The Silver Tongued Athlete

In Toastmasters, we are empowered to develop our communication and leadership skills. There is a Pathways Programme which gives members a choice of a diverse range of Paths, be it Presentation Skills, Humour or Innovation. And once a Member has completed a Path, he or she will have gained a huge amount of experience. 

But there are Members who decide to go the extra mile and  engage with the other Paths. They do it to become more proficient at communication or for sheer enjoyment. One such Member is Bobby Buckley. Over the past eight years, Bobby has used every opportunity available to give Speeches and do other assignments. He is now working on his Seventh Path. Along the way, he has given Speeches on a broad array of subjects. He has spoken about growing up in The Spa area of Mallow,  his experiences at The Patrician Academy,  his prowess on the Athletics field. He has entertained us with reflections on the music of Van Morrison,  Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan, on his experiences on the Dancefloor and his adventures in Australia and Hong Kong.

Such is Bobby's enthusiasm for Toastmasters,  he has been a member of a number of Clubs.  He has found time to fill important Leadership roles, including President of Rathfarnham and Speakeasy Toastmasters. Little wonder then that he has has earned the title of "The Prince of Pathways"!

Prepared speeches are but one aspect of Toastmasters.  Impromptu Speaking is another. At our last Meeting,  Topicsmaster Margaret O'Regan took on the role of Discussion Leader. Her selection of Topics reflected the time of year. The spirit of Halloween hovered over every Topic, be it the Halloween games we played as children with snap apple and apples in a bowl of water. In hindsight, it sounds like cruelty. The leftovers from a carved pumpkin were  given short shift. There appeared to be little enthusiasm for pumpkin soup an black peppers.

Spooky companions like owls, bats and cats made an appearance as did the paranormal with ghosts and unexplained experiences. Local myths  of haunted buildings and rumoured fires added to the chill. And the there was plenty discussion about the mysterious Walter De La Mare poem "The Listeners". Why did the traveller return? Did he return too late? Who was in the house? Or was it empty? Sometimes,  is it the darkness that is the most frightening thing?

A Speakeasy Meeting is like a Thursday night Miscellany. We have reflections,  musings, motivation and stories. There is entertainment,  there is profound recollections and a nice dollop of humour.

Our next Meeting or Miscellany takes place on this Thursday night, 12th November in The Hibernian Hotel, Mallow at 7.45pm. 

As always,  guests are welcome to attend and are never obliged to speak unless they wish to do so. For more information about our Club,  please check out our website speakeasytoastmasters.com.

Bobby Buckley receives a Certificate of Achievement for his completion of a Pathways Programme. 

 

James McConville presents an Evaluation at the last Speakeasy Meeting. 

Power Ballads and Pet Peeves

Another Thursday Night and another wonderful Topics Session in Speakeasy. We traversed a road less travelled. In keeping with the time of the year,  Halloween raised its "ugly" head.  The modern day Americanised Halloween found little favour. However, one contribution was the annual nod to a famous Warren Zevon song - "Werewolves of London" which receives a huge surge in radio plays and Spotify Streams at this time. 

On the question of songs, differing suggestions on the Best Power Ballad were aired. Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart" was an interesting choice.  A long song from the early Eighties, it was a popular "clinger" during the slow set at various discoes. Kate Bush and her anthemic "Running on that Hill" was the "empowering ballad" for a member's Running exercises. Literally, the most humorous nomination was for AC/DC and "Thunderstruck". That's power!

Pet Peeves provoked a list of unmentionables but pride of place went to quiz nights where participants roll up to the Quizmaster and ask "do you have a spare biro?" And then we have hapless participants in Radio quizzes and one wonders - "Why are they on the radio? They haven't a clue!" 

Favourite fast food and takeout Restaurants evoked much discussion as did a question on favourite Irish expressions.  "Tóg go bog é" was a popular choice. But Speakeasy Toastmasters have no intention in "taking it easy".  We host our Halloween Meeting on this Thursday night,  29th October in The Hibernian Hotel, Mallow at 7.45pm. 

As always,  everyone is welcome to attend. Guests are under no obligation to speak unless they wish to do so. For more information about this Club,  please check out our website speakeasytoastmasters.com , Instagram, on Facebook. 

Bobby Buckley receives an Appreciation Certificate  from Area Director  Philip O'Brien, for completing a level in Toastmasters Pathways Programme. 

Michael Cronin receives an Appreciation Certificate from Area Director, Philip O'Brien, for his completion of a Level in the Toastmasters Pathways Programme.