One thing leads to another!
Nenagh Toastmasters welcomed two Area Directors to their Nenagh meeting on November 12.
Maura Meaney from Area 24 came to evaluate Nenagh Toastmasters, accompanied by Patrick Hynes, the Area 13 Director. Twice a year, Maura Meaney conducts such visits in support of area clubs in an advisory role.
Nenagh’s President Eileen Kennedy presided, with Joe Ryan as Toastmaster and Tony Spain as Topics Master for the evening. David Healy acted as Grammarian, pointing out crutch words to be avoided, and urging speakers to use unusual words to stretch our vocabulary. ‘Invigilate’ (to supervise) was the suggested word to incorporate in this evening’s speeches.
Danny Doyle as timer for the evening explained the five to seven minutes allowed for speeches and two minutes for discussion of topics, with a silent green, amber and red light system to indicate time taken. In formal competitions, speakers would be disqualified for failing to comply with the allottetime.
The first speaker was David Bisschoff, whose chosen theme was ‘One Thing Leads to Another,’ an amusing sequence of events that evolved from one casual incidence with a sparkler to a complete misunderstanding over subsequent public developments - a hilarious tale. Margaret McGuire evaluated David’s speech with positive feedback and recommendations (see below).
A SHORT HISTORY OF ROCKS
The second speaker was Willie Grace, who loves geology and rocks in particular, mentioning fines to prevent public disturbance of rocks from their normal habitat, to the description of their formations, consistence and ancient history.
Margaret Cullinan evaluated Willie Grace’s speech. She commended him for an interesting description of the formation, history and geography of fossils, adding she would have enjoyed more opportunity to see and handle the rocks.
Sean Butler referenced a competition to be held in Dublin on November 26. A three minutes speech entitled ‘Artificial Intelligence is not a threat to humanity: for or against?’, in which he will compete.
THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE EVENING
After the 20 minute-break for coffee, tea and biscuits it was time for Tony Spain to announce the topics for general discussion.
Tony referenced the TV series ‘Home of the Year’, in which owners are asked to designate their favourite spot in the home. ‘Where is your favourite spot, and why?’
Other topics invited comments on the ‘All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in 1964’; ‘What are you good at?’, and ‘Have you ever experienced a Coincidence?’
Next it was time for Maura Meaney, Area Adviser, to give her general evaluation on this first visit to our club. Her impressions were that the meeting was well-organised, started on time with two good speeches and good evaluations.
She thought the club does well in drawing members in and she commended Sean Butler’s outline of the upcoming competition. On the matter of topics, Maura advised that the topic be announced before the participant so that all were obliged to consider their reply if called upon.
Closing the meeting, Toastmaster Joe Ryan mentioned our good conversion rate from visitors to members (22 attended this meeting plus visitors) and reminded members of the public that all visitors are welcome to all our events, to see if this is a club they would like to join.
The next Toastmasters meeting is on Tuesday, November 26, at 8pm in the Abbey Court Hotel.