Monday, September 22, 2014

Four Is The National Average

Margaret O’Regan as toastmaster, steered us smoothly through a choc –a-block program, ably assisted by Anne O’Donovan as time keeper.
Michael Boyle wrote his ice-breaker speech to please his Kerry evaluator, announcing he that he is a Kerry man in a Cork man's body.

Bill Martin delivered a stirring speech encouraging support for Movember. This vital charity movement supports the fight against men’s cancer. Men can show their support for the charity by growing a moustache for the month of November. He was awarded best speaker for his talk.

Coco Channel was a surprise guest at tonight's meeting with Helsa Giles delivering a speech in character. Coco was a fascinating lady who built a business empire despite coming from a background of utter poverty.

Ronan Condon introduced us to the new road signs that have appeared on our highways. The wavy road symbol has been created to guide tourists along the Wild Atlantic Way. This scenic route takes in our beautiful coastline and includes the Cliffs of Moher and Foynes, which used to be a centre for aviation in the 1930s.

Pat Sexton delivered a very informative speech highlighting the issue of Irlen Syndrome. This syndrome creates many different challenges, including tiring easily while reading , difficulties with depth perception such as accurately judging the depth of the stairs steps, and difficulties with on-coming lights while driving at night. There are 4 centres in Ireland which assess this condition and provide advice for its management.

Mrs Doyle also attended our meeting in the form of Anne Buckley, Topicsmaster. Anne Buckley gave emotive topics such as; “how do you take your tea?” Rona Coghlan likes it handed to her. “Is tea more than just a drink?” Moira certainly thought so, highlighting the cure that tea provides in all situations. Keiran Butler shared how tea saved his life, announcing that; “tea is the nicorette patch for coffee addicts.” Jerry likes it loose- no teabags for him! He scooped best table topics award for his confession. Bridie likes her tea from a china cup, where as our president, drinks his tea from a saucer. David Roche is below the national average of four cups of tea a day, while Mary Buckley debated the possible benefits of herbal tea.

Ray Ryan acted as general evaluator evaluating our five evaluators; Mary Moynihan (best evaluator award), Tony O’Regan, Kieran Butler, Michael Cronin and Angela Sheehan.

Next Speakeasy Toastmasters Club meeting at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, at 7.50 p.m. 2nd October. We meet alternate Thursdays. For more information go to www.speakeasytoastmasters.com or contact Marie 087-9746947

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Perfect your Business Pitch at Speak Easy Toastmasters

Why join Toastmasters?
If you are involved in business or an entrepreneur thinking of starting out, Speakeasy Toastmasters will be the perfect fit for you.

Try the Fast-paced Fun of Table Topics!
Have you ever been asked a question during a pitch or presentation, only to have your mind go blank? Have you given an answer, but it was so disorganized that the point you were trying to make was lost? The ability to “think and speak on your feet” is an important skill that often determines your success in sales pitches and when recruiting new clients.
That’s why the “Table Topics” portion of the Toastmasters club meeting was developed. Table Topics provides you with the opportunity to practice impromptu speaking. By answering brief Table Topics questions, you learn how to present your thoughts clearly and convincingly, with no more than a few seconds of preparation. You also learn to listen constructively, and to think flexibly.

How it works
The Table Topics portion of a Toastmasters meeting takes place before or after the formal “prepared speeches” segment and usually lasts 20 or 30 minutes. The Topicsmaster announces a topic or question and calls on a member (not a guest) to give an impromptu -two-minute response to that topic. This can be on any subject. People deal with their topics in very different ways. It is up to the individual if they want to take the serious, comic, inspirational or down-beat approach to answering.
For instance some;
· State a problem and show its causes.
· Offer a viewpoint – yours or someone else’s – and elaborate on it.
· State a goal or problem and then tell what must be done to achieve the goal or solve the problem. If you recently found a new job, tell about the steps you took to reach your goal.
· Describe a process, such as how to plant a tree.
· Break a problem, situation or object into its components and discuss them. For example, describe the branches of your country’s government.

By participating, (as a club member) in Table Topics, you become more adept at delivering the perfect pitch. You learn to listen carefully and to create a mini-speech, with a beginning, middle and end. You also draw on your own experiences or knowledge on the topic in relation to the needs and interests of those present. With these skills honed, your business is bound for success.
You can see how Table Topics works, and see how members of Speak Easy Toastmasters practice the art of speaking “off the cuff” by coming along as our guest to our next meeting in The Hibernian Hotel, Mallow on 18th September at 7.50 pm. Further information visit our website at www.speakeasytoastmasters.com or by contact Liam 087 6380053 or Marie 087-9746947

Saturday, September 06, 2014

Kayaking and Speech Delivery!

I love kayaking. The rhythmic beat of the paddle cutting through the water. The rise and fall of the waves. The dazzle of light on water. The calmness and serenity of the sea.

A good speech holds the same elements. There needs to be a rhythm to your speech. When you read your sentence aloud the words need to flow together, not sound clunky. Play around with the choice of vocabulary and sentence structure, until it is just right.

Your voice needs to rise and fall like the waves. This holds the listeners attention. It’s easy to drift into a flat monotone when nervous.

There needs to be a touch of "dazzle." This can be as simple a smile flashed, a part of your speech acted out, a joke or a suitable quote.

Finally, calmness and serenity. You need to convey a calm, serene air. No matter what you’re speaking about, you need to project a solid presence, so the audience can connect with you. These elements combined, create the basis of a great speech. Rona Coghlan P.R.O.



Speakeasy Toastmasters Club, Mallow, at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, at 7.50 p.m. 11th September. We meet alternate Thursdays. For more information go to www.speakeasytoastmasters.com or contact Liam on 087 6380053 or Marie 087-9746947

Monday, September 01, 2014

Speak Easy Toastmasters Club, Mallow: The 30 Day Challenge


Do you feel like you’re stuck in a rut? Join Speak Easy Toastmasters for three meetings over 30 days. 30 days is just about the right amount of time to try out a new hobby! Speak Easy Toastmasters is a public speaking club. Come along and get a feel for prepared and impromptu public speaking either from the safety of the audience, or jump right in with a 60 second slot in the impromptu section. You will never be asked to speak unless you choose to.

Instead of months flying blandly by, set aside the 4th, 18th September and 2nd October to come to Speak Easy, and make this a memorable 30 days. Go from the kind of person who is afraid of public speaking, to the kind of person who goes to a public speaking club for fun! You can do anything for 30 days! Rona Coghlan P.R.O.
Speakeasy Toastmasters Club, Mallow, at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, at 7.50 p.m. We meet alternate Thursdays. For more information go to www.speakeasytoastmasters.com or contact Liam on 087 6380053 or Marie 087-9746947