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SIYANE SPEAKS Volume 11 Issue 3

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ABOUT SIYANE’ TOASTMASTERS CLUB Siyane’ Toastmasters Club is affiliated to Toastmasters International. The club was chartered on 27th September 2010. Club number is 1553096 and it belongs to Area3 of Division F in District 82. TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL MISSION We empower individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders . 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.

2018/2019 Executive Committee President TM Eranga Dilhan Vice President Education TM Chamin Athauda Vice President Membership TM Waruni Perera Vice President Public Relations TM Ruwanthi Perera Secretary TM Praweena Weerasinghe Treasurer TM Pubudu Ginige Sergeant –At-Arms TM Nuwan Kumara Immediate Past President TM Nilantha Bandara

CHIEF EDITOR For information on joining: siyane.toastmasters.club@gmail.com Article Submission: ruwanthie@gmail.com

TM Ruwanthi Perera

EDITORIAL TEAM TM Shehara Dissanayaka TM Chamin Athauda TM Roshini Perera

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Hence, TM Chamin Athauda was recognized as the Speech Evaluation Champion of Division F of District 82 at the last divisional conference and it reflected how strong we are as a club in all aspects. Launching of Siyane Speechcraft program was also another opportunity that we could create for our members to develop ourselves while inspiring many in the society to become better speakers and The journey of empowering our members to excel their communication and leadership skills creating a positive and supportive learning experience at Siyane Toastmasters Club for this year was very successful for the last 09 months with the excellent effort,

leaders. In addition, we have been engaging in two more speechcraft programs established to provide more opportunities for our members to explore themselves through taking up more speeches and leadership roles.

commitment and hard work of all the members and

Empowerment and creativity go hand in hand and

leaders of the club. As a result, we, at Siyane have

the effort of our VPPR and PR team is exceptional

already achieved the president‟s distinguished status

throughout the year. Recognizing our last month‟s

03 months before the completion of the year. It is the

flyer as one of the top 05 flyers in the district is

highest

from

one of the key milestones of the year. Pulse check

Toastmasters International through distinguished

we made to understand member satisfaction in

club program.

terms of creating positive and supportive learning

recognition

a

club

can

obtain

Further, empowerment of our members through providing many opportunities within and outside the club has led to surpass 14 educational awards/ goals

experience has reflected how members are delighted by the experience we provide through each intervention.

of our members including 10 pathways „awards as of now and there are 07 more educational awards are on

Therefore, journey for last 09 months of Siyane,

pipeline.

the

made me proud and contented and it‟s our prime

establishment of Siyane Talent Academy provided

responsibility to empower all our members to find

framework for our members to sharpen their talents

their

as professional speakers.

communicators and leaders.

And

also

The

the

support

extended

immense

through

contribution

of

true

potential

to

become

better

the

experienced toastmasters for the Siyane Talent Academy was outstanding and commendable.

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Eranga Dilhan ACB, ALB President Siyane’ Toastmasters Club


Inside this issue: A Winning Story TM Wathsala Karunasena

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Upcoming Events

07

Food for Thought

08

Highlights of the Contest Season

10

Give them Wings TM Roshini Perera

12

Siyane Christmas

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Empower- Theme Article TM Sithmi Ambegoda

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Celebrations and Educational Meetings

18

Member Recognition

20

Siyane Speechcraft Programme

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Where Force Fails TM Shehara Dissanayaka

24

My Mentor

26

Outdoor Meeting TM Ruwanthi Perera

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Gallery

30

Why Did I Become A Toastmaster? TM Lakmalie Jayaweera

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Motivate and Empower With A Good Team TM Eranga Dilhan

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Moments of Truth– The Pulse Check of Siyane’

36

Rise to the Challenge

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EXPERIENCE

Winning Story Empowered by Toastmasters Fraternity

I was a bright child since my childhood and also a

I also compeered at the annual get-together of the

fast learner. No matter how bright I was, stage

sustainable business team of our cluster. As of now, I

fear was one of the biggest fears I suffered from.

am recognized as a Toastmaster among professional

Starting from school, through university and

colleagues and was appointed as a member of the

workplace, it was a terrifying experience when it

organizing committee of the same event. With the

came to talking in front of an audience. When I

exposure and the experience, I acquired through this

got to know about Toastmasters from one of my

amazing club I have been able to fulfil all my

colleagues I thought it was also another spoken

responsibilities at office in an outstanding manner.

