In what has been an unprecedented year to date, Athlone Toastmasters Club have maintained a prominent presence within the local landscape.
Even though the Athlone Toastmasters Club have hosted physical meetings for 33 years on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month in the Prince of Wales Hotel, supporting one another to develop communication and leadership skills, the presence of COVID-19 within the community has not deterred members from developing and enhancing the presentation and speaking skills.
Upon the announcement of lockdown restrictions in March, Athlone Toastmasters commenced planning of their inaugural online Zoom meeting, a wholly new and fantastic learning experience began for all!
These meetings, as with all the many learning experiences Toastmasters provides, brought out the best in members, enhancing skills of flexibility and adaptability, as relevant support continued to those on their individualized speaking journeys or ‘pathways’ at their own pace.
In spite of lockdown, Athlone Toastmasters had many significant achievements during the year. Some members achieved their CC - ’Competent Communicator’ award which marks the considerable achievement of having presented 10 speeches in front of fellow club members.
Two members, Somesh Kumar and Deirdre O Murchadha, achieved the highest award in Toastmasters, DTM – ‘Distinguished Toastmasters’.
The DTM recognises a superior level of achievement in both communication and leadership. All at Athlone Toastmasters are very proud of their phenomenal achievement and feel very lucky to have them in the club to inspire, motivate and mentor others.
Another longstanding member, Siobhán Fitzgerald, won her way through to the District 71 (Ireland and UK ) Final of the International Speech Contest, held online in May. It became very clear to all during the year that Toastmasters most definitely equips its members with adaptable and flexible communication and leadership skills that stand to them whether off or online.
A new committee has now taken over for the coming year under the positive presidency of Maeve O’Healy Harte and are looking forward to hosting a forthcoming meeting of Athlone Toastmasters online via Zoom on September 22 at 8pm.
Guests and new members are always welcome. Please contact Athlone Toasmasters Club to receive the link to the meeting on Facebook.
