‘Should I stay or should I go?’

Speak Easy Toastmaster’s meeting on May 5th 2011 was another in which members enjoyed themselves, it was Speak Easy Toastmaster’s AGM.

Our AGM night began with a regular meeting with speeches, evaluations and topics. Joining President Margaret O’ Regan at the top table was Noel O’ Connor, Topics Master and Liam Flynn who was Toast Master.

First to the lectern was Bridget Breen with a speech entitled ‘Some people cannot handle the truth’ Bridget gave an informative speech on how one can tell whether people are telling them the truth or not through body language including nose wrinkles, eye movements and mouth curls. People sometimes may be economical with the truth but their body language always tells the truth.

Following Bridget was Bill Martin with a speech entitled ‘Should I stay or should I go’. Bill gave a very philosophical and optimistic speech about emigration. At this time of recession Ireland needs people to emigrate in order to soften the blow. Emigrants will return and bring back expertise with them. He reminded the audience that Ireland needs to look to the future to sustain employment.

Finally it was the turn of Jean Sayers with a speech entitled ‘A day to remember’.
Jean gave the audience an insight into Alzheimer disease, the work the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland does as well as urging the audience to support Alzheimer’s Tea Day events in their Neighbourhoods.

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

Timekeepers Claire O Connell and Tony O’ Regan reminded speakers/people contributing to topics when their allocated times were up while grammarian/ah counter Joe Hassett 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. Joe encouraged the use of the word ‘mores’ which means ‘customs or conventions regarded as essential to or characteristic of a community’ during the course of the meeting

Jerry Mulchay, conducted the General Evaluation Session and conducted the part of the meeting in which speakers received feedback from their assigned evaluators who were Marie Fitzpatrick, Sean Corcoran and Pat Sexton. The Sergeants at Arms for the meeting were Liam Flynn and Jerry Mulcahy.

After the tea break it was time for the AGM and after the minutes of the last AGM were read and matters arising were dealt with, each member of the committee gave a report to the meeting.

In her President’s address, Margaret O’ Regan outlined the activities of the club over the past year including the social activities of the club, successful contests and achievements of members and also what being President of Speak Easy Toastmasters meant to her personally. She thanked her team of committee members for their work during the previous year.

Then followed the election of the new officers for the next year and they are as follows: President, Tony O’ Regan; Educational Vice President, Jean Sayers; Vice President Public Relations, Noel O’ Connor; Vice President Membership, Cait Murray; Secretary, Mary Moynihan; Treasurer, Bill Martin; Sgt at Arms, Bridget Breen, Ray Ryan and Liam Flynn.

Speak Easy Toastmasters will hold their next meeting at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, Thursday May 19th 2011 at 7:50PM. Why not come along and join us for a taste of toastmasters in what promises to be a great evening. Remember 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 or why not follow us on Facebook