Thursday, January 30, 2003

30 Jan

Thursday 24’th of January saw the Speakeasy Toastmasters Club at the midway point of their meetings for 2002/03. President, Pat Sexton who welcomed the 34 members and guests, opened the meeting and congratulated Club Members, Micháel Dineen and Ellen Broderick who recently got engaged. Pat introduced the Toastmaster for the night, Michael Cronin who was himself completing a Toastmasters, Advanced Manual Project on Chairing a meeting. Topics Master for the evening was Joan Lenihan and Timekeeper was John Holmes.
The speeches got underway with new member, Ann Buckley giving her Icebreaker Speech. The Icebreaker is the the first speech that a member gives in a Toastmasters Club. The title of Ann’s speech was “Lifelong Learning”. “To state that Irish Society is changing rapidly is to state the obvious” said Ann. “We are surrounded by change” “Years ago children could learn from their grandparents all the knowledge and skill that they needed to live their own lives successfully”. She pointed out that no matter what our former skills and training were, we need to constantly update our skills. Ann herself took a career break and updated her skills by learning computer skills and is now in Toastmasters learning speaking skills.
Sean Corcoran evaluated Ann’s speech.
Following Ann was Michael Buckley from the Crusaders Club in Cork City with a speech entitled “Retirement”. Michael pointed out that when most people retire they settle down to life without taking part in any physical activity. He then told the story of Mary Harker who single handed sailed from Newfoundland in 21 days in a 30’ft boat and landed in Crookhaven on the 11’th of August 1994. Waiting for her was her family, reporters from various newspapers and local people. Mary wasn’t the first person to sail across the Atlatnic single handed but what set her apart from the rest was that she was 79 yrs old.
Micheal’s speech was evaluated by Micháel Dineen.
The third speaker was Louise Bourke, a Transition Year Student from Schoil Mhuire in Kanturk who is at present participating in a public speaking course and has recently participated in the Cork Mental Health Public Speaking Competition.
The title of Louise’s speech was “It is easier to build a child than to repair an adult”.
Louise began her speech by giving two examples of children being pressurised by their parents for not living up to their (parents) expectations. For wasting their lives even thought they were happy at what they were doing. “Four out of every ten people who attend their family doctor have a physiological aspect to their complaint”, said Louise, pointing out that people must have good mental health as children and children should be encouraged to be positive.
Kathleen Ganey from the Crusaders Club evaluated Louise’s speech.
Pat Duggan EVP, reminded members that the Club Evaluation Contest will take place on 20’th of February and that the Club heat of the International Speech Contest will take place on March 6’th.
Please note that our next meeting will be held in Conference Room No.2 in the Hibernian Hotel.
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

Thursday, January 23, 2003

23 Jan

The Speakeasy Toastmasters Club in Mallow resumed their forthnightly meetings on Thursday Jan. 9’th in the Hibernian Hotel (Chapel Lane). The meeting was presided over by Pat Sexton, President and Toastmaster Elizabeth O’Brien who introduced Toastmaster Noreen O’Brien from the Tomond Club in Limerick. Noreen is no stranger to members of Speakeasy and this time her speech was entitled “Which one are you?. Which was the result of research into “The Enneagram” The Enneagram is one of the newest personality systems in use, and emphasizes psychological motivations and is mainly a diagnostic tool of one's emotional outlook on life.
Fiona Herbert evaluated Noreen’s speech.
The final speech on the program was from Micháel Mc Mahon and was from the Interpretive Reading Manual. Micháel read two excerpts from play “A Man For All Seasons” by Robert Bolt in which all influential people in England during the reign of Henry VIII were forced to make a choice about what they believed. It was a time of turmoil, and King Henry VIII was about to divorce his wife against the consent of the pope, in favor of a woman named Anne Boleyn. To ensure that the children of his new wife would be the heirs to the throne, he had an act passed by Parliament.
John Stack evaluated Micheál’s speech.
Topics Master, Michael Donnegan conducted a very lively and entertaining Topics Session where members are asked to speak for two minutes on a subject chosen by the Topics Master of the evening. Some of the topics that Michael choose and the members that were asked are as follows.
“What event in 2002 do you remember most?” Seán Corcoran. “Are you looking forward to any event in 2003?” Jerry Mulcahy. “What do with unwanted Christmas Gifts?” Claire O’Keeffe. “Is there really bargains to be had in the January sales?” Margret O’Regan. “Why should people be inconvenienced by the farmers protest?” Kieran Buckley. “Should Paudi O’Shea resign?” Tony O’Regan.
General Evaluator, Tim Ahern conducted the evaluation session which is the part of the meeting where the speakers receive feedback on their speeches from other Club Members.
President, Pat Sexton welcomed Michael Sexton, Divisional Governor who addressed the meeting. Pat also made a presentation to Club Member, Kay O’Keeffe who recently got married.
The next Speakeasy Toastmasters meeting will be on Thursday 23’rd of January and on the program will be, Toastmaster, Michael Cronin, Topics Master, Joan Lenihan, Timekeeper, John Holms. Speeches will be by, Michael Buckley, Jerry Mulcahy, Tim Ahern, Michael Hyde, Ann Buckley and Grant March.
Dates for your Toastmasters Diary. Feb 20’th. Club Evaluation Contest. March 6’th, International Speech Contest. Divisional Final April 12’th and the Spring Conference in London on May 9-12’th.
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

