Toastmasters International Mission
We empower individuals to become more effectivecommunicatorsandleaders.
District Mission
Webuildnewclubsandsupportallclubsin achievingexcellence.
Toastmasters International Core Values INTEGRITY
Introducing“Elegance”-Term1,2024/25
VirtusaColomboToastmastersNewsletter
e to “Elegance,” where sophistication meets collaboration, ry story reflects the grace of our collective achievements. elegance lies in the perfect balance of elements, our club on the seamless harmony of diverse talents, united by a urpose.
ition embodies the essence of our club’s journey a ion of refinement, teamwork, and accomplishment. We our heartfelt appreciation to our contributors, the Club t, the Executive Committee, and the dedicated mitteefortheirinvaluableefforts.Aspecialacknowledgment our members, whose dedication to PR activities has been ental in showcasing the brilliance of Virtusa Colombo sters.
mmerse yourself in the pages of “Elegance,” may it inspire align with growth, poise, and the transformative power of mentorshipandfeedback.Thisnewsletterismorethanachronicle it is a reflection of our commitment to continual self-improvement, celebratingtheremarkableprogressofeverymember.
Let“Elegance”resonateasatestamenttotherefinementandgrace thatdefineVirtusaColomboToastmasters.Here’stoanotherchapter ofexcellenceandunity. Enjoytheread!
As the president of Virtusa Colombo Toastmasters Club, I amproudtorepresenteachoneofyou.Eachofus,whether introvertedorextroverted,isuniqueinourownway Butwe shareonecommongoal:thedesiretogrowandimprove.
Let me draw your attention to one of our core values: integrity. True growth comes from maintaining integrity in everything we do. Integrity is about holding ourselves to a highstandard,notforrecognition,butbecauseitistheright thingtodo.
I also want to remind you of one of our promises as Toastmasters: to perform to the best of our ability. Every speech(orrole),whetherdeliveredataregularmeetingora contest, deserves your fullest commitment. Treat every chance as an opportunity, push yourself, and witness how faryoucangowhenrealchallengesarise.
It brings me immense joy to see each of you achieve your communicationgoals,becauseyoursuccessisthegreatest rewardofmyleadership.
Let’s support one another in this journey of growth and transformation!
DearVirtusaColomboToastmasters,
It’saprivilege,asyourAreaDirector,towitnessthededication and positive spirit that define Virtusa Colombo Toastmasters
Each of you brings unique talents and passion, making this clubaplacewherememberstrulyfeelempoweredtogrowand supportoneanother.
Virtusa Colombo Toastmasters stands out not only for the quality of its meetings but also for its continued support of Area, Division, and District initiatives. Your willingness to contributesetsaremarkableexampleandreinforcesthesense ofunitythatmakesourToastmasterscommunitythrive.
Let’scontinuefosteringanenvironmentthatwelcomesallwho seek personal and professional growth, where each member feelsencouragedtochallengethemselves,supportothers,and celebrate achievements. Together, we can make Virtusa Colombo Toastmasters a place of inspiration and excellence foryearstocome.
As we look to the future, may each bold choice you make shape a powerful voice within you one that resonates with purpose, confidence, and impact. Thank you for all that you do.Let’skeepreachingnewheightstogether!
cbogoda@virtusa.com asalie@virtusa.com
amuthunayake@virtusa.comdineshaperera@virtusa.com
pmusammil@virtusa.com
wsewwandi@virtusa.comshashiniw@virtusa.com adinumgalage@virtusa.com
By Toastmaster Fasmina Musammil
AsMayarrived,excitementfilledtheairinourToastmastersclub. Nominationsforleadershiproleswereinfullswing,andIfound myself reflecting on my previous role as Sergeant at Arms Initially,Iplannedtostepbackthisyearandsimplyenjoybeinga member Butthen,anunexpectedmessagechangedeverything: "I’d like to nominate you for the VP Membership position. Are you okay with that?"
This question sparked a whirlwind of thoughts. Was I truly suited for this role? What responsibilities awaited me? After somereflection,Idecidedtoacceptthenomination,convincing myselfthatIprobablywouldn’tbeselectedanyway therewere somanytalentedcandidates.
