A Fools Poetry and The Green Murphy

Yet another brilliant meeting took place in the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, last Thursday night as members of Speak Easy Toastmasters and friends gathered for the last meeting before our summer break.

We were treated to great speeches, entertaining topics and skilful evaluations that made the evening most memorable.

President, Ray Ryan was officiating at the final meeting of his very successful presidency of the club and welcomed us warmly before introducing Toastmaster of the evening, Noel O’Connor.

Noel introduced the officers of the meeting before beginning the programme and introducing the first speaker, Joe Hassett.
Joe was doing an interpretive reading project, interpreting poetry, in which he introduced the poetry of Spike Milligan with a speech entitled “A Fools Poetry”

Following Joe was Angela Sheehan with her speech, “Fashion To Die For” in which she told the of model Isobel Carrow, and how she is dealing with the illness “Anorexia Nervosa”.

Then it was the turn of Ray Ryan with, “The Green Murphy” which was a humorous look at the life of builder, John Murphy.

Finally, Pat Sexton gave us a fascinating account of the history of German Cinema complete with facts and anecdotes.

Topicsmaster, Grant March kept the speaking off the cuff skills of the members in shape with his many well though out and researched topics.

Michael Cronin as General Evaluator, conducted the part of the meeting where the speakers received feedback on their speeches and also how the officers of the meeting performed and suggested how improvements could be made.

Other officers on the night were, Neil McAuliffe as Timekeeper, Cáit Murry, Liam Flynn and Jean Sayers as Sgt at Arms and Tony O’Regan as Ah-Counter/Grammarian.
Evaluators, Liam Flynn, Bridie O’Connell, Margaret O’Regan and Pat Duggan.

President Ray Ryan then welcomed each of the new committee, introduced them to the members and wished them luck in their roles for the coming year.
(Photographs here)

Speak Easy Toastmasters are now on their summer break and our next meeting is on September 3rd

If you would like to become proficient in public speaking (family occasions, interviews, presentations etc), speaking “off the cuff”(never again be caught for words), learn how to give feedback and do all this in an atmosphere of fun and friendship then Speak Easy Toastmasters are for you.

Our meetings are workshops and not classrooms where guests are most welcome at any time.

Why not think about Toastmasters over the summer and look us up on the internet at www.speakeasytoastmasters.com for more information.

Don’t forget, we meet again on September 3rd in The Hibernian Hotel, Mallow from 8-10pm and we’d be delighted to meet you, so until then have a great summer.
Slán agus Beannacht.

That Special Speech

Occasionally you may be called upon to give a special kind of speech, one presented in honour of a friend, relative or co-worker. Perhaps a loved one has passed away and you will be saying a few words at the service. Or you have been invited formal awards dinner at which you will be a recipient.

Speeches such as these can be difficult to give because they often involve sentiment or special decorum. If the occasion is a sad or even a happy one, you may be hesitant to speak for fear of breaking down or inadvertently saying something that will offend. Perhaps modesty and embarrassment also contribute towards making you hesitant to accept an award.

Such speeches are indeed challenging, but you can give them successfully.
The Speciality Speeches Program in Toastmasters contains five speaking assignments which will help a person develop the necessary skills for giving special occasion speeches.

In the first project, one would present a special occasion toast. In project two, requires one to give a speech in praise of another individual. In the third project, a person can have fun participating in a “roast”. The following project asks a person to present an award to someone and finally, in the last project, one will learn how to accept an award with style and ease.

Skills such as these can come into play not just during the dramatic events of your life, but during day-to-day experiences when a special comment or reply is required. However you apply the skills acquired in The Speciality Speeches Program you will be sure to expand your presentation skills and become a proficient special occasion speaker.

The Speciality Speeches Program is just one of the many programs that are practiced by Toastmasters to hone their presentation skills. Before a Toastmaster “graduates” to the more advanced programs he/she must complete the Competent Communicator Program.

This is where the basic skills of public speaking are learned.
Of course, as well as the skills of speaking, we also practice listening or evaluating. This is how we learn to give feedback to a speaker in such a way that gives praise and encouragement but also to tactfully make suggestions for improvement.

Speak Easy Toastmasters Club in Mallow was founded in 1993 and has been meeting fortnightly, September to May ever since.

The Club has approximately 30 members, with an equal gender balance, who meet from 8 to 10 pm in the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, to practice the skills of public speaking, listening and giving feedback and unprepared speaking (speaking “off the cuff”).

The club is a workshop where members practice the above skills in an atmosphere of fun and friendship and is open to anyone over 18 years of age.

Speak Easy Toastmasters meet tonight, May 28th is the Hibernian Hotel for our last meeting until early September so between now and then why not consider joining a toastmasters club?

Further information on Speak Easy Toastmasters can be had by logging on to our website at www.speakeasytoastmasters.com