Newsletter - April 2021

Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club DISTRICT-82 || AREA H4 || CLUB NO: 2549382 Club Newsletter ISSUE 8 | Year 2020/ 21 | April 2021

B E Y O N D THE C I R C L E

361 Toastmasters International Core Values Integrity Respect Service Excellence

Memories of Outdoor Meeting -2021

P.06

“ Experience is the best answer to nervousness ”

P.8,9,10

Contents

2 8

Create your own Ladder to the destination

9

Chat with a Champion

10

Chat with a Champion

3

President Pens

3

Be a Special One

4

Editor's Note

11

Chat with a Champion

4

Co-Editor's note

12

Priceless Treasure

5

Grow to Glow

13

What I Witnessed?

6

Experience of Outdoor Meeting

14

The Dream Catcher

7

Mountain without a PEAK

15

Achievements & Recognition

Toastmasters International Mission We empower individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders.

Toastmasters International Envisioned Future To be the first-choice provider of dynamic, highvalue, experiential communication and leadership skills development.

Editorial Team

Newsletter Editors

TM Durangi Kemali TM Pramitha de Silva

Creative Editors A moment in fresh environment with club members in Outdoor Meeting on 28th of February 2021 .

o

361 - BEYOND THE CIRCLE

TM Asanka Milroy DTM Mohamed Rifnaz TM Thusitha Jayasooriya TM Darshana Ekanayake

3

President Pens Adapting to the Changes is essential in your life

Change is an ever-unchanging concept in the world. Change happens every second in the world. Adapting to these changes while changing your ideas or behaviours will teach novel lessons for your life and may lead to your success from some ends. The Corona pandemic forced us to change the mode of conducting the toastmaster activities including the educational meetings, OTPs, JTPs, CJTPS, contests, outdoor meetings, theme meetings, TLI events, etc. Though willingly or unwillingly we all had to adapt to these changes. Through these adaptations, we as toastmasters learned lots of new things in technology. Irrespective of evaluating the pros and cons of many of these online activities, we learned to deal with, interact in, organize, and conduct online meetings. Not only that, it helped us to be safe from Corona Virus. The biggest lesson we learned from this scenario is that we meet certain situations in our life we cannot avoid changing but adapting to the change. Hence once we happened to change, respect the change and try to adapt to the change. It will help you to improve your life in different ways!

TM Sanjeewanie Ginigaddara, IP4 President Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club

Be a Special One

Whatever the education you have, whatever the position you hold, whatever the ethnic group you belonged to, you have a duty as a human being, It is servicing the society where you descend from. If you can do that duty genuinely you will be recognized in the society and you will be given the due respect as well as the reputation where ever you go.

When I say this you may think what sort of things we should do to the society as our duty. It’s not a big thing that cost an arm and a leg. If you just can listen to someone patiently, if you can greet a road sweeper in the morning, if you can say thank someone with your pleasant smile you have already done it and won half of the society because people need a good model to follow, a trustworthy leader who understands them. . o

If you want to go further you have to have a courage and willingness to share what you have and be happy to see what others have. It can be material, talents or skill. I know in this context it is difficult some people to make their mind, but there are people who always ready to see others success, dedicate to make others successful and they are also happy to see others achievements as their own. If you look at the Toastmasters family you will meet such people who support others and share their experience and watching others development like a farmer eagerly watching his flourishing crop. As a toastmaster you are a one who is always ready to share your communication skills, leadership qualities and caring others therefore you will never be some one of the society but always a special one.

TM Gamini Wijerathne,PM1

361 - BEYOND THE CIRCLE

4 Editor's Note

-

Our voice in words…

It’s a great pleasure to have an opportunity to work as the editor of this newsletter and I would like to give my heartiest thank to madam president for giving me this opportunity.

When I was forced to join Toastmasters to improve my leadership skills by my father, I thought the reason to waste our time to improve a skill we all have with our selves. But after joining Toastmasters I thought I was wrong. I even didn’t know the meaning of “Leadership” before joining Toastmasters.

