Anuradhapura TMC_News Letter _2018 December

Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club DISTRICT-82 Club Newsletter

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AREA H3

ISSUE 2

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CLUB NO: 2549382

Year 2018/19

December 2018

BEYOND the Circle

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Nothing makes me happier than putting a smile on people’s faces.

Winner of Division H Humorous Contest 2018

Sudath Fernando

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Cover Story Editorial Team

Newsletter Editor TM Mahesha Hettiarachchi

Our little bullet TM Pubudu Kaushalya made Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club proud at the division stage by becoming the first runner up of Division H humorous speech contest held during the division conference on 24th November 2018.

Creative Editor TM Mohamed Rifnaz

Contents 3

President Pens...

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Changing the Thinking Pattern

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Area Director Writes..

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Achievements & Recognition

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Editor's Note

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Are You Blind?

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Dwarf Among Giants

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PATHWAYS Corner

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Heartbeat

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New Member Experience

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My Point of View

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Contest Season Began

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Chat with a Champion

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Impact of Literature in Speech

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Being Tested

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President Pens...

Success is no accident Edson Arantes do Nascimento was born in a remote village in Brazil and grew up in poverty. He earned extra money by working in tea shops as a servant.

He was taught to play football by his father. He could not afford a proper football and usually played with either a sock stuffed with newspaper and tied with a string or a grapefruit. He played for several amateur teams in his youth, and at the age of 15 he got an opportunity to play in the senior team of a renown club called Santos FC. Within a year, because of his talents he was selected to the Brazil national team. The rest is the history with 77 goals for his country and three times world cup champions of FIFA world cup. He is none other than, one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the Century, Pelé.

The life story tells us one thing, as he correctly said, " Success is no accident, it is hard work perseverance learning, studying ,sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do."

This is applicable to everything including our journey in Toastmasters.During this first six months of the TM year 2018/19 we have achieved 6 DCP points, 6 educational awards, 3 club awards by the district and many achievements. Specially for the first time in the history we hosted the division conference in Anuradhapura. The success we celebrate now as a club is not an accident. It's all about the hard work, continuous learning and the scarification of all the members of the club towards a common goal.

Similarly if anyone wants to improve any skill including your public speaking skill, the same theory will be applied. Your success depends on how much you are dedicated enough to achieve and your love of what you are doing. Always please keep in mind, Success is no accident.

May year 2019 bring you more and more success stories.

Wish you all a Happy New Year !!

TM Mohomed Rifnaz ,ACB,ALB President – Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club

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Area Director Writes..

Wear Your Own Spectacles In our life we all get different challenges, opportunities and experiences.

We take all our decisions based on those. They impact each and every moment of our life. But if you want be successful in your life, you have to wear your own spectacles. Why? Otherwise your vision would not be clear at all.

Let me introduce you three main secrets in this newsletter that I found how you can wear your own spectacles.

Choice - In life we have made so many choices. But who made our choices? Some times our parents, spouse, friends or even club president. It does not matter who gave you the opinion or view. But you are the person who has to make your own choice to wear your own spectacles. I made the correct choice on October 2014 to participate for a SpeechCraft program. Before that I have been in so many Engish classes and programs. But nothing happened. Because I hadn't wear my own spectacles.

Commitment - We all are committed to acquire the certificates but not the success. We went so many English classes in life. We learned English in school for 13 years. Why? It was for the marks but not for the practice and success. We need to commit for the success but not for the certificate to wear your own spectacles Continuation - How many things we have started in our life and stopped half way through. We always targeted the wrong intentions rather than focus on reality. If you want to have a motivation you need to have a continuation.But your motive should be for the betterment of the people in the community. Not only for you. That motivation drives you towards the continuation.

I started as a very simple Toastmaster in 2014. But the chance I got to come to Anuradhapura, gave me an opportunity to wear my own spectacles and serve the country.My dear friends.

Have the proper frame. Have the proper lenses. Then you can get the clear vision with your own spectacles.

Good Luck !!

TM Tharaka Amarasena ,ACB,ALB Area Director- Area H3, District - 82, Toastmasters International

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Editor's Note New Chapter Begins…..

One day I received a phone call inviting me to join a club named Toastmasters which helps us to improve our public speaking skills. It was TM Tharaka and I accepted the invitation and join the club. And then a new chapter of my life began as a Toastmaster.

I meet new friends in Toastmasters and the great thing about those new friends is that they bring new energy to my soul. It is nice to have genuine friends to listen to me and at times give me advice that I never would have thought of. They applaud me whatever I speak and give their comments to improve my abilities.

