Toastmasters in Training

 An evening of training was provided by Ray Ryan, Division A Governor, Anne Buckley Assistant Division A Governor and Noel O'Connor, Area Governor. The advice given will help the clubs and the members to become more successful in several different areas.

Brigit Elliott of Failte Club gave a talk on "Team Building." Passionate debate, consideration and commitment  are all vital part of a healthy club. Taking part in every aspect of the meeting helps every member to develop a broad range of skills.

Noel O'Connor Area Governor, Anne Buckley Assistant Division Governor, Ray Ryan Division Governor 

Ray Ryan gave a talk called, "Moments Of Truth."  This is a system of self evaluation for clubs. "First impressions", "membership orientation", "fellowship, variety and communication", "program planning and meeting organisation", "membership strength" and "achievement recognition," are the categories of this assessment program.

Ray Ryan Division Governor and Loreto Barry of The Guardian Toastmasters

Fanahan Colbert of Fermoy Toastmasters gave a talk on judging. The marking scheme is a vital aid for those judging. Noel O'Connor provided "judges briefing notes" to everyone in attendance. Using this structure helps to create  balance in the judging process. Fanahan emphasised the importance of recognising the effort put in by every contestant in the competitions.  It was a very worth while evening, with many useful tips to take back to the respective clubs.

Good luck to all those taking part in the upcoming International Speech Contest and Evaluation Contest. Participating in these competitions provides a fantastic opportunity for members. We wish Rona Coghlan all the best, as she competes in the National Semi Final of Debating in Co. Cavan. 

A Night Of Firsts

Speakeasy Toastmasters met at the Hibernian Hotel on Thursday evening. Three of the five speakers were new members. Theresa O'Reilly and Dermot Kennedy had both previously been members of other clubs, and we were delighted to see them on the program at Speakeasy. Toastmasters is an international organisation and achievement records follow members when they need to relocate. 

Helsa Giles, Ray Ryan and Michael Cronin

Alan Crowley delivered a speech entitled,"Drive It On Up,” which was evaluated by Ray Ryan. Alan is a local business man, who showed he had the gift of the gab. Theresa O’Reilly delivered a speech entitled, “Minding Your Mind,” which was evaluated by Marie Fitzpatrick. Theresa demonstrated the importance of relaxation.  Dermot Kennedy delivered a speech entitled, “Ice Breaker Part Two,” which was evaluated by Noel O’Connor. Dermot used no notes and was clearly an experienced speaker. Marrian Oviawe and Paul McCarthy both joined the club earlier this year and they were both on their third speech. Marrian delivered a speech entitled, “How To Be a Better Me.”  She was evaluated by Helsa Giles. Paul McCarthy delivered a speech entitled, "The Fourth R" and Tony O’Regan evaluated it. Marrian showed that it doesn't take an expert to create a better you. Paul added in "repair", to the usual slogan of, "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle."

The Toastmaster, Brendan Foley headed a team including, Anne O’Donovan as Topics Master and Mary Buckley as Time Keeper. The officers of the meeting were evaluated by Angela Sheehan as General Evaluator. She awarded best speaker to Marrian, best evaluator to Marie Fitzpatrick and best table topics response to Noel O'Connor. President Liam Flynn closed the meeting in his usual good humoured manner.

You are invited to join us at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, at 8 p.m on Thursday 5^th March. We meet alternate Thursdays. For more information go to www.speakeasytoastmasters.com

 

 or contact Liam on 087 6380053 or Marie 087-9746947

The best “Best Man” Speech Ever!

Ireland is a nation of talkers. We have a way with words that is hard to match.  However when a friend described writing his Best Man’s speech as, “walking on a tightrope over a mine field, on a windy day,” I had to sympathise! He needed to be funny enough so people didn’t fall asleep mid speech, but respectable enough not to shock the parents and new in-laws. Of course his friends were going to be there to support him, complete with three stop watches and a pile of cash to bet on the length of his speech! I did the only thing a good friend could do, and recommended that he join toastmasters for a few months.

Angela and Joanne at Speakeasy Toastmasters

Toastmasters is a public speaking club, with speakers who range from master to beginner levels. You will have the opportunity to listen to others and try your hand at delivering your own speeches. With plenty of support and advice available, it’s the perfect place for you to start on the road to the best, “Best Man” speech ever delivered!

You are invited to the next Speakeasy Toastmasters Club meeting at 8pm Mallow, Thursday 19^th February, at the Hibernian Hotel. We meet alternate Thursdays. For more information go to www.speakeasytoastmasters.com or contact Liam on 087 6380053 or Marie 087-9746947

Basil The Hand Puppet

Mary, our Toastmaster for the evening, was assisted by Helsa Giles as Time Keeper and by Claire O'Connell as Grammarian.

Basil The Hand Puppet along with Rona Coghlan, delivered a speech entitled, "What Should The Rules Be?" Basil shared his opinions on everything from cheese to the meaning of life, with the audience.

Marlene O'Mahony delivered a speech entitled, "Shantaram." This is the title of an autobiography by Mr. David Gregory Roberts. Roberts was a thief, who was inspired by Ned Kelly. He was called the gentleman bandit. He wore a three piece-suit and said, "please" and "thanks," during his robberies. He only robbed places with adequate insurance cover. Eventually he was incarcerated, but escaped. He reinvented himself in Mumbai, India, running a free health clinic, funded by the local mafia. He went drugs running and escaped from jail  twice more. After his dramatic career, he returned to charity work in the Mumbai slums.

Glamorous Ladies At Speakeasy; Claire O'Connell,
 Helsa Giles, Mary Moynihan

Marie Fitzpatrick delivered a speech entitled, "All Hail You Leo." Leo Varadkar has taken steps to reduce alcohol consumption in Ireland including, reducing low cost alcohol sales and selling bottles of wine for no less than nine euro. Our drinks culture needs reviewing, if not for our own good, then for the good of our children.

Pat Sexton delivered a speech entitled, "The Phantom Of Liberty." Martin Luther King said, "Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor. It must be demanded by the oppressed." A voter turn out of less than fifty percent for elections in Ireland, suggests that apathy can set in, in the face of freedom. Freedom  is decided by the lottery of our birth. 

Mary Moynihan, our favourite Kerry person, took the role of Topics Master. The aim of this is to elicit an interesting answer.The question of,"who will win next September?" Mary answered, "Cork." "The price of peace for Rory Mcilroy," wasn't worrying Liam. "Spring is the nicest time of the year," and Bridie agrees.  Anne would name her memoirs, "To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing." "W. B.Yeats said that romantic Ireland is dead and gone. It's with O'Leary in the grave," but Marie sees much creativity among our youth and couldn't agree with this line.

Evaluators included Kieran Butler, Michael Cronin, Anne Buckley and Angela Sheehan. Brendan Foley took the role of General Evaluator 

Davis College U.N. forum was attended by Pat Sexton and Liam Flynn on behalf of Speakeasy Toastmasters, and they thoroughly enjoyed the event. 

You are invited to our next meeting at, "The Hibernian Hotel,"Mallow on February 19th at 8.00pm.For

  Further information visit our website at www.speakeasytoastmasters.com

 

  or  contact Liam 087 6380053 or Marie 087-9746947