Report by: KEVIN WALSH
Fermoy Toastmasters gathered on an evening of glorious sunshine on Tuesday, May 8th, at the usual time of 8.15., in the Fermoy Youth Centre. The quay outside was bustling with activity connected with an athletics race, ducks glided serenely over and came to rest on the placid sparkling waters and it was so lovely to see a crew of four with flashing oars turning their canoe about so adroitly and gracefully in mid-river. The room soon filled with a large attendance, cheerful conversation hummed and frequent bursts of laughter announced happy togetherness. Our outgoing President Eilish Ui Bhriain sounded the gavel and extended a most cordial and kindly welcome to all in ever congenial and very nice words that set a lovely atmosphere from the very beginning. Like all our evenings, this was a very happy occasion but not untinged with a hint of wistfulness as it was the final time for the moment that Eilish would appear at the top table wearing the Presidential chain of office that she has borne around her shoulders with such style and distinction over these many months and opened her heart to all with such kindness, charm and friendship.
The first half of the proceedings followed the normal pattern of topics, speeches and evaluations, with John Sherlock as Toastmaster or chairman guiding things along with ready assurance and genial bonhomie. A highly original topics session from Frank O’Driscoll in his relaxed and charming style elicited wide and varied contributions that imparted a lively effervescence. The instant thought, the quick aside, the ready humour and tapping of creative energy is one of the things that make any Toastmasters so very uplifting so that you take away feelings of elation and something positive and enriching. The best and most witty comment came from Tim Fitzgerald, who addressing a topic on how newly-elected French President Emanuel Macron had married his former teacher Brigitte, said that that was the best way to get an approving tick!
The term ‘prinking’ – taking a drink before going out to a social event – was also set before us, marking yet another way in which new words develop and evolve in a living language to reflect ever changing times and realities. A further innovation was that Frank asked us to imagine a party that had gone wrong but instead of asking this of just one person to speak on for two minutes, floated the idea around the room with everyone offering brief comments of no more than a couple of sentences and then passing it on to the next, so that on an occasion when time was rather short, all present had a chance to have their voices heard and their humour shared and appreciated.
Two very different and equally beautiful speeches were a sweet pleasure to the listening ear. Angela Ngethe rose to the lectern to give her Icebreaker or Introductory Speech, offering a thoughtful self -portrait to the club. She evoked her native Kenya and the dream she formed there of a new and very different life in Europe, describing what were to her then the strangeness and unfamiliarity of airport boarding procedures and of taking to the air for the very first time. Told with charm and her gentle voice and presence, Angela traced her personal journey through Italy and Sweden before eventually coming to Ireland and – after an interlude in Co. Leitrim – came to settle in Fermoy with her partner and children and of how she finds life here so rewarding and fulfilling. Now she sets out on her new journey in Toastmasters with the support and good wishes of us all while we look forward to the richness and depth of her contribution. In crafting her opening speech, Angela was mentored by Johanna Hegarty with all of her insight, knowledge and skill. Later as evaluator she said what a pleasure it had been to help Angela with her well-organised and illuminating presentation and looking ahead to the future with confidence and optimism.
After an Icebreaker, a key milestone for any member is the Stage Two speech, marking the real setting out in the arts of communication and leadership. We all remember asking ourselves then what would we talk about. I always believe that the best speeches are those derived from personal experience in which it is possible to speak with knowledge and familiarity. Conor MacAree chose this path also to give us a delightful talk on the immense joy and pleasure that he and his dear wife Marie derive from their owning several cats, rightly considered to be an alternative to dogs as humanity’s Best Friend. He spoke of the independence and the self-reliance of your average feline, their loyalty as great pets together with skill in hunting and keeping the rodent population safely under control and at bay, of the relaxation and sense of comfort they impart as they purr contentedly revelling in their owners’ attention. Jerry Hennessy, as Evaluator, later said as a cat owner himself he was very pleased to see that these mysterious but affectionate creatures had got the recognition that is their due and praised Conor for his most aptly relaxed and gentle presentation.
The ever convivial tea-break was enhanced by a large plate of excellent sandwiches brought to us by our good friends in the Fermoy Youth Centre who are ever so helpful, kindly and attentive all throughout the year and to whom we would like to express a very sincere word of thanks and deepest appreciation and looking forward to seeing them again in the autumn. The AGM proper then began with each of the outgoing club officers rendering an account of their stewardship and answering any questions any member might care to ask. With an expanding membership and a long string of very successful and entertaining meetings, there was a universal expression of admiration for all that had been achieved. President Eilish Ui Bhriain expressed her thanks for the most generous help and support she had received and of how the vital strength of the club lies in its encouraging everyone to fully be themselves so as to give of their best and in turn to bring out the very best for the mutual pleasure and advancement of all. Then in a most touching and wonderful gesture she offered gifts as tokens of her very special goodwill and appreciation.
To build on those achievements the following new Committee was elected for the year 2017-18: Club President Kevin O’Neill; EVP or Meetings Organiser, John Sherlock; Treasurer Johanna Hegarty; PRO Kevin Walsh; Membership Development Mary Whelan; Denis O’Brien as Secretary. One of our newest members, Conor MacAree, very graciously accepted the post of Assistant EVP for which we are all most grateful. Both Jerry Hennessy and Fanahan Colbert retired from the Committee with the appreciation of all for their service and looking forward to their continuing active participation and warm friendship. We hope to see you all again at our next meeting on Tuesday, September 5th, 2017 at the Fermoy Youth Centre at 8.15 pm. We wish all our members and friends a safe, pleasant and most enjoyable summer.