"Good evening, fellow Toastmasters and honoured guests and a warm welcome to Riverside Communicators. My name is Sunil, and I will be your Sergeant At Arms (SAA) for today's meeting. So without further ado, please give a big round of applause to welcome our Club President".
I have been blessed to be the SAA for Riverside Communicators for three consecutive years. It has provided me with an opportunity to welcome the audience during the start of each meeting, lifting my spirits and generating a lot of excitement.
The mission of a toastmaster's club is to provide a mutually supportive environment for the members to develop their communication skills and leadership skills. The SAA has a significant role to play in this respect.
Before the commencement of the meeting, I arrive at the venue about half an hour early and prepare the room. This includes setting up any Audio Visual equipment speakers may wish to use. I also have an opportunity to welcome guests personally as they arrive and direct them to more information about the club.
A big part of my role is to call the meeting to order, which I do so in a loud, energetic voice. It's important to remind the audience of the meeting housekeeping rules. The phrase "For the toilets, exit the room from the door behind you, turn left and left again, walk along the long corridor" will still resonate in the back of my mind for some time to come!
After the meeting, it's my job to pack up all the materials and ensure the room is returned to its original configuration. Thankfully, club members are always willing to assist me!
The mission of a toastmaster's club is to provide a mutually supportive environment for the members to develop their communication skills and leadership skills. The SAA has a significant role to play in this respect.
By stepping up and taking on the responsibility of SAA of Riverside Communicators, I have become an integral part of each meeting, which I've thoroughly enjoyed.
I believe SAA is an advantageous position in the club to achieve the goals of the toastmaster's mission. You have a chance to get to know the members of your own club. That massively helps you to overcome your fear of public speaking barriers.
I have also worked with three club presidents who were a breath of fresh air. Ruth Ribeiro 2018-2019, Russell Searle 2019-2020 and Rakhi Jain 2020-2021.
Some of your responsibilities and how you respond to challenges make you so special.
After my first year, I was promoted by Russell Searle to Captain at Arms, and then finally under Rakhi Jain, to Colonel at Arms. I certainly felt special.
I'll leave you with this poem, which I found on allpoetry.com written by Turtlegirl44:
What makes me Special?
What makes me special?
What makes me unique?
Is it how I write poems?
Is it the way I speak?
What makes me amazing?
What makes me pure?
Is it how I love my family?
Is it the way I reassure?......
Written by Sunil Senevirthna