This time they have given me another great opportunity to have a new experience as an editor of the second newsletter of Toastmaster year 2018/19. I accepted the challenge with the help of all other Toastmasters who are in the same dream of winning the award for best newsletter.

I’m not familiar with the job of an editor of a newsletter before. Anyhow I feel that I am lucky to have this opportunity to improve my skills. I am grateful to give my contribution towards the success of the Anuradhapura Toast Masters Club. I want to express my gratitude towards the Toastmasters who provided articles for the newsletter and supported me by giving their creative ideas.

Life may lead me to new and different paths, meet new friends, and learn new things. But this will remain true, wherever life takes me, I’ll always remember the path where I met Toastmasters.

Wish you all the very best !!

TM Mahesha Manjarika Hettiarachchi Newsletter Editor

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Dwarf among Giants With hundred pairs of staring eyes, gnawing ears, judgmental minds and a loud silence laid before me, uttering something sensible to an audience seems impossible. Putting the havoc of thousand thoughts that jumble inside my head into words and eventually, a speech that can create an impact is indeed a challenge.

But, still, if someone asks me what my passion is, my definite answer will be “public speaking”.

So, I obeyed the commands of my passion and ventured to explore myself, participating in the public speaking contest organized by the Anuradhapura Toastmasters club. Having an inborn talent of being humorous, I decided to contest under the category of humorous speeches and challenging my own self, I chose to contest under the category of evaluation speeches as well. I was able to grab the title as the first runner up in the humorous speech category in the club contest. Emerging victorious in the area contest as well, I participated in the divisional level contest and was fortunate enough to be crowned as the first runner up.

We are happy to introduce this edition's feature article from our little champ, TM Pubudu Kaushalya who became the first-runner up of the 2018 humorous speech contest of Division H. He is an undergraduate of Raajarata University of Sri Lanka.

My journey towards this accomplishment has always been a wonderful experience for me. I consider my victory not as an achievement of greatness but merely as an amazing platform which opened up new avenues for me to learn, grow and rediscover myself. This was my very first experience of taking part in a public speaking contest. Although I had always wanted to step up into a stage, talk in front of an audience and compete with talented public speakers, I have never had the opportunity to test my capacity and the potentials. Being the warmhearted, loving family that has always paved ways for me to discover better versions of myself, Anuradhapura Toastmasters club gave me the opportunity to take part in the competition.

The club contest itself was a challenge for the amateur, inexperienced speaker that I was. It is a known fact that making other people laugh while inspiring them with a take-home message is a hard task that demands great skill, strategy and intelligence. As a budding public speaker, it was not easy for me to conquer the audience and talk to their hearts in such a way that it evoke humour as well. But somehow I managed it and was able to make my way to the divisional contest.

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I must mention that the stage of the divisional contest was doubtlessly a life changing platform for me where I could fight my own fears while enriching my brain, heart and the mind with invaluable experiences and inspirations. The contestants of the divisional level were experienced public speakers who had participated in many other public speaking contests. I must admit that I felt really small in front of them but I was ready to take up the challenge. I made my first step through the creaking doors of the auditorium and heard the door slamming behind me. Thousand eyes turned to the spot where I was standing and I could hear my heart pounding inside my chest so loudly that I feared that the audience could hear it. I gathered up my courage and took confidence in myself and started to pour my thoughts out passionately, as I knew that it was the only way that I could make through this. I could deliver my speech more successfully than I thought just because I let my inner self out in the big stage and allowed him to engage with the soul of the audience. When I heard the loud applause from the audience and saw their smiling eyes, it was more than enough for me.

The title values nothing when compared to the amazing memories that I collected along the journey to victory and the invaluable lessons learnt and the experiences gained.

I should extend my heartiest gratitude to my ever loving parents for being there for me through thick and through thin. This achievement will not be possible if Toastmaster Tharaka and Toastmaster Rifnaz weren’t there to support me. And I am forever thankful to my beloved mentor Toastmaster Tharushi for guiding me to walk out of my comfort zone and bringing out the best of me. All in all, the best lesson I have learned from this victory is that if u want to be a great speaker you should have a good brain, a kind heart, a strong back bone and a small mouth

TM Pubudu Kaushalya First Runner-Up, Division H, Humorous Speech Contest

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“Heartbeat” – The pulse of the achievers.

Division H of District 82 Toastmasters checked their heartbeats on 24th November 2018 during their mid-year conference held in Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka.

