October 22 Is Toastmasters' 87th Birthday!   The first official Toastmasters meeting was held on Santa Ana, California, on October 22, 1924.

When people hear the word “basement,” they’re not likely to picture the home of a global communication and leadership-development organization. But a basement in the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), in Santa Ana, California, is exactly where Ralph C. Smedley held the first meeting of what would eventually become Toastmasters International. 

At that first Toastmasters meeting, members practiced speaking skills in a supportive, informal atmosphere. The seedling club blossomed. Then another sprung up in nearby Anaheim. Word spread about Smedley’s experiment and soon people in other communities, and even other states, began to request permission and help to start their own Toastmasters meetings. 

Felice Miranda joined Barrhaven Toastmasters 7 years ago to improve her speaking skills and to gain confidence speaking to larger groups. Today, she is a confident speaker who delivers the speeches to 200 people at United Way campaign and is interviewed on the YouTube video show.

Toastmasters has given me the confidence and has helped with my communication skills to allow me to be interviewed and to speak in front of large crowds. Toastmasters is a valuable program for everyone on so many levels.
-- Felice Miranda

 Barrhaven Toastmasters Club will be holding Year-end party to celebrate the success of 2010-2011 Toastmaster year.

It was extremely busy evening at Barrhaven Toastmasters club on May 11, 2011. 

Congratulations to all who were elected as the club officers for the Toastmaster year 2011-2012.

Business Meeting Results - Sep 29, 2010

Motion to reduce meeting time to 90 minutes, drop "Finesmaster", and add "Jokemaster" and "Toast" roles was passed.

Motion to change meeting start time to 7:15 PM did not pass. Meeting time will be 7 PM to 8:30 PM.

Congratulations to all who participated in Barrhaven Club Speech Contest. We had very successful contest meeting on Sep 22. 5 contestants competed in Evaluation Contest and 4 contestants competed in Humorous Speech Contest. Heather Pardon was the winner of Evaluation Contest, and Gord Bell was the winner of Humorous Speech contest. They are representing our club at the area 3 contest on Oct 6.

Thank you for all contest officials, guests, and members who helped in the success of the contest meeting.

“We must become the change we want to see”, these word by Mahatma Gandhi apply to all those who yearn for things to be different. With that in mind, I invite each and every member of our club to be the change they wish to see in the club. If you like well attended and high-energy meetings, then attend often and bring your passion. If you learn from good speakers and evaluators, then strive to excel and become a role model for others. If you enjoy the company of others, come with a positive attitude and celebrate each other’s progress. Our theme for the year is - COMMIT to excellence, CONNECT with your audience, and CELEBRATE your success. Your new executive will work hard to create a supportive and enjoyable learning environment. We have a great location, several experienced mentors, and a wonderful mix of new members. Go ahead, challenge yourself, and be the change you’d like to see in yourself, in others, in the club, in the community, in the world!

Hello Toastmasters,

Two of our Toastmasters, Felice and Rattan, are going to the next level of competition on Sunday March 28.

Congratulation Felice & Rattan,

Sivas Premjeyanth

Vice President - Public Relations

Barrhaven Toastmasters Club will be hosting an open house on Wednesday Feb 4, 7:00pm at Southpointe Community Centre located at 220 stoneway drive.
If public speaking frightens you or you would like to improve public speaking skills, Toastmasters club is for you.
We invite you to come and enjoy an educational and fun evening and find out what Toastmasters club is all about!