KTMC Newsletter- 2021-December

KEGALLE KEEN .....KEGALLE BLOSSOMS AND MAKES A BIG WORLD FEEL SMALLER ......

S T' A E H W SID IN

Joint Meeting High lights Page 07

District 82- Division F- Area 1

New members column

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KEGALLE TOASTMASTERS CLUB -06602877

Newsletter-Vol 3- Issue 1 - 2021 December

Area Director's Corner

As the first Area Director produced by my Home Club, Kegalle Toastmasters Club, it is my greatest pleasure to share my thoughts through the first Newsletter of Kegalle Toastmasters Club, in the Toastmasters year of 2021/2022.

At the beginning of the year, Area F1 set the goal with the theme of “Family Number 1” which focused on enhancing quality, strengthening membership, and providing more opportunities for our members within and outside the clubs and support each other in the area to grow themselves as one team. Kegalle Toastmasters have been able to align successfully with the theme while supporting their neighbouring clubs.

Last year Kegalle Toastmasters created a new benchmark with 200 points out of 200 in the District tracker and afforded to collect all the possible International and District awards for the club. The new leadership of the Kegalle Toastmasters club has the challenge to bring the club to the next level while being one of the leading clubs in the Area. With the experience I had with Kegalle Toastmasters for the last six months, I’m delighted with the leadership of Kegalle which has driven this club with a splendid effort to achieve numerous goals and milestones.

Strengthening the membership during the past membership drive of the year, 100% pathways enrolment, the progress of district goals submissions, conducting variety of meetings and the performance of members at Area contest to become champions and to represent the Area at Division Contest were some of the memorable achievements that I witnessed throughout.

I must appreciate their support for the Area Contest Camp as active Coordinators also. This is what we are expecting from a leading club.

Team Kegalle has invested time in planning for the year and execute the plan effectively. As a result of that, they have already achieved 9 DCP points, Smedley award, 8-80 award and progressing the way to achieve Golden Club award this year. Therefore, I am confident that members get the maximum benefits through the Toastmasters experience because of this collective effort of the leadership and the members. This reflects the positive culture that supports members to grow with a positive learning experience.

I would wish all the members of the Kegalle Toastmasters Club all the best to achieve the pinnacle of success in the future as well.

Prarthana Liyanaarachchi Area Director Area 1 | Division F | District 82

December 2021

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President's Corner

It is my pleasure to add this note as the president of Kegalle Toastmasters for the Kegalle Keen News Letter 3rd Edition .

“Together we can face any challenge as deep as the ocean and as high as the sky”. The year 2021 is full of challenges due to the Covid-19 situation. But it's quite impressive to mention the commitment of our beloved members and as a team, as a family, we achieved a lot to become one of the leading clubs in the d82.

There are a lot of challenges we are facing due to online meetings but the most important thing is as one we helped each other a lot to stand tall.

I would like to add a big thanking note to my beloved Executive Committee and our beloved Area Director TM Prarthana Liyanarachchi for their continuous and unconditional support given to us for the past 6 months.

The bond between the brothers and sisters of our family is remarkable and we help each other to improve ourselves without barriers. We root for each other and our our efforts have been blossoming.

