The Aim of the ASC

The Association of Speakers Clubs exists to improve the art of speaking in public, and to promote, encourage and develop proficiency in the spoken word.

Origins

The Association of Speakers Clubs (ASC) has its origins in Toastmasters International, an American organisation formed by Ralph C. Smedley in 1904. The movement spread across the Atlantic in 1935, with the first British branch being formed in Southport. Development followed quickly throughout Scotland and England until 1971, when the British clubs decided to form a separate organisation and The Association of Speakers Clubs was formed. Since that date, ASC has grown into a national organisation of nearly 200 Clubs throughout the U.K.

Organisation

The U.K. is divided into 8 Districts which are in turn divided into Areas. Each Area contains between 3 and 9 clubs. The affairs of the ASC are governed by decisions of the General Council which meets annually to determine the management and development strategy of the Association. The Council is comprised of delegates from every chartered ASC club in the country. The annual conference is part business and part social. At the AGM itself members hear their officers report on the business of the Association and all delegates can express their views (and often do !). At the same event, National Contests for both Speech and Evaluation are held, at which members demonstarte the skills they have developed through the educational programmes conducted within their clubs.

The Association is administered by the National Executive Committee, which consists of the National President, National Secretary, Treasurer, Development Officer and Education Director, together with certain other appointed officers and, most importantly, the President and Vice-President of each District.

Each District, Area and Club has its own management organisation to ensure that Clubs and members receive information, help and the opportunity to develop expertise in preparing speeches, gaining confidence and speaking in public to the best of their personal ability.

Clubs may choose to be mixed, men only or ladies only, according to their local needs and membership preferences. There is also provision for affiliated membership for other clubs who have empathy with the aims of the Association but for some reason are not able, or do not wish, to seek full membership.