Anuradhapura TMC_Newsletter_2020 December

Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club DISTRICT-82 || AREA H4 || CLUB NO: 2549382 Club Newsletter

ISSUE 7 | Year 2020/ 21 | December 2020

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Toastmasters International Core Values Integrity

“ better late than never ” P.09 - 10

Respect

Service

Excellence

Memories of Installation Ceremony -2020 P.7

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Contents 3

President Pens..

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Area Director Writes..

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Editor's Note

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Be a Toastmaster – Make a Difference and Find Yourself

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Co-Editor's note

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Be a light to the darkness

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Get inspired by a DTM…

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Through the eyes of the Grammarian…

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The Outdoor Meeting – Coffee Evening

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Contesting– A Priceless Episode -

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Dawn of a New Tenure - The Installation Ceremony 2020

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It's my second family

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Mentor – A Guiding Star

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Achievements & Recognition

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

Chat with a Champion

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

Installation Ceramony 2020

Editorial Team

Newsletter Editors

TM Ama Shakya TM Shihari Piyathilake

Creative Editors The group photo taken with the club members, district leaders & key note speaker after the installation ceremony o

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

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President Pens When you Stop Learning you Stop Growing

We all continue learning from cradle to grave. Though we complete certain educational goals at different stages of life, we can continue learning throughout our lives. Every single day in life gives us opportunities to learn and thereby teaches us a lesson.

Good times in life give us happiness while hard times in life give us experience. The experience gathered through hard times make us strong and confident enough to face greater life challenges the next time. Hence, never regret a bad day in your life. As human beings, we dream of a better personal and professional life which includes completion of studies, engaging in a good career, getting married, producing off springs, educating off springs, providing them with a good life and many more. We all are struggling to make our dreams come true, one at a time or else a few together.

While the struggle goes on, we miss living our lives to the best. Sometimes, we miss the lifelong learning process. If we don’t entertain lifelong learning, we are confined, just like frogs in the well. We miss the opportunity to see the beauty of the world and to enjoy our life and career. In the world, some great personalities have completed their Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D.) just before their life ends. Hence, I feel you are not yet late to restart learning from where you stopped. ‘Toastmasters’ is one of the finest platforms for you to continue your lifelong learning process. In Toastmasters you can network with different people, help each other, develop your public speaking skills, communication and leadership skills and over 300 skills which will help you lead a successful life and a career. If you are over 18 years, the doors are always open for you to join the Toastmasters fraternity. You can join hands with Toastmasters to continue lifelong learning process. Therefore, be a Toastmaster and enhance lifelong learning for a fruitful life.

TM Sanjeewanie Ginigaddara, IP2 President Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club

Area Director Writes "Turn your challenges into opportunities" It’s with great pleasure that I send this message to the first newsletter of Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club, my home club, for the Toastmaster year 2020/2021. Toastmasters Club is indeed a unique platform created for its members to sharpen their communication and leadership skills. Once the American President, John F. Kennedy stated, “Learning and leadership are indispensable to each other”. In Toastmasters, learning is not just limited to attending a club meeting and delivering a speech, or playing a meeting role, but it’s almost being prepared to take up any opportunity you’re offered with. These opportunities are readily available in the club itself in terms of a club officer, a role player in a Contest, a contestant, a member of the organizing committee of a club event etc. As you proceed from the club level, it offers you endless opportunities that will enable you to emerge as a better communicator and a great leader. With the prevailing situation of the world, conducting physical meetings and annual Toastmaster events has been a great challenge. In the new normal, these events have found their way on a virtual platform incorporated with modern technology. Toastmasters virtual meetings also provide you with a brand new experience followed by numerous opportunities for you to stand out as a better communicator and a great leader. So my kind request is to embrace the change and get adapted to the virtual platform of Toastmasters until better times arrive. Life is all about moving on, accepting changes, and looking forward to what makes you stronger. Be with Toastmasters, engage in Toastmasters’ activities and don’t miss any opportunity that knocks on your door. Be a better communicator and a great leader.

