Happy New Year

Happy New Year from Speak Easy Toastmasters and we hope you had a great Christmas. Did you make your new years resolution?….again, this year.

It is said that 90% of New Year resolutions will be discarded by the end of January and some of the reasons are, setting yourself too high a goal, not having a specific plan, keeping your resolution to yourself, not having the will power and so on.

So what about making a resolution that you really can keep, one whose goals are readily reachable and in which you will have a specific plan.

One with whom you do not have to keep to yourself and as for will power, all you need, is to want to, and you won’t believe the will power that you will achieve.

No one, but no one, will disagree that communication or lack of it is a serious issue in today’s world and it seems that face to face communication, in some situations, is a dying art.

In other words, people are not talking enough. People sending text messages instead of using their vocal chords. Even when one decides to make a phone call, you are likely to hear, “please leave your name” or the dreaded, “press 1 for accounts, 2 for repairs, “etc. People are spending hours staring bug eyed at tv or computer screens, be it at work or at home with the Xbox or ps3.

So what about in 2008 learning the art of communication? Communication is a two way process, talking and listening, meeting and interacting with people, oh yeah, I nearly forgot, enjoying yourself and having fun while you are at it.

Ok, I hear you asking, “what’s in it for me?”, why should I?”

How about this then? Personal Impact for a start.

You see, personal impact includes key elements of Communication; Presentation; Assertiveness and Influencing techniques. All these components enable you to make the impact you want. We all can improve our ability to influence others. You all cringe at that interview that went badly wrong or that appraisal you wish to forget.

Here is an opportunity to ensure that you will not repeat these experiences. In order to know making an impact works, there are a few areas you have to consider, and study.

• Knowing how and why things go wrong
• Improving your ability to influence others
• Understanding rules and conventions and boundaries
• Speaking your mind without offending
• Finding our how others see you

An awareness of all of these will increase confidence and raise self esteem. Come along to the next meeting, of Speak Easy Toastmasters, as a guest and see for yourself how we put these skills into practice. We do it in stages and in an encouraging way and you will be most welcome and don’t worry, guests are never asked to speak at a Toastmasters meeting and you can come as a guest as often as you like.

Speak Easy Toastmasters meet just once a fortnight for two hours, 7 to 10pm in The Hibernian Hotel, Mallow and our first meeting of 2008 is on Thursday, January 10^th.

Now, two hours every two weeks to learn the art of communication, meet new friends from all walks of life and all ages, and to really enjoy yourself is a must for 2008, don’t you agree?

After all, “you’re worth it”

So put Thursday, January 10’Th at 8pm, in your brand new 2008 diaries and alternate Thursdays from then on until the end of May.

Further information on Speak Easy Toastmasters can be had by visiting our website at www.speakeasytoastmasters.com

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,

“Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way” , Not only was there bells a-jingling at Speak Easy Toastmasters meeting last Thursday night in the Hibernian Hotel but the sound of glasses tinkling as members and guests were met by a combination of the delicious aroma of mulled wine and seasonal music.

There were also mince pies, Christmas crackers and a raffle during the evening.

What more could one ask for, as 30 Speak Easy members and guests enjoyed another fabulous evening which was started off by a warm welcome, from our President, Anne Buckley.

See our photo album

Sean Corcoran was our Toastmaster for the evening and he welcomed Brian McLoughlin from Mullingar Toastmasters and Conor O’Biren from The Galtees Toastmasters who were guest speakers.

First to speak was Liam Flynn with a speech entitled “The Red Planet” in which he told us some fascinating facts about Mars and its moons.

Next to the lectern was Conor O’Brien with his speech, “Experience Trumps Knowledge” A speech interspersed with anecdotes, quotes and personal experience to emphasise that you can’t beat experience.

Following Conor was Michael Walsh with an interpretive reading project which was a poem by Brendan Kenelly called “Begin”.

Next it was the turn of Brian McLoughlin with a speech entitled, “It’s only a Joke”, in which he gave us the theory of stand up comedy jokes, how they are formed and gave some brilliant examples.

