Toaster's Digest - March 2024

SNEAK PEEK OF THE PODCAST INSIDE

SECOND EDITION OF THE

Within these pages, we encapsulate the vibrant journey of our club members, celebrate our collective achievements, and share insights that spark inspiration. As we turn the page to another chapter of our story, we invite you to delve into the experiences, triumphs, and wisdom that make the IIT Toastmasters Club not just a platform for growth but a community of leaders shaping the future.

We meet alternatively on Fridays from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM and on Saturdays from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM.

Meeting Venue: IIT School of Computing, Trelawney Place, Colombo 04, Sri Lanka

TM Yumeth Weerasekara

TM Dulasi Keerthiratne

TM Fathima Ansar

ABOUT TOASTMASTERS

Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators, and leaders.

INTERNATIONAL CENSUS

270,000+ members

We empower individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders.

We provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth.

To be the first-choice provider of dynamic, high-value, experiential communication and leadership skills development.

148 countries

14,200+ clubs

The Pathways learning experience is an interactive and flexible education program like no other. It was created to help you strengthen your communication and leadership skills as you grow toward personal and professional success—all while having fun with others in the process!

The club aims to cultivate a diverse and inclusive atmosphere where every member, regardless of their background or experience, can thrive and achieve their personal and professional goals.

Message from the Area Director

Member of the Quarter

Club & Member Achievements

Message from the VPPR

Putting up Fences

Communication as a Gen Z

The Importance of a Club Experience

Toaster’s Digest Podcast

Club Contest Winners

Pathway Completions

Toaster’s Memoirs

Message from the Area Director TM Asiri Ekanayake

Something unique about the Toastmasters fraternity is the sense of belonging and companionship it brings, especially within one's own club. Members have their own reasons for joining, but I think many would agree

that the reason they stayed is the people they met through Toastmasters and the impact they made on each other’s lives. Truly, Toastmasters is a place of fine examples, life-long friendships, and found family.

As your Area Director, it is my privilege to write this message to the members of the club I call home. Looking at IIT Toastmasters Club, I’m proud to see how far we have come in making this club a comfortable, encouraging, and fun environment for members and guests alike. I cannot imagine a better atmosphere for a person to practice something as nerve-wracking as public speaking.

The President, Toastmaster Savinu Hasalanka, and his capable exco have been doing outstanding work in ensuring that members are provided quality yet entertaining meetings while circumventing any obstacles that come their way. The commitment and effort they put into their respective roles is undoubtedly commendable. There is a tremendous amount of thought and work that goes into the many events the exco organizes as well as retaining and attracting members. The outcome of that dedication is clear with IIT TMC having yet again achieved President’s Distinguished status for the seventh consecutive year. Allow me to extend my sincerest gratitude towards IIT TMC’s exco and members for maintaining a club that not only keeps to high standards but also is a place of camaraderie and fun.

There is an African proverb that says, “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” IIT TMC has travelled a great distance together already though the road may have had a few bumps and potholes. The road ahead is just as long and there is no guarantee that there won’t be a bump to drive over or a pothole to avoid. But it is also full of new possibilities and aspirations to be discovered. I wish you the best of luck and await the many amazing things to be witnessed. Go together and go far.

Message from the VP of Public Relations

TM Sheruni Fernando

It is with great pleasure that we present the second edition of the “Toaster’s Digest”. A heartfelt thank you to the PR committee members - Yumeth, Fathima, and Dulasi - for their remarkable contributions.

This edition delves into the essence and identity of our club, showcasing the achievements and memorable moments we have cherished over the past tenure. It also features insights and personal journeys from our members, highlighting the constant growth and development that serves as inspiration to our readers.

My experience at IIT Toastmasters has been enriching, forming new bonds, learning from fellow members, and being part of a community that motivates and inspires you to become the best version of yourself. Our club undoubtedly offers a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, fostered by enthusiastic members with diverse interests. Serving on the executive committee extends beyond enhancing my resume; it is a valuable opportunity to hone interpersonal skills, navigate challenges, think outside the box, and understand people from various walks of life.

