Tag Archives: Tralee Toastmasters Club

News

Anne Elected New Tralee Toastmasters Club President

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At the election of the new President of Tralee Toastmasters on Monday night were, front from left; James Finnegan (Division Director), Anne Lawlor (President), Sergey Udaltsov (Area Director). Back from left; Derry Butler, Vicky McCarthy, Marie Flaherty, Sonia Elston, Michael McEgan, John McGillycuddy.

THE newly-elected President of Tralee Toastmasters Club, Anne Lawlor, received her chain of office on Monday evening at The Imperial Hotel.

Anne, who takes over from outgoing president James Finnegan, is a native of Ardfert and a retired teacher.

She joined Tralee Toastmasters in 2015 and has served on the committee for a number of years. Anne said she is looking forward to a year where members will be empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self- confidence and personal growth.

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When club meetings resume on Monday, September 4 at 8pm, at Our Lady and St. Brendan’s Parish Centre, Anne has promised a warm welcome for current, former, new members and interested visitors. Age limit for attendance is strictly over 18.

The incoming committee members for 2023-2024 are President: Anne Lawlor,
Vice- President Education: Derry Butler, Vice-President Membership: Michael McEgan, Vice- President PR: Vicky McCarthy, Secretary: Sonia Elston. Treasurer: Sonia Elston, Sergeant-at-Arms: Marie Flaherty.

Toastmasters International is a not for profit organisation providing communication and leadership skills since 1924 through a network of clubs.

For further details, please email traleetoastmasters@gmail.com or visit the Facebook Page Tralee Toastmasters.

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News

Tralee Toastmaster Reaches Speech Contest Final In London

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Anthony Garvey.

TRALEE Toastmasters member Anthony Garvey has reached the Final of the District 91 International Speech Contest, which will be held at the Barbican Centre in London, on Saturday, May 13.

Anthony is also President of Shilling Speakers, an online Toastmasters club with members from 13 different countries.

To qualify, Anthony had to win through his Club, Area and Division contests.  He will compete against seven other speakers and deliver a 5-7 minute speech on any subject of his choice.

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28 competitors will be chosen from all the District winners to advance to the World Semi-finals, which will be held on Thursday, August 17 in Nassau, the Bahamas.

The Grand Final will be held on Saturday, August 19th, with eight competitors vying for the ultimate title, the World Champion of Public Speaking. Each year more than 30,000 speakers compete in Toastmaster contests worldwide.

It has been a bumper year for Tralee Toastmasters in the speech contests, with four other members winning through their club and area contests, to compete at the Division round in District 71.  Derry Butler, Mike Mac Egan and Sergey Udaltsov all represented the club extremely well and Sonia Elston finished in second place in her Division contest.

Meetings of Tralee Toastmasters take place on the 1st & 3rd Monday of each month from 8pm – 10pm at the pastoral centre of Our Lady and St. Brendan’s Parish.

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Entertainment, News

PHOTOS: Terrifying Toastmasters Gather For Early Halloween Fun

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Derry Butler and James Finnegan at the Tralee Toastmasters Halloween Party on Monday night. Photo by Dermot Crean

MEMBERS of the Tralee Toastmasters Club got into the spirit of Halloween last night with a special fancy dress-themed evening.

And where better to hold it than the luxurious surroundings of the Ballyseede Castle Hotel, known worldwide for its ‘haunted hotel’ reputation.

“Our members come out in all sorts of regalia for a night of pure fun,” said club PRO, Michael Mac Egan. “We’ll share our party pieces, have a bite to eat and really just get to know each other better, especially after COVID.”

Over 20 members of the club showed up and really made the effort for the occasion. The club meets on the first and third Mondays of every month at the St Brendan’s Pastoral Centre at 8pm. New members are always welcome. Scroll down for photos…

Olga Knutova, Sergey Udaltsov, Patrick Roarty and Mairead Moriarty at the Tralee Toastmasters Halloween Party on Monday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Sonia Elston, Mary Nash, Joan Prendergast and Eamonn Mac An Bheatha at the Tralee Toastmasters Halloween Party on Monday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Mary Catherine Brady, John O’Connor, Sheila Carroll and Brenda Pierse at the Tralee Toastmasters Halloween Party on Monday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Vicky McCarthy and John McGillycuddy at the Tralee Toastmasters Halloween Party on Monday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Aine Quinn, Marie Flaherty, Gerard Mannix and Catriona O’Riordan at the Tralee Toastmasters Halloween Party on Monday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Anne Lawlor, Derry Butler, James Finnegan and Michael Mac Egan at the Tralee Toastmasters Halloween Party on Monday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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News

Tralee Toastmasters Club Distinguishes Itself Yet Again

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TRALEE Toastmasters Club has been awarded the Presidents Distinguished Club designation for the 2019-20 program year.

