Freight Links Toastmasters achieves “Presidents Distinguished Club” during the first year...
Freight Links International, a leader in logistics and supply chain solutions in Sri Lanka, formed a Toastmasters Club last year in keeping with their policy of providing continuous learning opportunities for their staff members.
Thus Freight Links became the 4th Club in Area C2 of District 82 – the Toastmasters District that comprises South India and Sri Lanka.
After a very successful inaugural year, during which period the Club achieved “Presidents Distinguished Club” status from Toastmasters International, members of their club are keen to continue with that success while spreading the knowledge they have gained to others in their staff as well.
The Presidents Distinguished Club status is the highest educational achievement level a club could reach during a toastmasters year, which runs from beginning of July to the end of June, the subsequent year.
Freight Links Toastmasters recently celebrated their first anniversary at a grand ceremony at the JAIC Hilton Residencies Hotel, Colombo where they also had the installation of their new officers for the term 2015/16
Mr Niral Kadawatharatchie, President of Freight Links who himself is a Toastmaster, was the Chief Guest for the occasion which was graced by Distinguished Toastmaster ( DTM) Sastharam Ravendran – District Director elect for District 82 as the Guest of Honour.
Key officials of District 82, DTM Yusuf Jeevunjee - the District Gove r n o r, DTM Ajantha Jayawardena - Club Growth Director elect, DTM Ajitha Goonawardene District Secretary of District 82, TM Ranmal Goonetilleke – Division Director elect for Division C, DTM Srianthie Salgado - Past Division Governor and Club Extension Chairperson and TM Sujith Bandulahewa - Brand Development Chairman together with TM Imalee de Silva – Area Governor elect for Area C2 and DTM Namini Gunasena - Division Director elect for Division J joined them as special guests on this occasion.
Mrs Yamuna Jayawardena - Director Finance of Freight Links and other key senior management from Freight Links were also present at this special event.
The Executive Committee of Freight Links Toastmasters Club for the new tenure 2015/2016 that were installed in office by TM Imalee de Silva that evening comprises of DTM Varuna Ratnaweera (President), TM Barbara Perera ( Vice President Education), TM Rosemary Panawala ( Vice President Membership), TM Lakmal Suriyaarachchi ( Vice President Public Relations), TM Sureka Letchumanan ( Secretary), TM Wasantha Samaraweera ( Treasurer) and TM Vipularathne Weligamage (Sergeant-at-Arms).
Speaking at the installtion ceremony, Freight Links President, TM Niral Kadawatharatchie stressed on the importance of good communication skills to become successful in life irrespective of which profession you belong to. He also spoke very highly about the Toastmasters education program which helps individuals to grow to their full potential as successful leaders. He said that he expects Freight Links Toastmasters Club to perform well and encourage most of their staff members to join toastmastering.
CEO of Fr e i g h t Links International, Mr Ravi Edirisinghe was the Key Note speaker for the evening as he shared his thoughts and experience as how to communicate effectively and efficiently. During his speech, he clearly demonstrated how communication can create an impact and covered 7 important aspects of “Good Communication” .
Mr Edirisinghe, in his address described the importance of listening, clarifying to understand better, preparing for your response, taking adequate time before responding, using appropriate body language, taking the opportunity to speak when you have it and transcendence - using little stories or describing appropriate incidents to illustrate your point, in making an impact with good communication.
The Guest of Honour on the occasion, DTM Sastharam Ravendran, indicated that he was pleased to be present for the first Anniversary of Fright Links TM Club and praised the manner in which they had been able to pool different talents available within the company to present an excellent evening of entertainment – another benefit of toastmastering, while sharpening your leadership skills.
The Charter President of Freight Links TM Club, Toastmaster Achila Bartholomeusz, acknowledged the tre- mendous support that was extended to the club by the President of the company TM Niral Kadawatharatchie and the senior management of Freight Links and other senior Toastmasters.
She indicated that toastmasters never grow old and instead they become younger in hearts day by day and expressed her gratitude to all members of the Club for helping achieve “Presidents Distinguished Club” in the first year itself.
During the acceptance speech of the newly elected president DTM Varuna Ratnaweera described how taostmastreing has changed his life and how any company can utilize this programme to build strong friendships among members from different departments in a company, which they have already experienced at Freight Links while unraveling a host of hidden talents hitherto unidentified.
This officer installation ceremony was made all the more attractive to the participants with Dance items comprising Sri Lankan and Indian traditional dances and songs performed by members of the club who had their own colleagues backing them with music.
Freight Links Toastmasters conduct their regular education meetings in a manner that encourages every one with inspirational and constructive evaluations, with occasional theme meetings that generate greater enthusiasm among participants.
Their aim for this year is to help more members to learn from the excellent training that TMI provides and spread that learning culture through enjoyable meetings while joining together with other clubs in Division C, the Toastmasters Division which they belong to in District 82.