For me, Toastmasters is a place where my voice is heard, a place to learn, and also where I find respite from the fast-paced world. It’s an opportunity to master your communication and leadership skills, positioning yourself not just a step, but several strides ahead in life. As you turn these pages, I hope you uncover the incredible stories of public speaking mastery, conquering the stage, and professional development through the minds of our very own members.

OT ASTER’SDIG E TS

Embark with us on a sonic exploration through multiple episodes, each delving into various topics designed to enrich, educate, and inspire. From the art of public speaking to the nuances of leadership, "Toaster's Digest" promises to bring the essence of our Toastmasters experience to your ears.

Stay tuned for this auditory adventure that aims to connect, and cultivate our community like never before.

HOST SARAH RAHIM

HOST

SHERUNI FERNANDO

COMING SOON

MEMBER OF THE -TM NABEELAH FAUMI

FA AH M HE

Faumi, as the member of the quarter!

Toastmaster Nabeelah is an undergraduate in her second year, pursuing the AI and Data Science degree. Her leadership extends beyond her role in our club; she also serves as the chairperson of the IEEE Women in Engineering Affinity Group at IIT, showing her commitment to empower others.

Her achievements in speaking contests are remarkable. She earned 2nd place in both the club and Area Table Topics Contest, and 3rd place at the Division C Table Topics Contest Additionally, she secured 3rd place in the International Speech Contest at the club level

As the Treasurer, her ability to handle financial matters efficiently has been instrumental in the smooth operation of our club.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Toastmaster Nabeelah Faumi for her achievements and thank her for the positive impact she has made on our club We look forward to her future successes and the continued inspiration she brings to our community

PUTTING UP FENCES

By TM Jason Anthony

“No, it’s fine, I can do it.”

“I think I can manage ”

Two phrases that are used a quintillion times around the world every day. Yet, how often do we actually mean them? How often do we use these phrases as a mask to hide how we truly feel? The fact is, the more you use them to hide behind, the faster it transforms from a mask into a shell. Then, that shell will get heavier and heavier on your back until you stumble Then, you will fall, and you can’t get up because there is this weight on your back holding you down. So, how can we stop this from happening? It is simple, and yet like many simple things, quite difficult You have to plant your feet, square up and say the one word that society has conditioned us to be wary of saying; you say “No”

We will focus more on personal boundaries here, because I am hardly the person to talk to about construction. A personal boundary can simply be defined as a line that we draw for ourselves for the purpose of feeling comfortable around others This may mean physical comfort or emotional comfort These boundaries typically fall into several main categories.

Emotional (In terms of emotional well being)

Physical (In terms of physical space)

Workplace (Concerning the conduct we expect for us to do our work in peace)

Material (Concerning our possessions) Time (Concerning your time and how it is spent)

The “What?”

This isn’t about shirking responsibility, or avoiding problems that you face or being an anarchist. This is about setting healthy boundaries To quote Dr Henry Cloud; “You get what you tolerate”. Meaning that, the more compliant you are, the more submissive you are, the more people are willing to impose themselves on you. This is where setting boundaries comes in Our ancestors first built fences to keep wild animals away from their lodgings, and the boundaries we set with people fulfill that same purpose.

Boundaries can and should be set in many environments such as your home, your workplace, even your relationships with other people The truth of the world is that we are always pushed to abandon our comfort zones and conform to a greater norm This expectation is always present; a simple example would be when you are forced to shake hands with someone you’d rather not, in order to maintain a certain social conduct. We are told to put aside our comfort for the wellbeing of others, so many of us don’t even know what healthy boundaries are. We may associate drawing a line for your own wellbeing as something inherently bad, because we feel like letting ourselves feel comfortable means letting the world down But the world can wait Let’s take a breath, and focus on you.

A friend of mine who recently started working learned this lesson the hard way They had been unclear when defining their working hours and as a result, were given after-hours work which resulted in them being unable to focus or even stay awake the next morning At times like that, prevention is better than cure Had they defined their boundaries clearly, there is a chance the whole ordeal could have been avoided.

