Thursday, November 27, 2003

27 Nov

Speakeasy Toastmasters Mallow

Notes for publication on 27th November.

Members and guests at the meeting held on the 13th November heard Sean Lynch describe the importance and significance of the sayings and beliefs we learn as children, in a speech entitled ‘On my mother’s knee’. The information we receive throughout life may be positive or negative and will determine how well we will react to the situations and crises we may encounter. Noel O’ Conner evaluated Sean’s speech. The final speech of the evening was evaluated by Vivienne Buckley and was given by Gerry O’ Callaghan who had us all in gales of laughter when he delivered his prize-winning speech – ‘Toby’s Eulogy’ to the club for the second time. It gets funnier with every delivery, and I believe he gave a fine performance in Edinburgh during the District finals held on 14-16th November. By all accounts both Gerry and Kieran Buckley did us proud – again! It was a wonderful achievement for them to get to that level of competition – well done again lads.
A lively and entertaining Topics session was held following five wonderful speeches. Topics master for the evening was Mary Stack who started by asking Pat Duggan whether he enjoyed exercise or was he a ‘couch potato’. There was plenty of discussion following this topic as people debated the finer points of Pat’s favourite exercise which is hill-walking. Members and guests heard about the merits of Kilimanjaro versus Carrauntoohill - but maybe we should just take up farming if we all want to do is get wet and cold, muddy and exhausted? Other topics which were discussed included - the smoking ban, how to answer the dangerous question ‘does my bum look big in this?’ and best ever inventions. Don’t worry, guests are never asked to directly respond to a topic! However, every topic is open for discussion to everyone present once it’s thrown out to the floor.

Our next meeting is on Thursday, 27th November and, as usual, guests are very welcome to attend. The meetings start at 8:00 pm and we ask everyone to be at The Hibernian Hotel (Chapel Lane) at 7:50 pm.

If you would like to know more about Speakeasy Toastmasters club you can ring Angela at 022 51071 or Sean at 022 22755 for information. Or you can log onto our website; www.clix.to/speakeasy. The club’s e-mail address is speakeasymallow@eircom.net

Thursday, November 20, 2003

20 Nov

Speakeasy Toastmasters Mallow

Notes from meeting held on Thursday, 13th November, 2003.

This week’s meeting opened with a warm welcome from our president Pat Duggan, who also took the opportunity to congratulate Kieran Buckley and Gerry O’ Callaghan on their recent success in the finals of the Division A Humorous speech and Topics competitions. On behalf of the club he also wished them the very best of luck in Edinburgh at the District finals.
The toastmaster for the evening was Ray Ryan who took us all through the meeting in a very smooth and polished manner. With his relaxed but professional manner, Ray made everyone feel comfortable and ensured that the meeting was a success.
The first speaker was Eileen Corkery who spoke about dyslexia, describing the trauma and difficulties associated with this condition which affects a surprising number of people, especially males. With the use of beautifully descriptive language Eileen guided us into the world of dyslexia, displaying her own obvious understanding and compassion for those with the condition. Eileen’s speech was evaluated by Michael Cronin. Next on the programme was Eugene O’ Connell, with a speech entitled ‘A voice in History’. The voice he spoke about was that of the 13th century middle-eastern poet and writer, Rumi whose vision of the world was inclusive of all religions and whose teachings are particularly relevant today as world leaders attempt to put in place a road map to peace in the middle-east. Pat Sexton evaluated Eugene’s speech. ‘Food for thought’ was the title of Michael Buckley’s speech which described the use of the Hay diet. Michael explained how certain food groups can be combined but that others, like the protein and starch food groups, need to be eaten at separate times in order to ensure complete digestion. Proper food combining can lead to a healthier and longer life. Michael’s speech was evaluated by Angela Sheehan.


Our next meeting is on Thursday, 27th November and, as usual, guests are very welcome to attend. The meetings start at 8:00 pm and we ask everyone to be at The Hibernian Hotel (Chapel Lane) at 7:50 pm.