On June 1st, 2024, election day arrived. I was amazed at the passionate individuals vying for the position. Feeling a mix of nerves and excitement, I focused on enjoying the moment, all the while praying for guidance If I was meant for this role, I hoped to be chosen; if not, I wished my fellow nominees well.
When the results were announced, I was stunned. The vote count was incredibly close just a one vote difference between me and another candidate! We moved to a second round of voting,andtomysurprise,Iemergedvictoriouswiththehighest numberofvotes.Inthatmoment,Ifeltanoverwhelmingsense ofresponsibilitytohonorthetrustmyfellowmembersplacedin me
The official installation ceremony took place on July 27th, marking the beginning of our journey together However, my team and I didn’t wait until then to start our work. Rightafter the election, we dove into our roles, collaborating with our previous VP Membership, immediate past president, and the current president to identify the challenges we needed to address.
1. Flexible Meeting Scheduling: At the beginning of each month, we now survey members to determine their preferred meeting dates This way, we can accommodate as many membersaspossible
2. Recognition Programs: We’re excited to introduce awards for categories such as "Most Engaged Toastmaster" and "Best Attendance." Celebrating our members' contributions will fosteramorevibrantclubculture.
3. Suggestion Box: At each physical meeting, we’ll have a suggestion box to gather feedback This will help us continuouslyimproveourofferingsbasedonmemberinput
With their invaluable insights, I crafted a comprehensive plan outliningourgoalsfortheyear The core responsibilities of the VP Membership role tracking attendance, organizing membership building programs, updating the club roster, and ensuring seamless onboarding for new members—were essential. ButIwantedtogofurther
We identified specific challenges, particularly around attendanceandengagement. Our meetings often saw only role players present, and our membership-building programs were limited to a few open houses throughout the year. To tackle theseissues,wedevisedthreekeystrategies:
To further enhance our membership-building efforts, we decided to host competitions each term, open to all. These eventswillencouragegueststoparticipateandconsiderjoining Toastmasters.
Additionally, we created a subcommittee of engaged members to support the VP Membership role. By dividing tasks among this enthusiastic team, we’re fostering a collaborative environment. Each member will take on responsibilities like welcoming new members and facilitating interactive activities, allowingustocreateasupportivecommunity.
Withtheseinitiativesinplace,we’reoptimisticaboutachieving our goal of earning the Smedley Award by welcoming 12 new membersandreinitiatingone. Together, as a unified executive committee, we are committed to making this vision a reality.
Reflecting on this journey, I’m filled with gratitude for the faith my peers have shown in me. AspecialthankyoutoAqeelAarif for nominating me; your support has been instrumental in this adventure.
As I look back on my experiences, I can’t help but think about the transformative power of sharing our stories Each of us has unique insights and lessons from our own journeys Whether you’ve taken on a leadership role or faced challenges in another context, those experiences can inspire and motivate others.
Let’s remember that every experience shapes us and offers invaluable lessons Embrace challenges, celebrate victories, and share your stories, for they have the power to uplift those around you. Together, we can create a vibrant community whereeveryonethrives
Aswecontinuetolearnfrom oneanother,here’stoour collectivejourney!
Winner 1stRunnerUp 2ndRunnerUp
TM Malinda Perera
TM Aamir Salie
TM Sajini Lankadari
Winner 1stRunnerUp 2ndRunnerUp
TM Nadeesha Fernando
TM Malinda Perera
TM Ruvinda Madapatha
OnJuly24,2024,theVirtusaColomboToastmastersClubheldabeautifulInstallationCeremonywiththetheme“ELEGANCE”at theVirtusaAuditorium.Theeventcelebrated “Bold Choices, Golden Voices” andmarkedthebeginningofanewchapterforthe club.
