Hope is the thing with feathers

Sometimes we take for granted how wonderful our use of language can be. Last week's Speakeasy Meeting was a prime example of beautiful language and everyday phrases that enrich our conversation. 

Olivia Cashman delivering her speech

It all began with Rose Murphy whose choice for the Poetry Corner was Emily Dickinson's inspiring poem "Hope is a thing with feathers". Is there a more beautiful opening line than "Hope is a thing with feathers that perches in the soul"?

It continued with Rachel Liston  and her speech "New Beginnings". She spoke about how Toastmasters helped her overcome her fear of public speaking, especially overcoming the dread of Impromptu Speaking   and "locking eyes with the Topicsmaster".

Rose Murphy reading her poem

Paul Corcoran continued the linguistic flurries in his contribution "Learning from the best" with lines lines like "the bells and smells of Catholicism". Paul delivered another uplifting line  that encapsulated the entire speech programme "Isn't that just perfect?"

Even the animal kingdom provided some memorable lines about "the waggle dance" which is a worker bee informs the rest of his hive about a newly discovered source of pollen! Peter Patton's "Dog gone crazy" took us on a journey of life from an animal's perspective. 

Olivia Cashman's speech "Hidden Treasures" was a fascinating tale of one family's contribution to the establishment of the Irish State in 1922." It contained, perhaps, the most profound contribution of the evening - not all Treasures are visible" but exist as memories that are handed down to each new generation. 

One of the main attractions of Toastmasters is the miscellany of ideas and opinions we hear. It's ordinary people leading ordinary lives presenting their ideas and gaining in confidence by so doing.

Peter Patton delivering his speech

Speakeasy Toastmasters returns to The Hibernian Hotel, Mallow on Thursday, 1st October at 7.45pm.  Now is always a good time to come along and witness what Speakeasy can offer. If enhanced communication skills can assist you in your job or in job interviews,  Toastmasters can help you achieve those goals.  If you require assistance with that"Special Occasion" speech or in the art of conducting a Meeting, Speakeasy can help you. 

Everyone is welcome to attend our Meetings and guests are not obliged to speak unless they wish to do so.

For further information, please check out our website speakeasytoastmasters.com or on Facebook. 

Off the cuff

We have all experienced the discomfort of being "put on the spot". Our brains slow down,  we can't find the right words and we feel dissatisfied with the responses we make. And then the right response comes to us later! 

In Speakeasy Toastmasters, we help our Members become more accomplished at impromptu  speaking.  Our Table Topics Session puts Members on the spot in a friendly  and non threatening way. And over a period of time, we become more adept at speaking confidently in interpersonal situations,  be it in conversations with family,  friends and work colleagues. It helps Members to put the right message across in job interviews and work situations. 

James McConville did the honours as Topicsmaster at our last Meeting. Like a discussion leader,  he elicited responses on a range of subjects. "What is your favourite smell" evoked some beautiful images. We were reminded of the mix of smells in Buckley Brothers Hardware store and the fresh fragrance we experience after rain. The plans for the regreening of Africa led to the question of similar initiatives in Ireland.  Reflections on the Summer just passed  included the prevalence of "the green and red of Mayo". Other subjects included a member's experience of his first night at a Toastmasters Meeting,  a very desirable magic power and the relearning of a skill. 

The Session was both enjoyable and insightful. And the part of the brain that engages with impromptu speaking  was well exercised. It was a hugely beneficial exercise in the art of "thinking on our feet".

Our next Speakeasy Meeting takes place on this Thursday night, 17th September in The Hibernian Hotel, Mallow at 7.45pm. 

As always,  guests are welcome to attend our Meetings and are never obliged to speak unless they wish to do so.

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

Michael Cronin in full flight as he speaks off the cuff.

James McConville,  Topicsmaster at the last Speakeasy Toastmasters Meeting. 

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