From a humble beginning in 1924 at the YMCA in Santa Ana, California, Toastmasters International has grown to become a world leader in helping people become more competent and comfortable in front of an audience. The nonprofit organization now has nearly 250,000 members in more than 12,500 clubs in 106 countries, offering a proven – and enjoyable – way to practice and hone communication and leadership skills.

 

At meetings, members practice and  learn skills

by filling a meeting role ranging from presenting a
prepared  speech or an impromptu one to serving
as timer, ah counter, 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.

 

     Monument Toastmasters Dinner Club #898 was chartered almost sixty years ago on November 1950.  It is named after the Washington Monument and the club number is the number of steps in the Monument.  The members began holding meetings in January 1950, but waited until November to charter in order to received the 898 number.  Monument Toastmasters is the second oldest continous club in Distrct 36. 

 

      Our members come from a broad range of backgrounds, ages, social, and educational levels.  The club is open to the community.  Meetings last about two hours and includes table topics, dinner break, prepared speeches, evaluations, mentoring,  and announcements.  During the meeting, we order dinner from the wide-ranging Italian menu.  Our club has a unique timing light that is shaped after the Washington Monument.  Several members are advanced Toastmasters, DTMs-Distinguished Toastmasters, dual club members, teach at Toastmasters Leadership Institute, and have held district level positions. 

 

    Monument Toastmasters has achieved Presidential Distinguished "Perfect Ten" status for 2009-2010.  This was the result of an outstanding collective effort from all club members.  It is the first time that the club has been awarded this distinction.  This was done as a tribute to the original founding members for the upcoming sixieth club anniversary.  All the club officers attended the winter leadership training. That effort provided Monument Toastmasters dream team status.  Only about ten percent of the District's club achieve this distinction.  This year we will celebrate our sixtieth anniversary on a date to be determine.  
  

We welcome the energy that guests and visitors bring. Please come and check out Toastmasters and see how we can help you reach YOUR goals!

 

 

 Vicino Ristorante Italiano

959 Sligo Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 588-3372