Caption Gavelliers of The Colombo Toastmasters Gavel Club

Celebrating 25 years of public speaking leadership in Sri Lanka, The Colombo Toastmasters Club announced the award of charter to The Colombo Toastmasters Gavel Club by Toastmasters International, Inc., USA. The Colombo Toastmasters Gavel Club was extended by The Colombo Toastmasters Club to create opportunities for teenagers and young adults to gain the benefits of public speaking and leadership skills which are taught at the Gavel Club meetings.

The Colombo Toastmasters Gavel Club consists of young people from diverse backgrounds and different ethnicities, representing different educational establishments. The Club meets every first and third Tuesday of the month to develop its members' communication and leadership skills. Those interested in joining the Gavel Club can call Chanil on 077-315-8595, Janith on 077-652-4164, or email at ColomboTMGavelClub@gmail.com.

Commenting on the charter award, Colombo Toastmasters Gavel Club President Chanil De Silva, explained, "Effective oral communication is essential for success in life. Some are natural communicators and find it easier to acquire these skills than others. But it is a skill in which everyone can improve. As our power to communicate improves our self-confidence grows and our relationships with others improve and deepen. All that it takes is patience, preparation, an open mind to receive constructive feedback, the ability to learn from others and one's own mistakes, the courage to try, a lot of practice, a sense of humour, and perseverance. And for those who find oral communication easy there is always room for improvement".

The President of The Colombo Toastmasters Club, Yukthi Gunasekera, observed, "The Gavel Club paves the way for a generation of new leaders not only with the ability to express themselves clearly, sincerely, and convincingly, but the Gavelliers' experience also gives our future leaders the power to communicate with others effectively, develop their thinking faculties, be open to new ideas, listen actively to others, acquire a vast store of general knowledge, develop an interest in current affairs, further enhance their vocabulary, inspire an active imagination, connect with any audience, and build self confidence and poise. In short, the Gavel Club provides the 'ingredients of success' to our future leaders. We are delighted to receive the charter in our silver jubilee year. The founding of the Gavel Club also fits in perfectly with our theme for this year: 'The Colombo Toastmasters Club - creating people of value for our nation's progress'".