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. We are a unique local chapter of Toastmasters International chartered on October 1st, 1998 in McAllen, TX. What makes our chapter unique is that we are the only bilingual/bicultural club in the United States. We meet twice a month in English and twice a month in Spanish.
Pictured above L-R: Guillermo, Rafael, Laura, Paul, Sy, J ay, Pam, Martin, Andrea
Today, Toastmasters International is a non-profit organization which gives its members the opportunity to develop and improve their public speaking abilities through local club meetings, training seminars and speech contests. Toastmasters International includes more than 226,000 men and women in 11,500 clubs in more than 92 countries*.
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 public speaking in English or Spanish in a friendly, comfortable environment with people who are there for the same reason you areto become better communicators.
At Toastmasters, members learn by speaking to groups and working with others in a supportive environment. Our typical Toastmasters club is made up of 10 to 18 people who meet once a week for about an hour and thirty minutes. Each meeting gives everyone an opportunity to practice conducting meetings, giving impromptu speeches, presenting prepared speeches, and offering constructive evaluation.
University of Texas-Pan American
Edinburg, TX
Marialice Shary Shivers Administration Building
Every Tuesday, 7:00 PM
Accolades:
President's Distinguished Club, 2001-2002
President's Distinguished Club, 2003-2004
President's Distinguished Club, 2004-2005
Distinguished Club Award, 2006-2007
Distinguished Club Award, 2008-2009
Phoenix Award
Governor's Club Award
Club Membership Award
Home Club of the Area Governor Award, 2003
Home Club of the Area Governor Award, 2005
District 55 Conference Award, Spring 2004
District 55 Conference Award, Fall 2004
Founder's Award
Smedley Award, 2003-2004
Smedley Award, 2004-2005
Beat the Clock Award, 2003-2004
Beat the Clock Award, 2004-2005
*www.toastmasters.org, June 2008
