District 2 Toastmasters Information

District 2 covers approximately 180 Toastmasters clubs throughout Western Washington: Kent, WA to the Canadian Border. Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, the organization's membership exceeds 300,000 in more than 15,800 clubs in 149 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators, and leaders. Most Toastmasters meetings are comprised of approximately 20 people who meet weekly for an hour or two. Participants practice and learn skills by filling a meeting role, ranging from giving a prepared speech or an impromptu one to serving as timer, evaluator or grammarian. There is no instructor; instead, each speech and meeting is critiqued by a member in a positive manner, focusing on what was done right and what could be improved. Good communicators tend to be good leaders. Some well-known Toastmasters alumni include: * Peter Coors of Coors Brewing Company * Debbi Fields, founder of Mrs. Fields Cookies * Tom Peters, management expert and author * Linda Lingle, Governor of Hawaii