Long Live Kegalle Toastmasters Family TM Chamira Silva President

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About Us

Club Vision Let's grow together

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

Executive Committee 2021/2022 President Chamira Silva

Secretary Dhammika Weerasekara

VP Education Deshani Abeysinghe

Treasurer Anura Jayathilaka

VP Membership Padmini Jayasena Herath

Sergeant at Arms Pahan Fernando

VP Public Relations Asha Hapuarachchi

Immediate Past President Prarthana Liyanaarachchi

071 828 0430 chamirasilva@gmail.com

071 074 6890 ddeshc@gmail.com

070 631 9312 ppcjayasenaherath@gmail.com

071 496 7876 ashaamila@gmail.com

December 2021

077 311 5811 dhammika2000@gmail.com

071 811 16455.45 anurakjaea@yahoo.com

076 842 2967 pahan.tck@gmail.com

071 557 1037 Prarthana89ml@gmail.com

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Adapting to Virtual Environment and Make the World Smaller Adapting with the global trend, Kegalle Toastmasters Club has experienced dynamic changes, with the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s been nearly two years since the devastating coronavirus arrived to change the world. Kegalle Toastmasters used to meeting in person every two weeks at Kurulu Kalee Inn with lots of initiatives. Situation has changed with the pandemic an initially caused chaos and confusion.

Toastmasters across the world have risen to the challenge magnificently and introduce the guide lines for the transform to virtual flat form.

As devastating as COVID-19 has been, it has spurred growth and innovation for Toastmasters, as we’ve learned to communicate through different formats. It’s yet another step forward in changing how we conduct our meetings and business an evolution that began well before the pandemic. In fact, since online joining to the club meetings have literally experienced a world of change.

At the same time, technology was transforming how our international organization served members. The first club meetings began to emerge, followed by some virtual leadership training. Then came the online Pathways learning experience, a distinct departure from the original, paper-based legacy program.

Not only Kegalle Toastmasters Club itself but also with Area 1 in Division F enthusiastically meet virtually for Formula 1 project. We had been joint in sessions that the members have never met in person. Formula 1 project address the hundreds of Toastmasters and guests in Area F1 targeting on public speaking.

However, for many Toastmasters, COVID-19 has created an unexpected technological gateway to other clubs and cultures, improving the very skills they need to interact in a wired world. Online meetings are easier than ever to set up. The technology isn’t difficult to master—and there are plenty of options to suit different needs. Some of the meeting roles may need to be slightly adjusted, and members might need to be patient at first, but it’s very doable and can be a fun and welcome change.

The goal should be to have a good time and keep the community spirit going even if there are technical hiccups along the way. This technological competency is a useful tool in office interactions as well. The idea of not being able to shake hands, or hug a club colleague after a long break, or even clap and applaud a well-delivered speech in person is anathema to many of us. Yet this is likely to be the new normal for the foreseeable future.

Editorial Team Newsletter-Vol 3- Issue 1 2021 December

December 2021

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Digital Art

TM Naduni Katuwandeniya

December 2021

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Joint Meetings

A joint meeting with another Tostmasters club is always a great experience to KegalleToastmasters family. Finding a club that has the similar taste and hosting them in a meeting at this pandemic period via online platform is an unforgettable experience to us. It is exciting to learn and share our knowledge and entertain guests who already know the Toastmasters traditions. Meeting new friends around the world from this joint meetings doubles our fun!

For a truly different experience, Kegalle Toastmasters scheduled two Zoom meetings with ICASL Toastmasters Club and EF Toastmasters Club Quatra. EF Toastmasters Club is a club in another part of the world and ICASL Toastmasters. Club is a cooperate club in SriLanka. They joined hands and shared their warmth with us. Both meetings exposed us to different logistics and cooperation between clubs.

December 2021

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Members Going Beyond the Club

TM Deshani Abeysinghe TLI coordinator

The Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI) provides and equip Toastmasters with the ability and knowledge to be effective leaders and communicators. With the wide network of accredited TLI trainers; the institute well equipped to provide master class training to leadership teams.

Kegalle Toastmasters VPEd TM Deshani Abeysinghe is the TLI coordinator for the year 2021/2022 and we are proud to inform that the club could have proper training that will ensure proper performance, which will make sure all our club leaders deliver excellence to the members.

Reshani Tamasha Member of Area PR group Area PR team is handled the reputation of Division F, Area 1 through owned, earned, and paid communications. The main goals of Area PR team is Toastmasters International brand awareness and reputation management.

Kegalle Toastmasters club is proud to have a member TM Reshani Tamasha in Area PR team and she is responsible to promote Family Number 1 Facebook group.

