralph C. Smedley, who conceived and developed the idea of helping others to speak more effectively, established the first Toastmasters club on October 22, 1924, in Santa Ana, California. More clubs were formed, and Toastmasters International was incorporated under California law on December 19, 1932.Its World Headquarters, located in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, administers Toastmasters International's business and services. It employs no paid promoters or instructors. It has no salaried staff except the Executive Director and World Headquarters staff, who provide services to the clubs and Districts.The Barnum Square Toastmasters Chapter of Toastmasters International was chartered on May 22, 2002. They meet every Tuesday at the Municipal Center in Bethel, Connecticut from Noon until 1:00pm.Barnum Square Toastmasters Club #1701 is part of District 53 , A 2004-2005 Distinguished District, serving over 100 Clubs.The first speech a Toastmaster gives is the Ice Breaker Speech. Click on the link below to find out more about the first of many wonderful speeches you can give on your way to become an accomplished public speaker.