It doesn’t stop at this either Another person I know was borderline exploited at work, all because they were unwilling to make it clear about how much of a salary they were expecting They were worked to the bone for a rate that’s less than half of the norm, all because they were unable to set that simple boundary Due to that, they lost hours of their life. But let’s not condemn them for it, let’s choose to learn from them instead

Setting boundaries is important even in our day-to-day lives outside of work

The “Why?”

Contrary to popular belief, setting a boundary can help you in any and all places that you may find yourself in It doesn’t even have to be something big, it can be something extremely simple and yet it may help you and sometimes others feel more at ease. A good example would be how our Toastmasters Club encourages members to be respectful and take care when discussing topics such as religion or politics to ensure that no one would feel hurt or attacked.

There are people who may have very strong opinions on subjects such as these, and by setting and maintaining the aforementioned boundary, we are able to make sure that no one present feels attacked or uneasy. Similarly, we may set boundaries at our workplace to ensure that we are treated properly.

For example, if you’re meeting up with new people and are averse to physical contact with people you don’t know, it’s important that you communicate this from the get-go Otherwise, if your unspoken boundaries are violated, it may lead to a sour relationship from the start itself

Your boundaries don’t always have to concern an outside party either, sometimes they are rules you impose on yourself. Imagine you’re a parent, your emotional boundaries may keep you from letting your mood heavily depend on the mood of your child Conversely, you can impose these boundaries on yourself to make sure that whichever negative feelings you are feeling toward someone else wouldn’t bleed out into your interactions with your child. These are just two basic examples of boundaries you can set; both with others as well as yourself.

The truth is that when it comes to personal relationships, everyone has unique boundaries because no two people experience the world the same way. Hence, understanding your loved ones’ boundaries would be a step in the way to understanding them, which would lead to the overall betterment of the relationship you have with them

Ask yourself, “Why am I setting this boundary? What do I expect to get?” If we consider the previous examples, the main goal, or rather the main expectation is fairly obvious - to make sure that you have a good, productive and healthy work-life balance Now that we have established that, we move on to the next phase; defining the boundary.

The “How?”

As mentioned before, setting and maintaining boundaries is not something that comes easily to most of us Let’s take a look at how we can bypass these little blocks in our heads to make sure that we not only set boundaries for ourselves but also respect boundaries set by the people around us

An important thing to always remember is that setting healthy boundaries is never a bad thing Firstly, let’s take a look at how exactly we can go about setting them Your personal boundaries can be thought of as road signs for people you meet on the path of life The road signs you choose to put up might be influenced by factors like religion or beliefs, how you were raised, or maybe even your favourite book. Whichever the case, the first thing to do is set a goal

When doing so, it’s always good to start small, especially if you’re someone who’s not used to setting boundaries with other people A good starting point would be to clearly define your preferred work hours Being crystal clear is vital here, otherwise the other party might not know whether they are violating your boundaries or not Moreover, more sinister parties might take advantage of your ambiguity to tip-toe over them Instead of saying “I would prefer to work only a set amount of hours”, try saying, “I am comfortable with working from x to y hours. Unless it’s an emergency, I am unavailable beyond that.” It may sound like you are being a tad selfish here, but it’s okay to be selfish sometimes and this indeed is one of those times

Secondly, let’s take a look at how to respect other people’s comfort Understanding that their boundaries aren’t about you is paramount. As mentioned, various factors determine just how far a person is willing to go with anything, and I can assure you that most of the time, you won’t even be on the list of these reasons. For instance, if a friend says no to consuming alcohol, it may not come from a place of mistrust; rather they might have had unpleasant experiences that revolve around alcohol Or it might just be plain bad for them or they simply don’t want to. Whatever the reason, respecting that boundary is your duty, both as a fellow human and as a friend. Remember that the person setting boundaries doesn’t owe you any sort of explanation as to why they decided to do so.