TM Lalani Wijesekara (CC, CL) Area Director Area H 4, District 82 Toastmasters International o

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Editor's Note -

Our voice in words…

It’s with great pleasure that I pen down the editorial note of the Creative Content Club Newsletter of Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club. Being the Editor of the Club Newsletter marks a milestone in my Toastmasters journey. I enjoyed every bit of this endeavor and it offered me a brand new learning experience where I got myself to explore beyond the boundaries.

This task would not have been a reality if not for the invaluable support extended by the dearest club members who contributed with nicely written articles. These articles rightly reflect the success stories of veteran Toastmasters, the experience of newbies and the events in which the Toastmasters had been engaged in for the past few months. The newsletter itself creates an opportunity for the Toastmasters to unfold their untold stories and to leave the reader with something to ponder.

Finally, my heartiest thanks go to my Co- Editor, Creative Editors, the President and the Executive Committee and the Immediate Past President for their immense support and guidance extended throughout the process.

I’m pretty sure that you will find this edition really interesting. Happy reading!!!

TM Ama Shakya Newsletter Editor

Co- Editor’s Note

TM Shihari Hansani Co- Editor

We all joined Toastmasters International to develop our public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. However, the benefits are not limited to that. We do a lot of script writing, teamwork, presentations, networking, knowledge sharing etc. The Creative Content Club Newsletter is one such event. We hope this newsletter serves the purpose of providing a platform to enhance the creativity of our members by unveiling their creative thoughts as a tool of communication. In addition, in an era of living in a new normal due to COVID-19 pandemic where the opportunities to express ourselves are very limited, this newsletter provides an opportunity to express ourselves in an effective way. I’m pretty sure that this edition of our newsletter will be very interesting to all our enthusiastic readers.

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Get inspired by a DTM… Take it up when it is offered Life rarely gives us a second chance. We are so unfortunate if we miss the second chance too. I’m glad to say that I was not unfortunate to that extent.

When I was an undergraduate at the University of Peradeniya, one of my senior friends always invited me to visit the Gavel Club. Due to the fear of public speaking, I did not take up the challenge and I successfully turned down his invitation for four long years of my university life. Time flew by, life went on.

In November 2016, when I was functioning as a professional, TM Lalani Wijesekara and TM Sisira Dissanayake, two members of Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club invited me to a club meeting, explaining the benefits and the sessions in a Toastmasters meeting.

Since the request came from two individuals whom I respect a great deal, I couldn’t deny it. When I stepped into the meeting room, I felt that it was something unique. I loved that uniqueness right from the beginning that I got the membership of the club in March 2017. Since then, I’ve been a part and parcel of Anuradhapura Toastmasters fraternity. After few months, I was offered to be the VP-PR of the club which I accepted wholeheartedly. During that period, I learned many things which enhanced my creativity.

In September 2017, the Area Director requested me to be the Contest Chair of the Area Contest.

5 Though I had not witnessed a Contest in Toastmasters until then, I accepted it with utmost enthusiasm. With the invaluable support of my club members, I could conduct the contest to my level best. By the end of the first year, I could complete the CC manual. In the next Toastmaster year, I was offered to be the President of the club and I didn’t hesitate to take it up as it was the best possible opportunity to serve my home club.

Meanwhile, the Division Director requested me to be the PR Manager of Division H and I took it up as well.

Thereby, I got the opportunity to flourish as a good leader. During this tenure, I extended a helping hand to other clubs and took part in District activities too. In terms of educational goals, I could achieve the Triple Crown award by completing CL, ACB and ALB. During my third Toastmaster year, I was privileged to be a district leader, as the Area Director. I had ample opportunities to mingle with toastmasters of other clubs and district leaders. Since Toastmasters International announced to discontinue the traditional educational program by the end of May 2020, I had to focus more on my educational goals while performing the duties of three clubs.

Managing the personal life, professional life and Toastmasters life was not that much easy at the very beginning. It was truly a tough time for me but gradually I learned to manage it. Finally, I was able to complete ACS, ACG & ALS and could achieve the mighty Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award. As it is evident from what I shared, achieving the DTM award is not merely achieving educational and leadership goals, but it transcends the both. What I can assure you is, all the opportunities in Toastmasters pave the way for you to transform into a better personality. Fortunately, life offered me a second chance and I took it up. Therefore, take up the opportunity as a challenge when it is offered.

