29 May

“The Conspiracy” was the title of Noel O’Connor’s speech at the Speakeasy Toastmasters Meeting on Thursday May 15’th. The aim of Noel’s speech was “Bringing History to Life” in which he had to “understand the purpose of stories of historical events or people and to use the storytelling skills developed in the proceeding projects.” “ The topic I am covering tonight is The Donaraile Conspiracy,” said Noel as he went on to tell us that the story started in the year 1829 and it had its origins in the days of the White boys which started in Co. Tipperary. Noel then went on to tell us of the people involved in the conspiracy, how it evolved and how it ended in the courts with the famous Daniel O’Connell defending, successfully most of those charged. Noel presented many fascinating facts and dates all delivered without the use of notes.
Claire O’Keeffe evaluated Noel’s speech.
Michael Cronin was next to the lectern with an advanced speech from The Speciality Speeches Manual, Stage 3. Sell A Product in which he had to “understand the relationship of sales technique and persuasion.”. The title of Michael’s speech was “The Prescription”. “I have the answer, something that will inspire, invigorate, make you happy, give you wisdom, and even at times make you very mad and no it’s not a new wonder drug from the Pfizer Corporation” began Michael. Who went on to explain that for the most of us quotations were what we saw at the bottom of a calendar page but tonight he had the answer and he was going to sell it to us. It was “The Little Book” series of quotations in which there were six books, “one for every mood that we may have” Michael read a selection of quotations from the books, such as. “George W Bush on Pollution, “It isn’t pollution that’s harming the environment it’s the impurities in our air and water that are doing it.” And from the Rev. Ian Paisley, “I never made an inflammatory statement in my life”
Tony O’Regan evaluated Michael’s speech.
And the final speaker of the evening was Elizabeth O’Brien with a speech entitled “What’s Another Year?” Elizabeth was completing her 41’st Toastmasters speech and qualified for the Advanced Toastmaster-Gold Award. Elizabeth told us that it was 8 years ago since she gave her first speech in Toastmasters. She then brought us on a journey over the last 8 years telling us of her achievements both in Toastmasters and outside culminating in her recent marriage to William Healy, also a member of Speakeasy Toastmasters. Her fellow Club members enjoyed immensely, all of Elizabeth’s speeches over that period of time and are eagerly looking forward to many more in the future.
Pat Sexton evaluated Elizabeth’s speech.
Angela Sheehan then conducted a Table Topics session with a difference. Instead of her giving the members a topic to speak on she allowed them to choose one themselves by dipping into a paper bag (recyclable of course) and speaking for two minutes on the word that they picked out. “Stress” was the lucky dip word that William Healy choose for himself. “Tidy Towns,” was the topic that Ray Ryan got. Tim Ahern pulled “Mobile Phones” from the bag and “Tipping” was Pat Sexton’s topic.
Joan Lenihan conducted the evaluation session in which all the speakers received feedback from their assigned Evaluators who were in turn evaluated by Joan. Joan also evaluated the meeting as a whole and then presented ribbons to Micháel McMahon for best speech, Kieran Buckley for Best Evaluation and Pat Sexton for best topic.
The Speakeasy Toastmasters Club meet tonight, Thursday May 29’th in the Hibernian Hotel, Chapel Lane, for the last meeting of this season. It is the Club’s CTM night in which a number of members will receive their Competent Toastmasters Award.
As always, Guests/Members of the public are very welcome to attend Club meetings and will never be asked to speak. 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