RUZAIK FAROOK
COLOMBO Toastmasters International District 82, Division A conducted its first-round Club
Officer Training Programme (COTP-1) on Saturday July 11 at the Bank of Ceylon Head
Office Auditorium, Colombo.
The programme brought together nearly 150 Toastmasters, including more than 110
club officers representing 20 clubs from Colombo, Galle, and Matara. The objective
was to equip newly elected officers with the knowledge, skills, and inspiration
needed to lead their clubs effectively during the 2026/2027 term.
Division Director Toastmaster Menaka Perera introduced the division’s three-pillar
approach: Empower, Value, and Celebrate. He encouraged leaders to serve
through a “Value Hat” mindset driven by Heart, Action, and Teamwork (HAT), while
fostering a culture that recognizes and celebrates achievements beyond club
boundaries.
The event was graced by District 82 leaders, including District Director –
Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) Bhathiya Hettiarachchi, Programme Quality
Director – DTM Piyakara Jayaratne and Club Growth Director – DTM Hingston Lovell,
along with other District and Division Council leaders.
Addressing the gathering, DTM Bhathiya Hettiarachchi highlighted the District 82
theme, “Empowering Voices, Enriching Lives,” encouraging club leaders to create
opportunities for members to discover their voice, build confidence, and grow with
purpose.
A key highlight of the programme was the installation of the Division A Area
Directors for the 2026/2027 term, officiated by Past District Director DTM Srianthie
Salgado.
The training featured a combination of general sessions and role-specific workshops
covering all key club officer portfolios, delivered by a panel of nine experienced
trainers. Project Chair & Assistant Division Director – Program Quality, DTM Viruli de
Silva emphasized that every trained Club Officer becomes a catalyst for growth
within their club. By investing in training today we are investing in stronger clubs,
empowered members, and confident communicators tomorrow.