Mohamed Rifnaz , DTM o

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The Outdoor Meeting – Coffee Evening As we all know, all the people around the world find it difficult in performing their routine work under the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club also conducted many virtual club meetings, maintaining social distancing among the club members in this situation. With passing time, every member strongly felt the need of having a physical gathering. After having several discussions in the Executive Committee, it was decided to conduct the 200th educational meeting outdoors to celebrate the long march of the club towards success. At this point we faced many challenges such as finding a safe and isolated place for the meeting under the pandemic, arranging food and beverages, arranging transport facilities for the members and following safety precautions during the meeting.

In this meeting senior club members were assigned to find a suitable location for the meeting and to arrange mode of transport for the members. Meanwhile, newbies were assigned with the meeting hall arrangements, coordinating and assisting the visiting Toastmaster to arrive the meeting premises. Thereby, newbies gained invaluable experience in communicating and negotiating with senior members to arrive at decisions regarding the meeting arrangements. Senior members reinforced their leadership skills to gather every member in the club to achieve a common goal, directing newbies towards relevant tasks.

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The Toastmaster of the Day conducted the meeting on the theme “Coffee Evening”. It was truly a coffee evening as the theme itself suggested. DTM Moditha Sendanayake, the Charter President of Horana Toastmasters Club graced the occasion as a visiting Toastmaster to deliver an educational session on “Effective Speech Evaluations”. During the educational session, DTM Moditha Sendanayake directed us in group activities which in turn helped to develop our team collaboration and the art of speech evaluation.

To everyone’s great pleasure, the popular actor, the Member of Parliament Mr. Uddika Premarathne joined the meeting. To his great surprise our club members arranged a small birthday celebration for him.

Moreover, this meeting paved the way for the newbies to build up a strong bond with the senior members in the club, working together as one team. Finally, a fun filled meeting was concluded, providing an opportunity for the members to mingle with each other to develop their social network.

TM Thusitha Jayasuriya, IP3 o

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Dawn of a New Tenure ; The Installation Ceremony - 2020 The Installation Ceremony of Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club was held on the 21st August 2020, at Sisila Uyana, Anuradhapura, on the theme ‘Beneath the Shade’. The President and the Executive Committee for the Toastmaster year 2020/ 2021 were installed at this ceremony. Toastmaster Sanjeewani Ginigaddara was installed as the President of the club with her Executive Committee comprising of the Vice President Education – Toastmaster Thusitha Jayasuriya, Vice President Membership – Toastmaster Gamini Wijerathne, Vice President Public Relations Toastmaster Asanka Milroy, Secretary – Toastmaster Rohan Jayasena (Toastmaster Rohan Jayasena resigned the post due to his personal matters and Toastmaster Ama Shakya was installed in his place on the 16th September 2020), Treasurer – Toastmaster Samanthi Sudarshani and Sergeant at Arms- Toastmaster Wasana Eashwara for the Toastmaster year 2020/2021.

The ceremony was graced by the Chief Guest, DTM Noorul Munawara, District Director of District 82, the Guest of Honor, DTM Sarma Mahalingam, the immediate past District Director of District 82, the Keynote Speaker, DTM Niroshan Nadaraja, Toastmaster Kapila Mithrarathne, the Division Director of Division H and other distinguished guests from the Toastmasters fraternity. The Chief Guest, in her speech, stressed on the importance of leveraging the diversity of knowledge and experience within the club to take it to the new heights. The Keynote Speaker of the evening, gave invaluable insights into the power of imagination and inspiration for the betterment of the club. Members of other Toastmasters Clubs were also present and it provided a platform to strengthening the relationships among other clubs.

"Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club organized this Installation Ceremony amidst great challenges after the lockdown for COVID 19."

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8 Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club organized this Installation Ceremony amidst great challenges after the lockdown for COVID - 19. But having formed several sub-committees of Finance, Logistics, Decorations, and Public Relations under the guidance of the Installation Committee Chair, Toastmaster Thusitha Jayasuriya, it all turned out to be an elegant Installation Ceremony. Truly, it was a mesmerizing event added to the golden history of Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club

TM SamanthSudarshani,IP1

Mentor – A Guiding Star “A mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you than you see in yourself and helps bring it out of you.’’ Says Bob Proctor. In the Toastmasters fraternity, every member is given an opportunity to grow under the shade of a mentor. When I joined the Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club in 2019, the Club President asked me to pick a mentor of my choice out of the mentor list. I chose a speaker who speaks to the hearts of the audience, as my mentor. When I go down the memory lane, I still remember the day I made my Ice Breaker speech at the Toastmasters.

