Enhance your communication skills with beginner-friendly Public Speaking Club in Sandymount
It is probably one of the commonest of human fears: having to speak in public to a large or even a small group of people. That dread of standing up, with all eyes in the room focused on you, and all ears listening out for the slightest stumble or mistake you might make. The terror of appearing stupid or tongue-tied. It brings the sweat out on one’s brow. And yet, in this modern world, communication has never been so important. Most of us have to interact and address our customers, our clients, our colleagues, our superiors, or our employees, and we want to do it effectively. We all need to talk in public at some stage, maybe to contribute to a local forum, or to give a business presentation, or make a point at a Residents AGM. Maybe a Best Man or Father of the Bride obligation?
Well, let me say from my own personal experience, that being a member of a well run Public Speaking Club, such as ours here in Sandymount, is probably one of the most effective, productive and enjoyable ways to put behind you the awful fear of speaking in public. It is a Club that will give you the skills and confidence to effectively express yourself in any situation. It may not eliminate the butterflies in your tummy, but it will get them flying in formation. And it does so in a supportive, encouraging and affordable way. Quite quickly, one can become an effective contributor at work meetings, thus enhancing one’s career prospects.
Now Sandymount has a long-established Public Speaking Club, which has recently moved to the lovely Sandymount Community Centre, on Newbridge Avenue, just around the corner from the Aviva Stadium. Meetings take place on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, starting at 8 pm. Visitors and guests are welcome, with no charge, obligation or pressure.
And how does this Club work its magic? Well, when you join, you are introduced to a programme which gives you the opportunity to attempt short speeches or presentations, suggests areas you may wish to practice, such as vocal variety, eye contact, manual gestures and body language. It gives tips on various speaking skills, but always in a friendly, supportive and encouraging way. There is no formal teacher or instructor at these meetings, but everything that happens is evaluated in an encouraging way by your peers, so each week you are getting feedback and recommendations, fostering continuous personal improvement.
Members get the chance to make short formal speeches of five minutes or so, or to speak impromptu for up to two minutes at the Topics Session, or to make a contribution to the evening’s Debate, or to give an evaluation of one of their colleague’s speeches, or to take the role of Chairman, Proposer of the Motion, or General Evaluator. The roles change from week to week. But everything is voluntary, and no new member is forced or rushed into doing anything they don’t want to.
There is a very pleasant sociable aspect to the Club, with a tea break at each Meeting, and the chance of a pint and a chat with fellow members afterwards. Membership of our Club is split fairly evenly male and female.
Our Club is affiliated to Toastmasters International, a world-wide public speaking organization.
Why not give it a try? Come along, drop in some Tuesday night, starting 24th September, and meet us.
Email: president-3599@toastmastersclubs.org
Phone: Seb Stevenson, President, 086 8178287
Eleanor Devitt, Vice President, 087 7402200
