Thursday, November 26, 2015

Standing Ovation for Pat

  Every time you go to toastmasters it’s guaranteed you will learn something new. Everyone has their own reasons for joining toastmasters for example they might be shy, have a work presentation or a best man speech coming up on the horizon and many more reasons.
The best way to descried it would be a train where everyone is on the same journey but get off at different places. Some people go all the way, Pat Sexton came first in District 71 Table Topics Contest .A big hearth felt congratulations, well deserved and if that wasn’t enough he also won the Soapbox Competition.
 The atmosphere was cordial as are President Marie Lynes called the meeting to start. Bobby Buckley did a splendid job as Toastmaster and was ably assisted by Liam Flynn as Timekeeper. Theresa O’Reilly gave a wonderful array of topics and even asked Pat Sexton “What you would do if you were not afraid”.

     We were spoilt with four well thought out and enthusiastically presented speeches. First to the podium was Kieran Butler whom there is no doubt has the gift of the gab as he gave examples of how you could smooth talk Noel O’Conner into a pricey purchase. Next up was Helsa Giles with a speech entitled “Winter is Coming” which would be no surprise about Game of Thrones. Dermot Kennedy gave us a well thought out demonstration speech about soft drinks. If you put mentos into coke it fizzes up. Last but not least was Brendan Foley with a speech “My Childhood Hero’s” he told an endearing tale about his love of comics as a child. Well done to all the speakers very enjoyable to listen to.  
   Before tea break Marie Lynes presented Pat Sexton with a cake a lovely gesture which made an ample addition to tea break and added to the celebratory mood. Ann O’Donovan made easy work as General Evaluator awarding best evaluation to Bridie O’Connell who made great efforts to find out about Game of Thrones. Best Speech went to Brendan Foley.
       On Thursday the 26th of November the schools competition, a very special evening and everyone is more than welcome to come. It’s at the Hibernian Hotel at 8 pm sharp. The next Speakeasy Toastmasters will be held in the same location and be on the following Thursday December 3rd .Guest won’t be asked to speak, come along for an enjoyable night. For more information www.speakeasytoastmasters.com
 
or contact Marie Lynes 087 9746947 or EVP. Brendan Foley  087 6417938.

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Oppertunities to Compete

Speakeasy Toastmasters in mallow offers a wonderful opportunity to compete at the highest level . Firstly there’s the club competition were your pitted against your fellow club members, then its onwards to the area competition which the best of the four clubs in the area battle it out .Then its onwards for are battle ready contestants to limerick the Division B D71 competition .A proud day as not one, not two but three members of Speakeasy got placed an amazing result and well deserved. The talented  Marie Lynes came second in the Table Topics and taking first place for a jaw droppingly good performance Pat Sexton. Our EVP for the year Brendan Foley whom it’s a wonder has any time at all with all the valuable behind the scene work in getting a program together ,is a real testament to the saying ask a busy man, well done Brendan Foley on coming second.
Pat Sexton will be traveling to the Black Cat Conference District 71 in England we whole heartedly wish him the best of luck. All three are proof of the abundance of talent in the club.
  Marie Lynes are President opened the meeting, welcomed everyone and handed control of the meeting over to the very capable Marie Fitzpatrick who proficiently ran a very enjoyable meeting with help from time keeper Theresa O’Reilly. Noel O’Connor gave a hearth warming speech on the advantages of volunteering in your local community, he summed it all up beautifully by saying ”when you help others you get a different perspective and it can take your mind off your own problems”. ”My First Love” was the title of Breda Forests speech used her natural sense of humour because the title was none other than cunning red herring .Radio was her chosen subject, an excellent “new friend” to evoke and provoke emotion not unlike the speech. Ann Buckley read effortlessly an extract from “Around the Farmgate” a former member of Speakeasy John Dylan wrote a great story about his uncle Paddy a wonderful fiddler who played a haunting tune the Murhur Reel. Bobby Buckley “The Picturesque” a poetic speech ,gave us a lovely insight into the often over looked importance of the ascetically pleasing to the eye .Tony  O’Regan followed his own advice “Be Outstanding” as he did just that, in a bubbly toast to are never aloof, always interesting, much thought of President Marie Lynes.
Ray Ryan was Topicsmaster and had a wonderful array of topics. Sean Corcoran acted as General Evaluator giving us thoughtful feedback. Yet again a very pleasurable evening. Our meetings are open to everyone and we extend a warm and hearty welcome to all. We hope you come as often as you wish and if you decide that you would like to join us, we promise you the sky is the limit. Meetings are held every second Thursday in the Hibernian Hotel, 19th of November. For more information  go to www.speakeasytoastmasters.com
 
or contact Brendan Foley 087 7938641 or Marie Lynes 087 9746947