Wewerehonoredtohavedistinguishedguests,includingShehanWarusavithana,CountryHeadofVirtusaSriLanka,andInoka Dias, Head of HR for Virtusa Sri Lanka Other notable guests included DTM Ganga Fernando, District Director of D82, and DTM KasunIllangarathne,DivisionDirectorofDivisionG,whojoinedustocelebratetheoccasion
The evening started with an inspiring keynote address by Alagan Mahalingam, who shared valuable insights on leadership and growth,encouragingeveryonetoworktogetherandstriveforsuccess
Theceremonyalsofeaturedsmoothleadershiptransitions TMNadeekaChathurani,ImmediatePastPresident,ledtheinduction ofnewmembers,whileTMShashiniWijesinghe,AreaDirectorofAreaG3,guidedtheinstallationofthenewclubofficers. The event was filled with entertaining performances from TM Aamir, TM Dinesha, TM Shashini, TM Pavan, TM Nadeesha, TM Asinshani, and TM Watasha,addingfunandenergytothecelebration
To end the ceremony, we recognized the hard work and achievements of members from the past year. TM Chethana DarshanamaliwashonoredwiththeDistinguishedToastmasterAward,whileTMAqeelAarifwasnamed Creative Toastmaster of the Year,andTMAamirSaliereceivedthe Outstanding Toastmaster of the Year awardfor2023/24.Theseawardshighlighted theclub’scommitmenttoexcellenceandtheremarkablecontributionsofitsmembers
Multiple intelligences theory (MI) by
Howard Gardner
Review By Toastmaster Sajini Lankadari
Dependingonwhatskillsasocietyvaluesmost,"intelligence"is defined accordingly In the history of humanity in Sri Lanka, there was a time when the knowledge of religious philosophy and human existence was far more valuable than what society values today. In addition to that, astrology, painting, poetry, and singing were far more noble endeavours, and people respectedandvaluedthoseskills.Evidenceofthiscanbefound in ancient monuments, folktales, literature, heritage sites, and artifacts Today we value skills in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects since they help to develop the world around us and can generate wealth as a career
The globalization of the 21st century has caused the evolution of concepts of intelligence and made it a broader subject [1]. Multiple Intelligences theory (MI) was first introduced by HowardGardner,anAmericanpsychologistin1983throughhis book, ‘Frames of Mind’ He argued that individuals have eight differentintelligencetypes (Existencewasaddedlater)
1. Verbal-LinguisticIntelligence
2. Logical-MathematicalIntelligence
3. SpatialIntelligence
4. MusicalIntelligence
5. InterpersonalIntelligence
6 Naturalistic
7 Bodily-KinaestheticIntelligence
8 IntrapersonalIntelligence
According to Gardner, these different intelligences are constructedthroughparticipationinculturalactivitiesovertime anditwilldevelopuniquepatternsinchildren’sminds[2].
Multiple Intelligence has more value than the word we call ‘talents’ since intelligence means human’s learning strengths. According to Gardner, children can learn curriculum in their own way, and they don't need to learn in a standard manner. Thus,multipleintelligencerequiresmultipleteachingstrategies. Mostchildren,however,donotlearneasilythroughamethodof teaching,untiltheyfigurethingsoutwiththeirmindsandhands.
I have seen some children learn ‘Addition’ (the mathematical process)bytellingtheteacherhowtodoit,whileotherslearnby using tangible objects or fingers If teachers could apply associated teaching strategies for individual children with dominant intelligence, then it would motivate children to learn andenhancememoryinacceleratingthelearningprocess[3]
Some opponents argue that the idea “Everyone is a genius” is wrong,everyonehassometalentorskillthattheyaregoodat, but everyone is not a genius. As a result, there is a disagreement regarding Gardner's theory of several types of intelligence, since it is not based on scientific evidence. They argue that, the theory was just built on profitability reasons, targeting children of wealthy families According to the critics, children who are not smart enough and not demonstrating traditionalintelligence,canselectotherintelligence,sochildren arenotlabelledas‘dumb’ SomepeopleviewGardnerMItheory is nothing more than a participation award for people who are notgeniuses,thusitmakingthemfeelhappyandincluded They believethattrueGeniuscanonlyidentifiedbyIQtests