The fabulous event was taken place at hotel Heritage, Anuradhapura with the participation of 150 Toastmasters of the Division H. The Division Director of Division H, District 82 Distinguished Toastmaster Lawrance Madapatha took this remarkable decision to conduct the mid-year conference of Division H for the Toastmaster year 2018/19 in Anuradhapura which is the first kind of event took place in Anuradhapura. Since Division H of District 82 covers widest geographical demarcations of Sri Lanka which comprises the clubs from western to northern peninsula of Sri Lanka, and was a tough call to hold this conference in Anuradhapura. The challenge was accepted by the conference chair, TM Tharaka Amarasena and the members of Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club. The event was ceremonially commenced at 10 am by welcoming the distinguished guests with the traditional oriental band & dance. After the arrivals of the guests, the gratitude to the nations was paid by singing the national anthems of both India and Sri Lanka with pride.

After lighting up of the oil lamp was performed by the dignitaries as a tribute to our tradition, the official welcome address was delivered by the Division H, Director Distinguished Toastmaster Lawrance Madapatha. Then the key note speaker for the morning session, Mr. Rohan Pallewatta, executive chairman of Lanka Harness Co. (Pvt.) Ltd. rocked the stage by his wonderful speech. His address was full of joy and learning and during his address he motivated the audience with his success stories. One of the heart touching line was “success never comes at first attempt.

Following this the first fascinating contests of the day begun, the evaluation contest of Division H. Ten hard core evaluators participated to the event including TM Mohamed Rifnaz from our club. Toastmaster Ravi Uduwela, Toastmaster Tissa Dissanayake & Toastmaster Arshad Nizam won the first, second and third places of the evaluation contest respectively. After the powerful address of Club Growth Director, Distinguished Toastmaster Noorul Munawwara, an authentic Sri Lankan lunch was served at the hotel.

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Afternoon session commenced with the address of Program Quality Director, Toastmaster Sarmaa Mahalingam. After that, the second exciting contest of the day humorous speech contest was begun. Within the ten beautiful humorous speeches Toastmaster Sudath Fernando, Toastmaster Pubudu Kaushalya & Toastmaster Anuk Munasinghe won the first, second and third places respectively. Then the second key note speech of the day delivered by the prominent lecturer from Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradenya, and Distinguished Toastmaster Dr. Jayalath Edirisnghe added more flavor to the event. He inspired the audience by explaining how Toastmasters impacted in his professional career. The iron lady of the District 82, District Director, Distinguished Toastmaster Suganthi Periasamy addressed the gathering afterwards who came all the way from India to attend the event. The ceremony was concluded at 5’o clock after the awarding ceremony with leaving so many loving and beautiful memories to the participants.

TM Mohamed Rifnaz ,ACB,ALB

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My point of view Our Feather Bed ; Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club First and foremost, I’m so pleased to convey my heartfelt gratitude to TM Mahesha Manjarika, the Editor of this newsletter for leaving space for me to pen my point of view on Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club which we consider as a feather bed to Kekirawa Toastmasters Club.

Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club as we all know, is a club with a great history. When I was the charter Vice President-Education of Kekirawa Toastmasters Club I can well remember how the senior Toastmastes like TM Chandana, TM Sujith and so on worked hard in establishing this club. The guidance rendered by eminent Toastmasters like TM Lalani, TM Mahesh, TM Sisira and TM Lalitha is still a great solace to the freshers. The greatest thing is that while all those were sailing towards their targeted land so smoothly it was TM Tharaka Amarasena who appeared fortunately to fasten their journey mesmerizing even the Toastmasters International. I’d like to call it a renaissance .The proper leadership of TM Tharaka is clearly shown through the recent awards they have obtained and the outstanding performance of some members like TM Rifnaz, TM Tharushi etc.

What I love most in Anuradhapura friends is that they are always ready to share their ideas and experiences with other clubs all over the country through joint meetings and all other special functions.

I think that’s the best way to learn and make friends. So they are loved by all. But we, the Kekirawa Toastmasters are the luckiest because Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club always gives us their fullest support .Whenever we visit Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club we feel so homely because of their hospitality .Apart from all, we are the geographically closest friends of them and there’s a good rapport between us.

Finally I’d love to say that Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club is really a model for other clubs though it is comparatively distant. Actually it deserves many accolades. We wish you good luck for another fruitful year ahead. Cheers!!!