English academy. I was directed to Toastmasters by one of my bosses and on the very first day I realized that it is not an English academy but something more than that.

The way the senior members take care of the new family

members

is

amazing.

They

give

us

opportunities to show our colours by letting us perform roles in our unique way. The best instance is

On the very first day I got stuck during the round robin session and at that moment I saw how the team encouraged me to speak. That made me start loving this very special and unique club and I promised myself to be a part of our beloved Siyane‟ Toastmasters club. Ever since the first day I got opportunities and challenges to develop myself to the next level.

giving me the opportunity to be the Toastmaster of the day of the very first meeting in the year 2019 though I was only a 6- month-old baby in my Toastmasters career. As the Toastmaster of the day of the very first meeting in 2019, I introduced a mechanism to collect all the good memories throughout the year and I was recognized for that in all the social media by an article done by our own VP

The best part is I am not reluctant to take

Public

challenges as anymore. Ever since I joined

relationship helps quite a lot not only in Toastmasters

Toastmasters I successfully accepted a few

career but also in our personal development.

challenges which led me to have

Siyane‟ is not just a club. It is a second family for to

remarkable

Relations.

Also

the

mentor-mentee

plant

me. Every meeting ends with a set of new learning.

presentations in my place of work, where there

Not only the language but also important life

are around 450 in the audience is one of the

lessons. I am really proud to say that I‟m getting

instances where I was able to show the skills

better day by day with these amazing people of

experiences.

Conducting

monthly

sharpened through Toastmasters.

Siyane Toastmasters family. TM Wathsala Karunasena 6


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HIGHLIGHTS OF CONTEST SEASON INTERNATIONAL SPEECH AND TABLETOPICS CONTEST

Contest Chair– TM Chandima Gayan

Contest Master -TM Wathsala Karunasena

First Place– TM Kemiya Kodituwakku Second Place– TM Praweena Weerasinghe

Contest Chair– TM Chandima Gayan

Third Place– TM Ruwanthi Perera

Contest Master -TM Thulani Dayarathna

First Place– TM Kemiya Kodituwakku Second Place– TM Nilanjalee Gunathilaka Third Place– TM Eranga Dilhan 10


TM

Kemiya

Kodituwakku,

performance at both

showed

exceptional

contests winning the first place

in International Speech and Tabletopics club contests.

“I consider this as a great honour to be able to be the winner of both club contests I took part as a member of Siyane Toastmasters Club. This was the first time I could perform to this level.

I thank

everyone who were behind me for helping me to achieve this and look forward to carrying the

Siyane

flag

to

greater

heights�. TM Kemiya Kodituwakku

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LEADERSHIP

Give Them Wings I watched as the bright winged butterfly take off from the edge of a lime leaf. Her flight, graceful. Her wings, delightful. Her existence, useful. Yesterday she was a caterpillar crawling along a

TM Roshini Perera

twig, ugly, helpless and vulnerable. Mother Nature

Empowering another does not mean that you lose

empowered her with a set of glorious wings and

some of your power. In fact it makes your power

today she soars on the wind. Her beauty soothing a

more solid and stable. What is more powerful than

thousand eyes and her feet carrying a thousand

a leader followed by another line of leaders? A

pollen.

candle loses nothing by lighting another candle

Empowerment is a strong deed. It is simply the

and a lion should be followed by another pride of

process of making a powerless person powerful so

lions, not sheep.

that he may rise to his true potential and in return

No matter how small you are or how insignificant

transfer power to another person. The more technical

you feel, you still have some power within you.