However, that cannot be agreed upon; for instance, if we compare Albert Einstein to Shakespeare, both are geniuses, but we can't believe Shakespeare would pass the IQ test with a best score. It doesn’t mean that Shakespeare is not intelligent enough. There is absolutely no way that those figures can be compared based on IQ tests. Shakespeare is one of the most exceptional minds ever, while Eisenstein was the most influentialscientistofthe20thcentury.Thekeyfacthereisthat the Intelligence test (IQ) designed to measures only pattern recognition and problem-solving abilities. Thus, IQ test only touch the surface of human capabilities There are no tests yet to measure other intelligence types and it is not possible to measure in a single and standard test For instant, some skills such as generating memories and recalling them on demand, are complex mental processes in human mind Therefore, the skillisdifficulttomeasureobjectively
In summary, we cannot measure intelligence based on IQ tests or with a narrow-minded. Likewise, children, themselves shouldnotnarrowintheirevaluationoftheirintelligencebased on other people Each child has specific dominant strengths that are unique to the individual child to child Having a solid understanding of a theory of multiple intelligence can contribute to a child’s personal growth by providing a frameworkforsocialrecognitionandvaluingdifferentstrengths and abilities [4]. If parents, educators, and policymakers are aware that every child is unique and they have distinct strengths, as a society we can takes steps to cultivate those strengths. Meanwhile, a personalised curriculum to tailoring education to each and every individual needs and talents, childrenwillreachtheirfullpotential.Thiswillallowchildrento excelinareaswheretheyarenaturallystrong,whiledeveloping initialskillsonotherareas
References
[1] W Niu,“IntelligenceinWorldwidePerspective:ATwenty-First-Century Update,”inTheCambridgeHandbookofIntelligence,2nded,R J Sternberg, Ed,inCambridgeHandbooksinPsychology ,Cambridge:CambridgeUniversity Press,2020,pp 893–915 doi:101017/9781108770422038
[2] B CavasandP Çavaş,“MultipleIntelligencesTheory HowardGardner,” 2020,pp 405–418 doi:101007/978-3-030-43620-9 27
[3] S Tajularipin,A Abdurahman,andS S AbdulRahim,“TeachingStrategies BasedonMultipleIntelligencesTheoryamongScienceandMathematics SecondarySchoolTeachers,”Procedia-SocialandBehavioralSciences,vol 8, pp 512–518,Dec 2010,doi:101016/jsbspro201012070
[4] M Marenus,“Gardner’sTheoryofMultipleIntelligences”Accessed:Sep 26, 2024 [Online] Available:https://wwwsimplypsychologyorg/multipleintelligenceshtml
EDUCATIONAL PATHWAYS EDUCATIONAL PATHWAYS
Level 01 Level 01
Mastering Fundaments Mastering Fundaments
TM Sajini Lankadari
TM Sajini Lankadari
TM Dinesha Perera TM Dinesha Perera
TM Isira Seneviratne TM Isira Seneviratne
TM Tharindu Hirimuthugodage
TM Tharindu Hirimuthugodage
NEARING THE FINISH LINE!
Level 02 Level 02
Learning Your Style Learning Your Style
TM Inoka Gamage TM Inoka Gamage
WORKING ON IT!
Level 03 Level 03
Increasing Knowledge Increasing Knowledge
TM Pavan Bogoda TM Pavan Bogoda TM Shashini Wijesinghe TM Shashini Wijesinghe TM Fasmina Musammil TM Fasmina Musammil
COMPLETED
Level 04 Level 04
Building Skills Building Skills
TM Shashini Wijesinghe
TM Shashini Wijesinghe
TM Fasmina Musammil TM Fasmina Musammil
TM Aqeel Aarif TM Aqeel Aarif
NEARING THE FINISH LINE!
Level 05 Level 05
Demonstrating Expertise Demonstrating Expertise
TM Imesha Grero TM Imesha Grero
WORKING ON IT!
On November 3rd, 2024, Wattala Toastmasters Club and Virtusa Colombo Toastmasters Club came together for an exciting "How’s That?" joint meeting atthe C S A Indoor Stadium, Hendala Road, Wattala. Thecricket-themedeventsetthestageforan eveningfilledwithfun,engagement,andtheperfectblendofToastmastersspiritandcricketcamaraderie.
