Page 8 - Voices Feb 2018

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

8 ONE COMMUNITY