In October 1924, a group of men assembled by Dr. Ralph C. Smedley met in the basement of the YMCA in Santa Ana, California, U.S.A., forming 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." Soon men in other communities and states asked for permission and help to start their own Toastmasters clubs. By 1930, a federation was necessary to coordinate activities of the many clubs and to provide a standard program. When a speaking club in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada, expressed interest in forming a Toastmasters club, the group became known as Toastmasters International.
What began as a simple means of training businessmen to give eloquent after-dinner toasts has developed into the world's leading organization devoted to teaching communication and leadership skills. With its headquarters still in Southern California, Toastmasters International - now with 180,000 members in 8,600 clubs in 68 countries - is celebrating its 80th anniversary during the month of October 2004 with clubs worldwide conducting various special events in their communities.
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Immediate Past Officers of Mandaue Toastmasters Club
Officers July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005
President - Michael Gy Florentino, CTM/CL
Vice President Education - Roland Lastimosa, ATM-B
Vice President Membership - Ric Canoy, TM
Vice President Public Relations - Randy Nelson Cabahug, ATM-G
Secretary - Celerina Botel, TM
Treasurer - Hidelito Pascual, DTM
Sgt. At Arms - Kathleen Villarin, TM
Past Presidents of Mandaue Toastmasters
2004-2005 - Michael Gy Florentino, CTM/CL
2003-2004 - Flora Baring, CTM/CL
2002-2003 - Amie Pascual, CTM
2001-2002 - Nila Fidellaga, CTM
2000-2001- Eiza Bautista-Florentino, ATM-B
1999-2000 - Jed Fidellaga, ATM-B
1998-1999 - Jocelyn Lim, CTM
1997-1998 - Randy Nelson Cabahug, ATM-G
1996-1997 - Antonio Sanchez, CTM 2001-2002 - Nila Fidellaga, CTM
1995-1996 -Joseph Pritchard, ATM-B
1994-1995 -Gerardo Gestopa, Jr., CTM