version being “measures designed to increase the

Each and every one of us is gifted with some kind

degree of autonomy self-determination in people and

of talent, a skill or ability. You may be a good

in communities in order to enable them to represent

communicator, a good writer, maybe a good

their interests in a responsible and self-determined

planner or have a vision. All you have to do is

way, acting on their own authority”.

identify the people around you and teach them what you know already or else delegate. Teach

Just like the living but shapeless and sluggish

them to write, teach them to speak up boldly, teach

caterpillar was transformed into a magnificent and

them to plan, give them a vision and show them a

purposeful butterfly, every timid and shy person can

target. If you are a good leader, delegate. Give

be glorified to be a stalwart leader. This is the reason

them responsibility. Guide and help them to

why Vince Lambardi made the famous statement

achieve goals. That is empowering. Find a

“Leaders

caterpillar and turn it into a butterfly. Find a sheep

are

they‟re made”.

not

born,

and transform it to a lion. Thus you empower the Therefore every person

world, one person at a time.

who has realized his power and potential is laden

At the same time, self-empowerment is also very

with the duty and responsibility to make another

important. As Stephen Covey beautifully put into

person realize his. This makes empowerment a

words, “Leaders are not born or made – they are

cascade, a chain reaction. A leader is like an uncut

self-made”.

diamond until he makes at least one more leader. 12


In his version of empowerment we have the ability to

If you look around you may find tens of

strengthen ourselves through the hardships and

thousands who need empowering, people who

experience of our own. This very idea is emphasized

need uplifting. Use your gift to make more

by Steve Maraboli when he said,

leaders. This is what the world needs. Tell the

“We all make mistakes, have

timid about their boldness. Bring out the confidence buried in the shy.

struggles and even regret things in your past. But you are not

Empowering is not a one-way door. The more you give, the more you receive. The more power you

your mistakes. You are not your

sent out, the more power you receive. The more

struggles, and you are here now

Therefore, give them wings so that you may fly

with the power to shape your

you make butterflies, you become an eagle. higher above the clouds.

day and your future.� If you have this strength within you, it is even easier to use it to raise another. If you can empower yourself, you can empower another much more successfully as it is your very own experience and it can set an example and an inspiration. This is what we lack in the society today. Once a person gains power, he struggles to hold onto it rather than empowering another. Skills are kept hidden. Talents are used for selfish purposes. 13

https://www.toastmasters.org/


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THEME

EMPOWER

In the shore of the great oceans, unfazed by the rising tides and blowing winds, stands a solitary lighthouse, through day and night, guiding and pointing the way; empowering those who are audacious enough to go in search of uncharted lands.

“One of the greatest things you can do to help others is not just to share and give what you have, but to help them

discover

what

they

who are willing to teach us things but very few to empower us. In order to empower another, one has to be prepared to let go of the reigns and to release tight control. It is an important quality for a leader to have; because that is the only way to create more leaders.

have within themselves to

“Leaders become great

help themselves”.Rita Zahara –

not

Can you help someone to realize their abilities and

power but because of

potential? Have you ever told someone “I see something in you?” and not stopping at that, have you worked with him to find that “something”? This is

different

from

helping.

It

is

called

because

of

their

their ability to empower others”.

empowering. The word empower does not only

It will be easy to teach but it is difficult to

mean that someone is given the power or authority.

empower the followers. Only a true leader can do

Empowering

it. Use your power to empower other people. That

involves

accountability,

trust,

autonomy, responsibility and power to make

will be the best investment for the future.

decisions. Another very important aspect of it is to create a safe environment for the novice to test all these newly acquired skills.

