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.”

Continued below…

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.