My mentor encouraged me and taught me the art of writing a script and delivering a speech skillfully. She was the guiding star who took the lead in every speech of mine and I completed Pathways Level 1 in Innovative Planning, with the tremendous support extended by her. The bond between us surpassed the typical mentormentee relationship and it developed into an intimate bond of sisterhood. If not for my mentor, I wouldn’t have done so well in Toastmasters. In this year too, I have been lucky enough to work with another mentor who is a kind hearted teacher. Their excellent mentoring moulded me into the person who I am today.

Mentors are the ones who beautify your Toastmasters journey and help you achieve what seems impossible.

TM Manoja Rajakaruna, IP1 o

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9 Chat with a Champion “One lamp is capable of lighting a row of lamps”.

Hence it’s better to seek one bright lamp to educate us of the path of public speaking. The bright lamp we selected this time to have a chat with is, the Division Champion of the Humorous Speech Contest 2020 – Division H, DTM Farhaz Farouk.

DTM Farhaz Farouk, how would you define yourself as a Toastmaster? What made you join Toastmasters?

In early 2013, I received a phone call from a gentleman named Pradeep Liyanage, a lifelong friend of mine. He told me about Toastmasters, and that the Sri Lanka Club in Bahrain had its own Toastmasters Club named Sri Lanka Club Symposium Toastmasters (“SLCS”).

He invited me to one of their club meetings, which I accepted and attended. I had heard of Toastmasters before, but my impression was that it was a place where people came and spoke about various topics without any purpose. I never thought it is something worthwhile to spend time in. As I expected, my first experience was a confusing affair, with different segments, each one, more confusing than the last.

This made me stay away from any more club meetings. There was also one other factor that kept me away from the meetings of the SLCS – the locality was very crowded and it was a nightmare to find parking!

A few months later, another friend of mine, a gentleman named Dushan Kanchana Godage, gave me a friendly call. He convinced me to come back and visit the SLCS. He even revealed tricks and tips of finding parking in and around the meeting venue.

This made me visit SLCS once again. o

This time members took efforts in explaining the various segments in a Toastmaster meeting to me and gradually it started making sense. I saw that there was great value in attending these club meetings. I attended a few more meetings as a guest and during each and every meeting, I started learning new things. Eventually I decided to join Toastmasters of SLCS in November 2013. Joining Toastmasters ranks high among the most important decisions I’ve made in my life.

"The founder of Toastmasters, Dr Ralph C Smedley has said, “We learn best in moments of enjoyment”.

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10 When you turn back, what stand out as significant events in your Toastmasters journey?

In early 2015, SLCS decided to sponsor a new club. The vision of this new club was to develop a multicultural, open and friendly club to challenge the established clubs.

This led to the birth of Allied Bahrain Communicators Toastmasters Club (“ABC”). I had the privilege of joining this new club as a Charter Member, owing to the guidance of a senior member of SLCS, Ahmed Rizvi. I took office as the Charter Vice President- Membership of ABC. The formative years were very challenging for the fledgling club, but the initial members and office bearers persisted on working hard to ensure ABC turned into a successful club. I went on to take over as President of ABC. I also have the honor and privilege of becoming the first Distinguished Toastmaster (“DTM”) of ABC – something I will always cherish. I am happy to note that ABC is one of the best clubs in Bahrain now – after five years since its inception. Those events added color to my Toastmasters journey.

Can you explain how the ‘Toastmasters’ helped you to transform to the person you are today?

Ever since I joined Toastmasters, I have learnt new things, unearthed hidden talents, discovered new values and have undergone an overall period of selfdevelopment. These could be simple things such as controlling gap fillers, crutch words and sounds as well as complex factors such as not relying on notes as much as I used to do before joining Toastmasters.