The “Don’t”s

Up until now, we talked about why boundaries are important, where they should be set and how to go about setting them. Here, let’s take a look at the “don’t”s when it comes to boundaries; both when setting them and responding to ones set by others

Boundaries are generally good, but much like people, not all of them are Unhealthy boundaries are very much a thing. They are the dark to the light of healthy ones They destroy relationships, tear apart families and make friendships sink So, let’s leave the light and head to the proverbial dark lands and look at what unhealthy boundaries look like.

Simply put, something as small as having trouble accepting “no” as an answer from someone is a sign of an unhealthy boundary. I’m sure many of us may have had experience with people who throw a fit when told no It could be your party-loving classmate who heard that you won’t be coming to the class get-together. It could be that guy from high school who couldn’t take rejection and decided to hate you forever

Moreover, things that you think are normal like easily changing your convictions and putting aside your own feelings to satisfy others could lead to unhealthy boundaries I know that being sort of a people pleaser seems like a fairly mundane thing, but unhealthy boundaries like that as well as the inability to take no for an answer will inevitably turn into abuse Furthermore, a study has proven that children who don’t experience healthy boundaries while growing up tend to develop problems with selfcontrol and personal space. They usually get roped into abusive relationships with terrible partners; either because they don’t see the abuse for what it is, or because it’s the only kind of relationship they know It’s a tragic pattern that is repeated too often in today’s society

A lot of people don’t set boundaries either because they are afraid of being “the bad guy” in certain situations or because they feel like setting a boundary isn’t an option because they haven't seen it before How can we help? To quote Bryant McGill, “You can teach others about boundaries by enforcing yours.”

Humans are a pack species, so a simple step taken by one could result in a leap for the many. Take this as your call to arms. Kindness is a virtue, and compassion is a gift But sometimes, it’s better to be selfish, especially when it comes to your personal safety. Because if you don’t treat yourself right, then no one will I am aware that breaking down walls is what’s encouraged, but some walls are better to be kept up. Leave the world aside and think of you Do what’s best for you and the world will follow suit. Never forget, that it’s always okay to put your foot down and put up fences

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NTS IEV EN A E E M C EV H M

TM Nabeelah Faumi

Area Contest: 1st Runners Up

Division Contest: 2nd Runners Up

TM Sheruni Fernando

Area Contest: 2nd Runners Up

We are thrilled to announce that the IIT Toastmasters Club has been honored with the President's Distinguished Award for the 7th consecutive year.

This prestigious recognition is a testament to our club's unwavering commitment to excellence, leadership development, and achievements to members We extend our deepest gratitude to all our members for their passion, hard work, and continuous effort that have led us to this momentous accomplishment.

LET’S TALK

Communication as a GEN Z

By TM Thevinu Gunawardena

Communication is a crucial part of human interaction Generation Z (or Gen Z) has evolved a unique form of communication that leverages technology as its base. With the rise of instant messaging, Gen Z can now send their favourite memes to their online friends ranging from close friends to complete strangers Though this form of communication has opened many doors to interact with various groups of people, it has its limitations

Covid-19 was a rollercoaster ride, even more so when it comes to the subject of communication. We were all stuck at home; we were alone, and our social life had dwindled There was no way to meet new people, but technology came to the rescue This was great because that allowed people to maintain some sanity (I almost lost my sanity on multiple occasions) in very troubled times Though great in this situation, it did bring up some complexities in our relationship with communication and how it impacted our faceto-face interactions in society, especially as a Gen Z Thus, here we are after a long hiatus of zero face-to-face communication and suddenly we are not only expected to talk to people but also be good at it. Well, if you fall under this bracket, fear not, because I have complied some strategies that may help you communicate better next time you come across that one friend from Discord in real life

Keep that darn phone away

It is tempting to check your phone every second, hoping you don’t miss any crucial messages In fact, it is noted according to research that on average a Gen Z may look at their phone notification within 5 minutes of receiving them With all the different applications that are being used that may amount to hundreds, of notifications grabbing your attention. This is great when you are alone at home (like during Covid-19 lockdowns) but can truly hinder your communication with someone right in front of you.