Finally it was the turn of Mary Buckley who was doing a Speciality Speech called “The Roast” in which she poked fun at a toastmaster and praised at the at the same time. The subject of “The Roast” was none other than the previous speaker, Brian McLoughlin.

After the speeches it was the coffee break where we consumed those delicious mince pies and performed a most important part of any toastmaster meeting…. a chat among members and guests.

Immediately after the break it was the Table Topics Session in which Topicsmaster for the evening, Dennis Taylor got us to entertain ourselves by answering his topics. This is the part of the meeting where members hone their “speaking off the cuff” skills by talking for 2 minutes on any subject, unprepared, chosen by the Topicsmaster.

Finally, the “Evaluation Session”. This is the part of the meeting where members who gave speeches are evaluated by fellow members. The purpose of evaluations is twofold. A, to give positive feedback to the speaker, praise good points of the speech and recommend what improvements the speaker could make for future speeches and presentations and B, to practice and improve the listening skills of the evaluator.

Lorretto Barry was General Evaluator and she gave us her opinion on how the evaluators performed, commented on how the meeting was run and made recommendations on number of points.

Finally, as this was our final meeting before Christmas, President Anne Buckley wished all members of Speak Easy Toastmasters, guests and friends (and of course, readers of these notes) a happy and peaceful Christmas.

The next meeting of Speak Easy Toastmasters will be held on Thursday, January 10’th.

Further information on Speak Easy Toastmasters can be had from our website, www.speakeasytoastmasters.com

Visual Aids

In our image rich world people have become visual learners so when making a speech or presentation it is important to use an effective visual aid or prop to enhance your message and to make your audience remember it.

Here are a number of tips that will help you use such visual aids correctly.

Visual aids should be easy to see. Whatever aid is chosen it should be seen by all of your audience, so choose the size and colour so that the people at the back of the room can see it clearly.

Visual aids should look professional. Your audience should be able to look at your aid and immediately get the point. If you are using a Flip Chart, Overhead Projector or Powerpoint, keep text or bullet points to a minimum.

Visual aids should be explained clearly. Don’t assume that your audience will automatically know what the prop means. Explain what it is for, and what it represents.

Visual aids should not be distracting. The aid that you use is meant to enhance your speech. Show the aid at the appropriate stage in your presentation. As a rule of thumb, you should not pass around a visual aid around a room during your presentation as the audience will be looking at it and not listening to you.

Visual aids should be appropriate to your audience. Use common sense when choosing an aid to use in your presentation. Choose a visual aid with the same care and attention that you prepare your speech with.

The above are just a few tips on the use of visual aids for a speech or presentation. Use of such aids is an important skill that needs to be practised regularly.

In Speak Easy Toastmasters every fortnight, this skill and indeed all of the many skills that go into making competent and professional speeches are practised and perfected by club members.

A Toastmasters Club is not a classroom but a workshop where Toastmasters meet to hone their skills and most importantly to enjoy themselves.

Tonight in the Hibernian Hotel it will be no different….well maybe a little different as it will be our Christmas meeting. Members will be getting into the festive spirit which means that another great Speak Easy Toastmasters meeting will be a certainty.

Joining President Anne Buckley at the top table tonight will be Toastmaster for the evening, Sean Corcoran and Topicsmaster, Dennis Taylor. General Evaluator is Lorretto Barry and Timekeeper, Gerry O’Callaghan. Speeches will be presented by Liam Flynn, Michael Walsh, Mary Buckley and Speak Easy Toastmasters are delighted to welcome our guest speaker from Mullingar Toastmasters, Brian McLoughlin.

So come along tonight to the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow at 7.50 for an 8.00pm sharp start. You, as our guest will be most welcome, the craic will be 90 and remember guests will not be asked to speak.