On the other end of the road, a person should be ready to feel empowered and accept the opportunities that he gets to grow in the form of

Over the years empowering has become a very

responsibilities. People may tell, “You are not

distant concept to most people. It‟s a word that many

able to take these responsibilities”, “You are too

people know, but not a skill that many people have

young to be independent”.

mastered. In life we meet lots of people 16 16


In the process of empowering yourself you may fail,

Toastmasters will be the perfect way to find the

but failure is considered as an important part of your

potential inside you. Their mission is to “empower

growth and development of self-resilience. Sometimes

individuals to become more effective communicators

it‟s difficult to empower yourself on your own.

and leaders.” Toastmasters is a place with leaders

Therefore, one must be prepared to ask for help from

willing to share their knowledge with you. They will

the right resources and should be humble enough to

definitely empower you to find your potential by

accept help.

yourself.

As the author J.K. Rowling said, “Anything is possible

“We provide a supportive and positive learning

if

environment in which members are empowered to

you

have

got

enough

nerve.”

Take

the

responsibilities, face your fears. If everything was

develop

perfect you would never learn and you would never

resulting in greater self-confidence and personal

grow. Look back to see how far you have come when

growth” is their mission.

you give yourself a chance.

Only it doesn‟t stop with members.

communication

and

leadership

skills,

If you don‟t empower yourself, you will remain a caterpillar whose wings are ready but afraid to fly. Crack the shell, empower yourself to be the beautiful butterfly you are meant to be. Your willingness to look at your darkness is what empowers you to change. So let‟s start to change through empowerment.

In other words, In the shore of the great oceans, unfazed by the rising tides and blowing winds, stands a solitary lighthouse, through day and night, guiding and pointing the way; empowering those who are audacious enough to go in search of uncharted lands.

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TM Sithmi Ambegoda


CELEBRATIONS AND EDUCATIONAL MEETINGS EDUCATIONAL MEETINGS

Among Top 5 Flyers for the Month of February

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MEMBER RECOGNITION PATHWAYS LEVEL 1 ACHIEVERS

PATHWAYS LEVEL 2 ACHIEVERS

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ADVANCED COMMUNICATOR BRONZE

ADVANCED LEADER BRONZE

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BEYOND THE CLUB

Siyane Open Speechcraft Programme Siyane Toastmasters Club launched an open

We

got

a

diverse

audience

with

bankers,

speechcraft programme to for those who seek to

entrepreneurs, lawyers and university students. It

improve their the public speaking and leadership

was a pleasure to work with them. They are

skills. The club has conducted many successful

enthusiastic to learn. Our job was to create a safe

speechcraft programmes for corporate sector and

and supportive environment for them to express

this time it was opened for everybody with an

themselves.

“Siyane TMC launched their first Open speechcraft programme on 16th January 2019. The objective of this programme is to empower the community in terms of creating good communicators and strong leaders. The first batch is comprised of 7 speechcrafters representing both coorperate sector and the university sector. I had been lucky enough to work as the speechcraft coordinator. I am grateful to the President of the Siyane TMC and all the senior toatmasters in the club for initiating this wonderful means of empowerment. “ TM Roshini Perera Coordinator Siyane Open Speechcraft Programme

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LEADERSHIP

Where Force Fails… Leadership -in my view- is getting individual

team. As someone who has been in a team and led

members of the team to do their task/role, not

teams officially or unofficially (with or without

because the LEADER wants them to do it, but

title/ but based on situations), I believe being

because the member himself/herself wants to do it.

humble and gentle with the team are important

This is not a trait that can be acquired overnight. It

qualities to be an effective leader.

comes through “learning by doing” - what we

Some may argue that being gentle depicts

practise on a regular basis as Toastmasters. That is

weakness as a leader, and I do agree that if

why this place is called the place “Where leaders are

excessively done, it certainly can work against

made”.

you. A sign of a good leader is to know the

I particularly like the description of a „team‟ in the club officer installation script of Toastmasters clubs. It says, „A team is more than a collection of people. It‟s an emotional force rooted in the feelings, thoughts, and actions of all members with the common goal of achievement, sharing, and mutual support.” When this was being read out during my installation as the President of Siyane Toastmasters Club, I did not know what this meant (in fact I was not listening, since I was so overwhelmed with the

people you lead. When you know them, you understand them. When you understand them, then you know how to treat them. One can be gentle yet firm as a leader. That is precisely what we learn to do in our Toastmasters meetings through our evaluations too. As Toastmasters we must always be mindful that we interact with a group of adults. Yes, we treat everyone as our equal which is why we need to always keep in mind how we would like to be treated by others.

