Ralph Smedley founded Toastmasters on October 22, 1924 in Santa Ana, CA. Club number 1 still exists today as the first official club of Toastmasters International.
Chartered on September 20, 1944, South Bay Toastmasters Club 280 is one of the longest-standing clubs in the world and one of the largest Toastmasters clubs in the Los Angeles area. With a vibrant history and a strong commitment to growth, we continue to welcome 15 to 20 members and guests every week at our dynamic meetings.
Located in Torrance, California, our club proudly serves both local members and those beyond the area—including members from Seattle and even as far as Japan! 🌍 Our community is rich in diversity and inclusivity, so no matter who you are or where you’re from, you’ll always feel welcomed, supported, and encouraged to grow.
Are you looking to improve your public speaking, boost your confidence, and develop leadership skills? You've come to the right place! At South Bay Toastmasters, we provide a friendly and supportive environment where you can grow at your own pace.
✅ We meet every Wednesday from 7-9 PM
🔹 Online via Zoom (Every Wednesday)
🔹 Hybrid (Zoom + In-Person at Levy Adult School, Torrance) (1st & 3rd Wednesday)
🌟 Join as a guest for FREE—stay as long as you like!
To join us at this week's meeting, please contact Kevin.
Email: southbaytoastmasters@gmail.com
or call: 310 710 7926
VISIT US ON WEDNESDAY at 7:00pm - 9:00pm!
Our weekly meetings follow a timed agenda and is broken up in two sections. We encourage guests to arrive 10-15 minutes early for proper introductions. Meetings run for two hours, starting at 7:00 pm and ending at 9:00 pm.
Below is a breakdown of the meeting:
7:00 - Commence meeting (Pledge & Officer Reports)
7:10 - Introduce Toastmaster of the Evening
7:15 - Part 1: Table Topics (Impromptu Speaking))
7:50 - Review Future Agendas
8:00 - Break
8:10 - Part 2: Prepared Speeches (3 speakers)
8:30 - Evaluations (3 evaluators)
8:40 - Winners Announced
8:50 - Toastmaster returns control to President
9:00 - Meeting Adjourned
BENEFITS OF BECOMING A MEMBER
Learn to communicate more effectively
Become a better listener
Improve your presentation skills
Increase your leadership potential
Become more successful in your career
Build your ability to motivate and persuade
Reach your professional and personal goals
Increase your self confidence
If you decide to become a member, the cost is:
💳 $72 semi-annual dues
🆕 $20 one-time new member fee
Once you sign up, you’ll receive access to Toastmasters International’s Pathways program, an online learning platform with structured lessons and assignments. Choose from a variety of learning paths tailored to your communication and leadership goals—like public speaking, strategic relationships, persuasive influence, and more.