Monday, February 04, 2008

Laughter is the best....

As you look around you, now that we are into February you can see the signs that spring is here. The daffodils are well above ground and indeed in some sheltered places they are even flowering. New growth can be seen on plants and hedging and

There is a notable stretch in the evenings. It makes one feel good.

Of course there is another way to feel good whether it is in spring, or the dead of winter. “Really, and how is that, I hear you ask” and the answer is of course to join Speak Easy Toastmasters.

You see, in Toastmasters we have fun at every meeting and indeed some of us even specialise in fun and good humour.

The Toastmasters International Program is structured in such a way that when a member has mastered the basics of public speaking we then go on to complete more advanced projects and this week we have a look at the Toastmasters Humorous Speech Program.

People like to laugh, right? Of course they do because laughter is a release and an escape from problems and situations that people encounter daily. Laughter has even been found to have positive physical benefits. It relieves stress and tension and relaxes us.

The purpose of the Toastmasters Humorous Speech Program is not to make one into a comedian but to simply help one to use humour in speeches and presentations and indeed when one is talking among a group of friends or one to one.

Using humour in the above situations will help establish a bond with ones audience.

It certainly helps win over a hostile audience and keep them interested.

It will certainly make people remember you.

The Humorous Speech Program is divided up into five separate modules,

A, how to use a short humorous story to open a speech or presentation.

B. to start a speech with a humorous story and to use one to emphasize the main point of the speech when closing the speech.

C. this module requires one to use jokes to emphasize the presentation’s main points.

D. teaches one how to tell an opening joke and string together several jokes in the presentation.

E. this project allows you to use your creativity to tell a long humorous story.

All the material to master using humour is contained in the Toastmasters Humorous Speech Manual and remember that the skills learned in this program are just as valid for someone telling a humorous story at a party, family gathering or, yes, even in the pub.

Many people in Toastmasters used to be of the opinion that they couldn’t “do humour” but after completing this program found out that not only could they “do humour” but were extremely good at it and even went on to take part in and win humorous speech contests.

Don’t just take my word for it, come along to any meeting of Speak Easy Toastmasters and see for yourself. We will be delighted to welcome you as our guest for the night and don’t worry, guests at a Toastmasters meeting are never asked to speak so come along, relax and enjoy yourself.

If you are reading this on Thursday 7th come along tonight to the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow at 7.50 for and 8pm start. If you read this too late, don’t worry we meet again on February 21. Put it in your diary.

On our program tonight we have Margaret O’Regan as Toastmaster for the evening with Bridie O’Connell as Topicsmaster and Ray Ryan Jnr. as General Evaluator.

Speakers on the program are Joe Hassett, Liam Flynn, Anne Buckley, Pat Duggan and Michael Cronin.

Don’t forget, The Hibernian Hotel. Mallow, tonight. Looking forward to meeting you.

Further information on Speak Easy Toastmasters can be had by visiting your website at www.speakeasytoastmasters.com or contact club PRO Sean at 086 6054784

No comments: