Dr. Ralph C. Smedley wanted to help men that he had met over the course of business to inprove their public speaking and presiding over meetings.  He decided that he would form a club “to afford practice and training in the art of public speaking and in presiding over meetings, and to promote sociability and good fellowship among its members.” The group took the name “Toastmasters.”  Crossroads Toastmasters is a local chapter of the larger organization, Toastmasters International.  The organization has grown to include mover than 200,000 members in more than 10,000 clubs all over the world.

We want to provide our members the opportunity to develop and improve their public speaking skills through local club meetings, training seminars and speech contests. We want to provide an atmosphere where the member feels comfortable to practice their skills in a non threatening environment. 

Experienced professionals and beginning speakers alike can benefit from our practical, face-to-face learning program. Whether you're speaking to the board of directors, your customers, your co-workers or your kids, Toastmasters can help you do it better. You'll learn and practice in a friendly, comfortable environment with people who are there for the same reason you are—to become better communicators.

At Toastmasters, members learn by speaking to groups and working with others in a supportive environment. Our club has 9 or 10 members attending the weekly meeting. Each meeting gives everyone an opportunity to practice conducting meetings, giving impromptu speeches, presenting prepared speeches, and offering constructive evaluation.