Thursday, January 16, 2003

16 Jan

The Speakeasy Toastmasters Club in Mallow resumed their forthnightly meetings on Thursday Jan. 9’th in the Hibernian Hotel (Chapel Lane). President, Mr. Pat Sexton opened the meeting by welcoming the 34 members and 3 guests to the first meeting of 2003. Pat congratulated Club Members, Elizabeth O’Brien and William Healy who recently got engaged. Pat then handed control of the meeting to Elizabeth who was Toastmaster for the evening. Elizabeth then introduced Topics Master for the evening, Michael Donegan, Timekeeper, Deirdre Lenihan, General Evaluator, Tim Ahern and Sgt and Arms, Elaine O’Donovan and Kay O’Keeffe.
Elizabeth introduced the first speaker, Ray Ryan who was doing a Stage 2 speech. The purpose of this speech is to “Convince the audience of your earnest, sincerity and conviction of a subject you thoroughly understand” and “to confront and control and nervousness you may have”. The title of Ray’s speech was “Make Your Vote Count”.
“We posses great power, we are able to select those who govern us by the simple act of voting” began Ray who then proceeded to counter some of the arguments why people do not vote.
Mary Buckley evaluated Ray’s speech.
“A Little Less A Little More” was the title of a speech by Mary Stack. Mary, was doing a Stage 6 Speech the objectives of which are “to select precisely the right words required to communicate your ideas clearly and vividly and to avoid lengthy words and sentences and jargon. “There are more people attending classes in the month of January than any other time of the year and the classes with the largest number of members are Slimming Classes”, said Mary. Who went on to tell what is said and done in slimming classes that are taking place all over the country.
Jerry Mulcahy evaluated Mary’s speech
Next to the Lectern was Michael Cronin with a speech from the Advanced Manual entitled “Clappers”. It was the story of a recent holiday that Michael had in The Gambia, but with a difference. Instead of staying in a Hotel or Apartment he went with a travel company called Tribes Travel “where you lived with the local community, learn how they lived and have a good time”
He stayed with the Jola Tribe and over the week got a great insight how they lived, entertained themselves and the flora and fauna of the area.
Michael’s speech was evaluated by Eileen Corkery.
Dates for your Toastmasters Diary. Feb 20’th. Club Evaluation Contest. March 6’th, International Speech Contest. Divisional Final April 12’th and the Spring Conference in London on May 9-12’th.
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