For further information on Speak Easy Toastmasters visit our website at www.speakeasytoastmasters.com

Another great evening at ~Speak Easy Toastmasters

Last Thursday night, Nov 29^th saw another fantastic meeting of the Speak Easy Toastmasters Club in the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow. Another night of fun, entertainment and education where members and guests saw and heard 4 great speeches by Speak Easy Members.

Our President, Anne Buckley, opened the meeting by welcoming members and guests and assured us of a great meeting to come. How right she was.

Toastmaster for the night was Gerry Kelleher and took us through the meeting with his efficient and individual style.

First to be introduced to the lectern was Dennis Taylor with a well rehearsed and delivered speech on the GAA and its role in irish rural life. A very appropriate speech that we could all identify with.

Next to the lectern was John Dillon with an Interpretive reading project. John choose a poem by Patrick Galvin; called “The White Monument”.

Following John was , Anne Buckley who delivered a speech on the health benefits of owning a pet, and finally it was the turn of Mary Buckley whose presentation was an educational session on speech preparation

Noel O'Connor was Topicsmaster for the night and kept members on their toes with a well researched bagful of topics which fulfilled the aims of any topics session which is to hone the skills of speaking unprepared or “off the cuff” while at the same time making sure that both members and guests enjoyed themselves.

General Evaluator for the evening was Gerry Mulcahy who conducted the evaluation session. This is the part of the meeting where members who have been nominated to evaluate the speakers, deliver their opinions with the object of helping fellow member become better speakers.

The next meeting of Speak Easy Toastmasters will be on the 12^th of December and it is our Christmas meeting. Members will be getting into the swing of the festive season and will be dressing up in their Christmas “gear”. Santa hats and outfits, rudolph noses (flashing of course) and whatever else comes to hand to make a Christmas atmosphere.

What an opportunity it will be for you to come along as our guest and meet the members of Speak Easy Toastmasters. See how we enjoy ourselves not only at this, our Christmas meeting but at every meeting.

Speak Easy Toastmaster meeting last for 2 hours on alternate Thursdays in The Hibernian Hotel, Mallow. Meetings start at 8pm sharp and finish at 10pm.

Guests are always very welcome at our meetings and will never be asked to speak.

Further information on Speak Easy Toastmasters can be had on our website www.speakeasytoastmasters.com or contact our PRO, Sean on 086 6054784

Effective Communication

Effective Communication is a ‘must have’ in this electronic age. Being an effective communicator takes real skill. Communication skills have to be developed, honed and added to on an on-going basis. Communication is the basis of interpersonal skills and the greater your awareness of how it all works, the more effective your communication will be. To be effective in business, you have to communicate well.

To be a good manager, you have to communicate exceptionally well. Communication is individual. We are not all the same. There is never one right way to communicate. Authentic effective communication always happens when we reply on those things we know to be true about or for ourselves.

Your personal style can say more for you than all the words you use can. Most people look at what is wrong with themselves and other people, rather than focusing on what already works. Remember many things have to be working well for you to have got this far already. The communication cycle works as follows and you can take responsibility for every stage:

Spoken - Heard - Understood - Agreed To - Acted On - Implemented.

In Toastmasters you will become aware of where you or others tend to fall off the cycle. So, can I give you any greater reason for joining Speak Easy Toastmasters?

Speak Easy Toastmasters meet in the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, on alternate Thursdays from 8-10pm and we would love to meet you.

You can come along as our guest for the evening and rest assured, you will not be asked to speak as guests at a toastmasters meeting never are.

Tonight we will be in the capable hands of Toastmaster for the night, Jerry Kelleher. Keeping us on our toes with his chosen topics is Topicsmaster, Noel O'Connor. Jerry Mulcahy as General Evaluator will have the final say on how the meeting went. Members presenting speeches will be, Dennis Taylor, Liam Flynn, John Dillon, Anne Buckley and Mary Buckley

So why not come along to the Hibernian Hotel and see for yourself, you will be delighted that you did.

We meet at 7.50 for an 8pm start. Looking forward to meeting you.

Further information can be had from our website, www.speakeasytoastmasters.com.