The most important discovery was my ability to compete at Speech Contests successfully. For this, I should offer many thanks to the then President of SLCS, Nihal Sooriyakumara, who pushed me to compete at a Club Contest within the first few months of my joining SLCS. Learning is a life long journey.

Toastmasters provides a structured learning opportunity spiced up with a lot of fun and enjoyment. The founder of Toastmasters, Dr Ralph C Smedley has said, “We learn best in moments of enjoyment”. I am learning a lot, and so can you.

Finally, what’s the message you would like to convey to the Toastmasters and the Non- Toastmasters in general?

Interviewed by; TM Ama Shakya Newsletter Editor

farhazfarouk o

I have very few regrets in my life. One of my greatest regrets is joining Toastmasters late in life. I normally do not harbor jealousy and envy. But, I am jealous and envious of the young Toastmasters I have come across in Toastmasters. These smart people have got a head start ahead of people like me. The only consolation to this, comes from the saying “better late than never”. So, you’re not yet late to be a Toastmaster. Join Toastmasters as early as possible.

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11 New Member s' Corner Be a Toastmaster – Make a Difference

Find Yourself

During my university life, I avoided public speaking as much as possible due to lack of self-confidence. But when I was first employed, I had to communicate in English with my staff in order to build up healthy interpersonal relationships with them. It was with great difficulty that I managed to express my ideas with my staff members. This was high time I really felt the need of improving my communication skills.

During the same time, I came to know about ‘Toastmasters’ from one of my colleagues and participated in the educational meetings as a guest. There, I mustered courage and volunteered to speak up at the Table Topic Session. To my great pleasure, my evaluator gave me positive feedback and made suggestions on the areas to be improved. Right now, I’m a big part of Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club where we share and learn from each other. Now I’m well equipped with techniques of public speaking .Thanks to Toastmasters, now I’m doing well in communicating effectively with my professionals. Do come and join us to feel the difference.

‘‘Toastmasters is the place where leaders are made”. But I would like to define Toastmasters as the place “where you find yourself”. Each and every one of us is blessed with a bundle of skills. All what we need is a platform to perform, an opportunity to improve, space to grow and a community to give a pat on the back to become better. To me, Toastmasters is a package of “all in one”. The beauty in Toastmasters is that we all learn and grow in a mutually supportive environment, friends helping friends.

I commenced my Toastmasters journey as a Speech Crafter. The Speech Craft Program had a great influence on me to ‘find myself’ and to unlock my potentials. Every educational meeting was a great learning experience for me. I learnt how to play different roles and deliver speeches successfully. As a result, I was able to get rid of the stage fear that troubled me for ages.

I’m proud to say that now I can speak up confidently with my head held high before any audience. Simply, the Toastmasters added new dimensions to my life as a passionate speaker. Yes, I found myself at Toastmasters.

TM Sathan Kovintharasa

TM Kasun Gamage o

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Be a Light to the Darkness Toastmasters is not only a platform where you can brighten up your own life but also a platform for you to be a light to the darkness; lighting up the lives of others. In Toastmasters, that source of light is referred to as “mentors”. This seven lettered word can be defined in several ways. According to the Pathways Project in Introduction to Toastmasters Mentoring, it says “a mentor is an experienced member who provides guidance and support to empower protégés/mentees to reach their goals”. But have you ever thought what a change, this 7 lettered word can make in a mentee’s life?

My memory of being a mentor runs back to 2017. One day, I received a phone call from the youngest toastmaster in our club at that time. He said he would never continue with Toastmasters after receiving some harsh evaluations (in his perspective). That day I was able to convince him to stay in Toastmasters, saying “show them what you can do”. Some days later, he selected me as his mentor. I was able to be the sunlight to bloom the bud of lotus within him and to radiate it into the world. He grew into a fully bloomed lotus flower with time. When he became the first runner up in the Humorous Speech Contest at the Division Level, I felt the happiness through my eyes. This victory would have been a mere dream, if I had allowed him to leave the club that day.

That day, I understood the gravity of being a mentor.

As a mentor, you might wonder “do I really have time to allocate for my mentees?” If the answer is ‘no’, my humble request is “don’t be a mentor”, because a mentee’s future lies in the hands of a mentor. Believe me, when you witness their improvements and victories, you will feel the real satisfaction and happiness.

