Tauranga Toastmasters’ 50 years of service

Founded by Ralph Smedley in October 1924 in Santa Ana, California, Toastmasters’ mission statement is to 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.

Ralph worked for the YMCA, and there he realised many of the young men needed training in the art of public speaking. He felt he could provide an effective format so he invited four men to his house, asking each to prepare a four minute speech and present it on the night, when they would evaluate each other’s presentation in a non-threatening manner.

He developed what’s called the “C. R. C.” Toastmasters Structure of Evaluation:

Commend the speaker on what they did well, Recommend how the speaker could improve, Commend what the speaker did well.

Evaluations are delivered in the third person; hence the entire audience becomes inclusive.

The First Toastmasters in New Zealand was charted in Dunedin 1962 and still operates today, and Tauranga Toastmasters was the nineteenth club to set up nationally.

Up until 1973, all clubs were men only. The women rattled a few on arrival, bringing with them a fresh style of speech delivery, genuine passion, and modern-day realism.

As Tauranga Toastmaster’s most senior member, I confess it took me thirty years to join from when it was suggested and I regret to this day that I let all that time go by. Being able to speak in public and having the confidence to do so would have been a major asset in my working life. One of the most amazing things about toastmasters is the diversity of its members.

1st October marks a golden celebration for Tauranga and we express heart filled thanks for all past, present, and future Toastmasters.

Alan holding club banners with ribbons. Toastmasters International recognises clubs for their performance in education, communication and leadership achievements. PHOTO: Supplied.