Different types of people who are in different positions in the society mingle in Toastmasters.

Most of them are busy with their professions and families. But it makes me wonder how they manage everything smartly. I found the answer when I got the opportunity to be the newsletter editor. They taught me how to manage everything, how to be a leader, how to work with a team and to be a good communicator. Because of this role I put the word “I” away and grabbed the word “we”.

It’s a jubilation to have such supportive Toastmasters around us to give their hands by writing newsletters, giving instructions and inspiration. We are really thankful for everyone who gave us their support to succeed this newsletter.

Many people think that Toastmasters is a place which helps to improve public speaking. But there is nothing we cannot improve with the help of Toastmasters. After reading this interesting newsletter which filled with experiences of veteran Toastmasters, newbies and about the past and future events, you can assure the things I penned. I invite you all to read this newsletter and gain something to improve your self. Hope you will enjoy the reading.

TM Durangi Kemali,PI1 Newsletter Editor

Co- Editor’s Note Beyond communication and leadership skills the Toastmasters program specially targets listening, critical thinking, time management, planning, giving feedback, organizing, motivations and team building.

In addition to that by improving our creative content club newsletters, help a lot to enhance our creative writing abilities. Reading the newsletter gives you the opportunity to grasp more things. I am sure; from this edition we would provide good service to our members and viewers. o

361 - BEYOND THE CIRCLE

TM Pramitha De Silva Co- Editor

5 Grow to Glow ‘Nervous, shy, anxious, timid, backward‘. These words perfectly described my own personality before I joined the Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club. In my school days, I have turned down many of the leadership roles offered to me, due to my lack of selfconfidence. Back then, I had never been a leader in my life.

Soon after I joined the Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club, I was offered to be the Club Secretary for the year 2020/2021. Surprisingly, I found myself accepting it wholeheartedly. It was truly a big challenge for me but at the same time it offered me a brand new learning experience where I got myself to step out of my comfort zone to explore new horizons. As the Club Secretary, I got the opportunity to mingle with Toastmasters well equipped with diverse experience, under a mutually supportive environment. Thereby I excelled in building up strong interpersonal relationships with club members and learnt the art of communication in approaching members in the best possible way. As the Club Secretary, I was able to contribute to the important decisions made for the betterment of the club, which in turn enhanced my decision making skills.

Moreover, through keeping records of educational meetings and submitting them on time, I developed the skills of being methodical and punctual. I who used to be a carefree girl gradually transformed into a dedicated, duty conscious and a mature personality with a sense of responsibility. Simply, being the Club Secretary marked a milestone in my Toastmasters journey. The wealth of experience gathered and the bundle of skills gained through this tremendous opportunity added essence to my life.

Thanks to Toastmasters, now I’m confident enough to take up any leadership role offered to me with my head held high. I would like to invite youngsters out there to join hands with Toastmasters in order to grow into a fully-fledged leader. Trust me; you will eventually upgrade yourself to a better version of yourself with Toastmasters.

" You will eventually upgrade yourself to a better version of yourself with Toastmasters. "

TM Ama Shakya, MS 1 o

361 - BEYOND THE CIRCLE o

6 Experience of Outdoor Meeting Spending time in nature can have many potential benefits and also getting outdoors can do great things for our health. Reducing stress, lowering blood pressure and improving immune function are among nature’s health benefits. What's more, incorporating elements of nature into our workday can also give our brain a boost, resulting in increased productivity, focus and creativity. Including those potential benefits toastmasters also had a great valuable outdoor meeting, despite the threat of covid 19 pandemic. It was held on 28th February 2021 at Circuit Bungalow of State Engineering Cooperation.

It was worth taking the risk as picturesque, relaxing scenery seems to help the natural thought processes when it comes to presenting the ideas. All of us enjoyed the babble of Malwathu oya flowing continuously throughout the session. All the presenters performed better than indoor meetings. It is really wonderful experience that, all we had and if we could do more outdoor meetings, I think we would improve the performance of our presenters much more. I take this opportunity to thank President of Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club for giving this wonderful opportunity to experience an outdoor meeting.

