Offaly man completes successful year in Toastmasters role

Charles Malone, from Croghan, has just completed a successful year as a divisional director of the Toastmasters organisation.

Toastmasters is a non-profit public speaking group which welcomes people who wish to improve their speaking and leadership skills.

People attend for many reasons; maybe they need to deliver a wedding speech, or mostly nowadays they need to make more presentations at work.

It could be just to simply get out the house and make new friendships, or perhaps get on that Ted X stage like many of the members have.

Among the distinguished leaders within the Toastmasters community is Charles Malone from Croghan, who is a member of Tullamore Toastmasters.

Charles recently completed his tenure as director of Toastmasters' Division F Director, which covers counties including Offaly, Westmeath, Longford, Galway, Mayo, Cavan, Monaghan. Donegal and Derry.

In this position, he had a lead role in putting together four competitions over two successful days so that Toastmasters from all over the division could compete and have the chance to move onto the next level.

Divisional directors are also responsible for arranging club officer training to help the clubs run smoothly. Charles spearheaded club officer training sessions that drew 240 participants from not only Ireland but also the UK, USA, Spain, Holland and Germany.

He said the highlight of his tenure was when he was recognised for his excellence in leadership by members in his division at an annual awards event, where he was named Division Director of the Year.

"It was such a surprise and an honour to be acknowledged," Charles commented.

He added that he would "cutting back and recharging" in the year ahead.