The unarguable fact is that the quality of Toastmasters and the future of Toastmasters depend mostly on mentors because your mentee will become a mentor one day and he/she will show the path to others as you did for them. If you can be a light to the darkness, many people will walk safely on that path towards their destinations.

If not they will be lost in the darkness and won’t find their destinations. Therefore, learn the art of mentoring, be a light to the darkness.

Since that day, I have mentored nearly 10 members in Toastmasters for the past two years. I would like to say that mentorship is not at all a position or a job. It is a relationship that you have to deal with your heart. Maybe your mentee is very new to Toastmasters. Maybe he or she is afraid to talk to you at first. I do believe, the mentor should be the first person to offer help, not waiting for the mentee to approach the mentor first. And another important thing is to understand mentee’s potentials, strengths and weaknesses.

Mentoring is an art. You can’t force your mentee towards goals but you can convince him/her to achieve them, building trust between you and your mentee. As a mentor, you must be wise enough to select the best for your mentee.

You should track their progress and should eventually guide them to the place they deserve.

TM Tharushi Jayawickrama, TC 4, ALB o

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13 Through the eyes of the Grammarian…

Since the day I joined the Toastmasters, the role I have played the most in educational meetings is the role of the ‘Grammarian’. Being a teacher of English for quite a long time, I have experienced that many learners give up learning English due to their poor knowledge in grammar. As English is a second language, I used to suggest them to use the language as much as possible, despite of their grammar mistakes. In Toastmasters, the Grammarian plays a vital role, providing a linguistic background to the educational meetings. The Grammarian’s role includes appreciating the good usage of language as well as highlighting the language areas to be improved. In each and every educational meeting, I was delighted to witness excellent usage of language enriched by nice vocabulary and beautiful expressions. In terms of the areas to be improved in grammar, I have noticed that some speakers make grammar mistakes out of excitement, haste and nervousness. In such situations, I believe that the Grammarian has to pay attention to the speech and find out if the speaker makes the same mistake repeatedly. Then only, the Grammarian should mention the mistake in his report. I would like to bring out an example. Once I noticed a senior Toastmaster saying, “You is wrong” in his speech. As it is quite evident that it was a mistake that needs not to be pointed out, I didn’t mention it in my report.

Most importantly, the Grammarian has to pay attention to the common grammar mistakes and critical grammar points made by the speakers. During the Toastmasters educational meetings, very often I have come across this common grammar error. The phrase “He joined with me’’ which should be corrected as “He joined me”. In order to discuss critical grammar points, I used to give short lessons along with the Grammarian’s report. To recap one instance, I asked the audience to find out the difference between the following two sentences.

1.

2.

I forgot to bring your book ( I didn’t bring your book because I forgot it ) I forgot bringing your book ( I don’t remember if I brought your book )

Another responsibility entrusted on the Grammarian is to introduce the ‘word of the day’ and the ‘idiom of the day’. I was delighted to see how the members apply them effectively in speaking, throughout the meeting. All in all, when we play the role of the Grammarian, we have to encourage speakers to speak English fluently without worrying about grammar.

"use the language as much as possible, despite of their grammar mistakes."

TM Gamini Wijerathne,CC,PM1 o

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Contesting – A Priceless Episode -

It’s My Second Family …

It was the Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contest-2020. When my mentor requested me to take part in the Humorous Speech Contest, there was no way out for me. The word ‘yes’ slipped out of my mouth without a moment’s thought. Since I was contesting for the first time, it was a whole new experience for me. Within few days I was ready with the script and I pushed myself to practice, under the guidance of my mentor. On the day of the Contest, I made the speech to my level best. It was amazing to be selected as the first runner up of the Humorous Speech Contest at the Club Level. When I proceeded to the Area Level, I could develop my self-confidence and presentation skills with the immense support extended by my mentor and senior club members.

Throughout the course of the Contest, Anuradhapura Toastmasters family followed me as a shadow. Though I couldn’t secure a place at the Area Contest, it made me realize that victory is not the key point but the wealth of experience gained in the process is of great worth. After contesting, I sensed a real improvement within me and I found myself to be a better speaker than I used to be. This marks a priceless episode in my Toastmasters journey. Have you not given it a try yet? Be a contestant, be contented.

