Dancing at the Crossroads

Speak Easy Toastmaster’s meeting on May 19th 2011 was another in which members enjoyed themselves, it was Speak Easy Toastmaster’s final meeting for 2010-2011.

Joining President Margaret O’ Regan at the top table was Bridie O’ Connell, Topics Master and Loretto Barry, Toast Master.

First to the lectern was Cait Murray with a speech entitled ‘Good Times’. Cait gave an informative speech on how to manage our time including setting goals as well as maintaining a to-do-list as part of a time journal. She stressed that it is important to check the journal after 30 days as it gives one an awareness of how one is managing their time. Cait reminded the audience that procrastination is the thief of time.

Following Cait was Angela Sheehan with a speech entitled ‘Brain Food’. Angela gave a thought provoking speech on breakthroughs in medicine and science since the 16th Century to the present day. She highlighted to the audience the power the media can have on the success of a product.

Next to the lectern was Mary Buckley with a speech entitled ‘There is hope’. Mary’s speech was enthralling and emotive. Mary recounted a story, which spanned 12 months, from her own life. She shared with the audience the lesson she learnt from the experience ‘there is always hope, there is no situation hopeless’.

Following Mary was Anne Buckley with a speech entitled ‘Dancing at the Crossroads’. Anne relayed the fun and sociable activities happening at Laharn Crossroads on a Sunday evening from May to September, 8pm-10pm. As part of her speech Anne gave the audience a historical insight into the tradition of dancing from pre –famine to present day.
Next to the lectern was Jerry Mulcahy with an interpretative reading from a speech given by Mary McAleese entitled ‘Their Deaths rise far above the Clamour’. Jerry’s choice of speech on an historical subject was stimulating and gathered the attention of the audience.

Finally it was the turn of Liam Flynn with a fact finding report on ‘Japanese Knotweed’. Liam in his interesting report provided a description of the weed, the aggressiveness of the species as well as ways of controlling it. Liam stressed to the audience that vigilance is required at all times to ensure properties, roadways and streams are not affected by this plant.

Congratulations to all the members who achieved milestones in their Toastmaster career tonight or during the year.

The topic session for the evening was conducted by Topicsmaster Bridie O Connell. Bridie kept members on their toes with a well thought out range of topics for members to practice their speaking ‘off the cuff’ skills.

Timekeeper Noel O’ Connor reminded speakers/people contributing to topics when their allocated times were up while grammarian/ah counter Marie Fitzpatrick gave feedback at the end of the meeting on how the group performed regarding the use of ‘crutch words’ and ‘fillers’ e.g. um’s and ah’s. Marie encouraged the use of the word ‘incumbent’ which means ‘needing to be done/obligatory’ during the course of the meeting

Pat Duggan, conducted the General Evaluation Session and conducted the part of the meeting in which speakers received feedback from their assigned evaluators who were Mary Moynihan, Jean Sayers, Pat Sexton, Bridget Breen, Ray Ryan and Michael Cronin. The Sergeants at Arms for the meeting were Liam Flynn and Jerry Mulcahy.

At the end of the meeting the President Margaret O’ Regan welcomed the incoming President for 2011-2012 Toastmaster Tony O’ Regan.

Speak Easy Toastmasters Club would like to take this opportunity to thank you for reading its Articles over the last year and to wish you an enjoyable and safe Summer.

The Area Tall Tales will be held at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, Friday June 3rd 2011 at 7:50PM. Why not come along to hear an interesting tale.

Speak Easy Toastmasters first meeting for 2011-2012 will be held at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, Thursday September 1st 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 follow us on Facebook