„moment‟). However, the following year, when I had

I bear witness to a classic example of a time when

to do officer installations, I realized how true this

everyone else was somewhat skeptical about

statement is for any team, and looking back how true

bringing in a particular member as part of the

it had been for the Executive Committee during my

Executive committee in the club. But when the

tenure as President; the year in which the club was

opportunity was given, and expectations of the

ranked Number 1 in District 82 of Toastmasters

position were set before him (through gentle

International.

persuasion), he performed the role exceptionally

It is the “emotional force” that makes a team work together and stay together.

This is particularly true when

there is no monetary gain for the efforts made by the 24

well- better than any former member who held the same position before him. In fact, he was the most transformed member of the club that year.


“Gentle

persuasion

where force fails,”

succeeds

There are many qualities required to be a great leader. Gentle persuasion is only one such. If exer-

says Aesop. In today‟s

cised effectively, it could change the way you per-

context, especially in the society we deal with,

ceive and the way you are perceived by your team-

„force‟ does not get us anywhere. Certainly not to a

mates and superiors.

stable position. Gentle persuasion is not about whitewashing every good or bad thing that anyone does. It is simply how one puts it across in words and deeds. Being tough and aggressive does not always work. If one can convince the other how good things might have been if it had been done in a different (better) way, that is all there is to it. There are times when reacting right in the middle of chaos, may not be the best way to persuade someone. Sometimes reacting in front of a group of people may not be the best way to deal with an issue we have with a particular individual.

Installation 2016– TM Shehara Dissanayaka as the President

We may need to find the right moment - certainly sooner rather than later - to let the relevant person know what was done wrong. There may also be times when the right way it should have been done may not need to be told, because he/she may figure it out when pointed in the right direction. Gentle nudge is all that is required.

Ovation 2016-The Victorious Ovation where Siyane Toastmaststers Club became #1 As a leader there are times when short term in District 82

achievements need to be overlooked in order to achieve greater things in the future. When letting gouso of those short term achievements, it may seem like a timid or weak decision, but when greater returns come through, people start to realize what caused the bigger result. The gentle act persuades others around you to also look at the bigger picture and work towards greater goals. TM Shehara Disasnayaka 25


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ARTICLE

Outdoor Meeting Outdoor meetings are fun. We go out of the box, in this case the hall where we conduct meetings every fortnight, to go somewhere with fresh air. Where

TM Ruwanthi Perera

are we going to have the outdoor meeting this year is the one question everybody brainstorm on. This

Based on this, TM Chamin Athauda, conducted an

year while we got together and thought of a good

inspirational session. In his presentation, he pointed

place, TM Waruni Perera came up with a unique

out many living examples of people who have risen

suggestion. She suggested why not we go to a

above their circumstances through hardships. The

place where we can really do what Toastmasters

club members shared their stories of how they

do, i.e. inspire people.

refused to be defined by their circumstances and

Making this noble thought a reality, on

20th

worked hard to become what they are today.

January 2019, Siyane Toastmasters Club paid a

At the end of the session, the children realized that

visit to a nearby Home for Children where we

there lies immense potential within them. After the

conducted an inspirational session for the children

session, children left with renewed hope.

on the “importance of education”.

We

They were a wonderful bunch of children. But the

theme :empower through education”. It was a fruitful

wardens were very worried about them because

session with lot of reflections and insights.

these children have lost interest in their studies.

We are glad that we were able to inspire young chil-

When you focus on problems, you will have more

dren to reach their potential. Because that is what

problems. When you focus on possibilities, you

Toastmasters do. They RISE by lifting others (quote

will have more opportunities.

by Robert Ingersoll) through Respect, through

conducted

the

meeting

on

the

same

Integrity, through Service and Excellence. And we are proud of making the attempt.

