The final day of the Regional Toastmasters Conference of District 82- Ovation 2009, the more exciting part of the three-day event unfolds today at the Mount Lavinia Hotel.
Two speech contests will be held this morning, at which participants from Sri Lanka and India (District 82 encapsulates both countries), will vie for honours. A total of nine participants including non-Toastmasters, will take part.
First up is the International Speech Contest at which the participants will present a prepared speech. The panel of 21 judges will select a winner who gets the chance to represent District 82 at the International Convention in Connecticut USA this August.
The second competition will see the participants present impromptu speeches.
Toastmasters started in 1924 at the YMCA in Santa Ana, California. Since its inception more than two million men and women have benefited immensely from its leadership and communication programmes.
Presently there are 120 clubs in India with a membership of about 5000, and some 32 clubs with a membership of about 1200 in Sri Lanka with Toastmaster clubs being established in banks, insurance companies, universities and in state and private sector organisations.
Governor of District 82, the first Governor from Sri Lanka and old boy of Trinity College Kandy, Arunasalam Balraj plans to have a Toastmasters club in every city in the island. He added that since the Toastmasters is intended for those who are 18 and above, Gavel clubs have been established for children between 12 to 18 years.
Tickets for today's competition have been sold out, but entrance can be gained by contacting Mr. Balraj on 2394517. |
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