CLUB NEWSLETTER
IIT TOASTMASTERS CLUB OCT-DEC 2021
IIT TOASTMASTERS CLUB
TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL MISSION We empower individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders.
VALUES INTEGRITY
RESPECT
EXCELLENCE
SERVICE
ENVISIONED FUTURE To be the first-choice provider of dynamic, high-value, experiential communication and leadership skills development.
JAN 2022
IIT TOASTMASTERS CLUB
WELCOME TO THE CLUB! WHAT'S CHANGED THIS YEAR? IIT Toastmasters has swiftly grown into the club it is now since its beginning six years ago under the leadership of charter president TM Hiranya Samarasinghe and will see even more fast growth in 2021. The transition to online meetings and virtual club activities was difficult, especially for our speakers, but we were able to adjust and even thrive in this new environment. We're excited to see what the year 2022 has in store for us! However, during COVID restrictions you'll find us easier to reach online through our Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, or Email!
JAN 2022
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CONTENTS
03
04
Executive Committee
Message from the president
05
06
Member of the Quarter
Last Quarter Recap
09
10
Club Accomplishments
Member Accomplishments
12
15
How to get the most out of your Mentor
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Who are you? Who do you want to be?
JAN 2022
IIT TOASTMASTERS CLUB
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2021/2022
Jei Skandarajah President
Chamodh Samaranayake Vice President Education
Savinu Hasalanka Vice President Membership
Hiruni Hettiarachchi Vice President Public Relations
Sarah Yusri Secretary
Claudia Warnakulaarachchi Treasurer
Christina Thambirajah Sergeant-at-arms
Kumuditha Perera Immediate Past President
JAN 2022
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IIT TOASTMASTERS CLUB
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT TM JEI SKANDARAJAH Hello there, dear members. My heartfelt greetings and best wishes for an eventful New Year full of twists and turns that will drive you through an exciting and adventurous ride across the river of 2022. I'll simply introduce myself concisely; my name is Jei Skandarajah, and in addition to being the current president of the IIT Toastmasters Club, also known as the "socializing devil" by certain IIT members. This year, I am grateful all the active members of the club for their continuous collaboration with the executive committee to reform and strengthen the club practices over the past few months since the start of our tenure, and I'd like to thank all of our senior members of the club for their continuous support as mentors to the new and growing members of IIT Toastmasters Club, as well as advisors and supporters of the club. As President of the Club, my main mission is to assist the club in building a more organized structure while maintaining the same friendly environment that the club has maintained since even before I became a member of the club, so that the members of the club can use the redefined system to build themselves, because it has always been obvious that we are the most selfish club in IIT, putting ourselves as members first before anyone or anything else. Setting the pace for professionalism, Jei Skandarajah. PAGE 04
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IIT TOASTMASTERS CLUB
MEMBER OF THE QUARTER
TM CAUCIDHEESAN KRISHNAMOORTHY TM Caucidheesan has completed levels 3 and 4 in the pathway Motivational Strategies
JAN 2022
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IIT TOASTMASTERS CLUB
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JAN 2022
IIT TOASTMASTERS CLUB
CLUB ACCOMPLISHMENTS PRESIDENT'S DISTINGUISHED 2021/2022 for the 5th consecutive year!
CLUB AWARDS Golden Club Award Dynamic Duo Award 8/80 Membership Award
JAN 2022
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IIT TOASTMASTERS CLUB
MEMBER ACCOMPLISHMENTS PATHWAYS LEVEL 01 COMPLETION
TM CHAMODH SAMARANAYAKE
TM HIRUNI TM CLAUDIA HETTIARACHCHI WARNAKULAARACHCHI
LEVEL 03 COMPLETION
TM CHRISTINA THAMBIRAJAH
TM CAUCIDHEESAN KRISHNAMOORTHY
LEVEL 04 COMPLETION
TM CAUCIDHEESAN KRISHNAMOORTHY
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IIT TOASTMASTERS CLUB
MEMBER ACCOMPLISHMENTS PATHWAYS LEVEL 05 COMPLETION
TM SHERUNI FERNANDO
TM DILUMI DE SILVA
TM NAZHIM KALAM
CONTEST WINNERS HUMOROUS SPEECH CONTEST
1
2
st
nd
TM CLAUDIA WARNAKULAARACHCHI
TM GIBRAN KASIF
3
rd
TM CAUCIDHEESAN KRISHNAMOORTHY
EVALUATIONS CONTEST
1
st
TM ASIRI EKANAYAKE
JAN 2022
2
nd
TM SHERUNI FERNANDO
3
rd
TM CAUCIDHEESAN KRISHNAMOORTHY
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IIT TOASTMASTERS CLUB
HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR MENTOR TM ASIRI EKANAYAKE The mentorship program in a Toastmasters Club is arguably the most effective method of improving a member’s public speaking skills. Not only members who are just embarking on their Toastmasters journey, but long-time members and seasoned speakers also benefit from having a mentor to practice with, seek guidance from and bounce off ideas with. As you progress as a Toastmaster, you will most likely work under more than one mentor. The usual procedure in the IIT Toastmasters Club is to be assigned a more experienced member as your mentor for the first two levels of your Pathway and then request another mentor if you wish to or even try out being a mentor yourself and help out the newer members in the club. However, you can also approach other members if you are interested in improving a specific aspect of public speaking like vocal variety, body language, speech-writing or improvised speeches. In our club, we aim to create an environment where a member feels comfortable seeking help from anyone, not limiting themselves to their formerly assigned mentor, so that they can gain knowledge from different sources.