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29


GALLERY

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31


EXPERIENCE

Why Did I Become a Toastmaster? “ Why is that you always wait for the other person to

That charismatic leader people would listen to

initiate conversation? Why is that you never reach out

as if it was the gospel of God. But I didn‟t have

to people" That was my one concerned colleague. “I

the courage to venture out of my comfort zone.

can count using the fingers of my hand, the number of

When I got posted to a remote area in the hill

times she had a friendly chat with me” that was my

country as my first appointment I imagined

husband's aunt. “I can't hear you when you speak ,why

opportunities coming my way ,I could be a light

do you have to mumble always” that was my

to hundreds of people who were lacking

father.But I was complacent with myself. The several

opportunity I thought.

friends I had were near and dear to me, I had great

What I discovered alarmed me. I was making

siblings, a loving husband ,was doing well otherwise.

enemies faster than I was making friends. I was

Once prior I had contemplated making a paradigm shift in my life. I was at my university final year pathology presentation. After one month of hard work I had presented my findings in a comprehensive report on a rare disease and was expecting a glowing tribute from my professor for my multimedia presentation . But what I got was “ You didn't look at the audience when you were at the podium ,you were looking at the thin air. You appeared as if you had by-hearted the presentation. That's not want we expect from a good presentation”. One of my friend's suggested that I join a Toastmasters club. I started attending to club meetings at a Toastmasters club in Colombo. But then I had started

working outside

Colombo. So I came up with several excuses for not continuing the journey and just stopped going for meetings.

having trouble keeping up with a rather surely boss. At that time I was not a Toastmaster – so I did not know the techniques if giving evaluations ,so relationships turned sour. I ended up complaining of my boss and he ended picking up my faults at the drop of a hat. One day I thought, I had enough and came to Colombo to complain to ministry officials that I will quit unless I am transferred. What the elderly

director

told

me

changed

my

perspective. “ If you are not happy where you are now, I doubt whether you will find happiness somewhere else. No one else is instrumental in your happiness ,you are the author of your happiness or unhappiness”. I thought about it deep. I went for long walks in the woods, I was astonished by the calmness and serenity it brought me. I taught myself

Despite my complacency I used to admire people ,who

photography and started capturing candid

would just strike a conversation with virtually

photographs of the beautiful country side. I saw

anyone ,who would grab every opportunity that came

a smile brighter than Alpha Centurius – the

their way. In my imagination I would be that great

brightest star in our galaxy illuminating a young

speaker ,who inspires multitudes. 32


boy's face when he got a pair of new shoes. I saw

I believe in Kizan, continuous improvement. As

a young tea plucker‟s fingers busy at work amidst

Neel Armstrong said when he first walked on the

the cold , harsh rain and a smile in her face. I

moon “ This is a small step for man , but a giant

started to find beauty and happiness in little things

leap when it comes to mankind” when I am on

and fleeting moments. Further I started stepping

stage and when I see the enraptured audience I feel

out of my comfort zone.

as if I have made a giant leap when it comes to my journey towards personal fulfilment.

I joined a new Toastmasters club. Once I gave up my journey half way but

the persuasive and

energetic club members didn't allow this to be so. My club went to the extent of paying my membership fees on behalf of me when I was abroad for a short period. At Siyane Toastmasters I

met some of the most compassionate and

empathetic human beings I was ever privileged to meet in my life. I don't think I am yet much different to the person who walked in to the Siyane Toastmasters club meeting one day in September 2017. I still don‟t reach out to new people that much. My legs play mandolin when I walk up to the stage and I know still people at the back cannot hear me. But I have had people of my club walk up to me and say ,”your speech brought tears to my eyes. I couldn‟t stop tears pouring down my eyes when I was listening to your speech”. When I did my first speech evaluation the speaker told me “ You have listened to me so carefully” ,and I was humbled that he thought that I had done my job well that day. When grammarian‟s report come up and she / he read up some of the phrases I had used in my speech as good usage of language for that day, I am happy that I have contributed in making the meeting colourful. TM Lakmalie Jayaweera 33


Motivate and Empower With A Good Team “Toastmasters, Where Leaders Are Made” is what I noticed on a banner on the very first day at Siyane‟ family. However, my understanding of it was “where good public speakers are made instead of leaders”. However, opportunities and positive learning experience I got through Toastmasters throughout the last three and half years grew me from almost nowhere to somewhere in terms of a leader.

