If you are like most people, public speaking is not your favorite pastime. Yet survey after survey shows that presentation skills are crucial to success in the work place. The person with strong communication skills has a clear advantage over tongue-tied colleagues – especially in a competitive job market. Many people pay thousands of dollars for seminars to gain the skill and confidence necessary to face an audience. But there’s another option that is less expensive and held in high regard in business circles – Toastmasters International. This organization has been around for nearly 80 years and offers a proven – and enjoyable! – way to practice and hone the communication and leadership skills of its members.

From one club started in 1924 at the YMCA in Santa Ana, California, Toastmasters has grown to become the world’s leading organization helping people conquer their pre-speech jitters. Since that first club was organized by Dr. Ralph C. Smedley, nearly four million men and women have enjoyed the benefits of Toastmasters membership. The nonprofit organization now has approximately 211,000 members in 10,500 clubs in 90 countries.