In the official notification received from Toastmasters International Board of Directors, they state that: “Distinguished Clubs provide a supportive and positive learning environment that guides members to success.  This superior member experience, in turn, helps each club to achieve more.  This past year, your club members worked together to meet and exceed the objectives of the Distinguished Club Program.  They should be proud for exemplifying the Toastmasters International Mission”.

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This is the third time Tralee Toastmasters has received this award.  It was previously attained in 2002-03, 2013-14 and 2016-17.  However, this is the first time they have received passing marks in all ten Program Goals in Education, Membership, Training and Administration.

In fact, during this period, Tralee members attained 22 separate education, training and development awards.

Tralee Toastmasters was established in 1993.  The Club has about 30 members with a diverse range of ages, occupations and interests.  It provides a safe, supportive and positive environment where members have the opportunity to develop their communication and leadership skills.    The Club has also achieved numerous awards over the years.

They meet on the first and third Mondays of the month at 8pm, currently over Zoom due to Covid 19 regulations.   The next meeting will be on Monday 7th December at 8pm. Membership details can be found by contacting traleetoastmasters@gmail.com

News

Toastmasters To Host Meeting Focusing On Sex, Politics And Religion

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Celine Slattery receiving a special Lifetime Achievement Award recently, from Antony Garvey of Tralee Toastmasters.

TRALEE Toastmasters are holding a special meeting on Monday,  October 7 focusing on the controversial topics of sex, religion and politics. The meeting is open to both members and guests.  It starts at 8pm, at Kerin’s O Rahilly’s clubhouse, in Tralee.

“When I joined Toastmasters seven years ago, I was told there were three explosive topics you couldn’t talk about: sex, religion and politics,” said Anthony Garvey, President of Tralee Toastmasters.

“I contacted Toastmasters HQ in America when I became President to see if this was true or fake news.  They told me we could debate and discuss any topics we liked! So to make up for lost time, our committee has agreed to hold a Tralee Toastmasters meeting dedicated purely to sex, religion and politics.”

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A traditional toastmasters meeting features three speeches, with a sprinkling of table topics to encourage impromptu speaking and that format will be retained with some minor modifications:

“All three speeches will be on sex, religion or politics,” Garvey continued. “And the table topics will cover the same three areas. Our aim is not to offend, but to encourage lively and stimulating debate on topics previously considered taboo.”

After the 9pm watershed, Garvey hinted the topics might increase in temperature, allowing those of a more delicate disposition the option of retiring gracefully, after the tea-break, to the bar.

At the club’s previous meeting, President Anthony Garvey made a special presentation of a lifetime achievement award to former Area Director and Tralee Toastmasters President, Celine Slattery as a mark of the respect in which she is held in the Toastmasters community.

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Vicky Achieves Honour In Her Local Toastmasters Club

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Vicky McCarthy with her award.

A TRALEE woman has attained a special honour in her local Toastmasters Club.

In the 26 years of Tralee Toastmasters Club existence, only two club members have ever achieved its highest award status until now.

Rapturous applause greeted Vicky McCarthy, the third member of Tralee Toastmasters club to attain ‘Distinguished Toastmaster Membership’ status (DTM), at the club’s first meeting of the new Toastmasters year.

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Achieving DTM status is no mean task, with the speaker having to deliver 40 speeches, carrying out numerous roles in the club and area and completing a number of advanced leadership projects.

Vicky graciously thanked her club colleagues for their support and mentioned in particular, her early mentor Celine Slattery, who befriended and guided her, and helped Vicky find her own unique voice.

“Vicky is an excellent ambassador for the club and it gives me great pleasure to bestow this accolade on such a worthy recipient,” said Club President, Anthony Garvey, presenting the award. Joe McDonnell (2007) and Elizabeth Brosnan (2016) are the club’s two other DTMs.

Anthony Garvey extended an invitation to all-comers to sample the Toastmasters experience for free at Tralee Toastmasters next meeting, at Kerins O’Rahillys clubhouse, on September 16, at 8pm.

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Tralee Toastmasters Club To Hold Open Night

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Members of the club committee. From left to right, back row: Anthony Garvey, Donal McCarthy, Eamonn Bannan, Sergey Udaltsov, John McGillycuddy. Front row: Derry Butler and Lily Tangney

TRALEE Toastmasters will be holding an opening meeting (no charge for guests) on Monday, September 17 at Kerins O’Rahilly’s Club at 8pm. Everyone is welcome.

For those who are not familiar with Toastmasters its aims are to enable people to build confidence in general and in public speaking and leadership skills in particular.

Ideal for people who want to speak at weddings, any type of meetings, interviews or any other area where confident speaking is required.

This is all done in a fun, relaxed and supportive environment where you can progress at your own speed. The meeting are held the 1st  and 3rd Monday of every month.

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Tralee Toastmasters Plan 25th Anniversary Celebration

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Some Tralee Toastmasters looking forward to a new season back in August 2017. Back row: Anthony Garvey, Donal McCarthy, Eamonn Bannan, Sergey Udaltsov, John McGillicuddy, front row: Derry Butler, Lily Tangney.