I excelled in both my professional and TM Eranga Dilhan

personal life. Inspiration that I get through associating nice, loving ladies and gentlemen who

because of the inspiration that they got through

extend their helping hand to develop myself as a

the my transformation as a leader..

good leader while enriching core values of Toastmasters

Respect,

Integrity,

Service

and

2. Empower the Team

Excellence, is amazing. Therefore, I thought of

As I was considered as one of the perfectionists at

sharing three golden rules that made me successful

my work, I hardly delegated or empowered my

and contented.

team mates in anything I did, even though I was struggling to manage time. I compromised my

1. Feedback to Motivate

weekends for work. Micromanagement was an

Before, being a Toastmaster, the term “feedback”

obvious characteristic in my leadership style.

always gave me the feeling of giving or receiving a

However, the experience I gained through this

message which is negative, discouraging and

amazing fraternity, taught me the art of effective

stressful had been labeled as a tough and shouting

delegation, empowerment and benefits of it. The

manager

joined

way we valued, trusted and empowered my team

Toastmasters and had the experience of being a

of Club Executive Committee members and other

Toastmaster, I started to see more positives and

members of the club has delivered positive results

opportunities for improvement in a broader context. .

going beyond the expectation. This effort has

I could witness the beauty of positive feedback

provided framework for us to unleash the

which motivated the other party to perform better.

untapped potential of team while witnessing their

As a result of that, all my teams at work in

passion to strive towards excellence.

at

my

workplace.

After

I

Toastmasters and at other professional working groups

have

reflected

their

motivation

and

satisfaction while excelling their performance 34


For instance, empowering even new members of the club to organize special events such as Christmas theme meeting, opportunities in terms of contest roles proved how impactful empowerment was.. 3. Good Leader Needs a Good Team I believe that every successful leader needs to have a good team and once you will have a good team it‟s a matter of how you motivate and empower them while providing guidelines in terms of what you expect. Good team is a team with passion, positive mindset, commitment and team work. Once empowered and motivated, my EXCO team has reflected how good they are at every task that they perform and it led to enhance the quality of club proceedings, and

better

relationship

with

members

member satisfaction. I too learnt from them

throughout last 08 months and this made my life more confident and contented as a leader. Therefore, how we motivate, empower and select a good team will lead to expand the horizons of a good leader and this amazing fraternity where “Leaders Are Made” is the best platform for all of us to grow as leaders.

35


Moments of Truth The Pulse Check of Siyane’

MOT session conducted by TM Ruwan Jayasooriya

TM Shanika receiving the gift voucher from TM Eranga Dilhan

36


RISE TO THE CHALLENGE

1P

2M

3T

4N 5E 6R

G

7 8M

E

9I

10E

11S

E

12G

O

E 13E

14P

E

Down

Across

1-Toastmaster of the Day of 200th Meeting

6-Providing satisfaction

2- Evaluate to_____________

8-A speech should ideally have a ______ending

3- The theme of the 200th meeting

9-Impossible to satisfy

4- How many presidents have led the Siyane TMC

11- This helps Siyane' contestants to prepare for

so far

contests

5-Having or Showing profound knowledge

12- The most prestigious award

7-Without fault or error

13- latest addition to Pathways

10-Give someone the authority or power to do

14- The highest status a Toastmasters Club can

something

achieve

Send your answers to siyane.toastmasters.club@gmail.com by 30th April 2019 Winner will be announced on the Facebook Page of Siyane’ Toastmasters Club 37


38


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SIYANE SPEAKS Volume 11 Issue 3 by Siyane' Toastmasters Club - Issuu