TM Savithri Upananda ,CC, CL Secretary, Kekirawa Toastmasters Club

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Chat

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a th i w

Champion

In this issue we are happy to interview a motivational speaker, humorous speaker, corporate trainer and speech coach who is none other than TM Sudath Fernando. He is the director finance of ATG Group of Companies. 7 times winner in international speech and humorous speech contest in division level, first runner up in the 1st semifinal of district humorous speech contest in 2010 who became the champion of Division H Humorous Speech Contest which was concluded on 24th November 2018.

SUDATH FERNANDO How do you feel about your journey with TM? My journey with Toastmasters has been an incredibly inspiring one. My love for public speaking started way back when I was nine or ten. I had big dreams even as a little boy – to talk to big audiences, go places and touch & inspire people with the spoken word. I remember going to my backyard and talking to the birds, animals like I was talking to an audience full of people. I wanted it so badly that the universe ended up conspiring in my favor, I would say As a child I had a speech impediment and I am eternally grateful to my speech therapist for helping me fix it. When I had my ability to speak sorted out, I had stage fright & crippling anxiety and it was only after I joined Toastmasters that I was able to overcome those challenges fully.

Over the span of ten years, I am very humbled to say that not only have I been able to hone my public speaking skills through the Toastmaster programme, I’ve also been able to win a number of local and international speech contests and rub shoulders with the likes of our very own superstar Dhananjaya Hettiarachchi.

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What makes you a champion?

Speaking is one of those things I’ve always wanted to do. I wasn’t particularly talkative as a child but I was very intrigued by great speakers –I watched, listened, read, researched and did my homework.

I think my burning desire coupled with hard work is what has helped me emerge a ‘champion’. Staying focused is equally important.

What motivates you?

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constructively and with great persistence & dedication gone on to achieve his dreams. I think he is a good role model for anybody who aspires to be a public speaker.

Do you imitate anyone? and What do you think about imitating a champion? Does it help to improve beginners' skills?

No. I don't imitate anyone. Copying sabotages your identity, personality & credibility. Don’t do that to yourself. It is okay to have good role models but don’t imitate – just be inspired.

Nothing makes me happier than putting a smile on people’s faces. I do what I do because it makes me happy and it gives me the power to make other people happy – I feel like a superhero.

According to your point of view, what is the most important quality to be improved by a public speaker?

Sincerity & authenticity. Unfortunately, these are things that most eloquent speakers lack nowadays. Fluency alone doesn’t make a speech palatable; a speech becomes a ‘good speech’ only when factors like delivery, body language are also taken into account. You have to understand the audience and prepare accordingly. These are skills that Toastmasters develop along the way.

Who is your favorite public speaker and why do you like him/ her?

Dhananjaya Hettiarachchi. I have had the privilege of competing with him and I have seen how he has taken criticism very

As a champion, what can you say for the new members of TM? TM is a unique program that enables you to develop your speaking/communication skills while building confidence. This programme has helped me immensely to grow as a speaker and as a person. Progress varies based on different factors but if you put your heart and soul into it and work hard, sky is the limit!

Interview By: TM Mahesha Hettiarachchi

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Being Tested People usually do not like to be tested. We always prefer to be in our comfort zone rather than allow us to be tested. Because it feels like we are on a trial or we were about to be reckoned. This fear is inherited since we were born. In school, we don’t like to to be tested in exams. In hospitals we don’t like to be tested because deep down inside we have a gut feeling that there are some faults within ourselves that like to keep hidden and we fear that it will be exposed. This inherited fear sometimes drastically alters the course of life as we cannot face our own fears our own demons although we try to get away from it one day you have to face and you better be ready.

Recently I was given the chance to be the Test speaker in the Wayamaba Toastmasters Club, club level evaluation contest. When I was offered the chance it was a frightening moment. Unlike club meetings where my speeches are evaluated by just one evaluator, here there are more bunch of contestants waiting eagerly to go through my speech and evaluated me, judge me. My initial thoughts awakened the negative side of my brain.

It’s better to be in your comfort zone rather than driving yourself into the abyss of fear. Yet the positive side of my brain wanted to drag me to that abyss. I was in a dilemma. Shall I let me be judged by others or better to be a silent observer sitting in the comfortable audience? Somehow I selected to be the test speaker. I practiced my speech with the doubts about whether my speech is good enough to be evaluated Somehow days passed and the day of reckoning came. I visited the Wayamaba Toastmasters Club located at the heart of Kurunegala city, where others are waiting to judge me.I was praying for this to be over as soon as possible. I took the courage and delivered my speech as the test speaker, it was a strange audience, a strange venue and