TM Shihari Hansani o

361 - BEYOND THE CIRCLE

7 Mountain without a PEAK

Most of us stop our journeys when we reach the peak of the mountain. In toastmasters, most of us have used to satisfy with the victories in contests. But for me, the Toastmasters journey is like a mountain without a peak.

Two years ago, I started my Toastmasters journey as a super nervous guy in public speaking. But after a few months with the guidance of my mentors, I could contest in the humorous speech contest. I was able to perform my speech at the division level as the runner up in the area level. In my endless journey, that was not a destination, it’s just an end of a chapter.

So I contested again last year. I could be the champion in the humorous speech contest at the area level. But what if I stopped my journey when I achieved a victory?

There can be ups and downs in our Toastmasters journey. Always we are finding a peak in the mountain we are travelling to finish our journey. In my point of view, if we want to find a better version of ourselves, we should consider all the ups and downs as just the beginning of a new chapter in our Toastmasters journey.

You may be tired of climbing many peaks in your journey. But there can be higher peaks in this mountain. So, will you stop here? Or else start a new chapter in your journey to find a higher peak?

TM Banula Mahen o

361 - BEYOND THE CIRCLE

8 Create your own Ladder to the destination It was year 1982, I was in grade five. All the students were gathered for the AGM of literature association of students. Teacher asked for the nominations for the club president. One of my friends stood up and proposed a name. It was me. I was terribly shocked. My lips were dried up. I couldn’t speak. I begged to a friend next to me and asked to nominate another one. However, I managed to escape from it.

It was my nature. However, I understood that if I want to be success in my profession, I should pay more attention on Communication and leadership skills.

Opportunities were rare in Anuradhapura area.

Fortunately, Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club was chartered in 2012 and I could join it in the same year.

Toastmasters program is very well structured and updated. One of the specialties I see in this miracle movement is, It can absorb new comers of any level. With the pathways it allows to create your own ladder to reach your destination. If you can devote more you can reach your destination quickly.

Toastmasters International provides a unique platform for shaping one’s personality. If you put in your best efforts into the roles that you have been allotted, it will yield the best of the results. Every time, you come on stage to deliver a speech or play a role, you learn a lot. No matter, whether it is simple task or a complicated one.

During the last period of time, I witnessed Anuradhapura Toastmasters club produced many good leaders and talented speakers. I feel happy to be part of it.

TM Sisira Dissanayake o

361 - BEYOND THE CIRCLE

9 Chat with a Champion Most of us give up easily when we failed once. But today we are going to chat with a person who is inspired up when he failed once.. He was the Champion of District 82 level International speech contest 2019 1. What is the secret behind your winning speeches?

Firstly, my sincere thanks to the members of Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club for having given me this invaluable opportunity of sharing my thoughts! It’s truly an honour for me to present this article to your revered and esteemed club.

I believe that my interest is the secret behind my winning speeches. I hope it’s the same with everyone. When we are interested in delivering a belief, we take caution in ensuring that it reaches out to the audience with utmost clarity. To me, the script, body language, voice, prop, etc., fall in place when the interest over the message stands high. I wait to understand what I currently admire and wish to talk about with a group of people and that becomes the speech.

2. How does a script contribute to a winning speech?

A script is imperative and significant to any winning speech. However, to me, a script doesn’t mean the content written/typed on a paper. A script is simply the version of your speech that you wouldn’t want to change anymore. It can be on your head too.

I always prefer to walk, think, interact (with friends), act out and receive feedback on a chunk before I write it down. As our own loveable Dananjaya Hettiararchi quotes, one needs to stand and rehearse the entire content with his/her body language (before writing it down). We get to understand which statement to finalize only when we check it across the movements that we feel comfortable with. Then, it’s good to analyse if that statement would sound impactful in our voice.