December 2021

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New Member’s Column

I have been always fear of public speaking and have this "stage fear". So I decided to join a toastmasters club and I got to know about Kegalle Toastmasters club through one of my friends. I believe that joining KTMC family is one of the best decision I took lately and I hope that this would be a turning point in my life.

TM Dilshan Weerakkody Most of my life was spent away from my hometown of Kegalle and finally I decided to come back to my hometown for good after almost two decades. I was in the process of searching for good company in Kegalle and I accidently stumbled upon the Facebook page of Kegalle Toastmasters Club. After a couple of messages and a few phone calls, et voila, I was a member of a community which transcended the boundaries of not just Kegalle but the entire country spanning across the entire world. Additionally, it was only after joining Toastmasters that I found out that there is so much content available for self-improvement. Everybody in Kegalle Toastmasters was energetic, friendly and made me feel included. Decision to take a leap of faith to join Kegalle Toastmasters was one of the best decisions in my life. – TM Kosala Harischandra Kegalle Toastmaster Club helps me to lose the fear of public speaking and learn skills that will help you be more successful in your chosen endeavour. Now I could listen better and more easily lead teams and conduct meetings. Now I can bring the best out of me and present the best of me to the world through practice of both impromptu speaking and prepared speeches. Finally, I can learn to become more comfortable with being uncomfortable.

TM Shamika Abeyrathne

Joined the Kegalle Toastmasters Club. People in my club were enthusiastic public speakers. On the other hand, I had a very quiet voice and monotonous speech. People always asked me to repeat what I said as they didn’t always understand what I was saying. The level of my confidence was not the highest at that time. But I knew that I had to deliver my speech.

TM Upali RanathunagaI

December 2021

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New Member’s Column (cont.)

Kegalle Toastmasters Club has had a greater benefit for me than learning speaking skills. The program is Formula 1is for teaching speaking skills to the beginner. However, after skills are developed, the long term benefit I have found is from knowing the people I met in this organization. I have had many opportunities and connections made as result of fellow Toastmasters. The people who join Toastmasters tend to be individuals and high quality. Speaking skills will enhance any job or career. Networking as a result of that skill will have the most affect.

TM Kevin Silva Kegalle Toastmasters Club is a hidden gem and to be honest, I wanted to keep it hidden, because who would want to share their secret with others. It’s a close knit family, where you would be accepted as we are, but I still would be the perfect place to grow. The leadership of the Club President helps each of us as an individual, and keeps the team spirit strong. The club has eloquent speakers with different backgrounds. There are students, working professionals and entrepreneurs to grow our network.

They all are so welcoming.

TM Avishka Jayawardhana Kegalle Toastmaster Club is rightly described as one of the milestones in my life. Although I've been involved for a short period, my Toastmaster family has helped me to build my personality. It gave me the confidence to speak in front of others and helped me to speak without fear at many points in my life. What I lacked was confidence in my ability. So I'm already got more than I expected.

TM Charitha Basnayake Kegalle Toastmasters Club is a safe group in which to practice speaking. I received some constructive feedback along with kudos that will boost my confidence. I have numerous opportunities to speak, as many as my wish actually. The club includes people you know who will help you to improve. In addition to providing me with improved public speaking ability, Kegalle Toastmasters Club gave me. experience in teamwork as I was contest master in club contest 202. Leadership experience, confidence, competitive experience that I gave speeches and I made contacts, and friendships, that have lasted for decades.

TM Ruwantha Madawaththa

December 2021

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Poets' Corner Add a Tears & Smiles Tear comes always very quickly When I celebrate success happily But for the moment I suffer so badly I cry with my tears so sadly………

I try my best to understand clearly When feelings touch my heart deeply Whenever my mind cries or smiles secretly How these tears act so smoothly…………

Life is a pack of ups and downs usually Whatever it is, if we can smile nicely Similarly, how tears act so trickly Living will be a fantasy definitely….

