Sunday, September 17, 2017

Toastmasters: Your Evening Class?

Let Speakeasy be your Autumn Class!

The Speakeasy Toastmasters meeting season continues on Thursday,21st. September in the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow at 8 PM. We have now reached that time of Autumn when the nights are longer and Television becomes a bad habit. For many people, thoughts turn towords evening classes to gainfully use those extra hours.Have you considered Toastmasters as your evening class?

Like all evening classes, people participate in Toastmasters to learn a new skill.Just like swimming classes or 'computer courses for the terrified',competent communications is a skill worth acquiring.It gives one that extra bit of confidence and self-belief and a willingness to take on challenges. It's a skill that pays handsome dividends in workplace situations where presentations to work colleagues is regularly required or,indeed in job interviews.It is beneficial,also, in the area of inter-personal communication skills where the appropriate few words can make a big impression.
Sharpening your speaking skills can make all the difference for that 'Special Occasion' speech,be it at Golf Club presentation,that Best Man Speech or even the bride or groom's speech.Good communication skills helps enormously in leadership roles in voluntary, community or sporting organisations.Sometimes, speaking in front of an audience gives the participant a lot of pleasure,satisfaction and that bit of 'buzz'.

Unlike other night classes, one can join in the Toastmasters Programme at any time.Once you decide to join, you begin to take part in the meetings.The first speech members make is called the Ice-Breaker and a speaker presents speeches at his or her own pace.Each speech is evaluated by an experienced club member who give appropriate advice to the speaker.And all of this is done in a positive helpful envoirnment to help all speakers feel at ease.As one prominent member of our club remarked :' In Speakeasy Toastmasters, you have nothing to lose except your nervousness'!

'But I couldn't say boo to a goose', one guest once said .Yet, after attending a number of meetings, that guest made the leap of faith and joined up.Eventually,she delivered her Ice-Breaker Speech.Within a few short years, she had presented ten speeches to become a competent communicator and had risen in the leadership ranks to become Club President.This is a common tale told by a lot of toastmasters members who found their vocal wings at club meetings and soared to wonderful heights.

Guests are always welcome at our meetings and are never obliged to speak unless they wish to join in. So, if you would like to learn a new and exciting skill or if you are curious about what happens at a Toastmasters meeting,you are welcome to come along to the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow on Thursday,21st.September at 7.45 for an 8.00 PM start.As the Romans once said :Carpe Diem.Seize the day!

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