Warren, our President, opened the meeting and
welcomed members and guests before sharing some good news from the club. Kathy
had recently represented Galway Toastmasters at a competition and performed
brilliantly, she came 2nd in two competitions and 3rd in
the last competition.
Spencer took on the role of Toastmaster
for the evening, his first time guiding the meeting. He led the first half,
introducing the role holders and keeping everything moving smoothly.
Sarah was the ah-counter and she seamlessly
weaved in humour to the role.
Our Grammarian, Pat, introduced the word
of the day ‘Existential’. It was interesting to hear how members found
opportunities to weave it naturally into their speaking.
Frances was our timekeeper, she expertly managed
everyone’s time.
Michael took on the role of Topicsmaster for
the evening which prompted thoughtful and often humorous responses from the
floor. Questions ranged from whether Irish mothers spoil their sons more than
their daughters, to guilty pleasures and what traits we might change in
ourselves. One question asked members which country they might choose to live
in besides Ireland, with Japan appearing as one intriguing option. The session
sparked lively reflections and showed once again how the Topics sections offers
everyone the chance to stand up and share an idea or story in the moment.
We then moved into the prepared speeches,
where three speakers shared very different perspectives and experiences.
Jessica delivered her Icebreaker speech,
reflecting on how she is choosing to grow. Icebreakers give new members the
chance to introduce themselves and their story to the club. Jessica spoke
openly about her motivations and her journey so far.
Helen followed with a speech titled Stories
About the Matriarchy. Her speech was engaging and conversational, with good
use of movement and expression to bring the stories to life.
Christoffer delivered the final speech of the
evening, reflecting on his journey through the Toastmasters Pathways programme.
Having completed 15 speeches, he finally completed his chosen Pathway. He
shared what he had learned along the way, in both the Swedish Toastmasters and
Galway Toastmasters club. He included insights into movement around the stage,
using your voice to create interest at different parts of your presentation and
performing tasks while presenting. It was a thoughtful reflection on the value
of persistence and practice.
After a short tea break, the meeting continued
with the evaluation session, where speakers receive constructive feedback
designed to help them grow.
Robert, evaluating Jessica’s speech, commented
on how engaging and relatable it was, highlighting the strength of the personal
story she shared. He praised the speed at which she gave a speech and advised
her to keep up the good momentum.
Ali, evaluating Helen’s speech, noted her use
of humour and conversational tone, which helped deliver a clear and memorable
message. He also praised Helen’s ability to speak and not rely on her notes.
Maud evaluated Christoffer’s speech,
commenting on how well timed and engaging it was, and how effectively he
intertwined personal memories with his Toastmasters achievements.
The Creative Corner added a
reflective note to the evening. Bea read the poem Lost by
David Wagoner, a thoughtful piece about finding your way when you feel
uncertain or directionless.
The meeting wrapped up with reports from the
supporting roles. Sarah, our Ah-Counter, noted that “um” appeared twenty
times across ten speakers, while “ah” and “oh” made smaller appearances.
Pat, the Grammarian, highlighted some
memorable phrases from the evening, including the line:
“When you dance, an ordinary person becomes extraordinary,”
and the wonderfully expressive:
“Work like a saint, paid like a sinner.”
Another enjoyable evening of learning,
laughter and reflection.
Hope to see you at the next meeting!
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