In full voice!

Speakeasy Toastmasters returned to it's Meeting Programme last week, not with a whisper but in full voice. In front of a large crowd of Members and guests, it was a Meeting that had humour, reflection and inspiration in equal measure.

Margaret O'Regan asked the question  - "Who do you think you are?" How do we introduce ourselves? And in this mad world of Artificial Intelligence, what does our profile look like? Quite boring it seems!

Bobby Buckley regaled us with a warning "Leave the kids alone!" It was a tale of a teacher trying to "herd mice" or rather Secondary School students at star studded productions of Shakespeare plays. What can possibly go wrong with a wild group of teenage boys who become over involved in the scene where Desdemona dies in Ophelia or in the great monologue in Hamlet? Quite a lot it seems. 

Don McSweeney gave an inspiring talk on the power of Altruism. "Help" is not just the title of a Beatles song, it is a cry for assistance from the less fortunate.  Even in these dark times,  people are willing to reach out and help others or contribute to the community. Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has given thousands of children worldwide the gift of reading. Doctors give their time and expertise to volunteer for organisations like Doctors without Borders. Random people provide vital organs to save the lives of others. Altruism is a quality to be found among religious believers and non believers alike. Altruism is the power to transform lives,  of both the givers and the receivers. 

In Toastmasters, all speeches are evaluated. Michael Cronin, Pat Sexton and Paul Corcoran provided positive and helpful feedback to the speakers. In Speakeasy,  we have a motto - "Evaluate to Motivate". This is how all Members develop the skills and the confidence to communicate with ease. 

Our programme is designed to allow Members to progress at their own pace, while acquiring the necessary skills of good communication. 

Our next Meeting takes place on Thursday, 17th September  in The Hibernian Hotel, Mallow at 7.45pm.  As always,  guests are welcome to attend our Meetings and are under no obligation to speak unless they wish to do so.

For more information,  please check out our Facebook page or on speakeasytoastmasters.com