Welcome to the Sri Lankan Public Speakers' blog on Public Speaking. This is my brainchild which I think will be useful to you, Toastmasters. With a host of ideas, I began this blog. The prime motive behind this blog is to help toastmasters find excellent articles on public speaking, build
ties within the community of toastmasters, provide
encouragement to current and future public speakers and to
bring the Sri Lankan toastmasters to a common forum.
Public speaking is viewed as an art by
many. Many people like to improve their communication skills in public but they
lack the initiative to master it. Toastmasters International is the world's
oldest educational programme founded by Ralph C. Smedley, who was born on February 22, 1878, at Waverly, Illinois, United
States. He is the founder and his visionary leadership has helped millions and
millions people the world over. Toastmasters International is the most popular
public speaking training organization favoured.
Public speaking is joyful and exciting as
well. You do not feel isolated in a club. You are connected and all the members
are friendly to each other. All the members of a club attend club sessions with
a purpose. They want to be better speakers and leaders. Members not only develop
their public speaking skills but also leadership through leadership manuals.
Club meetings are tightly compact if I may
say. An education session is usually planned out and the role players' as well
as speakers' names are displayed on the agenda. Sessions work according to an
established code of conduct and it is very easy for anyone to learn what
happens at a session within a single visit. May be public speaking is something
that many people dread, but there are no such dreadful things in a club. You
are truly in an environment that is conducive to making public speeches.
What you may gain ...
Pros of joining a club outweigh cons. You
gain a lot. You learn a lot. You meet a lot of people. You become part of a
growing community. You are welcome. You feel home. These are some of the things
you gain once you become part of this organization.
You can choose a club and visit.
Be a visitor. Talk to members. Listen to
their stories. Love them. Definitely, you will like them. They will tell their
journey. Why don't you tell yours in the first speech (Ice Breaker). In the
first speech, Ice Breaker, you will tell the club who you are, where you come
from, what you do for a living, your interests, something about your family,
your ambitions etc. It is easy and joyful. Members will listen to you with awe,
interest, respect etc.
Move on ...
Keep attending regular club meetings. Your
attendance is important. If you attend clubs on a regular basis, you will soon
be in the limelight. You are recognized, sought after, comfortable and you are
on your way to aching your first award, CC. Your achievements will be rewarded
by way of being recognized by Toastmasters International. You will be awarded a
colorful certificate with a letter to your employer on your achievements. Your
employer will be surprised to see the potential in you. They like to hear
success of you. Take heart. Go head.
Be the leader you always wanted to be ...
You will not only be a public speaker.
There is a leadership track as well. You will be a people management specialist
as well. You will soon develop your leadership skills and those skills will be
rewarded by Toastmasters International with a credential namely competent
leader, CL. We live in a world everything is uncertain. Why do not we learn how
to lead others? It is rewarding. It is thrilling. It is essential.
Networking at clubs
I am a teacher by profession but I met
many professionals from various walks of life. They are from diverse
backgrounds who represent great organizations. I made many friends. I learn
from the very young members in the club. They evaluate me and give feedback. I
learn very fast. Networking at clubs is something that is wonderful. Your
potential to make friends at clubs is notable, you may meet a lot of members at
conferences too. They will teach you many things on public speaking. You can
listen to interesting presentations. You will like them. You will become open
minded, a fast learner, people friendly human being and finally you will
definitely achieve your dream of becoming that public speaker waiting in you to
be groomed.
Susil Manchanayaka, Consultant in English
B. A. in English
Post Graduate Diploma in Education
Diploma in Journalism
Certificate in Training and Human Resources Development
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