Toastmasters celebrate 25th silver jubilee in style

MANY Toastmasters clubs folded during covid due to various reasons including restrictions and lockdowns.

District 71, which includes Irish Toastmaster clubs, Scotland, Northern Wales, Northern England, Midlands, and East of England, lost 12 clubs over the last 12 – 18 months, according to a club growth directors report in May.

Hundreds of clubs folded worldwide.

However, Clondalkin Toastmasters was one of the early adopters in 2020 of Zoom meetings during covid, which helped to keep their momentum going, and membership has grown this year.

This week, the club celebrated their silver jubilee and 25 years of public speaking accomplishments.

Formed in the USA in 1924, the International Toastmasters has helped hundreds of thousands of people in 145 countries, to develop skills and confidence to express themselves effectively in any situation.

Mary Conlon, vice president of education in Clondalkin Toastmasters, said they are “lucky that since January, we have grown members, people who came to us”.

“It is a public speaking club. Often people come to us who want to prepare for a wedding speech or particularly for their work. Mainly people who want to improve their public speaking skills.

“At the moment we are the highest achieving educational awards in District 71. I am also the area director this year,” said Mary.

Mary also cited legendary club member Tina Stynes (81) as a “great source of encouragement” to other members.

Speaking to The Echo for Local Faces last October, Clonburris mother-of-seven Tina said it is “not just about speaking, it is also about listening”.

“It is a great support, and provides a sense of belonging and a fulfilment. There has never been an evening where I didn’t learn something new,” said Tina.

For new members, Mary says they have a buddy system which helps to ease people into the club, and that they have speakers heading forward to finals later this year.

“We are a very friendly club,” said Mary, who can be contacted at 085 1314032.

Clondalkin Toastmasters meet on the first and third Tuesday of every month at the Maldron in Newlands Cross.

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