Goals bond people. 
Nicomachean Ehtics. Aristotle, a thinker sometimes cited as the master of them that know, liked to identify categories for things in life. He was an empirical, analytical genius, and polymath who contributed to the development of the process we know as the scientific method and is credited with establishing our classification system for the members of the Animal Kingdom; e.g., species, genus, phylum, etc. The philosopher brought this same powerful thoughtfulness to his examination of human relationships. To paraphrase one of Aristotle’s notes (or perhaps one of his student’s), the philosopher described the highest level of friendship as the relationship between individuals who share an appreciations for beautiful, worthy things.
One of the most interesting aspects of Toastmasters is the speed at which members are bonded to each other. Friendships among Toastmasters tend to form fast and last lifetimes. Why is this? Part of the reason is that when we listen to fellow Toastmasters consistently deliver speeches on their experiences, ideas and musings we gain insights into their lives at a rapid pace that is not similar to many other social scenarios where we are slowly introduced to people’s personal lives if at all. The other reason Toastmasters are united in a hurry has to do with shared aspirations. Toastmasters clubs are frequently noted for their melting pot aesthetic. People of all walks of life and diverse ages mix with a pleasant ease that should not be taken for granted. Communication and leadership skills are virtues; the mastery of these virtues are among the highest aspirations that humans can aim for. These are the shared goals that link all Toastmasters. As Toastmasters work through the program with consistency they often find that helping others to achieve their educational goals is as important, or more important, than achieving their own; the two streams of momentum, working towards one’s own achievements and those of others, flow together into one effort.
What is your favorite thing about Toastmasters? This question is not an uncommon topic of conversations among members. Table topics is a common response. Or networking. Or contests. After four years of membership; I have realized that my favorite benefit this program offers is the opportunity to become friends with interesting individuals who life might not otherwise have shepherded you to cross paths with. In particular, I am consistently grateful for the fact that Toastmasters shatters the social divide we are so often subtly accepting of based upon age groups. People are frequently grouped by age. There are names for our generations, adult and kid tables at our holiday celebrations, and communities for citizens 55 and older. From a young age school and recreational activities program us to be comfortable socializing with people our age. In many scenarios these divisions can be appropriate and good. But by young adulthood people should look for opportunities to interact with elders who are not necessarily family members but who can be profound-positive influences and mentors. Older citizens, of course, have much to offer those at earlier phases of personal and professional development, but it isn’t always easy to reach out, to connect. Toastmasters is an outstanding organization for making these highly-meaningful types of relationships and interactions a part of members’ day to day lives. Since joining toastmasters four years ago I have met so many enthusiastic, encouraging friends of all ages; many younger than me; most older (I am 31 by the way). These friends have opened my eyes to excellent ideas, guided me to accomplishments and inspired me to grow in terms of confidence and the ability to communicate with and lead others. I look forward to getting to know many more Toastmasters in the future and to supporting each other in our paths towards our shared goals.