Ghosts, Fairies and Toastmaster Contests

Last Thursday night in the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow saw another fantastic meeting of Speak Easy Toastmasters in which President, Anne Buckley began by welcoming the usual great attendance of over thirty members and guests.

She also welcomed, especially, the three visiting toastmasters who were on the program, Mark Twomey from the “Nice and Easy Club”, Maire Corbett, from “The Galtees” and Michael Buckley from “Crusaders” in Cork City.

Angela Sheehan was our Toastmaster for the night and guided us through the meeting with her usual humour and efficiency.

First to the lectern was Mark Twomey with a speech entitled “Going Through Life” in which he told us about himself and the area in which he lives with such skill that we were there with him all the way. We hope it will not be too long until we welcome Mark back again with another speech. Mark’s speech was evaluated by Tony O’Regan.

Following Mark was Maire Corbett with a speech entitled “We manage fine without them” in which she humorously told us of her experiences with mobile phones, both as a user and unintentional listener. Lorretto Barry evaluated Maire’s speech.

Then it was the turn of Michael Buckley with an interpretive reading project. Michael entertained us by reciting, is his own distinctive style and humour, two songs from the seventies, Ape Man and Free Electric Band. Michael Walsh evaluated.

Following Michael was Tim Casey with a cleverly constructed speech in which he performed a dialogue between father and son on ghosts and fairies. Sean Corcoran evaluated.

Pat Sexton gave us what is known in Toastmasters as, an educational session, in which he told us how speech contests were organized as there are five of these contests annually. Ray Ryan was Pat’s evaluator.

After the tea break it was of Topicsmaster of the evening Jerry Kelleher who both entertained and educated with his well researched list of topics. This is the part of every toastmasters meeting in which the members are asked to speak for two minutes on a particular topic. The Topicsmaster of the evening is the only one who knows what the topics are so members must speak “off the cuff”.

A daunting task for even the most experienced toastmasters but that is how we improve, by doing.

Yes, the answers can be hilarious and that is why it is known as the “fun” part of the meeting.

Finally General Evaluator for the evening, Michael Cronin, who conducted the “Evaluation Session”. In this part of the meeting, members who have been designated as evaluators give feedback to those who made speeches. A most important aspect of Toastmasters, as speakers are told how they performed and what improvements they could make in the future to make them become even better speakers.

Michael also called for reports from the Sgt at Arms, Joe Hassett and Mary Moynihan, Timekeeper, Margaret O’Regan and “Ah Counter”, Maire Fitzpatrick.

The next meeting of Speak Easy Toastmasters will be on Thursday night, February 7^th at 7.50pm.

Once again, Speak Easy Toastmasters invite “you” to come along as our guest.

You will be made most welcome and please note that guests are never asked to speak at a Toastmasters meeting.

Further information on Speak Easy Toastmasters can be had by visiting our website at www.speakeasytoastmasters.com or by contacting our PRO, Sean on 086 6054784

More and More

From September last, in these notes, we have looked at the various skills that are practiced at toastmasters meetings. Skills such as voice projection, using overheads, organizing your speech etc.

On alternate Thursdays over the coming months we will look at how Toastmasters use these skills.

We (Toastmasters) are often asked, “What do you do when all these skills are learnt, is that it?” and we are delighted to answer, “No, it is only the beginning”

You see, the Toastmasters program is designed that once a person has the initial program (or manual) called “The Competent Communicator”, completed, they can go on to specialise in or learn other skills.

For instance, if in a person’s job they had to give presentations before colleagues or customers they would benefit by completing the “Technical Presentations”, or “Speeches by Management” programs.

Would you like to be the life and soul of the party? Then you could complete the “Humorously Speaking”, “Entertaining Speaker” or even “The Storytelling” programs

If someone was active in the community and was attending or organizing functions then one could get involved in “The Leadership” aspect of Toastmasters where you learn organizational and leadership skills.

If a person really wants to hone their speechmaking skills, there are contests, yes, contests.

In Toastmasters we have five separate contests annually which have various heats at club, area, division and district levels.

“Is it all work and no play”? I hear you ask. Not at all. The two f’s are a very important part of Toastmasters meetings and gatherings. Go on ask, what are the two f’s. Fun and friendship, that’s what.

Fun and friendship within toastmasters is what brings over 30 members, friends and guests each fortnight to Speak Easy Toastmasters meetings.

Only last Saturday night members, spouses and friends paid another visit to the Everyman Theatre to the performance of “Tom Crean - Antarctic Explorer” A remarkable show by Aidan Dooley.

Such is the camaraderie within the club.

So why not come along to any of our meetings as our guest and see for yourself? We meet in the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow on alternate Thursdays at 7.50 for an 8pm sharp start.

You will be made most welcome and don’t worry, guests are never asked to speak at a Toastmasters meeting.

Our next meeting is….Tonight, Thursday 24^th , as it happens, and on the program we have Angela Sheehan as Toastmaster of the evening and keeping members on their toes will be Jerry Kelleher as Topicsmaster. Watching over the proceedings will be Michael Cronin as General Evaluator and making sure we don’t go over time is Margaret O’Regan as Timekeeper.

The Speakers will be, Mark Twomey fron the Nice and Easy Club. Maire Corbett from The Galtees Club, Michael Buckley from the Crusaders Club and Tim Casey and Pat Sexton from Speak Easy.

Don’t forget, The Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, tonight at 7.50pm.

See you there.

Further information on Speak Easy Toastmasters can be had from our website, www.speakeasytoastmasters.com for contact Club PRO, Seán on 086 6054784