Page 8 - Voices Feb 2018
P. 8

COVER STORY





                                                                          extraordinary.
                                                                             The world is crying out for
                                                                          effective and outstanding leaders.

                                                                          Who can help develop those leaders?
                                                                          It is you and me, and the members of
                                                                          Toastmasters clubs,  “Where Leaders
                                                                          are Made.”

                                                                             To do this, we must have a “People
                                                                          First” attitude. This is something
                                                                          that I have learnt through the many
          2016 District 7 Spring Conference
                                                                          people  who have helped me in my

                                                                          journey. I will always endeavor to
          Today I realize  that even though I had not  keep your interest first, before mine. Among
       envisioned this moment for myself, Dilip saw  my many mentors and friends who have
       potential in me, because he always puts ‘people  demonstrated this “people-first” approach are:

       first’.  Since then, he has constantly kept it at the  Kumar Nadesan (a sincere non-toastmaster
       forefront of my attention. Thank you Dilip and  mentor of mine), Dick Poirier, Floy
       Sharon for always having faith in me, and for the  Westermeier, Frank Storey, Ted Corcoran
       tremendous support you have given throughout  and Yusuf Jeevunjee. Each of them have

       my journey.                                            dedicated their precious time and energy
          Toastmasters has been progressing and  to guide, mentor, assist, laugh and cry
       changing with time. That change is tangibly  with me. And they placed the vision I
       visible today, when you elect as your president a  had before their own. I was lucky to be

       simple person like me who grew up in Sri Lanka,  surrounded by such leaders, who kept me
       a small island nation at the tip of the Indian sub  on their shoulders and held the weight of
       continent. In doing so, you have established that  my dreams, sometimes above their own.
       in the eyes of Toastmasters,  every member  Fellow Toastmasters, we are fortunate to

       stands equal, irrespective of  ethnicity, gender,  have Dan Rex and Sally Newll-Cohen, two
       creed, community or country. That, by itself, is  leaders who share the same philosophy.
       a beautiful tribute to the magnificence  of our            I can remember calling WHQ in 1995—long
       great organization.                                    before my club was part of a district. At that

          My friends, Toastmasters takes ordinary  time I believe, Dan Rex was head of Member
       men and women  and gives them extraordinary  Services. Dan came on line. I said, “Dan, I am
       opportunities to do more with their lives  than  Balraj from Sri Lanka.”
       they ever dreamed possible. This is the only  Dan: “From where?”

       organization; I know that goes beyond teaching  Balraj: “From Sri Lanka.”
       communication and leadership—it changes lives.  Dan: “Where is Sri Lanka?”
       My friends, it has changed my life; I believe it has       I must say that over the past 25 years his
       changed yours too. We make ordinary people  geography has substantially improved! All




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