everything was strange. After the speech, I came back to the seat and waited for the evaluation contestants to come and find what was wrong with my speech. As the time passed, each and everyone came and did the evaluation while I was silently listening to their comments and my heart was hammering. How could I say this? After being tested I felt less burdened. It was like I was awakened in a different dimension. Not that because the contest was over, but for a strange feeling that I was feeling comfortable with me being evaluated. At that moment I realized that I had been so wrong for the entire time, fearing that others would find my faults. It was crystal clear to me that evaluating me was the best thing that ever happened to me. Let them judge me. Allow them to find the mistakes you could not find. Several evaluators evaluated my speech and I got a whole new level of evaluation that covered different aspects of my speech. As the saying goes “more the merrier”, different perspectives of all the evaluators helped to uncover the pros and cons of speech in different levels. It was a brainstorming session for me. Burden as I thought earlier, now turning in to an opportunity of massive scale. How could have I never thought of the endless possibilities it possessed. a golden opportunity only a few of us are lucky enough to encounter.

Never fear of being tested, it shows the inner strength as well as the weaknesses within you which you can rectify and polish to be a better version of yourself. Never let the inner demons to drag you down. Always take the courage to test yourself to the highest extent to reveal the true character hidden within yourself.

TM Darshana Ekanayake Sgt. At Arms, Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club

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Changing the Thinking Pattern Anuradhapura Toastmasters club is blessed with good combination of members from different professions and different age groups as well. This provides a platform to members to change their thinking patterns by listening the speeches and activities of members. Theme meeting is one way of changing the thinking pattern of members. Theme is decided by the Toastmaster of the day and others focus all their speeches except prepared speeches inline with the theme. During last three months, we have different theme meetings, some themes provided information while some provided entertainment and fun .

The meeting on the theme “Relax Your Self”, TMOD a new member TM Indrajith had equipped with many information on how to get relaxed by ourselves. The theme selected by TM Amila was “Positive Expectations”. He presented about many great characters who thought positively and how they changed their destination. It was eye-opening session for all.

Theme of TM Tharaka was “Find Your Path with Pathways”. It was a kind of educational session on Pathways. All members were asked to wear hats and each role player had assigned one path way to explain to the audience. All members were able to learn about pathways with fun. Being a Civil Engineer, TM Attanayake focused his theme on “Green Technology”. It was a very informative session on green technology. “Toon Toon Cartoon” was the theme selected by TM Tharushi. She took all of us to our small days and reminded many cartoon characters we used to love during our childhood. The session was full of fun and entertainment. I would like to say, all these variations help the members to learn more as Toastmasters.

TM Lalani Wijesekara ,CC,CL

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Achievements & Recognition Club achievements during TM year 2018/19

DISTINGUISHED CLUB * During the first six months of the Toastmaster year 2018/19, we could achieve 6 DCP points and became a distinguished club. As a club we work hard to achieve the club's performance in terms of DCP points while making sure the individual member's achievement. We are happy to say we can become a "President Distinguished Club" within next two months.

EXCELLENCE IN TRAINING This is awarded for the clubs that have all 7 club officers trained at the Club Officers Training program. All seven members of our executive committee and 4 more shadow ex-co members from our club participated to the Division H officer training program (OTP) at Kurunegala on 22nd July 2018. We were awarded this award by the district trio during the division conference held recently.

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Achievements & Recognition Member achievements during TM year 2018/19 TRIPLE CROWN

TM Mohamed Rifnaz Educational Awards Achieved Competent Leader (CL) Advanced Communicator Bronze (ACB) Advanced Leader Bronze (ALB)

EDUCATIONAL AWARDS

TM Thinusha Bamunuarachchi Competent Communicator (CC)

TM Tharushi Jayawickrama Competent Leader (CL) Team Collaboration 1 (TC1)

TM Mohamed Rifnaz Competent Leader (CL) Advanced Communicator Bronze (ACB) Advanced Leader Bronze (ALB)

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Are You Blind? be succeeded in their respective fields.

Amazing! Both of them were written the same word. It is “Focus”. Focus means, the focus towards your goals or in other words, focus towards your own vision and the mission.

Just imagine that you are blind and you are going to have some food. You come to a junction and have no idea where to go from there onward. You may struggle to turn right, turn left or move forward.

When I’ve received my A/L exam results, I’ve been selected to the Wayamba University and at the same time, I’ve received a scholarship to Cuba from UGC for Geological Engineering.

