[1] Illinois Wesleyan University recognized Smedley's service to mankind by conferring him the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.)
After his graduation in 1903, he started working at the local YMCA, a place where he delivered speeches and conducted meetings as the educational director and it eventually prompted hints, ideas about the Smedley's intention of starting up an initiative by implementing a paradigm shift which later gave birth to the idea of Toastmasters.
However, he had to eventually relocate to Freeport and the lack of proper leadership and direction at the time did not allow the nascent club to grow.
He based the name on the popular word: "toastmaster" which refers to the person who gives toasts at events, gatherings and occasions.
In order to garner traction and secure expansion outside of the United States, the newly formed organization was renamed to Toastmasters International.
A couple of years later, in 1932, Toastmasters International was incorporated as a Californian non-profit organization and Smedley took multiple positions such as that of Secretary and Editor in the new association.
He pointed out to colleagues that both men's highly acclaimed radio talks succeeded because each listener felt as if he or she was an audience of one.
From there, he handled the organization's growing correspondence and distributed educational materials to clubs that were springing up across the nation and around the world.
Smedley was honored by Toastmasters International in 1956 at a national convention where he was elected president and board member for life.