Learn to speak with ease in public at Speakeasy Toastmasters
CAN you always say what you really mean? Are you confident about speaking in public? Do you need to speak a few well chosen words on special occasions?
If you find that you are apprehensive about speaking before an audience take consolation - you are good company. In various surveys, almost half the people questioned listed speaking in public as their number one fear,outranking even the fear of death.
This is where Speakeasy Toastmasters comes in. S.T. are devoted to showing their members how to overcome this fear and to express their thoughts, ideas and opinions through an enjoyable, yet professional educational programme. ‘Learning by doing’ is the most effective way of learning, and this is how Toastmasters works. You will start speaking and just get better and better.
The Toastmasters programme will help you overcome the initial nervousness everyone experiences when speaking before an audience. It will show you how to make ‘your butterflies fly in formation’.
The first speech a new member delivers is called ‘ the ice breaker’, an opportunity to introduce yourself to your audience. From then on you work at a pace that suits you.
You will practice techniques on constructing a speech and grabbing the audience’s attention. You will gain valuable experience in vocal variety and the use of body gestures.
To assist each member, the Toastmasters programme includes evaluation where every speech delivered is evaluated by another member, providing helpful and positive feedback, enabling the speaker to grow in confidence and competence.
Thinking ‘on the spot’ is another skill you will acquire in Toastmasters. Each meeting has an impromptu segment known as the ‘ Topics Session’ where you respond to topic and give your opinions. Speaking ‘off the cuff ’ in this fashion hones your inter-personal communication skills which are essential in job interviews, home and workplace situations.
All of this takes place within the format of a meeting which are always varied, educational, entertaining and friendly. The motto of Speakeasy Toastmasters is ‘We learn most in moments of enjoyment’.
Since their establishment in 1993, Speakeasy Toastmasters has assisted hundreds of members to speak out in style and confidence. If you wish to acquire or improve your communication skills why not pay them a visit?
The first meeting of the new season is on Thursday, September 6 in The Hibernian Hotel commencing at 8pm. Guests are always welcome and are never coerced to speak unless they wish to do so.
In other news, Ray Ryan is this year’s recipient of The Jerry Mulcahy Award. Jerry Mulcahy, former club president and long term member, was a devoted club person, synonymous with his work behind the scenes.
In presenting this award, outgoing President,Helsa Giles praised Ray for “his unseen work, his willingness to help in the smooth running of the club and his curating of the club’s website and Facebook”.
For further information on Toastmasters, please check out their website, speakeasytoastmasters.com or on Facebook. Alternatively, you can contact President, Sean Corcoran on 086-605 4784.