If you would like to know more about Speakeasy Toastmasters club you can ring Angela at 022 51071 or Sean at 022 22755 for information. Or you can log onto our website; www.clix.to/speakeasy. The club’s e-mail address is speakeasymallow@eircom.net

Thursday, November 13, 2003

13 Nov

Speakeasy Toastmasters Mallow

Congratulations, Gerry and Kieran!

Very well done to toastmasters Gerry O’ Callaghan and Kieran Buckley who each won first prize in the ‘Division A’ Humorous speech and Topics contests held last Saturday night, 1st November, in Blarney. Gerry won the Humorous speech competition with a wonderfully funny speech entitled ‘Toby’s Eulogy’. Toby was a rat, by the way. Kieran Buckley took first prize in the Topics competition. Both Gerry and Kieran made their way to these finals having first won the club competition and then the Area finals. Again, congratulations to both!

During our own meeting held on Thursday, 1st November, there was a lively and entertaining topics session conducted by the Topicsmaster for the night, Tim Ahern. The topics session as usual allowed members and guests to speak in an impromptu fashion on just about anything and this evening was no different. Topics included the ideal holiday, pre-nuptial agreements, obesity and growing old quietly. A number of people had some interesting ideas on the reasons why women live 8 years longer than men. And how would YOU introduce Ryanair’s Michael O’ Leary?

Our next meeting is on tonight, 13th November and, as usual, guests are very welcome to attend. The meetings start at 8:00 pm and we ask everyone to be at The Hibernian Hotel (Chapel Lane) at 7:50 pm.

Thursday, November 06, 2003

06/11/2003

Speakeasy Toastmasters Mallow

Notes from Speakeasy Toastmaster’s meeting (Thursday, 30/10/03)

On Thursday evening last, toastmaster Gerry Kelleher entertained fellow members and guests alike with a speech devoted to his new best friend, his mobile phone. His new friend provides him with tips, advice, jokes and most importantly keeps him in touch with his other best friends. In return Gerry keeps his best friend well kitted out in all the latest covers. Michael Cronin evaluated Gerry’s speech. Next on the programme was Elizabeth O’ Brien with a speech entitled ‘Three for a girl, four for a boy’. This very clever and entertaining speech described how Speakeasy could potentially raise funds for a local charity by publishing a calendar of male club members – a twist on the recent movie ‘The Calendar Girls’. We can’t wait! Tony O’ Regan evaluated Elizabeth’s speech. We had a visitor from the Thomond club in Limerick - Noreen O’ Brien, with a speech entitled ‘Love yourselves’. This uplifting speech was inspired by wonderful individuals including Nelson Mandela, and described three things to do to love yourself; stand tall, believe in yourself and approve of yourself. We should tell ourselves every day ‘I appreciate who I am, I love who I am.’ This speech was evaluated by Sean Lynch. Next up was Vivienne Buckley with a very moving speech called ‘Brian’s story’. Vivienne described how this blond, blue-eyed, 10 year old boy overcame very serious injuries and his mother’s ultimately fatal illness to become a gold medallist at the recent Special Olympics. With his wonderful personality, Brian was a huge hit during the games and especially during the host town’s programme. Eugene O’ Connell evaluated Vivienne’s speech. The final speech of the evening came from Sean Corcoran, who described the ‘Distinguished Club’ awards. Sean outlined the goals which must be met in order for a club to be presented with a Distinguished club award. This year Speakeasy is again aiming to achieve a ‘President’s Distinguished club’ award, which means that the club must meet at least 9 out of the 10 goals provided by Toastmasters International. And this means more ribbons for the club banner!


Our next meeting is on Thursday night, 13th November and, as usual, guests are very welcome to attend. The meetings start at 8:00 pm and we ask everyone to be at The Hibernian Hotel (Chapel Lane) at 7:50 pm.