Once the statement passes through all these tests, we shall write it down on a paper. I have always felt at ease practising it this way. Thanks to our World Champion, Dan! When you have drafted your speech on the paper this way, plan not to change it on the spot. That piece has come out after your thorough analysis over various factors. Anything delivered beyond the script is actually something delivered less than the script.

I humbly believe that our respectable mentors have advised us on the importance of a script for this reason.

" Interest is the secret of winning " o

361 - BEYOND THE CIRCLE

10 3. What would your advise to a loser at a contest?

Wow! What a brilliant question! I have been a loser so many times. I shall share what I feel, friends. Nevertheless, we do have many experts and veteran champions, who can help us with many other different views as well.

It’s really hard to walk through the first one day after losing a contest, friends.

Psychologically, our brain starts thinking more about the world/people outside us (In simple terms, it starts worrying about factors that are not connected with the speech or the contest. After all, nobody wants to lose JJ).

My little suggestion is to NOT do any analysis on that day.

Yes, as a speaker, one would have put in a lot of efforts to present a speech in the contest. After a loss, the brain would naturally want to escape the situation and find comfort. With that mind-set, the real reasons for the miss will not be visible. We might feel that our supporters and dear most friends were right in ranking us high and that the results could have been different.

Remember, friends. Even the winner of that day will have areas of improving and he/she could have done better than what he did that day. That winner may not be the winner every time. o

We all march towards perfection in speaking and ironically, there is no such destination, I believe. We will keep chasing that point all through our life. The best will still have a better to reach. When you start trusting this philosophy, the real reasons for your loss will slowly start showing up.

It’s always great to aim at winning, but let’s not fix a deadline for that victory.

Moreover, let’s stop assuming that our competition is with the other contestants.

We actually don’t lose to them. A simple fact is that those contestants change every time. There is only one contestant who doesn’t change. It’s you. Compete only with you, my friend. The result will be more favourable.

4. How does the nervousness affect the speeches? How do you cope with the nervousness?

Experience is the best answer to nervousness, friends. The more we walk to the stage, the better we become in handling this nervousness. Obviously, we may not be at our best when we are controlled by anxiety and that anxiety grows higher when we get closer to the contest.

361 - BEYOND THE CIRCLE

11 5. As a winning speaker, a leader and a Toastmaster, what would you like to share with Toastmasters and nonToastmasters?

Let’s think about it in another dimension.

How about doing something well ahead of the contest when we don’t have that fear or tension?

The planning, preparing, rehearsing and working can be done better when it is all done in advance (say, 15 days before the contest). Our mind would operate freely at its natural best.

Eventually, when you sense that you are well prepared, nervousness on the day of the contest can be comparatively very low.

Let’s check it, friends.

http://shyamraj.in/

We always have a role, don’t we friends?

As a speaker, an Ex-co officer, a member in the audience or a guest, we play a role with defined objectives. Planning to play that role to our best will be the right thing to do.

Staying on the track is essential. Spotless learning requires continuity. Think twice before taking a break or giving up on something. Later, we may have to restart when we try to resume.

Let us continue this lovely journey and give in our fullest attention when it comes to learning through Toastmasters, my dear friends.

I, along with all the Toastmasters of District 120, miss our friends at District 82.

We shall cherish lovely memories of travelling to Sri Lanka and meeting up during the semi-annual and annual conferences. My warm regards to everybody at Sri Lanka! Best wishes, friends!

Interviewed by; TM Durangi Kemali Newsletter Editor

TM Shyam Raj o

361 - BEYOND THE CIRCLE

12 New Members' Corner

Priceless Treasure After completing my school education I wanted to improve my presentation skills for my further education. At that moment my friend Banula invited me to join speechcraft program to improve my presentation skills. There I learnt many techniques in public speaking such as body language, facial expressions and how to use the stage. After finishing this speechcraft program successfully, I joined Anuradhapura Toastmaster club. I collected my experience as a speaker, timer and Ah counter. After few weeks I felt remarkable iimprovements in my speaking ability.

