Hero's

Speak Easy Toastmasters-‘Heros’

Speak Easy Toastmaster’s meeting on March 24th 2011 was another in which guests and members enjoyed themselves. The club was holding its Club International Speech and Evaluation Contest.

Joining President Margaret O’ Regan at the top table was Ray Ryan, Contest Chair and Anne Buckley who was Topicsmaster.

First to the lectern was Lorretto Barry with a speech entitled ‘Expressions’.
Lorretto gave a very interesting speech regarding the origins of every day expressions including ‘nitty gritty’; ‘face the music’; ‘feathering your cap’; ‘chalk and cheese’ and ‘look a gift horse in the mouth’. She concluded her speech by reminding the audience of another every day expression- the ‘ball is in your court’.

Following Lorretto was Pat Sexton with a speech entitled ‘Time of our lives’.
Pat informed the audience that there is no past, no future, there is the gift of time called the present. All our lives consist of now moments. He concluded his speech by advising the audience to endeavor to spend time well and to enjoy it whole heartily because now is the time of our lives.

Pat was followed by Marie Fitzpatrick with a speech entitled ‘The Black Hole’.
Maire’s speech provided the audience with information and statistics regarding the huge amounts of money spent in the health service in Ireland. She referred to the benefits that will arise from the introduction of the smoking ban a few years ago.

Marie was followed by Liam Flynn with a speech entitled ‘Does the Dragon live here?’ Liam’s speech provided the audience with examples of where the poor portrayal of the ‘Mother-in-Law’ has originated from. Mother-in- Laws have been portrayed like wolves and sharks. In fairy tales the Mother –in-Law has been portrayed as the dark person. Liam counteracted this poor perception of Mother-in-Laws’ by speaking highly of his own Mother-in-Law.

Finally it was the turn of Michael Cronin with a speech entitled ‘Hero’s’. Michael’s speech was thought provoking. He gave us examples of who his hero’s are. He reminded us that there are heros all around us, including those who care for the sick and look after the less privileged. He concluded his speech by reminding the audience that ‘we are all ordinary people but capable of doing extraordinary things’.

Michael Cronin won the speech contest and Pat Sexton was runner up.

Following the speech contest Anne Roche, guest speaker, gave a very humorous entertaining speech entitled ‘Party Animal’ which was about a dinner party she hosted. This speech was the speech which was used in the evaluation contest.

Pat Sexton won the evaluation contest and Margaret O’ Regan was runner up.

Michael Cronin and Pat Sexton will represent Speak Easy Toastmasters in the Area finals International Speech and Evaluation Contest, which will be held in the Hibernian Hotel on the 7th of April 2011 at 7.50pm.

The topic session for the evening was conducted by Topicsmaster Anne Buckley. Anne had a huge amount of topics which were varied and various.

Timekeepers Bridget Breen and Joe Hassett reminded speakers/people contributing to topics when their allocated times were up. The Sergeants at Arms for the meeting were Jerry Mulcahy and Liam Flynn.

Speak Easy Toastmasters will hold their next meeting (The Area Finals International Speech and Evaluation Contests) at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, April 7th 2011 at 7:50PM. Non-members are more than welcome to attend and will not be asked to speak. Further details about the Club are available on our website, www.speakeasytoastmasters.com or why not become follow us on Facebook