TWENTY-FIVE years ago, the world got a new Toastmasters club, established in Tralee.

The club grew, matured  and now it is proud to be a fine member in the family of the Irish Toastmasters’ clubs.

To celebrate their  anniversary, the club is holding an open event in Kerins O’Rahilly’s GAA club on Saturday, April 14.

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The night is a great opportunity for people interested in public speaking to mingle with toastmasters of all ages and experience levels – and together celebrate 25 years of great public speaking.

The festivities begin at 7.30pm and there will be finger food and drink and speeches from distinguished toastmasters and the opportunity for impromptu speaking for everyone.

There will be fun and entertainment.  Cost for the evening is €20 which can be paid at the door. If you are attending, to book a place or for further details contact: Sergey Udaltsov (sergey.udaltsov@gmail.com, 087 9785901)

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PHOTO: Anthony’s One Step Closer To Las Vegas Final

 

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Anthony Garvey of ‘Tralee Toastmasters Club’.

THE saying goes that in debating if you can’t convince them, then you must just try to confuse them.

This may be the case for most, but not for one local man after he convinced judges and progressed through the latter rounds of a speaking/debating competition.

Anthony Garvey (click here for our previous story on this) a prominent member of ‘Tralee Toastmasters Club’ (TTC) yesterday won the ‘Division A Final’ of the International Speech Contest in Mallow and is now one step closer to the ‘Grand Final’ that will be held in Las Vegas in August.

There were six competitors in the competition yesterday, with only the winner progressing to the next round.

Anthony will now take part in the ‘district’ round that will take place in Nottingham on May 16.

There will again be six competitors in this round and again, the winner will progress from here to represent the UK and Ireland in Las Vegas.

His topic was on his experiences as a student, this topic will then change if he makes it to the grand final when he will have to construct a new speech in just a few short days.

Congratulations Anthony on the win and best of  luck in May!

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Winner Anthony Garvey on the left and Kevin Lee (District 71 Lt. Governor Education and Training) on the right.

 

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Tralee Toastmasters Celebrate 90th Anniversary In Style

 

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Members of the ‘Tralee Toastmasters Club’ out celebrating in style.

A LOCAL group who have proven that they can certainly ‘talk the talk’ have now shown that they have the style to match their verbal skills, as they celebrated an anniversary this week.

The ‘Tralee Toastmasters Club’ celebrated the 90th anniversary of the foundation of ‘Toastmasters International’ with a 1920’s themed party on that was held last Monday April 13.

The night which seemed to have been an astounding success with 1920s bootleggers, gangster molls and flappers all on show in a great display of camaraderie and fun.

The first official meeting of the international speaking group was held in California in 1924 when Ralph C Smedley saw a need for the men in the community to learn how to speak, conduct meetings, plan programs and work on committees. After a few trial programs, the first official meeting took place a year later.

Things have been on the up and up for the club since then with ‘Toastmasters International’ having grown to be a world leader in communication and leadership development with membership of over 313,000 people in 14,650 clubs spread over 126 countries.

If you would like to check out what all the fuss is about, all are welcome to attend the clubs next meeting which will be held on Monday, April 27 at 8pm upstairs in O’Donnell’s Bar and Restaurant, Mounthawk.

Alternatively you can check out their website here.

Entertainment, News

Anthony’s In With A Chance Of Vegas Trip With Toastmaster Club

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Anthony Garvey of ‘Tralee Toastmasters Club’.

THEY say that in the art of debating or public speaking that you should never raise your voice, only improve your argument.

This is exactly what one local man did as he triumphed in the later rounds of a speaking competition.

Now he’s in with a chance to go to Las Vegas…if he talks his way through two more rounds.

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Anthony Garvey  who is the current club president of the ‘Tralee Toastmasters Club’ has won the ‘Area Finals of the International Speech Contest’ that is held annually.

Anthony is originally from Dublin but is now living in Tralee.

The ‘Toastmasters’ club is for those who wish to improve their public speaking skills or who wish to take part in a new and different kind of social group.

They run an international speech contest every year where over 30,000 competitors enter from all over the world. This is then whittled down to just 81 who use their dulcet tones and skills to battle it out to be part of the nine people in the grand final in Las Vegas in August.

To qualify as one of the nine you need to win the club, area, division, district and semi-final competitions that are held across the country over the year.

Anthony has won the ‘Area Contest’ with his speech about his experiences as a student and so he will now progress onto the ‘Division Contest’ which will be held in Mallow in two weeks time.

If he is successful here then he will move onto the ‘District Competition’ to be hosted in Nottingham in May with the winner from that progressing onto the grand final in Las Vegas, Nevada in August.

There has been only one Irish overall champion in the competition and that was Marie Pyne from Ennis in Co Clare way back in 1985 so we want to wish Anthony all the luck that we can for Mallow in two weeks time!