TM Madushani Kumari

December 2021

The endless dreams The endless hopes Now filled with darkness of the night and The endless sighs..

The roads we walked The river banks we laid down Now feel like desserts Filling my heart With endless sighs..

I know Now it was a dream Ended as a nightmare But still I thurst The pure love Which an illusory..

TM Chathura Weerasinghe

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Club Achievements

December 2021

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Club Member Achievements At contest

Ice Breakers

December 2021

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Club Members Achievements Level Completion

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Short Story

World War 3

The roads were rustling and bustling with vehicles. Sun was shining and the people were totally busy with their day to day life. There wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. It started like a normal day until it was no more. Bullets began to fly. Not as a panicked spray, but in a methodical way as a pianist would play his grand piano. Each note hit was another living person executed by a bullet.

Bodies flopped to ground like a pile of bricks.

Bomb's went to tall buildings, Lakes, villages with ashes here and there. Flames and smoke rose high past the tops of the buildings, choking out the air in the streets and up in the sky. A flare went a blaze creating an imbalance of chemicals in air. The same air that the ancestors have been breathing for centuries. Enemies were coming.

Military equipped North Korea raided bombs to United States of America. Bomb blasting sounds were echoing down street and sirens for alarming. The neighborhood people were running here and there with blood running down their face. At once there was a huge thump. Smoke filled the air painting the sky with its ashy darkness, South Korea received a nuclear gift from North Korea.

The riots were over, leaving only silence and destruction in its wake. With that the World War 3 began. The downfall of humanity. People were dying left and right. But Max was lucky enough to be away from it because he was in a rural area for a business work.

Forces crumbled under the weight of the overwhelming chaos. Most soldiers abandoned their posts and tried to find their way to safety or wherever there are family was. Everyone was on their own. Though the world hustled and bustled each and every day, it didn’t matter however long it had been that way, one moment was all it took to freeze everything around.

Max was there to watch it all fall apart. From the very beginning to where it all rusted away. The air was stale with all of the chemicals chipping off of their sources and plaguing the air. People held up others for their belongings like food and clothing. Simple stuff like that scared Max. It wasn’t within one day, that something like this would have happened. It must’ve been piled up for years if not decades before this was finally able to happen. Not like Max really wanted this nightmare to begin, but it truly beat what everyone was dealing with before. Rules, laws, and worthless mandates. Now, it was all about survival. The nitty gritty truth of it all. One slip up and it was over for whoever made the mistake.

A fter life had met its end. Every living person had succumbed to the beautiful reality of death. It was a harsh end. Weeks had gone by and bodies would decay and decompose, giving back to nature. Some were gone sooner than others since their bodies didn't have enough to keep shape.

The crumbling mess of the world didn't come down all at once. The sins of greed and wrath had been imbedded in our history for the entire time humans have been alive. Humans had barely made it through many sections of war in time. Just barely though. But this time, this time was different.

Houses were intruded. Shelters were destroyed. The living was dying, slaughtered even. They didn’t hesitate to clear everything out with bombs. Earth became a killing ground. Nothing lived.

Staying inside wasn’t a hard task. But people had to win the survival game. As the Japanese people won the battel after Hiroshima, Nagasaki blast USA will have to rise again.

TM Reshani Tamasha

December 2021

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Special Events

December 2021

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Front-liner's Thoughts It is a great pleasure indeed to add my heartfelt wishes to you in this remarkable moment. Kegalle Toastmasters Club, the giant in the area always extends your supportive hand to everyone who expects. You are outstanding and exemplary for all who are in this fraternity. Being a united strong family you can go far sheltering all who comes under you. Sky is the limit.

Cheers Kegalle TMC !

TM Devika Perera VPEd Front-liner's Toastmasters Club

We meet: Every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month from 4.30pm to 6.45pm Regular Location: Kurulukaley Inn, Kegalle

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December 2021

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