Oh What a night

"Oh what a night" was the title of a hit song by the Four Seasons many years ago and it can also describe last Thursday night in The Hibernian Hotel, Mallow where Speak Easy Toastmasters hosted the second Inter Schools Public Speaking Contest

Yes, it certainly was a fantastic night of speeches which ranged from a cup of tea to hip hop beef, to teachers, the irish language and many subjects in between.

Everyone who took part was a winner and are to be congratulated for taking up what can be a daunting challenge.

The schools who took part were, The Patrician Acadamy, Mallow represented by, Killian Cronin, Brian Linehan, Sean O' Riordan.

St Mary's Mallow, Rebecca Casey, Danielle O'Riordan, Jess Rurrell'

Davis College, Mallow, Ian Buckley, Emer Haugh, Ciara Murphy and

Scoil Mhuire, Kanturk, Kelly Linehan, Claire O'Flynn, Aoife Sheehan.

After what was an extremely close contest, the winner and recipient of the Hibernian Hotel Perpetual Trophy was Sean O'Riordan, Patrician Acadamy. In second place was Rebecca Casey, St Mary's and in third place was Claire O'Flynn from Schoil Mhuire.

Mallow Credit Union Perpetual Trophy was won by St Mary's.

Speak Easy Toastmasters would like to sincerely thank the contest sponsors, Mallow Credit Union and The Hibernian Hotel.

Club President, Anne Buckley presided over the meeting with Mary Buckley as Contest Chair. Topicsmaster for the evening was Tony O'Regan and Liam Flynn, Timer. Margaret O'Regan gave a demonstration speech which was evaluated by Ray Ryan and General Evaluator for the evening was Pat Sexton.

Speak Easy Toastmasters will hold their next meeting on Thursday November 29^th at 8pm sharp so why not come along and see what we have to offer.

You will not be disappointed. Don't forget that guests are most welcome at all Toastmaster meeting and are never asked to speak.

Further information on Speak Easy Toastmasters can be had on our website www.speakeasytoastmasters.com

Oh What a night

"Oh what a night" was the title of a hit song by the Four Seasons many years ago and it can also describe last Thursday night in The Hibernian Hotel, Mallow where Speak Easy Toastmasters hosted the second Inter Schools Public Speaking Contest

Yes, it certainly was a fantastic night of speeches which ranged from a cup of tea to hip hop beef, to teachers, the irish language and many subjects in between.

Everyone who took part was a winner and are to be congratulated for taking up what can be a daunting challenge.

The schools who took part were, The Patrician Acadamy, Mallow represented by, Killian Cronin, Brian Linehan, Sean O' Riordan.

St Mary's Mallow, Rebecca Casey, Danielle O'Riordan, Jess Rurrell'

Davis College, Mallow, Ian Buckley, Emer Haugh, Ciara Murphy and

Scoil Mhuire, Kanturk, Kelly Linehan, Claire O'Flynn, Aoife Sheehan.

After what was an extremely close contest, the winner and recipient of the Hibernian Hotel Perpetual Trophy was Sean O'Riordan, Patrician Acadamy. In second place was Rebecca Casey, St Mary's and in third place was Claire O'Flynn from Schoil Mhuire.

Mallow Credit Union Perpetual Trophy was won by St Mary's.

Speak Easy Toastmasters would like to sincerely thank the contest sponsors, Mallow Credit Union and The Hibernian Hotel.

Club President, Anne Buckley presided over the meeting with Mary Buckley as Contest Chair. Topicsmaster for the evening was Tony O'Regan and Liam Flynn, Timer. Margaret O'Regan gave a demonstration speech which was evaluated by Ray Ryan and General Evaluator for the evening was Pat Sexton.

Speak Easy Toastmasters will hold their next meeting on Thursday November 29^th at 8pm sharp so why not come along and see what we have to offer.

You will not be disappointed. Don't forget that guests are most welcome at all Toastmaster meeting and are never asked to speak.

Further information on Speak Easy Toastmasters can be had on our website www.speakeasytoastmasters.com