Attention is a limited resource, use it wisely. When you are in the presence of someone, always focus on that individual Turn off notifications and try to engage with the conversation Remove distractions as much as possible. This can build trust and provide a more fruitful dialogue

Look at where you speak

The text you send can be shrouded in mystery. You can hide behind your anime profile pictures and assume the role of an anonymous entity. This is not possible when you are face-to-face with a living, breathing person. You can’t hide behind a wall and appear engaged enough to have a conversation Texting has created its own way of keeping the user engaged. Some such strategies include the use of read receipts which indicate to one party that they have read and acknowledged the message This may make your life easy because you don’t need to use any physical strategies such as eye contact, but this will not be the case when it comes to real-life interactions.

From texting to people, the dynamic changes rapidly. People rely on eye contact to recognize an individual’s sense of focus Your eyes lead to where you hope to go. This also applies to your conversations If you avoid eye contact, you may seem to lack focus and interest in what is being discussed This may come off as rude and result in some unfavourable circumstances. Not only that, but lack of eye contact may also lead to appearing less confident and thus less reliable. Always look at the person you are speaking to and engage with their gaze

The body is an open book

When you’re alone texting with your crush, you can be lying in bed, drooped over a sofa, or even sitting on your toilet In any of these situations, your body doesn’t convey any information Though this may be the case when it comes to texting, it is the opposite in real-life interactions.

Your body can convey up to 55 per cent of the information in a conversation Therefore, mastering effective body language and also the ability to read body language effectively can boost your communication skills to the next level. Some changes that we can make include using open gestures: never close-up by crossing your hands, be inviting and open. Use relevant hand gestures: don’t point ahead when talking about the past and behind when speaking of the future. Use your gestures effectively

Communication isn’t hard. It may seem like a boulder at first, especially for those of you who just dug yourself out of the COSVID-19 hole. The reality is it’s simply about reducing distractions, making good eye contact, staying aware of your own and others body language, and finally using appropriate language depending on the situation. Don’t let past misfortune shroud your future Communication is for everyone and don’t be afraid to speak up

Master language: know your audience

There are often instances when, as Gen Z we make the mistake of speaking assuming every audience is the same You may use your favourite slang with your peers, but this may not apply to other people. Not just in terms of relatability, some language may seem offensive to certain individuals. This can lead to consequences such as miscommunication and disregard for what you have to say Therefore, when using language that is generation-specific you may want to be careful Understand that not everyone is aware or prepared in terms of new language trends It is important to recognize this and speak appropriately based on your audience.

MPLETI

TM Nabeela Faumi Level 1 - Visionary Communication

TM Jason Carvalho Level 1 - Visionary Communication

TM Hamra Imam Level 1 - Leadership Development

TM Nabeela Faumi Level 2 - Visionary Communication

TM Jason Anthony Level 2 - Dynamic Leadership

TM Hashim Kalam Level 3 - Presentation Mastery

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CLUB EXPERIENCE

By TM Jason Carvalho

Toastmasters International is celebrating 100 years of existence and will continue to thrive for many more A century is a very long time 100 years of survival cannot be by chance alone I'd like to share a few thoughts on the effectiveness of a Toastmasters Club improving member's skills as a club, one reason, I think, that has contributed to Toastmasters International's existence as long as it has.

My first Toastmasters experience wasn't through a Toastmasters Club, it was through my school's Gavel Club. Nearly 10 years ago I entered eighth grade, which is pretty special in my school because you get to choose "big-kid" extra-circular activities, my choice was the Gavel Club They hold their meetings on the second and fourth Tuesday after school from 2 PM to 4 PM every month

I was initially on the fence about joining, mainly because my friends were not interested. The Guitar Club was more comfortable as I was already a good guitar player, but not so much a good speaker.

