5 Dec

The Speakeasy Toastmasters Club held another very successful and entertaining meeting in The Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, (Chapel Lane) on Thursday 28’th of November. In his opening remarks, Pat Sexton complemented the members on such a large turnout despite the weather and noted that in its 10-year history the Club never had to cancel a meeting. He introduced Toastmaster Angela Sheehan and Topics Master William Healy. Angela then took over the meeting introducing the other Club Members who were performing duties on the night and explaining their functions. William Healy as Topics Master. Ray Ryan as Timekeeper, Noel O’Connor as General Evaluator. Elaine O’Donovan and Kay O’Keeffe as Sergeant at Arms.

First to the lectern was John Holmes who was making his “Icebreaker” speech. This is the first speech from the Communications and Leadership Programme. The objectives of an “Icebreaker” speech is “To begin speaking before and audience”, “To help one understand what areas require particular emphasis in your speaking development” and “To introduce yourself to your fellow Club members”. John’s speech was entitled “My Life” and he told us of his early years, falling off the clothes dryer when he was 3 and breaking his nose, going to primary school in Bweeing where he can recall vividly his first day. His struggle with asthma and eventually being finding our what caused it by having a simple skin test. He was allergic to the dust mite. So he was for years “sleeping with the enemy” John told us how he one day was persuaded to go to the races one Sunday where he met Elaine, his fiancé, who introduced him to Speakeasy Toastmasters.
John’s speech was evaluated by Mary Buckley

Next to the Lectern was John Dillon with a Stage 4 Speech entitled “3 Lessons in 15 Minutes”. The objectives of a Stage 4 speech are “To learn the value of gestures and body movements as part of a speech”, “To explore the different ways of using body language “and ”To develop a sense of timing and natural, smooth body movement”,
John told us the story of an incident that happened to him in pharmacy in O’Connell St. in Dublin, near Nelsons Pillar. One day a customer came in and asked to see a very expensive camera that was on display in the window. John demonstrated the camera, the customer said he would buy it but would pay for it by check. When the owner of the Pharmacy unexpectedly arrived back the “customer” put away his checkbook and quickly left.
Pat Duggan evaluated John’s speech.
The next meeting of the Speakeasy Toastmasters Club will be on 12’th December and the participants on the programme will be Toastmaster, Noel O’Connor, Topicsmaster, Sr, Bernadette Knopec (Fáilte Toastmasters), Timekeeper, Mary Stack.
Sgt. At Arms, Elaine O’Donovan and Kay O’Keeffe. Speeches will be by Mary Buckley, Barrry McCarthy, Sean Corcoran, Marie Fitzpatrick, Joan Lenihan and Pat Sexton. Evaluators are Tim Ahern, Dermot Meaney, Kieran Buckley and Michael McMahon.
For further information on the Club contact Sean on 086 6054784 or Pat 087 2364240 or visit the Club’s Website at www.clix.to/speakeasy. Email, speakeasymallow@eircom.net