So, what was the decision should I take? Even at the university, I’ve got to select a major stream out of Electronics or Computing and information systems. So, what should I choose? I asked this question from my coaching guru, Mr. Jayantha Fernando as I was looking for an advice. What he said was amazing. He said, “you don’t think about the stream you are going to choose. But you think, whom you want to be within next five years” I’m pretty sure, you might have similar experience when taking decisions. Specially when you’ve got to pick one, out of many. So, what should be the guiding factor for you to take decisions? One day, when Warren Buffet and Bill Gates meet for a dinner. Both of them were given a paper and they were asked to write that single word, which helped them to

From the view of the transformative coach, I’ve observed that people those who have their own visions and missions take decisions easier than others. Also, their decisions are more relevant to the purpose of their lives. Therefore, when you have your own vision / mission statement it’s easy to take decisions. When developing a vision / mission statement you need to know the things you are good at and your accomplishments in the past. Then what you want to be, things which inspire and motivate you.

Then you’ve got to combine them & come down to a bottom line. For this process, it would be better if you get the support of a transformative life coach.

Life is a collection of decisions we take. If you just take decisions without having a purpose means your decisions could be blind. So, make sure before you take your next decision, it is aligned with the purpose of your life.

Good Luck!

TM Thinusha Bamunuarachchi

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PATHWAYS Corner Are You a Looser or Winner?

I am sure every Toastmaster in District 82 is very familiar with the word “Pathways”. Why I emphasize Word Pathways? Though Pathways has been introduced to us before 8 months ago, lot of Toastmasters having heaps of questions and their basic question is, “is it difficult to follow?”. If you are a Toastmaster who has initiated Pathways, just think actually is it difficult? The answer is “No’. It is simpler than traditional path. So I thought to share my experience on Pathways with you.

As you can choose one from ten paths in this program, I was suggested to select Team Collaboration after answering a very specific questionnaire. That path has divided into 5 levels and as the first project in level 1 is the usual Ice Breaker with little difference with traditional path. The specialty of pathways is, they assess our skills through a small questionnaire before initiating our project and after delivering our speech. Finally they give us the feedback from two assessments and simply we can measure how competent we are or how much we should improve ourselves.

One of the most common questions in pathway initiators is whose responsibility is to upload evaluation sheets which are provided at the club meeting. I've come a across many misconceptions within Toastmasters like evaluator has to upload evaluation sheet and if he or she doesn't upload, the speaker cannot step to next level or evaluator or Base Camp manager has to approve uploaded evaluation sheets and so. Believe me, uploading evaluation sheet is something up to the speaker and that is for the speaker's reference.

When you walk along your path you will meet the project “Evaluation and Feedback” which guides you to learn many new techniques in public speaking. People like to deliver speeches, but 60% would not happy to receive evaluations and incorporate those evaluations in their future endeavor.I am sure remaining 40% are Toastmasters. This project gives you 3 in 1 offer. First, you have to deliver a speech on any topic and learn how to receive a feedback.

Secondly, repeat the same speech or prepare a new one by incorporating received feedback

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and thirdly give a feedback by being an evaluator. This project is like preparing you with safety jackets before rafting. It would prepare you to face upcoming challengers in Toastmaster journey.

Third project in level 1 would be “Research and Presenting” which addresses strategies for selecting a topic, suggestions for research and methods for producing a well-organized speech. Definitely you may have to experience this project in your life whatever the profession you are involving.

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After completing 3 projects you can complete level 1. Oh wait. You cannot do it alone.

Another important person involving in this process is Base Camp Manager who is your VP-Ed or President or Secretary. After his or her confirmation, congratulations, you can be a pathways level 1 completer. I was the first pathway completer in Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club. What I have learnt within the period of level 1 completion is invaluable.

Let’s think like this. If you receive a treasure which wrapped in a box, why are you waiting?

Just unwrap it and be a richer. If you do not unwrap, you would be the most unluckiest person. Same story applies to Pathways as well. Now you have received your treasure.

Be smart to take the decision to be a looser or winner.

TM Tharushi Jayawickrama ,CC,CL,TC1

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New Member Experience A Great Investment in my Life The worst speech you will ever give, will be far better than the one you never give.

So it is better to start and practice public speaking skills of yourself.

I am T.S.Jayasuriya, who work in Road Development Authority as a Civil Engineer. In my professional and academic careers, I have carried out many speeches and presentations. However, while carrying out such speeches I suddenly got stuck and unable to continue my speech and grab the attention of the audiences. One day I accidentally watched an inspirational speech by Dr.A.P.J Abdul Kalam from YouTube. In his Speech he insisted that “Your Best Teacher Is Your Last Mistake”. Then I had a keen interest to find out a place, where I can find out my mistakes and improve my public speaking skills.

Fortunately one day our Chief Engineer Mr.A.M.C.T.K Attanayake suggested me to join Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club. As a result of it, I joined to the club and attended regular educational meetings in the club. There are four sessions in these normal meetings as Round Robin, Prepared Speeches, Table Topics and Evaluation of Speeches. This club is very energetic and active club because in my first day they cordially welcomed me as a new comer to the club and motivated me to carry out my speeches by admiring my speeches and giving evaluations. Evaluations were friendly which could improve my future speeches. Here club member’s speech evaluations will lead us to identify our own mistakes, such as grammar mistakes, filling gaps using unnecessary sounds and connecting words and managing the time while delivering the speech, correct way of using gestures, stage movements and carrying out sound variations to reduce monotonous speeches.

Therefore, I can guarantee that Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club will improve any new comers’ skills up to highest levels without giving much tensions to them. Further this club is a diverse place of professionals and due to that different ideas can be shared among others to enhance members knowledge, while improving public speaking skills.

Finally, I want to say if anyone want to develop their speaking abilities, it is a great opportunity to join with Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club and participate their regular educational meetings.

TM Thusitha Jayasuriya TM Thusitha Jayasuriya is an engineer by profession and resides in Anuradhapura who was graduated from University of Peradeniya. We would like to welcome TM Thusitha to our family and we wish him all the very best in his Toastmasters journey.

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New Member Experience Thank You Toastmasters !!

The beginning is the most important part of the work. I‘ve just started my journey with Toastmasters and I’ve done the most important part. Although I had done nothing great in Toastmasters, I feel very comfort and different joy and happy feeling of being a Toastmaster.

In my professional life I am a coward person who is suffering from the disease of social anxiety, but in my home life I am a well performer. I want to be like how I am at home in my professional and social lives. While searching for a remedy for the disease I received the opportunity which I ever had to be changed and be a competent communicator with the help and guidance of TM Sanjeewani and TM Jaliya.

Now I am an important part of a supportive group of people who share a common desire to improve communication and leadership skills.I believe this is the best time of new beginning, Mostly, I love Toastmasters because of the smiling and happy faces throughout the meeting. That makes the environment very comfortable even for a guest. Toastmasters consider every performer as fantastic performer and always give a big round of applause for their effort. That is also a fantastic and an attractive thing I experienced from the Toastmasters and those activities inspire to do things better than I’ve done before.

The quality of praising others and guiding for improvement is a priceless gift to uplift our talents. I want to be true winner with positive attitudes, so I believe Toastmasters is the best solution. I am happy to walk towards Toastmasters and walk with Toastmasters. Although I feel very sorry of my past time that I’ve spent in vain, looking forward with Toastmasters is the happiest reason for dawning future.

Thank you very much Toastmasters for giving energetic power of success.

TM Pandula Rathnayake

TM Pandula Dilani Rathnayake is a legal adviser by profession who works in Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. She was graduated from the Law College of Sri Lanka. We would like to welcome TM Pandula to our family and we wish her all the very best in her Toastmasters journey.

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Contest Season Began Humorous & Evaluation Club Contest Humorous & Evaluation Club Contest was another remarkable memory for Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club which was held on 3rd October 2018. As always, it had been a great learning experience for all the members including contestants, role players and the participants. Not only experienced members but also brand-new members got the chance to appear in role plays. This wonderful contest was held with the helping hands of Kekirawa Toastmasters Club and it became an eye-catching event in the 2018 diary of Anuradhapura Toastmasters.

Role players were from Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club, Chief Judge of the club contest was TM Tharaka Amarasena while TM Nishamini Kodithuwakku was the contest chair. TM Maheshika Kodithuwakku was the Evaluation Contest Master where TM Amila Lankapura was the Humorous Speech Contest Master. TM Gamini Wijerathna and TM Indrajith Mahendra played the timer’s roles.

There were two Tally counters namely TM Lalitha Thenuwara and TM Rashmi de Silva. TM Attanayake and TM Janaka played the Sargent at Arm roles. The model speaker was TM Mihiri from Kekirawa Toastmaster Club.

There were five contestants for Humorous Speech Contest, TM Jaliya Rathnayake, TM Pubudu Kaushalya and TM Thinusha Bamunuarachchi crowned as winner, runner up and second runner up accordingly. TM Mohamed Rifnaz and TM Darshana Ekanayake were the other TMs who contested.

Evaluation contest consisted of three valuable evaluations. TM Mohamed Rifnaz and TM Tharushi Jayawickrama were the winner and runner up of the contest where TM Thinusha Bamunuarachchi also contested.

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Contest Season Began Humorous & Evaluation Area Contest (Area H3) It's proud to announce that Area H3 Humorous & Evaluation Contest was concluded on 27th October 2018 at IPHM Auditorium, Anuradhapura. 8 contestants were participated for both the contests from all four clubs in the area namely Anuradhapura, Kekirawa, Jaffna & Vadamarachchi Toastmasters Clubs. The chief judge of the contest was TM Ramani Ilangasinghe from Wayamba Toastmasters Club while TM Savithri Upananda from Kekirawa Toastmasters Club played both the contest chair and contest master roles. Presence of Division Director added more color to the event. The winners are, ~Humorous Speech Contest~ Winner - TM Pubudu Kaushalya (Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club) 1st Runner-up - TM Jaliya Rathnayake (Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club) 2nd Runner-up - TM Rajesh Aravind (Vadamarachchi Toastmasters Club) ~Evaluation Contest~ Winner - TM Mohamed Rifnaz (Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club) 1st Runner-up - TM Thulasi Muttulingam (Jaffna Toastmasters Club) 2nd Runner-up - TM Anuradha Gamage (Kekirawa Toastmasters Club)

TM Rashmi de Silva

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Impact of Literature in Speech When we come across the word literature, we feel like that it is as a more advanced application of language used only by authors, poets, play writes & etc. So we do not worry about literary techniques in our day to day language usage. But even without knowing, we use some literary techniques in our language activities that add more colors to our work As toastmasters we concentrate our language focus on speeches than other language areas. If we use literary techniques in our speeches they would be more memorable, attention grabbing and understandable. There are very simple but very effective literature elements we can use in our speeches such as similes, metaphors, imageries, hyperbole, and symbolism.

In a speech similes can be used to compare two things, for instance instead of telling ‘He is fast’ we could say ‘He is fast as a wind’. Then the listener understands the intensity of the action. ‘As’ and ‘like are typically used in similes.

Metaphor is another element used in literature and it is used to describe a person or object by referring to something that is considered to have similar characteristics to the person or thing. For an example in the sentence, “I have a friend, he’s really a fox” , the narrator has a friend and he says the friend has qualities that a fox has got, specially cunningness. The listener may easily understand how cunning the person is through the metaphor ‘fox’.

Imagery is another wonderful literary device that helps to enhance the quality of a speech. Imagery can be divided in to five and they would make mental picture in the listener’s mind. When we describe an action of a person we can use visual imagery. Instead of telling ‘she crossed the road’ we can say ‘she looked either side of the road waited a second and crossed the road on the

pedestrian crossing’ then listener would see the actions as a movie. Tactile imagery is another form of imagery which gives us the feeling of touching something; the listener would feel the same feeling of the narrator when this technique is used. ‘I felt a sharp edge of a knife piercing in to my body, worm blood soaked my clothed’. When we listen to a speech, if the speaker could make us hear something in his speech, that is auditory imagery.

In the evening ‘I heard a pack of wolf howling in the distance’, ‘the banging of the door woke me up’ in these instances we could hear the situations mentally.

If the speaker wants to make the listener taste something that he had tasted he can use gustatory imagery ‘The roasted chicken I ate was the best I have ever tasted’. Olfactory imagery is something we experience a smell and make others feels the same smell ‘I felt nothing except the aroma of fresh jasmine hanging around the air’ the listener also smells the scent of jasmine mentally here .

If you want to say something with exaggeration the technique hyperbole can be used. Instead of saying ‘he is very strong’ we can say ‘he is stronger than an elephant’, here we can see an exaggeration of the strength of the person and that is hyperbole.

When we prepare our speeches it is better to pay our attention to use literary devices. These devices would make vivid pictures of the event of the speech. That would make the listeners feel the speech is their own and take the listeners to their own world, at the end it would remain in their hearts forever.

TM Gamini Wijeratne Treasurer, Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club

OUR PILLARS of

Success

You are not late to be here

If you are around Anuradhapura…….

Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development which consists of 16,400 clubs around 141 countries. Anuradhapura Toastmasters Club would like to give you an open invitation to those who are around Anuradhapura, please visit us for a club meeting to get an idea about the club proceedings. We assure that, if anyone comes to the club meeting, he/she will get the maximum output to uplift his/her leadership and communication skills.

“Today a visitor to the club, tomorrow a member”

Find us on /AnuradhapuraTMC

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