Positive Feedback

On each occasion a member delivers a speech at a toastmasters meeting another member gives an evaluation of the speech. They listen to the speech and look at the delivery. The evaluator does not criticise but offers supportive encouragement to the speaker. The evaluator refrains from commenting on the content of the speech but focuses on the structure and the delivery. The evaluators task is to point out what the speaker did well and to give one or two suggestions on how the speaker could improve the next time they deliver a speech.

This method allows the speaker to get direct feedback on the night and is a timely and powerful learning aid. It also gives the speaker specific methods for improvements. Being an evaluator also provides many positives for members as it helps develop listening skills, improves ability at impromptu speaking and gives the opportunity to help other members.

The clubs next meeting will take place on this Thursday April 3rd at 8pm in the Hibernian Hotel Mallow. Guests are always most welcome and will not be asked to speak. For more information on toastmasters check us out on our website www.speakeasytoastmasters .com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Strong Messages

On Thursday night last guests and members were treated to excellent night of speechmaking at the clubs speech and evaluation contest. The speakers captured the audience attention with their thought provoking messages. The contest was conducted very effectively by the contest chair Tony O’ Regan who ensured the evening ran smoothly. He was helped by Anne Buckley who as topicsmaster created a very entertaining topics session.

The speech contest tested the judge’s skills as the standard was very high. In the end Pat Sexton was awarded second place with Deirdre Linehan judged the winner of the 2014 contest. Both will go forward to compete at the next level which is the Area final which will be held at the Failte Club in Charleville on April 14th.

After the tea break the evaluation contest took place. Guest speaker Ivan O’Sullivan gave a very informative speech regarding sun storms. The contestants then followed giving the speaker very helpful and motivating evaluations. The judges deemed Pat Sexton as the winner with Ray Ryan in second place. Both will go forward to the Area final.

The clubs next meeting will take place on Thursday April 3rd at 8pm in the Hibernian Hotel Mallow. Guests are always most welcome and will not be asked to speak. For more information on toastmasters check us out on our website www.speakeasytoastmasters .com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Contest Night

The clubs, speech and evaluation contests take place this Thursday night. While contests do not form a major part of toastmasters, there are a number of opportunities during the year for those members who like to compete both within and outside the club.

The contest night is always an excellent night. The speeches on the night are always delivered very well and contain a strong message. Over the years club members have given very strong performances which took them to the Ireland and England final.

On every occasion a member gives a speech another member provides a helpful evaluation. Delivering an effective evaluation to a member is very important to them as it helps them to improve as a speaker. On Thursday night a speaker from a another club will deliver a speech and club members will vie with each other in order to give the speaker the most helpful evaluation. Both contests are judged by both members of the club and members from other clubs.

The contest will begin at 8pm and finish at 10pm in the Hibernian Hotel Mallow. Guests are always most welcome and will not be asked to speak. For more information on toastmasters check us out on our website www.speakeasytoastmasters .com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

A Historical Journey

On Thursday night last, March 6, Speak Easy Toastmasters held a Historical Theme meeting and what an evening it was. Members and guests alike were treated to an evening of speeches from members that had researched the lives of local historical characters and delivered those speeches as if those characters were making their first speech to a toastmasters club.

The atmosphere for the meeting was set as soon as one entered the Garden Room in The Hibernian Hotel as lights were dimmed, candles placed at strategic points and members dressed in various historical garments.
President Noel O'Connor welcomed members and guests and explained the purpose of the meeting. Margaret O'Regan as Toastmaster set the tone of the evening with her introductions of well researched information of the various characters. Liam Flynn as Topicsmaster gave members historical topics to test their skills in off the cuff speaking.

Ray Ryan was first of the speakers with his speech as Edmund Burke (1729-1797) followed by Marie Lynes as Nano Nagle (1718-1784). Then came Michael Boyle with his speech as John Roche(1820-1890), Tom O'Connor as Cannon Sheehan (1852-1913), Marie Fitzpatrick as Elizabeth Bowen (1899-1973) and Mary Buckley as Edel Quinn (1907-1944)
All of the speakers delivered their speeches as if they lived the lives of their characters, with emotion, humour and factually corrects events of the times.

Every toastmasters meeting is different and members constantly strive to increase and improve their communication and leadership skills in a very sup portative environment.
Speak Easy Toastmasters meet every fortnight and the next meeting on March 29th will be the Club's Speech and Evaluation Contests. Guests are always welcome at our meetings and are never asked to speak. For more information see our website, www.speakeasytoastmasters.com or follow us on Facebook of Twitter.
More photographs of the evening can be seen here https://plus.google.com/photos/104669448749699392973/albums/5988849048031533393?banner=pwa&authkey=CPvTltm9zPv3Kg