I still remember it clearly, my first day at the club I was so nervous that I wanted to ditch going to the meeting altogether and just go to the Guitar Club instead. To start with, I had arrived early to a deserted room and it seemed like no one would come. Of course, my 8thgrade brain didn't understand that if you were to come to a place early, there was a chance that no one would be there yet I thought to myself that I could use the fact that no one was there as an excuse and go to Guitar Club. However, something told me my mother would not buy that excuse. So I sat on the bench for around five minutes, then stood up and started walking around the building the room was in After completing around three laps, I noticed some older students in the room That didn't stop me from continuing my laps around and around. The next lap around I noticed a teacher whom I didn't recognize which made me increase my pace to speed walking and prepare myself to run

Looking back, running around in circles would be an apt description of my public speaking skills up to my eighth-grade self.

Eventually, on maybe my seventh lap around the building, the teacher popped his head out of the classroom, I stopped, and he asked "Are you here for the Gavel Club?" I nodded He invited me into the room and pointed me to the first row I took a seat I was by far the youngest and didn't feel comfortable at all because I didn't know anyone else.

The meeting started. The teacher took on the role of host and introduced us to the various sessions, starting with the Round-Robin session I was having fun until it dawned on me that I would have to take part too I spoke for maybe around 10 seconds, which felt like a lifetime Then, came the Table Topics, back to the usual strategy of avoiding eye contact with the chooser Unfortunately, that strategy failed, I spoke for 30 seconds before nerves took over and stood there stuttering for the remaining minute

When a group of people want you to improve and provide an inclusive environment, miracles happen I've seen people completely change their behaviour after attending a Toastmasters Club for a while This was the story of the original club 100 years ago too The reason Toastmasters International was established was because Mr Ralph Smedely saw the need to help people improve their interpersonal skills. I noticed this too, it's a much easier fight when there are other people on your side who are mentoring and guiding you while providing you with a safe haven to harness your skills.

However, it felt different, the usual laughs and un-comfortableness I felt in clas, the whispering and noise requiring the teacher to step in were not there. Instead, there was applause, and when I returned to my seat the other Gaveliers told me I did a good job For once, I didn't wish the ground had to consume me. The evaluator told me where I could improve After the meeting, the older members gave me ideas and suggestions Thus, I was a member of the Gavel Club

Here’s to the next 100 years of Toastmasters, and also to the clubs that provide safe places and support for people to improve their leadership and organizational skills. As for me, I need to start looking for a club that provides tips on how to write stuff as my next endeavour.

TOASTER’S MEMOIRS

TMCaushideeshan

It has been 3 years now since I joined IIT Toastmasters Club. Every meeting that I attended during this time gave me a new experience. At the same time, it was place for us to relax. When I compare my public speaking skills before joining the club and the present time, I see it has improved enormously. As a member of IIT Toastmasters Club, I had the chance to experience what a real friendly environment looks like, what motivation means, and why equality matters. The support that I received from the club helped me to complete two Pathways and to participate in contests. Also, the club gave me the platform to teach what I know and learned which impacted my personal development.

TMTisal

I've been with the club for 7 years. I've seen my fair share of change. Change is good. This year we have some good vibes in the club. Whenever I visit, I see fresh faces welcoming and curious. I see some old faces, nostalgic and mature. The meetings are always fun with chaos and a little bit of learning. It reminds me of why I joined IIT Toastmasters Club in the first place. I was a scared little kid who just wanted to improve myself. This club became a platform for me to achieve success, personally and professionally. I think, if you give it a chance, if you put in the effort IIT Toastmasters can change your life as it did for me all those years back. So give it a shot. You have everything to gain with this club. Don't worry about falling short, this club catch you, help you and guide you. Shoot for the moon so you can land amongst the stars.

I have been around IIT TMC for more than 8 years. Throughout the time period I have seen how the club grew, how my friends improved themselves, and most importantly, how the bond among the members grew stronger. It's nearly impossible to let go of the membership.

The friendly environment and helpful feedback were the stepping stones for all my accomplishments. Achieving the title "DTM" was a possible because of my friends at the club. The networking helped with reaching out to mentors from other Areas and Divisions. The opportunity to learn about leadership is everywhere. My journey so far with IIT TMC has been enjoyable and I would not trade that experience to anything. I cherish all memories and am thankful for all the teachings.

TMDilumi