Please join us Tuesdays at noon!

Clara Barton Toastmasters is made up of a diverse group of individuals who work at the American Red Cross and neighboring organizations, including George Washington University and the State Department. Being based at the Red Cross National Headquarters in Washington, DC, our club is named in honor of the founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton.  We meet an hour each week to practice public speaking and improve leadership skills.

We provide a nonthreatening atmosphere that fosters self-development. Our club thrives in a cooperative, supportive, and fun environment. We were chartered 20 years ago, and we have been enthusiastically endorsed by American Red Cross CEOs.

What is Toastmasters?

Toastmasters is an international, non-profit, educational organization that helps individuals improve their communication and leadership skills.  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 in a friendly, comfortable environment with people who are there for the same reason you are—to become better communicators. Toastmasters International includes more than 199,000 men and women in more than 9,300 clubs in more than 70 countries. 

Guests are welcome to attend and observe our meetings anytime.

We think that you will find that Toastmasters in general and our club in particular to be an effective and entertaining way to help you improve your communication and leadership potential.

New members receive speech manuals and speaking tips, as well as a subscription to the Toastmasters Magazine.  As you progress, more advanced manuals are available to continually add new challenges.  The objective of each "manual speech" is different, allowing you to practice and learn new techniques and skills.  You can progress through the manuals at whatever pace you wish.

The mission of a Toastmasters Club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every individual member has the opportunity to develop oral communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth.