Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that builds confidence and teaches public speaking skills through a worldwide network of clubs that meet online and in person
TMI MISSION
We empower individuals to become effective communicators and leaders
DISTRICT MISSION
We build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence.
CLUB MISSION
We provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater selfconfidence and personal growth.
TMI ENVISIONED FUTURE
Toastmasters is a thriving and diverse global community. We enhance the personal lives and careers of individuals, enabling them to positively impact their communities. We empower people to develop communication and leadership skills through a welcoming, high-quality, experiential learning environment, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth
TMI CORE VALUES
Integrity Respect Service Excellence
club:00007595,Area01,DivisionE,District82
Our club is a supportive, fun space where members build communication, public speaking, and leadership skills With guidance from experienced mentors, members gain confidence, learn to engage audiences, and tackle complex conversations.
JOIN OUR MEETINGS
Join us on every 1st and 3rd Tuesdays each month at the Royal College Skill Center Colombo 07. From 600 pm onwards
A MESSAGE FROM THE AREA DIRECTOR
As The Millennium Toastmasters Club celebrates its remarkable 25th anniversary, it’s truly awe-inspiring to reflect on the journey and legacy of this pioneering club. Twenty-five years of inspiring voices, nurturing leadership, and reaching ever higher a testament to the enduring passion that has been the hallmark of The Millennium Toastmasters.
Your theme this year, “Reach for the Stars,” resonates perfectly with all you’ve achieved and aspire to be For a quarter-century, you have been a radiant beacon in Area E1, illuminating paths and setting standards not only for your members but for all who look up to you in awe
Just like the stars, you have served as a guide and inspiration, showing us all that the pursuit of excellence is a journey filled with determination and dreams that soar high. It is this spirit that truly exemplifies our area theme, “United We Rise, Stronger We Grow.” In this spirit of unity, The Millennium Toastmasters Club has been a steady pillar, lending its hand, heart, and wisdom to clubs across Area E1 Your support and mentorship for fellow clubs and me as Area Director have created bonds that strengthen us all, reminding us that together, our growth knows no limits
As you celebrate this incredible milestone, I wish The Millennium Toastmasters Club continued success, deeper connections, and an unyielding drive to reach new heights. May you keep reaching for those stars, shining brightly, and setting an example for others to follow Here’s to the next 25 years of inspiring excellence and to a future where we continue to grow stronger together
Area director visit
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
TM Tharindu Ameresekere Club President
HOW TO PLAN A CONTEST SPEECH: A Step-by-Step Guide
Crafting a winning contest speech requires careful planning, structure, and delivery. Whether you're preparing for a public speaking competition or a smaller event, follow these steps to create an impactful speech that resonates with your audience
1. Understand the Contest Requirements
Before you start writing, carefully review the rules and guidelines of the contest
Consider the time limit, theme, and any specific requirements set by the organizers. Understanding the audience and the purpose of the speech is also crucial
Time Limit: Ensure your speech fits within the allotted time A typical contest speech may range from 5 to 7 minutes.
Judging Criteria: Pay attention to what judges will be evaluating, such as content, delivery, and audience engagement
2. Select a Compelling Topic
Choose a topic that resonates with both you and your audience. The best contest speeches often stem from personal stories, strong opinions, or universal themes
Personal Stories: Share experiences that connect with the audience on an emotional level
Universal Themes: Topics like overcoming adversity, leadership, or perseverance are relatable to most listeners.
Relevance: Ensure the topic fits the contest’s theme or guidelines
3. Craft a Strong Opening
Your opening sets the tone for the entire speech, so it should grab attention immediately A strong start engages the audience and makes them want to listen. Hook: Use a compelling quote, statistic, question, or story to draw in your audience
Set Expectations: Briefly outline what the audience will take away from your speech
4. Create a Structured Outline
A clear structure is essential for making your speech easy to follow. Organize your ideas into a logical sequence, and ensure each section supports your main message
Theme: If the contest has a specific theme, tailor your speech to align with it
Introduction: Present your topic and establish a connection with the audience. Body: Divide this part into 2–3 main points. Each point should be backed by examples, facts, or anecdotes
Conclusion: Reinforce your main message and leave a lasting impression with a call to action or thought-provoking idea
5. Develop Engaging Content
In this phase, you’ll build the substance of your speech. The content should not only inform but also engage and inspire your audience.
Clarity and Brevity: Avoid unnecessary jargon or long-winded explanations Keep your ideas concise and impactful
Use Stories: Personal anecdotes or case studies make your speech more relatable and memorable.
Incorporate Emotion: Blend logic and emotion to connect with your audience on a deeper level.
6. Refine Your Delivery
Once the speech is written, it's time to focus on how you’ll present it. Strong delivery is often as important as the content itself in a speech contest
Practice: Rehearse in front of a mirror, record yourself, or practice in front of friends and family. Focus on voice modulation, gestures, and body language.
Pacing: Avoid speaking too quickly or slowly. A moderate pace keeps the audience engaged
7. Rehearse Under Contest Conditions
Prepare for the contest by rehearsing under realistic conditions If possible, practice on the stage or in a similar environment to familiarize yourself with the space.
Timing: Ensure your speech stays within the time limit
Adjustments: Make any last-minute adjustments based on your practice sessions.
8. Seek Feedback
Before finalizing your speech, seek feedback from trusted peers, mentors, or speech coaches. They can offer insights into areas for improvement, whether it's in content, delivery, or structure
9. Stay Confident and Adaptable
On the day of the contest, stay calm and confident While it’s essential to follow your plan, remain flexible to adjust if something unexpected happens.
Mindset: Focus on the message you’re delivering rather than worrying about the outcome
Engagement: Be prepared to adapt your delivery based on audience reactions. If something resonates strongly, don’t hesitate to lean into it.
Conclusion
Eye Contact: Make eye contact with different people in the audience to build rapport and appear confident
Planning and delivering a contest speech is an art that requires practice, preparation, and passion. By following these steps, you’ll be equipped to craft a speech that is memorable, persuasive, and impactful Whether you win or not, the skills you develop will serve you well in any public speaking opportunity.
THE JOURNEY OF A CHAMPION
filled with fear, intimidation, anxiety, nervousness you name it, it's all there. The more I prepare, the smaller the hurricane becomes Once you master handling your mind, you can stand at the center of the hurricane, where it is calm, quiet, and you are in control This is my contest mind.
DTM Ravi Uduwela
Success is sweet! Yet the road to success is often long and winding Along the way, we face the stress of preparation, the pain of defeat, and the temptation to quit when the going gets tough The road is uncomfortable, but learning to be comfortable with discomfort is key. May you savor the sweetness of success
t . , even when nothing seems to be working. We often attend workshops and trainings, but how many of us truly continue applying what we've learned and push ourselves to explore further? How many of us are willing to fail, learn from it, and keep improving? How many of us stay consistent, even when life knocks us down? In contests, there are days I don’t get the results I hoped for, but the next day, I start again because I trust that my discipline will never let me down
THE JOURNEY OF A CHAMPION
should be on that stage Show us why you are worthy.
This completely changed my view as to why I had to make it at any cost My mindset at that point was chaotic. I had to seek support and guidance from those who assured that a little effort and dedication could actually take me there
My learning was , it is not the trophy which made me the first woman to win the District Humorous Champion but the process that taught me anything we wish to achieve is possible with self belief and a team who was ever ready to help me understand the importance of my story
The take home would be believe in you our time on stag
Toastmasters contests is a wonderful opportunity available for everyone to expedite their progress. I have been contesting for the last 10 years with many ups and downs Through all of the challenges I was able to better understand my own capabilities. The most important aspect is the opportunity to transform the skill development in competition to your professional and career growth I have many proud achievements in my career due to the valuable lessons I have learnt from the wonderful Toastmasters fraternity.
TOASTMASTERS TURNS 100
It was amazing how TM Dananjaya Hettiarachchi conveyed a very strong message of accountability by insisting the importance of being accountable for your success, failures, learning and for the people who helped you along the journey. He made the speech effortless to listen to by connecting his personal experience as a Toastmaster.
Toastmasters International marks a century of transforming lives through communication and leadership development on October 22, 2024. This organization founded in 1924 by Dr. Ralph C. Smedley in Santa Ana, California, as a small gathering of like minded people to help each other on their speaking skills. Over the years, this initiative grew into a global movement, empowering millions of members to become confidentcommunicatorsandleaders. This remarkable milestone was definitely a celebration for all the Toastmasters based in Sri Lanka as well. Toastmasters International District 82 went all out in organizing a series of events and fuctions to celebrate the centennial anniversary of TMI The sit down dinner at the Galleface Hotel, Colombo was the highlight of the series of celebrations where I attended with a heart filled with pride.
The night was graced by the Past International President of Toastmaster International DTM Arunasalam Balraj and the World Champion of Public Speaking 2014, TM Dananjaya Hettiarachchi Their inspiring words reminded the crowd about the unique skill of inspirational public speaking in which thetoastmastersexcelat
The event filled with various aspects to create memories with creative photography setups at the venue. The main event had a segment to honor all the past District Directors of District 82 and they cut a cake together which signified the 100 year celebration Unveiling of the Commemorative Postal Cover was another notable highlight where the Toastmasters had the opportunity to get a Postal Cover as a souvenir
The sit down dinner arranged by the Galleface Hotel complemented the elegance of the occasion As the dinner begins, servers glide across the room, carrying plated courses that are as beautifully presented as they are delicious Each dish was arranged with care and precision that make it almost too beautiful to eat The soft violin music was soothing while enjoying the dinner The event concluded with an exquisite raffle draw with some attractive give away prices and finally some music to dance the night away. It was a remarkable experience which made us feel even more proud about being a part of this wonderful movement of Toastmasters which celebrated the history of 100 remarkable years. I’m a proud member of Toastmasters International and always grateful for the positive impact this organization made in my life.
-
TM Dilusha Gamage -
STARTS WITH YOU
There have been countless instances where I’ve felt frustrated as a leader when my expectations of the team haven’t been met. In those moments, it’s easy to look at team members individually, expecting them to make changes so we can achieve our shared goals However, in doing this, we often overlook the importance of self-reflection as leaders.
In my view, one of the most important characteristics of a good leader is the ability to lead oneself before leading others Often, a team is influenced not just by a leader’s words but by their actions. When a leader’s words point in one direction, but their personal conduct and values go in another, the team may struggle to align with the leader’s vision
Self-leadership is the foundation of personal growth and professional success It’s about managing one’s actions, setting meaningful goals, and maintaining a disciplined approach to achieve them. Effective self-leadership begins with self-awareness understanding your strengths, weaknesses, motivations, and values When you know what drives you and recognize areas for growth, you’re better equipped to set realistic goals and create a plan for achieving them.
Self-leadership also involves taking responsibility for your choices and learning to motivate yourself, even when the path is challenging. By setting personal goals aligned with your values and purpose, you establish a sense of direction and motivation, helping you stay committed to your vision through difficulties. Cultivating habits that support these goals, like time management, prioritization, and reflection, is essential. Through daily actions, self-leaders develop resilience, learning from mistakes and adapting without losing sight of their objectives.
Another critical component of self-leadership is emotional intelligence, which involves managing your emotions, staying calm under pressure, and making decisions aligned with your values By understanding how your emotions impact your actions and relationships, you can respond thoughtfully to challenges rather than reacting impulsively. This approach builds resilience and keeps you focused on long-term goals
Finally, self-leadership is about continuous learning and growth. Adopting a mindset of lifelong learning enables you to adapt to new situations, update your skills, and remain open to change Regular self-reflection helps you evaluate your progress, celebrate your successes, and identify areas for improvement.
In essence, leading yourself means taking ownership of your life, committing to personal growth, and staying aligned with your values. It’s the foundation that enables you to influence others effectively and lead with integrity
INSIGHTS FROM EMERGING TOASTMASTERS
aastmasters for
The most I’ve learned:
ple with eye I avoided eye nervousness, arned that it’s ways to make cluded and feedback Toastmasters cept feedback th rather than has improved ches but also challenges in
M Yoshani Ukwatte
public speaking but on life itself.
One of the most impactful tips I received early on was from my mentor, who noticed I’d unconsciously shake my legs out of nervousness during speeches Her advice was simple yet powerful: "Stand tall and steady " The second tip I received was on eye contact At first, I struggled with it A fellow Toastmaster advised me to begin by connecting with just the people I felt at ease with, then gradually expand that connection to include everyone in the audience
stmasters was indeed a turning point for me Public speaking used e one of my biggest fears but the support given by my mentor and w members helps me step out of my comfort zone, with each eting as an opportunity to grow Having been a toastmaster for just r a year, I’ve learned countless valuable lessons, both for life and lic speaking. One of the most impactful tips I’ve received from my ntor, about delivering speeches is that starting with a suspenseful ning will keep the audience engaged and maintain the sense of cipation throughout the entire speech.
DTM Ravi Uduwela
Finalist- world championship of public speaking 2024
In February 2024, I won the club-level speech contest with a speech about the importance of self-acceptance
Even though I walked away with a victory, I didn’t feel great about the speech. I sensed that something was missing. So, I sought feedback from fellow Toastmasters
My club president was encouraging but candid He said, “It’s a good speech, but I don’t think it’ll get through the next levels of competition ” That feedback hit me hard because I was only a couple of weeks away from the Area contest and had no idea what to do. I had a choice: stick with the speech or start from scratch I chose the latter, and that decision gave birth to “Too Far Away,” a speech that eventually ear e finals of the Wo of Public Spe
From its rough first draft in February to a polished, winning speech in August, “Too Far Away” was a journey of constant refinement. The story came from an incident in 1996 one that had been buried deep in my memory until I decided to share it nearly three decades later. This journey taught me three valuable lessons that I want to pass on to you.
First, we all have stories in our lives that are worthy of a global audience. But you need to dig deep to find them I found mine from 1996, and if you tend to forget impactful stories, keep writing them down. Maintain a story journal it’s a treasure chest of ideas waiting to be discovered
Second, I realized the power of feedback If I hadn’t accepted my club president’s honest critique, I would have stuck with my original speech and likely lost at Area or Division. Seek feedback at every stage of competition
Third, to uncover the true potential of a speech, you must keep refining it From February to August, I revised my speech countless times With each refinement, it evolved into something better. It’s easy to settle and assume that our first draft is the final version, but that’s rarely the case The magic happens in the rewrites, in those small tweaks that elevate your message to new heights.
In a nutshell, great stories come from within, valuable feedback comes from others, and great speeches come from a relentless pursuit of refinement I wish you good luck on your journey! - P
HOW TO BECOME THE TOASTMASTER OF THE YEAR : BY NOT TRYING
After becoming the Toastmaster of the year for 2023/24, people often asked me, what it took to be the "Toastmaster of the Year," my answer is surprisingly simple: don’t try to be the Toastmaster of the Year If you answered a seasoned Toastmaster though, they’ll tell you it required you to do certain things, like attending club meetings, taking up roles, completing your projects, and going beyond the club, which would earn you points. I knew nothing of this, until I became the Toastmaster of the Year.
My journey with Toastmasters began two years ago, during a pivotal point in my career. I was transitioning from a high-energy, customerfacing role where I presented to the boards of top corporates in Sri Lanka, to a quieter, more solitary job focused on creating content for international clients I would likely never meet I joined Toastmasters to keep the human connection alive, to continue engaging in meaningful conversations
Yet, Toastmasters quickly became much more than a place to practice speaking Within a few months, I realized I had a lot to learn not just about communication, but about leadership The club taught me that my voice mattered, that my stories had impact. Suddenly, speaking wasn’t just a skill; it became my superpower. And as Uncle Ben famously told Peter Parker, "With great power comes great responsibility." My mentors echoed this sentiment, reminding me that if I wanted my voice to be powerful, I also had a responsibility to use it thoughtfully This advice motivated me to take on more projects, each one refining my skills and giving me a new perspective on life
A pivotal moment came a year ago when I was invited to be a test speaker for a club contest That’s where I met TM Tharindu De Silva, the then Area Director for Area E4 He introduced me to new opportunities within Toastmasters, setting off a whirlwind of speaking opportunities, opportunities to take up roles beyond the club, and leadership roles.
Serving as a test speaker for multiple contests gave me the chance to improve my delivery, connect with members from all over the organization, and build the confidence to add value, whether by inspiring audiences or supporting other Toastmasters beyond the club level.
Throughout this journey, I’ve been fortunate to meet remarkable individuals who’ve offered me guidance, cheered me on, and helped me grow I joined Toastmasters in search of a community, but I stayed because I found something deeper a family If I earned the title of Toastmaster of the Year, it’s because I wasn’t aiming for it. My goal was never about accumulating points I simply wanted to spend time with friends, share stories, and enjoy the journey.
Good things come to people who do good Toastmasters exemplifies this spirit friends helping friends If you dive in with genuine intention, you’ll gain so much more than titles or accolades You’ll find a community that rallies behind you, helping you grow every step of the way.
- TM Promodhya AbeysekaraToastmaster of the year 23/24
BEYOND THE CLUB
Celebrating the stellar achievements of The Millennium Toastmasters Club, our members have gone above and beyond, taking the name of The Millennium Toastmasters club to new heights and embodying the true spirit of Reaching for the Stars.
MEMORIES OF REACHING FOR THE STARS CONTEST PARTICIPATION
The Millennium TMC winning the golden club award for year 23/24
MEMORIES OF REACHING FOR THE STARS
VENTURING OUTSIDE THE CLUB
EDITORS MESSAGE
“Join
How many of you have dreamed of reaching for the stars ? At The Millennium Toastmasters Club it isn’t just a dream, its a mission we strive to achieve every day. Weather it be creating opportunities, sharing stories, or celebrating the smallest of achievements we always give it our best, and as the editor of this newsletter and VPPR of this incredible club it is my duty to let the world know all the amazing things we do, and this newsletter is just what it is all about making sure that our journey towards reaching for the stars is seen and heard
I am extremely honored to be able to present to you this wonderful newsletter filled with inspiring articles, messages and many more. I want to take this chance to thank everyone who helped me in bringing this newsletter to you. From writing these beautiful articles to coordinating with the resource people to checking up on the progress, giving advice and even lending a hand in editing and formatting, the support I have received is immense.
I hope that the stories insights and the tips we shared sparked the same sense of inspiration and excitement I felt during the creation of this newsletter, within you Our next edition promises to bring even more compelling stories and insights until then keep learning, striving and growing