Themeeting,hostedby TM Aminda Nakkawita (Wattala TMC),kickedoffwithahigh-energyatmosphere,wheremembersfrom bothclubsgatheredtoparticipateinavarietyofspeechesandevaluations.TheeventfeatureddynamicimpromptuTableTopics thathadparticipantsswingingforthefences,justlikebatsmenfacingafastball!Theimpromptuspeechesbroughtoutcreativity, wit,andquickthinking,embodyingtheessenceofacricketmatchwhereeveryballisanopportunity
Theeventwasfilledwithinspiringspeechesandimpactfulevaluationsthatkepttheenergybuzzingthroughout.Participantswere encouraged to think on their feet, share their insights, and connect with each other in the spirit of friendly competition and personalgrowth
Toaddtotheexcitement,themeetingculminatedina friendly cricket match between members of both clubs,wheretheenergy fromtheToastmasterssessionwascarriedontothefield.Thematchwasfilledwithlaughter,sportsmanship,andatruesenseof camaraderie,asbothteamsplayedwithenthusiasmandenjoyedeverymomentofthefriendlycompetition
The evening was a perfect reminder that, like in cricket, success in Toastmasters comes from teamwork, preparation, and the willingnesstotakeaswing whetherit'satthepodiumoronthefield Withlaughter,learning,andasharedloveofthegame,both clubslefttheeventinspiredandunitedintheirjourneytowardpersonalandcollectivegrowth.
By Toastmaster Shashini Wijesinghe
Growth begins at the edge of our comfort zone. Ilearnedthis thehardway,thoughIhadnoideawhatlayaheadwhenIfirst walkedintoaToastmastersmeetingasaguest Irememberthe clubpresidentlookingmyway,smiling,andsaying,“Wouldyou like to introduce yourself?” It seemed like such a simple request,yetIfelthesitationwellingupinsideme Imumbleda few words about who I was, but then the round-robin session arrived Ipanicked,slippedout,andmissedmyfirstunscripted speech.Fearhadtakenover.
The next time, something shifted. “Are you going to leave again?” a voice echoed in my mind. I decided to stay, even though I was nervous. When my turn came, I delivered a 20second speech awkward, but real It felt like a small victory But when Table Topics came around, a session that terrified me,Ionceagainfeltuncomfortableandfoundmyselfskipping sessions
From there, I began to engage more deeply. I joined subcommittees within the club. Littlebylittle,Istartedseeing myselfinanewlight Eachmeeting,eachrole,andeachpieceof feedback chipped away at my self-doubt and built my confidence
Then, I took even bigger steps. I began as club secretary, and soon found myself entrusted with even more responsibility. Serving as club president taught me invaluable lessons in leadership. And from there, I stepped into the role of Area Director, where I now have the privilege of guiding and supportingotherclubsintheirgrowth
Thenoneday,Chethana,theclubpresidentatthetime,gently nudged me, saying, “You’re paying for this. Why not get the full benefit of being here?” Her words struck a deep chord. WhywasIholdingback?
That’s when I decided to take the plunge. I signed up for my first role: the Ah-Counter. It’s one of the simplest roles, but even then, my heart raced. The feedback I received was incrediblyencouraging,andthat’swhenIrealizedIwaspartof asupportivecommunity onethatcelebratedeachsmallstepI took,nomatterhowinsignificantitseemed
“Fear is the gatekeeper to our greatest potential,” I once heard, and it couldn’t be more accurate Every role I took, every moment of discomfort, opened a door to a version of myselfIhadn’tyetmet.
The path outside our comfort zones is rarely easy. It’s often uncertain,challenging,andsometimesevendaunting.Butitis also the path that leads to profound transformation. So, my dear friends, don’t let fear hold you back. Step forward, even if it’s just one small step. Because, as I’ve learned through my own journey, every leap into the unknown is a step toward becoming a stronger, more capable version of yourself.
So, are you ready to step outside your comfort zone?
We are proud to be one of the clubs that successfully conducted the ‘You Plus One’ meeting with guests, presented by District 82.
We have added five new, dual, or reinstated members between august 1 and september 30.
EXCELLENCEINCLUBOFFICERTRAINING
All seven of our dedicated club officers attended the club officer Training program Term 1- Year 24/25 organized by Division G.
The Best Flyer of October 2024/25, Presented by District 82
One of the Top Video of October 2024/25, Presented by District 82 YOU
C L U B D I S T I N C T I O N S C L U B D I S T I N C T I O N S
JULY
06th Jul - Inizio
24th Jul - 13th Club Officer Installation Ceremony
10th Aug - Seduction in the Bottle 22nd Aug - You Plus One
07th Sept - Prepared Speech Marathon
18th Sept - D82 Quiz
22nd Sept - 37 Strangers & Moments of Truth 28th Sept - Humorous Speech & Evaluation Club Contests
06th Oct - New Member Orientation
12th Oct - Noodlers
19th Oct - Area G3 Humorous Speech & Evaluation Contests
24th Oct - 100 Year Celebration
NOVEMBER
03rd Nov - Joint Meeting With Wattala Toastmasters Club
10th Nov - Division B&G Conference
13th Nov - Impromptu Speech Marathon
TheSpeechcraftProgramisatransformativeshort-termworkshopdesignedtoenhancecommunicationandleadershipskills Conductedinternallyforourcorporatemembers, this program provides a supportive environment to develop public speaking abilities, boost confidence, and master the art of delivering impactful presentations.