Then we had to face with the Corona pandemic. So there were so many online Toastmasters meetings all over the world.

So I stepped to peep to the international Toastmaster meetings. Not only that but also I joined with other Sri Lankan Toastmasters clubs as well. During the foreign clubs I couldn't catch their accent earlier. Anyway later I understood their pronunciations. Before those meetings, I never had a connection with foreigners.

However now I have some foreign friends such as Tashi oba, Mohesh and Prasanth etc.

There are some similar things and differences between international Toastmasters meetings and Sri Lankan Toastmasters meetings. I can see prepared speeches, table topics, evaluations and general evaluations. In Sri Lanka we use round robin session to give opportunity to every participant in the meeting. If other countries can do it I think it is better. In some foreign meetings they choose best prepared speaker, table topic speaker and best role player. In some clubs they showed the number of votes for every speaker and role player. So I think this is also a good thing.

Anyway still I am in the beginning, but I personally believe that I plucked a priceless Treasure to quench my English knowledge through the 'Toastmaster' journey. Finally I invite you to join toastmasters to enhance your speaking ability as well as leadership skills.

TM Manodya Ekanayake o

361 - BEYOND THE CIRCLE

13 New Members' Corner

What I Witnessed?

Conventional education system during 13 years of schooling and three or four years university education does not convince us the value of soft skills which will help to develop our personality. Especially communication skill will add more colors to our personality and it is indispensable.

After identified that I searched a place or a master to assist me to develop myself and got to know about “Toastmasters”. I could contact Madam Lalani Wijesekara and she inspired me to join with the Toastmasters club, Anuradhapura.The very first day I went to CSE auditorium where the club members gather. I felt nervous to face new culture and new experience. At the entrance, pretty young lady welcome and introduced me to others. However, they were hurry to start the programme. One by one, all the members talked to me. I was surprised and felt comfortable and familiar.

Though I was a guest, they invited me to jointhe sessions. I participated in impromptu speech session. I received big round of applause and positive evaluation, which I ever received in my life. I was astonished and thought how they found at least one positive point to appreciate others and witnessed how they help to develop the members gradually.I participated in two or three club meetings as a guest. The club environment impressed me to be a member.

As soon as I became a member the club assigned me a mentor and she worried and keen towards my development as me. She is always willing to help me. Other than the prepared speeches, I could play roles. The VP education gives the members equal opportunities to play roles for the betterment of them. Usually the clubs organize educational sessions through the expertise in different nature. When I joined the Toastmasters programme and the club, the mere objective was to develop communication skills. Now I realize that we receive more things other than communication. It is a platform to build communication skills, self-confidence, organization skills, leadership skills and Interpersonal skills. The environment cultivates positive attitudes and teaches us how to appreciate others lavishly As I feel, Anuradhapura Toastmasters club is a place where we receive all positive aspects of Toastmasters educational programme and it’s a another family who wish their members’ development and nourish them with good qualities and selfconfidence.

TM Himani Wijesinghe o

361 - BEYOND THE CIRCLE

14 The Dream Catcher Holding on to your dreams is tricky. To catch dreams “ dream catchers” are hanged over top of the bed and people believe it will catch your dreams while asleep. To get to the sleeper the dream must pass through the catcher. According to the belief when you have a dream it passes through the hole in the center of the catcher and glides down the feathers. To me, the best dream catchers are not those tiny devices dangling in the ceiling but the relentless mind which seeks accomplishment in every corner. Let the dreams flow through your aspiring mind and you will catch it with your effort.

“Dream is not what you see in sleep, Dream is something that doesn't let you sleep”. – Dr. Abdul Kalam’s echoing ideas on dreams emphasized that our innermost dreams are the one which droves us towards greatness. Dreams are designed by our prowess of creativity and fueled by our sheer commitment. our mind is filled with vivid imaginations. From childhood. we hold onto a plethora of aspirations and ambitions. Over time, only a few of our aspirations and dreams remain intact.

