What is Toastmasters International?
'''Toastmasters International''' is a global educational organization which helps to improve [[English language|English]] speaking skills and communication. In each [[social club|club]], members are led by the Toastmasters Manual to speak in front of an [[audience]] fluently, to think quickly and to react confidently. ==History== The first Toastmasters club opened on October 22, 1924, at [[Santa Ana, California]], [[United States]] by Ralph C. Smedley. It was called Smedley Club Number 1. Today there are over 13,000 clubs in 116 countries. ==Clubs, meetings and membership== A typical Toastmasters club is made up of 20 - 30 people who gather weekly throughout the year. The club meetings last for about two hours and there are many roles. The meetings generally consist of the following: *An introduction circle at the beginning of the meeting gives the members, visitors and newcomers a chance to get to know each other and briefly and express his/her opinion on a certain question presented by a Chairman *Word of the Day is an unknown or interesting word, sentence, expression that is supposed to be used during the introduction circle or during the following meeting. *Invocation is a thoughtful thanks or idea to motivate members to do our best. It is a short prepared speech. *Toast of the Day is a short prepared speech, dedicated to something or somebody the speaker considers worthy to be admired or respected. *Table Topics gives members the opportunity to participate in impromptu speech situations *Prepared speeches are based on projects from the Communication and Leadership Program Manuals *Evaluation is a part of the meeting, during which each speaker is provided with valuable feedback *Closing Thought can be a thoughtful idea or a joke to close the meeting. Anyone age 18 and above and who pays a fee can join the club and improve his/her speaking and communication skills. Roles: *Chairman opens the meeting, leads the first part of the meeting, prepares a simple question for the introduction circle, welcomes o