29 aug

Speakeasy Toastmasters

Committee for 2002/2003
President, Pat Sexton. Immediate Past President, Dermot Meaney. Educational Vice President, Pat Duggan. Secretary, Angela Sheehan. P.R.O. Seán Corcoran. Teasurer Jerry Mulcahy. Membership, Tony O’Regan. Sgt. At Arms, Kay O’Keeffe and Elaine O’Donovan.

Presidents Distinguished Club Award
Speakeasy Toastmaster Club have been awarded the Presidents Distinguished Club Award for 2002. The Club has earned this award for achieving all 10 goals in the Club Awards Scheme. Speakeasy is one of only 6 Club’s out of 120 in the Division, which encompasses all Ireland and Britain, to have achieved this.
It is one of a number of such Club Awards that Speakeasy has achieved in it’s 10 year history.

What is Toastmasters all about?
When the word "Toastmasters" and/or "Public Speaking" is mentioned in conversation it conjures up a vision in most people of a someone speaking in front of a crowd at a political rally or demonstration or delivering a lecture, debating etc, and the usual thought in a persons mind would be, "I'd never be doing that".
But in reality most people find themselves quiet frequently in situations where they would have to "speak in public".
At work, worker management meetings, union meetings etc. Outside the workplace there are various committees or organizations that people are involved in, such as Community Councils, Sports Bodies, Parent Teachers Meetings etc. The list is endless.
All of these are situations were people "speak in public". There are various different skills involved in speaking at meetings (or even on a one to one basis) no matter what the occasion is, and knowing and using these skills can mean the difference in getting your point across to others and decisions to go your way or not being heard at all.
Just some of these skills are, "Vocal Variety", do you speak in a monotone? Or is your voice too quiet or maybe you shout.
Do you speak too fast or drawl?
What is your "body language" like? Do you keep your hands in your pockets or your arms folded or fiddle with a pen as you speak?
When you speak do you "show enthusiasm"?
Do you look into a person's face as you speak or look at the ceiling or your shoes?
If you are unexpectedly asked a question could you reply?
Do you really listen to what others are saying?
Hibernian Hotel
These are the skills that are learned in "Toastmasters International" and in Mallow, "The Speakeasy Toastmasters Club" meet in the Hibernian Hotel on alternate Thursday nights.
The atmosphere at "Speakeasy" meetings is one of enjoyment and fun. Meetings are held jointly with other Clubs and members visit other Clubs so new friends are made.
If you would like to know more about what Toastmasters can do for you, come along to one of our meetings where members of the public are very welcome.
The first meeting this autumn is on the 5’th of September at 8 p.m. Further information at 086 6054784 after 6pm.
or visit our regularly updated Web Site at “www.clix.to/speakeasy”

22 aug

Club Meetings resume on September 5’th.
The incoming committee of the Mallow based Speakeasy Toastmasters Club held their first meeting at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow on Monday 19’th of August to arrange the Club's activities for the coming year.
The Club will hold 18 regular meetings during the year plus visits to other Clubs and contest nights.
This is a very special year for Speakeasy Toastmasters as the Club is celebrating its 10'th anniversary
Brief Club History.
The first Toastmasters demonstration meeting was held in The Hibernian Hotel on October 1'ST 1992.
In March '93 "Speakeasy" is chosen as the Club's name and in April the Club is officially created.
The first club President was Joe O'Connor and Pat Sexton was elected Area Governor.
In October, Kieran Buckley won the Area Final of the Table Topics and Matt Lawlee won both the Area and Division finals of the Humorous Speech contest.
Kieran and Matt were the first of a long line of Club Members to distinguish themselves and their Club at these prestigious Toastmaster competitions.
In its 10 year history the Club has won many Achievement Awards within Toastmasters International and also has produced two books of speeches.
The first in October 1994 titled, "Unaccustomed as I am" which was launched by Brian Crowley MEP and the second in November 1999, titled, "Sin Scéil Eile" (That's Another Story), launched by Robert Walsh of County Sound (103FM)
Both these books contain a collection of speeches given by club members at club meetings.
In May 1994, the first of the Club's Mystery Tours took place, which is the annual outing of club's members.