Looking for talent, intelligence and heart
It’s no secret that Toastmasters can change lives, as it has with many young and old students and professionals around the world. In Sri Lanka, though, Toastmasters was a “well-kept secret” for a long time, says Arunasalam Balraj. Over the last decade it gained in mainstream popularity, rapidly becoming a go-to destination for many young speakers. For Mr. Balraj, who began his Toastmasters journey 25 years ago, time and commitment have reaped just rewards – he was appointed Second Vice President of Toastmasters International recently, and will take over as International President in August 2017.
A vision for Toastmasters: Arunasalam Balraj. Pic by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
Born and educated at Trinity College in Kandy, Mr. Balraj transitioned naturally into taking over the family business – a company with a grand, 63-year history and moved to Colombo in 1983. “When you move in business circles you must belong to some club or another,” he shares laughingly, so he “shopped around” and discovered that Toastmasters was where he fitted best. Was he a born speaker, turning heads with an inborn talent? Not exactly, at first. “Speaking was not my cup of tea!” he says. “But I saw value in the process, and recognised that I could perhaps do well here-if I made the effort.”
He joined in 1989, becoming a Club Officer and in 2002 taking over as the President of the Colombo Toastmasters. “There were three clubs in the country when I took over,” he remembers. Today, it has expanded to include over 92 clubs. Sri Lanka and India together hosted 11 clubs in 2003, and now boast of over 500 clubs. It’s about “seeing beyond the organisation,” he says. “Toastmasters isn’t merely a public speaking organisation. It’s about the individual and personal development.” Perhaps that’s why it has so rapidly touched the lives of many, he says. “You improve your communication and leadership skills, and make many useful contacts. You learn how to deal with all sorts of situations…it’s a life changing thing.” From 2011 to 2013 he served on the Toastmasters Board of Directors.
Mr. Balraj’s appointment as Second Vice President was confirmed with 13410 votes (of 19511) at the 2014 Toastmasters International Convention in Kuala Lumpur in August. He was initially running against two other candidates from the US and Qatar. “It’s a very ethical, transparent process,” he says of the election. As Second Vice President of Toastmasters International, Mr. Balraj will oversee the development and modification of the policies and procedures that guide the organisation in fulfilling its mission.
He will serve on a Board of 19 members, and divide his time between Sri Lanka and the States, where he will reside one out of every three months. “My role will be to work towards strategic objectives,” he shares. “We’re hoping to shake the very foundations of the organisation to have truly world class programmes for our members.”
With a presence in 126 countries, and a membership of a staggering 350,000 Toastmasters is one of the fastest growing organisations in the world. In Sri Lanka and India alone, the growth has been tremendous. “Every four days we add a new club in India and Sri Lanka,” says Mr. Balraj. “Internationally, we’ve recorded a growth of 7.2%.” The organisation’s success may have something to do with its focus on personal development, he muses. “There are a lot of organisations out there that focus on giving back to the community, and of course that’s extremely important. With Toastmasters, however, the focus is on the member, and what the club can do for you in terms of developing your own skills, so you may move on to helping others.”
Under his guidance Toastmasters rapidly expanded their operations in Sri Lanka, establishing bases in Galle, Matara, Hambantota and beyond in addition to Colombo. “That’s one of our most important targets,” he says. “We’ve partnered with several organisations like the Rotary Club of Colombo and the US Embassy to take Toastmasters to rural areas in particular, to discover the innate talents of the children in those areas.”
The club members’ dedication to ensuring that their fellow countrymen have the same opportunities never ceases to delight him, he smiles. “If I want 20 people for a project, I’ll have 40.” It’s this same spirit that he believes defines a Toastmaster anywhere in the world, and it’s also what he looks forward to in his new position. “As long as you have talent, and intelligence and the heart to serve, you’ll have a place with us.”