Members of Chennai Toastmasters Club in their 975th meeting. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Toastmasters meet each Sunday with members of their respective clubs. Today, Chennai Toastmasters Club (CTM) will also have its meeting as usual, but something will happen in the meeting which will not be usual; This is a very unusual thing. It’s not like every Sunday you can call your “1000th” meeting. Today, these Toastmasters can: This is the 1000th meeting of the CTM since its establishment in 2004.
The Chennai Toastmasters Club (CTM), which largely serves Anna Nagar and surrounding areas, although people from elsewhere are also affiliated, is directly affiliated with Toastmasters International.
According to a press release, CTM has the distinction of being the first Toastmasters Club in Tamil Nadu. A community club open to all, CTM has contributed to the remarkable growth of the Toastmasters movement in the region, which now boasts over 175 clubs across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
Neena John, professional speaker, coach and author, displays the award received by Chennai Toastmasters Club at the annual Toastmasters meeting, Discover. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
CTM is often called the “Lighthouse Club” of Tamil Nadu with good reason. Its early members laid the foundation of the Toastmasters movement in the state by shaping core principles, practices, and procedures. Over the years, the club has produced many district leaders and champions, further strengthening its legacy, the press release said.
Today, CTM consists of approximately 40 active members, each of whom embodies the Toastmasters spirit of growth, learning and camaraderie. Members represent diverse backgrounds, ranging from students to housewives, chartered accountants to IT professionals and entrepreneurs and Gen Z youth to senior citizens. The release said the club has played a significant role in facilitating personal and professional growth, with many members achieving excellence in the corporate and entrepreneurial sectors.
As Chennai Toastmasters Club is set to cross the important milestone of 1000 meetings – no, talking about the past, it needs to be noted that only a few clubs across the world have achieved this distinction.
CTM boasts a deep competition of acclaimed Toastmasters over the years. The list includes professional speaker, coach and author Nina John; and the late Abraham Zakaria, chartered accountant and member of the WCC Board of Studies and several other institutions. All those interested in attending the important meeting of CTM can call either of these two numbers (94441 86014/99620 50708) or register at https://tinyurl.com/CTM1000. On-the-spot registration is also possible at the venue (Sterling Club, Railway Officers Club, Sterling Road, Nungambakkam).
published – November 16, 2025 08:07 am IST