A fully pledged success all starts with a slight spark in mind.

A dream. A teeny-tiny dream. That feeble spark will ignite a whole new side in you and your whole mind will prioritize your potential in achieving it. If you put your will into it, nothing in this world going to stop you from achieving it.

Allow the dreams to flourish and nourish. Constant Nurturing will guarantee that one day it will become a reality. Nor any dream is outlandish neither foolish.

Neglecting your dreams for being too silly or too big is a way to make sure they never come to fruition. Along the road to achieving dreams is not always a bed of roses. Hardship’s, heartbreaks may tempt you to Veer off from the path. But unwavering faith in yourself ultimately makes dreams a reality. Dreams will remain the dreams unless you act for them. To follow the dreams don’t sleep, awaken your senses, Where there shall efforts, success will follow.

.

In my life experience, something larger than life made me realize that dreams are not just fancy thoughts, rather the guiding principles in success.

To awaken the hidden champion within and breathe a new life in dreams. no place is better than the Toastmasters. My toastmaster journey began with the discovery of myself which was hidden deep within. When I was installed to the executive committee as the sergeant at arms and VP PR in consecutive years, initial reluctance would have hindered the journey. But yearning desire to take part in toastmasters opened new avenues and passions and gave wings to my dreams Toastmasters lets you stretch your wings and soar sky-high to reach my dreams. Toastmasters became the breeze beneath my wings guiding me through winds and it is a refining process that brings the best of us and guides us towards achieving our dreams. Toastmasters is the “ ultimate real-life dream catcher” that helps you achieving your dreams.

TM Darshana Ekanayake , CC o

361 - BEYOND THE CIRCLE

15 Achievements & Recognition Club achievements during TM year 2020/21 (Second Half)

DISTINGUISHED CLUB PROGRAMME

Achieved 10 DCP Points

Excellence in Training -Second Term

AWARDS BY DISTRICT 82

( All 7 club officers were trained in the OTP )

Member achievements during TM year 2020/21 (Second Half)

DTM Tharushi Jayawickrama

TM Sanjeewanie Ginigaddara

PATHWAYS LEVEL 5

PATHWAYS LEVEL 4

TM Ama Shakya

TMDurangi Kemali

DTM Mohamed Rifnaz

PATHWAYS LEVEL 1 o

361 - BEYOND THE CIRCLE

TM Asanka Milroy

TM Sanjeewanie Ginigaddara

PATHWAYS LEVEL 3

TM Mahesha Manjarika

TM Manoja Rajakarunahi

PATHWAYS LEVEL 2

16 Event Calendar

Executive Committee PRESIDENT: TM Sanjeewanie Ginigaddara, IP4 sanjeewanieg@gmail.com Tel: 071 496 6008 VP-EDUCATION: TM Thusitha Jayasuriya, IP3 thusithajayasuriya@gmail.com Tel: 071 802 5476 VP-MEMBERSHIP: TM Gamini Wijeratne,PM1 wijeratnepg@gmail.com Tel: 071 647 0574 VP-PUBLIC RELATIONS: TM Asanka Milroy, MS3 asamilroy@gmail.com Tel: 077 153 2522 TREASURER: TM Samanthi Sudarshani,IP1 samanthi261@gmail.com Tel: 071 072 0300 SECRETARY: TM Ama Shakya,MS1 ama.shakya99@gmail.com Tel: 071 927 8809 SGT-AT-ARMS: TM Wasana Eashwara wasanaeashwara@gmail.com Tel: 071 244 7567 o

361 - BEYOND THE CIRCLE

MEMBERS

Onboard

UPCOMING EVENTS

CLUB PATRON

DTM Noorul Munnawara Locate Us Club Mission We provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth.

Club Meetings Every 1st and 3rd Wednesdays From 5.15 PM onwards CSE Auditorium, 257/11, Main Street, Anuradhapura (Second Floor, Sarath Motors Building)

Find us on

/AnuradhapuraTMC