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A BRIEF HISTORY OF TOASTMASTERS AND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CLUB 200
Written by Ed Manes, Distinguished Toastmaster

Toastmaster International owes its existence to the YMCA, for it was in the basement of their building in Santa Ana, California on Wednesday evening, October 22, 1924 that the first meeting was called to order by Dr. Ralph Smedley, the Secretary for the YMCA. He had been working with young men’s groups at various Y’s since 1905, using communication programs that challenged them to learn by doing and improving through practice and criticism. But the group in Santa Ana proved to be the one to endure and grow and benefit millions of men and women all over the world.

Now Toastmasters is a worldwide organization, but the guiding purpose has remained the same as it was in those early days: to provide practice and training in communication and leadership development through better listening, thinking and speaking in an atmosphere of sociability and good fellowship.

The following quote by Dr. Ralph Smedley shows the bedrock type of thinking that underlies the Toastmaster principle –“Education is our business. It has been so from the beginning. I do not know just why or how I happened to hit upon the idea that adult education could be handled in a social atmosphere, entirely apart from the formal classroom and standard academic procedure; but in some way I got the notion, and I have lived to see it not only recognized, but actually used, in circles where it was frowned upon a generation ago. There was evident agreement in my mind with the thought which Shakespeare had expressed long before when he caused one of his characters to say: ‘No profit grows where is no pleasure taken.’”

The growth of Toastmasters was remarkable. By 1927 there were six clubs. In 1932 the number was up to 19 clubs located in California, Arizona, Washington and British Columbia, Canada. By 1934 the number had increased to 28 clubs with one of them in Florida. The end of 1940 brought club number to 177 into being. Then on April 28th, 1941 Club 200 was chartered. The chartering event was celebrated with a banquet held at the Rosemead Woman’s Club House in Rosemead, California on Wednesday evening, June 18th, 1941. Dr Ralph Smedley was there to present the Charter to Club President Loren F. Philips. Two hundred guests enjoyed dinner with entertainment by the Melody Bird Whistlers. There were speeches by club members and Sheldon Hayden, the President of Toastmasters International. In the early days, Club 200 was called Rosemead Toastmasters and they met at the Ella Cinder’s Grill in San Gabriel. Within a few years they grew ambitious and changed their name to The San Gabriel Valley Toastmasters Club and began to meet at the Wissler’s Restaurant in San Gabriel. In1967 Club 200 won the honor of being the Distinguished Club of the Area at all three levels – Area, Division and District. In recognition of this accomplishment they adopted the nickname “Action Club 200”

Significant Dates

1964 – The first President’s summer B-B-Que held on Ed Gallasch’s yacht.
1966 – Adopted the motto “When you’re green you‘re growing.”
1967 – Club 200 goes to jail with joint meeting with club in men’s prison at Chino
1970 – A member died of a heart attack while sitting in his chair during meeting.
1971 – Club 200 helps start Club Sabor, A Spanish speaking TM club in El Monte.
1973 – In January Wissler’s Restaurant became Bruckmeier’s Bavarian Inn.
1977 – The Andrews Sisters (in the form of three TM members) entertain Christmas           Party Guests by singing and dancing to “You Call Everybody Sweetheart.”
1980 – Two club members help start club 4279 in Los Angeles for young           professionals.
1983 – Club 200 helps start the Von’s Toastmaster Club in Temple City.
1991 – Celebrated the 50th anniversary with a big party at the Barvarian Inn. Over           fifty people in attendance including past members and the District Governor.
1991 – In June, changed club by-laws to admit women as members.
2001 – Bavarian Inn closes and club moved to Baker’s Square Restaurant, Alhambra.
2004 – Baker's Square closes and club moved to Colonial Kitchen in San Marino.

San Gabriel Valley Toastmasters Club has a rich history and members enjoy looking back over it for the many experiences and traditions which it contains. They also enjoy looking forward to the many experiences and friends that are in the future. If you are a visitor looking at this site, please consider coming for a visit and you may become one of those friends we are waiting to meet.