This week’s meeting was both fun and motivating, as we all tried to further improve our
speaking skills in a friendly and supportive place.
Following Our president Claire’s opening remarks, Una B presided over our meeting as
Toastmaster with a fun and friendly demeanour that easily rivals Ryan Tubridy.
We heard a wonderful poem from Oonagh, and Eileen engaged us with a useful word of the
day – ‘shimmer’. I still think it was used in the meeting more times than you claimed Eileen,
but I will let you off that one!!
Natalia’s table topics went down a treat, with an autumnal theme throughout.
We were treated to a wedding speech by Noel, father-of-the-groom, that would rival any
wedding speech I have ever heard. It again shows the value of Toastmasters to help people
improve their speaking skills in a practical way.
This was followed by an example of how to handle mishaps as Ellen coped with unexpected
sound issues, and still managed to deliver a cracking speech. This reflects well on her
progress to date.
Then Patricia held the rear-guard, delivering a fun and high-class speech that grabbed her
audience’s attention, and puts a maker down for Vincent to match!
Our general evaluator Aine held court very well, showing her skills in a role that is
particularly challenging in our club.
Our evaluators delivered constructive feedback to help our speakers, as well as our audience,
to further improve their skills. And congratulations to Aoife for taking those first challenging
steps into evaluations!
Also, we had a lovely club moment. Our president Claire awarded an honorary membership
for this year to one of our longest-serving members and the heart-beat of our club – Peter
Kieran, DTM. It was a moment of warmth and celebration for our club, and reflects how
Toastmasters can help bring out the best in us all.
All Things Pass – Lao-Tzu
All things pass
A sunrise does not last all morning
All things pass
A cloudburst does not last all day
All things pass
Nor a sunset all night
All things pass
What always changes?
Earth…sky…thunder…
mountain…water…
wind…fire…lake…
These change
And if these do not last
Do man’s visions last?
Do man’s illusions?
Take things as they come
All things pass
viking voices toastmasters 