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IIT TOASTMASTERS CLUB
A mentor doesn’t just help you with your speeches; they are generally the first person you would approach if you are stuck with Base Camp, confused about your project requirements, need tips when competing in contests, give you moral support when you are delivering a speech and feedback afterwards, and even your gateway for networking with other Toastmasters within and outside the club. Hence, getting the optimal use of your mentor(s) is vital for your improvement as a speaker and a leader.
1.) Let your mentor know of your expectations Being assigned a mentor is not the only way of entering a mentormentee relationship. Sometimes, members request for a specific mentee if they feel they can further their potential, or a new member can ask a senior member to mentor them if they feel said member is best suited for their requirement. Regardless, it is important to convey to your mentor what your goals are as a Toastmaster. Do you want to overcome your stage-fright? Improve your leadership skills? Network? Become more confident? Achieve level completion or a member award within the Toastmaster year? Whatever they may be, your mentor must know them from your very first meeting onwards, in order to help you to the best of their abilities.
2.) Reach out first Rather than waiting for your mentor to push you to do your next speech, contact them first. It’s your call on when you want to complete a project, so while your mentor might check up on you, or suggest a good meeting date to do a speech it’s ultimately up to the mentee to go through with it. In addition, if you are planning to take a hiatus or such, keep your mentor (and someone from the Exco!) updated so they can adjust accordingly.
JAN 2022
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IIT TOASTMASTERS CLUB
3.) Don’t wait till the 11th hour to ask for help Once you decide to start on a project and have scheduled a speech with the VPE, the next step is to contact your mentor and plan on a time you can work with them. You can even contact them before you ask for a speech slot, the sooner the better. Because that means you have more time to get feedback and practice your speech with your mentor. Sometimes you would draft your speech first and then contact your mentor, sometimes you’ll need their help before even thinking of the content. Despite that, waiting till the day before you deliver your speech or the day of, negatively affects both you and your mentor. They might have prior commitments and might not be able to advise you as much and you might not have the time to practice the changes your mentor suggests. If it’s a complex project you might need to speak with them more than twice to sort out your speech. Planning ahead with your mentor is a common courtesy and both parties can reap the harvest in the end.
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JAN 2022
IIT TOASTMASTERS CLUB
WHO ARE YOU? WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE? TM DILUMI DE SILVA This article will talk mostly about leadership, my experience in Toastmasters. As a person, I don’t believe in titles to lead. If it’s needed you can always make a change with or without a title. Followers don’t follow for your title they follow for your vision and capability of making that vision a reality. That is what I believe as true leadership. There are many concepts, theories and even courses for leadership, how to be a great leader. But there is no shortcut to become one. You need to prove yourself worth to be a leader. Not something others can do for you. I have encountered many social conversations mostly after the next club president or district leader is chosen criticizing the elect is not suitable for the position. Criteria can be based on gender, age, period for experience likewise many. As the current Area Director of C2, I got to know some needed clarification if I’m suitable to become the AD? Aren’t I too young? Will I be able to handle it? To be brutally honest when DTM Selva our Division Director asked me can I become the AD for C2 with few things ran in my mind before I said yes. One “if you are given the opportunity say yes, then learn/figure out how to fulfil it”. Two I need to do this for my home club.
JAN 2022
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IIT TOASTMASTERS CLUB
I will be the first AD of IIT, it was not for the title don’t get me wrong it was to give hope to my fellow members if you work hard, you can earn it. Lay down the path for other members. Unlike other cooperate or community clubs IIT club is mainly based on undergraduate students. And it’s natural that they look up to seniors as their role model and come to conclusions like “if they as seniors couldn’t how can we?” only few would make their own paths. Having all that as a leader of 4 clubs one of my own and 3 stranger clubs initially, it was a lot. The pressure and responsibilities initially were hard. Getting to know other clubs, ice breaker sessions, proving they can trust me, and to have them in my best interest, trying to groom and make a better version of themselves and most importantly building a bunch of leaders alongside achieving District/ TM international define achievements was quite a lot to process. I understand reading this article you are lost and trying to process where I am heading next. I had the exact same feeling last 6 months. But I don’t regret saying yes to become a leader of 4 clubs. The experience is worth the roller-coaster ride. 4 unique clubs with 4 unique needs and support, unique challenges. That experience is what makes a leader. I got to know people had trust issues about me being a leader quite later and at that time I was emotionally numb. You wonder what that means? Well, simply I was emotionless and did nothing about it but smiled. I know if someone questions you, you have the right to be mad and annoyed also try to prove them wrong, all of that.
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I did none of it. It’s not because I don’t trust myself it’s cause I’m confident in myself. If I try to prove them right or wrong, I would be diverting myself from my purpose and responsibility and eventually prove them right. Instead, I chose to ignore society’s trust issues and move forward as it never happened and do my best to serve others who need my guidance and seek me as a leader. That way eventually I will prove everyone I’m a worthy leader. In life, you are given an opportunity, to lead climb the leadership ladder. Sometimes they come in a silver platter or sometimes it was just there ignored by all. Regardless of its origin, it’s an opportunity. Take it or leave it is one option. After taking it up make it fruitful and meaningful or failure is another option. Climbing the ladder and expanding your vision is all up to you. “Fear comes from the distrust of yourself and the anxiety about the unknown. If you don’t want the fear to take over you, you must trust yourself and focus only on the target.” This quote I came across several years ago is my secret ingredient for my successes. As a Toastmaster, as a project manager by profession, simply as a person. You have the option to be a leader or a follower. The choice is in your hand. Who are you? Who do you want to be?
JAN 2022
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IIT TOASTMASTERS CLUB
WHAT'S NEXT? Keep an eye out for some exciting events coming up next quarter International Speech Contest Table Topic Contest Joint Club Meetings
Curious about the club? Contact our VP Membership TM Savinu at savinu.20200813@iit.ac.lk 076 830 9547
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