Spanning 10 weeks, participants engage in hands-on activities such as impromptu speaking, prepared speeches, and constructive evaluations. GuidedbyexperiencedToastmasters,Speechcraftfostersgrowthandempowersindividualstocommunicatewith clarityandconfidence
Whetheryou'repreparingforclientpresentationsorteamleadership,Speechcraftequipsyouwithtoolstoexcelinyourprofessional journey
CTIONS q Division G's Excellence in Leadership Award at the Mid-Year Conference!
DTM Chethana Darshanamali was appreciated by Division G as the Conference Chair at the Mid-Year Conference!
R E F L E C T I O N S F R O M O U R H O N O U R E D G U E S T S
Have you seen a bunch of people who enjoy what theydo?Weatheritisworkorfun intoastmastersfor me that set of people is Virtusa Colombo Toastmasters.
I came across with Virtusa Colombo Toastmasters, getting to know DTM Hingston Lovell. He was one of the first people I met when I embarked the toastmasters and have been a mentor that I adore andappreciatefortheserviceofexcellence
MyhomeclubKadawathatoastmastershaveworked withVirtusaColomboToastmastersforaspeechcraft programme,thereonlyIgottoknowmoreofthem I alwayslovedthewaytheyputtheirheartandsoulto achieve the success they expected. I always appreciate the support I received from Virtusa Colombo Toastmasters during our collaboration to complete the speech craft programme. There are many names behind the screen who have supported committedly Thankyouforbeinganencouragingset oftoastmasters
Whenthereisarightsetmindedleaders,itiseasyto work with them and the path is clear I came across the club president TM Ashinshani Muthunayake during my tenure of Presidency in my club The enthusiasm she has brought and the liveliness along withothermembershasalwaysbeenwarmwhenever Iattendedaclubmeeting.Itwasalwaysrefreshingto seethefunfilledmeetingswiththeirsweetbanters.I had the privileged of attending the installation ceremony of the club this tenure, and I loved the simple yet elegant event along with how all of you handle the success and the improving situations Seeing the executive committee this tenure I’m sure that Virtusa Colombo will continue to be the happy andenthusiasticbunchoftoastmasterstheyare
I wish you all the best to continue to be the set of enthusiasticandblissfulsetoftoastmaster.
Attending Virtusa Colombo's Spooktacular Toastmasters meeting was a delightful experience that showcased the club's exceptional quality and vibrant spirit. As a visiting Toastmaster, I was instantly welcomed into a warm and engaging atmosphere, where members were eager to share their enthusiasm for public speaking and personal development.
The theme of the meeting added an exciting twist, with participants embracing the spooky season through creative costumes and themed speeches This not only made the event enjoyable but also fosteredasenseofcamaraderieamongmembers,as theysupportedeachother'spresentationswithlively cheersandapplause.
The quality of the speeches delivered during the meetingwasimpressive.Eachspeakerdemonstrated auniquestorytellingability,captivatingtheaudience with their narratives and use of humor The evaluations provided were constructive and insightful, highlighting the strengths of each speaker while offering thoughtful suggestions for improvement Thisfocusongrowthanddevelopment isahallmarkofVirtusaColombo,reflectingtheclub's commitmenttoexcellence
Moreover, the impromptu speaking sessions, known asTableTopics,wereparticularlyengaging.Members showcased their quick thinking and creativity, respondingtosurprisepromptswithconfidence.This aspectofthemeetingtrulyemphasizestheclub'srole inenhancingmembers'spontaneityandadaptability incommunication
Overall, my experience at Virtusa Colombo's Spooktacular meeting was both enriching and enjoyable The club's dedication to fostering a supportivelearningenvironmentanditscommitment to quality made it a standout experience in my Toastmastersjourney.