Thursday, January 09, 2003

9 Jan

The Speakeasy Toastmasters Club in Mallow resumed their forthnightly meetings on Thursday Jan. 9’th in the Hibernian Hotel (Chapel Lane). President, Mr. Pat Sexton opened the meeting by welcoming the 34 members and 3 guests to the first meeting of 2003. Pat congratulated Club Members, Elizabeth O’Brien and William Healy who recently got engaged. Pat then handed control of the meeting to Elizabeth who was Toastmaster for the evening. Elizabeth then introduced Topics Master for the evening, Michael Donegan, Timekeeper, Deirdre Lenihan, General Evaluator, Tim Ahern and Sgt and Arms, Elaine O’Donovan and Kay O’Keeffe.
Elizabeth introduced the first speaker, Ray Ryan who was doing a Stage 2 speech. The purpose of this speech is to “Convince the audience of your earnest, sincerity and conviction of a subject you thoroughly understand” and “to confront and control and nervousness you may have”. The title of Ray’s speech was “Make Your Vote Count”.
“We posses great power, we are able to select those who govern us by the simple act of voting” began Ray who then proceeded to counter some of the arguments why people do not vote.
Mary Buckley evaluated Ray’s speech.
“A Little Less A Little More” was the title of a speech by Mary Stack. Mary, who hails from Newmarket was doing a Stage 6 Speech the objectives of which are “to select precisely the right words required to communicate your ideas clearly and vividly and to avoid lengthy words and sentences and jargon. “There are more people attending classes in the month of January than any other time of the year and the classes with the largest number of members are Slimming Classes”, said Mary. Who went on to tell what is said and done in slimming classes that are taking place all over the country.
Jerry Mulcahy evaluated Mary’s speech
Next to the Lectern was Michael Cronin with a speech from the Advanced Manual entitled “Clappers”. It was the story of a recent holiday that Michael had in The Gambia, but with a difference. Instead of staying in a Hotel or Apartment he went with a travel company called Tribes Travel “where you lived with the local community, learn how they lived and have a good time”
He stayed with the Jola Tribe and over the week got a great insight how they lived, entertained themselves and the flora and fauna of the area.
Michael’s speech was evaluated by Eileen Corkery.
Following Michael was guest speaker, Noreen O’Brien from the Tomond Club in Limerick. Noreen is no stranger to members of Speakeasy and this time her speech was entitled “Which one are you?. Which was the result of research into “The Enneagram” The Enneagram is one of the newest personality systems in use, and emphasizes psychological motivations and is mainly a diagnostic tool of one's emotional outlook on life.
Fiona Herbert evaluated Noreen’s speech.
The final speech on the program was from Micháel Mc Mahon and was from the Interpretive Reading Manual. Micháel read two excerpts from play “A Man For All Seasons” by Robert Bolt in which all influential people in England during the reign of Henry VIII were forced to make a choice about what they believed. It was a time of turmoil, and King Henry VIII was about to divorce his wife against the consent of the pope, in favor of a woman named Anne Boleyn. To ensure that the children of his new wife would be the heirs to the throne, he had an act passed by Parliament.
John Stack evaluated Micheál’s speech.
Topics Master, Michael Donnegan conducted a very lively and entertaining Topics Session where members are asked to speak for two minutes on a subject chosen by the Topics Master of the evening. Some of the topics that Michael choose and the members that were asked are as follows.
“What event in 2002 do you remember most?” Seán Corcoran. “Are you looking forward to any event in 2003?” Jerry Mulcahy. “What do with unwanted Christmas Gifts?” Claire O’Keeffe. “Is there really bargains to be had in the January sales?” Margret O’Regan. “Why should people be inconvenienced by the farmers protest?” Kieran Buckley. “Should Paudi O’Shea resign?” Tony O’Regan.
General Evaluator, Tim Ahern conducted the evaluation session which is the part of the meeting where the speakers receive feedback on their speeches from other Club Members.
President, Pat Sexton welcomed Michael Sexton, Divisional Governor who addressed the meeting. Pat also made a presentation to Club Member, Kay O’Keeffe who recently got married.
The next Speakeasy Toastmasters meeting will be on Thursday 23’rd of January and on the program will be, Toastmaster, Michael Cronin, Topics Master, Joan Lenihan, Timekeeper, John Holms. Speeches will be by, Michael Buckley, Jerry Mulcahy, Tim Ahern, Michael Hyde, Ann Buckley and Grant March.
Dates for your Toastmasters Diary. Feb 20’th. Club Evaluation Contest. March 6’th, International Speech Contest. Divisional Final April 12’th and the Spring Conference in London on May 9-12’th.
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