TM Wasana Eashwara

If I were to describe a community who is helpful, cheerful, faithful and friendly, in a single word, I would simply say ‘Toastmasters’. It all happened after I joined a Speech Craft Program conducted by the Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club. By the end of the Speech Craft Program, I experienced a significant improvement within me in terms of public speaking, communication and leadership. In order to continue what I had already learnt, I joined the Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club, which I believe is the best decision I have ever made in my life.

Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club, in real sense of the word is not just a club but a loving family. There are mothers who direct us towards success, fathers who guide us towards perfection, brothers and sisters who are all out to show different avenues for mastery. The specialty in Toastmasters is that they only figure out the positive aspect of one’s speech and provide constructive feedback to take the speech to the next level. When I reflect on my first day at the Toastmasters, as a newbie I was pretty nervous and found it difficult to speak before the audience. I thought to myself, “I’m the youngest in the club and I’m not as fluent as the other Toastmasters.” But it took me only a second to realize that I was totally wrong. When I was doing my speech, all the Toastmasters were listening to every single word of my speech attentively.

At the end of my speech, plethora of evaluations came out. I was showered with admiration, appreciation and encouragement. Are you in search of a platform to develop your public speaking and leadership skills? I strongly recommend Toastmasters as the ideal place.

TM Durangi Kemali o

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

DISTINGUISHED CLUB PROGRAMME Achieved 07 DCP Points RIBBONS RECEIVED FROM TI

AWARDS BY DISTRICT 82 Excellence in Training - First Term ( All 7 club officers were trained in the OTP )

Added 5 new members during AugustSeptember 2020

Home Club of Area Director Member achievements during TM year 2020/21 (First Half)

DTM Mohamed Rifnaz

TM Lalitha Thenuwara

DTM AWARD

TM Thusitha Jayasuriya

TM Sanjeewanie Ginigaddara

TM Banula Kumarage

PATHWAYS LEVEL 2

PATHWAYS LEVEL 3

PATHWAYS LEVEL 1 TM Samanthi Sudarshani o

TM Manoja Rajakaruna

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TM Gamini Wijeratne

TM Mahesha Hettiarachchi

TM Lalitha Thenuwara

16 Event Calendar

Executive Committee PRESIDENT: TM Sanjeewanie Ginigaddara, IP2 sanjeewanieg@gmail.com Tel: 071 496 6008

1)Humorous Speech & Evaluation Club Contest 2020 Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club 7th October 2020

2)Humorous Speech Contest Area H4, District 82 24th October 2020

3)Mid Year Conference 2020 "Horizon & Beyond" Division H, District 82 1st of November 2020

7)Membership Forum January 30, 2021

VP-EDUCATION: TM Thusitha Jayasuriya, IP3 thusithajayasuriya@gmail.com Tel: 071 802 5476

8)Emergence ( ISC & Table Topics) January 31, 2021

4) Joint Officer Training Program Division D & H, District 82 (Refresh to Lead) 5th December 2020 9)Meeting Roles & Evaluations February 7, 2021

5)Judges Training Program January 10, 2021 10)Ignite - 2021 All Island Speech Contest

6)Contest Management January 17, 2021

VP-MEMBERSHIP: TM Gamini Wijeratne, CC,PM1 wijeratnepg@gmail.com Tel: 071 647 0574 VP-PUBLIC RELATIONS: TM Asanka Milroy, MS2 asamilroy@gmail.com Tel: 077 153 2522 TREASURER: TM Samanthi Sudarshani,IP1 samanthi261@gmail.com Tel: 071 072 0300 SECRETARY: TM Ama Shakya ama.shakya99@gmail.com Tel: 071 927 8809 SGT-AT-ARMS: TM Wasana Eashwara wasanaeashwara@gmail.com Tel: 071 244 7567

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361 - BEYOND THE CIRCLE

MEMBERS

Onboard

UPCOMING EVENTS

CLUB PATRON

DTM Noorul Munnawara Speechcraft Program 2021 Findout more: shorturl.at/lzNYZ

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.

Locate Us

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