The Galtees Toastmasters have been fairly busy the last few weeks as we approach the final few meetings of the calendar year and also the conclusion of our very successful first Youth Leadership Programme at Presentation Secondary School, Mitchelstown.

The most recent club meeting took place on Tuesday, 19 November at which Sean Roche spoke very passionately, as is his wont, about the concept of grounding or earthing, and held the audience enthralled as he told us about the benefits of connecting electrically with the earth. As we tend to wear plastic soled shoes, this natural connection occurs less frequently than in times past. I always knew being barefoot was good for me! Want to know more? Look up www.groundology.com.

Very topically, Neil Mc Auliffe spoke about the proposal that Ireland should host the Rugby World Cup in 2023 and he then answered questions on the presentation. The advice of The Galtees Toastmasters is now being considered by Government!(Well no, not really!)

Also, Brian O’Farrell gave an informative talk on William Randolph Hearst the newspaper mogul and how lies had been spread about him and he had been wrongly portrayed as starting wars.

Three very diverse speeches that informed and entertained the audience in equal measure.

Oliver Reilly’s topics session theme dealt with youth and we all had a chance to recall our memories - first days at school and our childhood ambitions and whether they materialised.

The evaluator gave valuable tips and feedback to the three speakers, to enable them to develop their speaking skills further.

Meanwhile, our first Youth Leadership programme has drawn to a close. Mary Meany, Brian O’Farrell and Máire Corbett really enjoyed the experience of connecting with a new group and it was clear to see the confidence of the girls developing over the 8 weeks. We were in awe of the skills of two girls in particular, for whom English is a foreign language. To see these 2 girls giving speeches in English was awesome! But all of the girls gave lovely speeches, talking about hobbies, passions, projects and memories. After two speeches, the girls are speaking for longer, using notes less, giving very effective feedback to each other and their impromptu speaking skills are growing. Beautiful to see!

To bring the programme to a close, our next meeting on December 3 will be a very special one. The girls who took part in Youth Leadership will be attending the meeting and giving their third speeches. All are welcome to this meeting at The Firgrove Hotel at 8pm at which certificates of Achievement will be presented.

The Galtees Toastmasters would like to thank most sincerely everyone who enabled this project to happen: Ms Kirke, the teachers and Transition Year co-ordinator at Presentation Secondary School and of course the Transition Year group.

See you on December 3rd! And don’t forget, our final meeting of the 2013 year is on 17th of December. I know we have at least one Icebreaker lined up and I’m sure there will be seasonal cheer! Check this space. And watch out for updates on Facebook and Twitter. Want to know more? Ring Máire Corbett PRO on 086-8359370 or email thegaltees@gmail.com.

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