Patuxent Toastmasters Club

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Patuxent Toastmasters Club

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2024 President's Distinguished Toastmasters Club

10/20/2026

October 8th Patuxent Toastmasters Meeting Summary

The October 8th meeting of Patuxent Toastmasters was hosted by Harriet Baayeh, who introduced a thought-provoking theme encouraging us to expand our consciousness and perception: “Different Makes a Difference.” Our Word of the Day was ephemeral, reminding us of the fleeting nature of certain moments and experiences.

Our first speaker of the evening was Chad Welch, who shared a baseball fantasy inspired by his walks along the trails of Columbia. While recognizing that his imagined vision was not reality, Chad expanded his message to explore a deeper point: what we do when no one is watching matters. His speech invited us to reflect on the importance of our private choices and actions, even when no one else is there to see them.

Our second speaker, Ellen Leider, spoke passionately about her upcoming Toastmasters journey. She recognized that knowing what to say and knowing how to say it are two very different skills. Ellen's goal is to discover and develop her own unique speaking style rather than adopt a cookie-cutter approach. Her message highlighted the value of authenticity and the importance of finding a voice that is genuinely our own.

Our final speaker, Matt Hemler, took us on an adventure from his college days abroad in New Zealand. His entertaining story recounted a harrowing night when he found himself locked out of his student housing and resorted to tiptoeing across rooftops in an attempt to reach his room. Matt's tale demonstrated how an unexpected predicament can become a memorable story when shared with an

10/05/2026

September 24 Meeting Recap

Patuxent Toastmasters gathered on September 24th for another of their trademark meetings including great attendance, high energy, spontaneous expression and engaging dialogue.

The meeting was hosted by Junichi Inaba who, as Toastmaster of the Evening presented the evening theme which was characteristic of Patuxent positive and inspirational nature.

The meeting featured four speakers, each offering a distinctly different perspective and style. Jim Bartlett opened the speaking portion by taking the audience on a cycling journey through yesteryear, sharing stories and reflections on the enduring spirit of travel. Larry Bratt followed with a compassionate and thought-provoking presentation that challenged us to look at homelessness with greater understanding and a more enlightened perspective. Dr. Harriet Baayeh then entertained the audience with her candid thoughts, reflections, and anxieties about the challenge of composing a speech at the last minute. Finally, Danielle Winston captivated us with an impassioned and deeply personal account of her life to date, bringing the evening's presentations to a memorable close.

Four speakers, four very different stories, and four unique perspectives. Yet each reminded us of the power of Toastmasters to give people a place to share their experiences, challenge themselves, and connect with others.

09/17/2026

Patuxent Toastmasters Meeting – September 10

The September 10th meeting was truly memorable. The meeting was led by Saurabh Aggarwal, who served as Toastmaster of the Evening for the first time and handled the role with confidence, grace, and poise. The club was also treated to four exceptional speakers, each with a distinctive message that demonstrated the deep bench of talent at Patuxent Toastmasters.

The first speaker was Hugh Thompson, who opened with a thought-provoking quote from Socrates: “The unexamined life is not worth living.” His speech invited us to reflect on our own lives as he shared his practice of daily reflection and his continuing pursuit of a meaningful existence.

The second speech, delivered by Jimmie Curtiss, challenged the audience to examine the truth about racism and confront the forces that continue to divide our society. He urged us to find ways to “kill the demon that infects and pollutes our society.”

Our third speaker was Cycy Clarke, who spoke about decision-making and consequences. Through her personal reflections, she examined the critical role that decisions have played in shaping her life.

The fourth speaker was Edgar Nzokwe, who intrigued us with a French-titled speech, “Ça sort comme ça sort.” He explored the barriers we often erect for ourselves and discussed ways to bypass the impediments that can stand between us and success.

What made this meeting particularly memorable was the variety and depth of the messages. We were encouraged to examine our lives, confront difficult truths, consider the consequences of our choices, and overcome the barriers that stand in our way.

08/03/2026

Summary for the Patuxent Toastmasters Bonus Meeting – July 30

Our fifth‑Thursday bonus meeting was offered as a Speechathon which gave members an additional opportunity to grow through speaking. The Speechathon is a meeting agenda devoted entirely to prepared speeches. The evening was led by Jimmie Curtis as Toastmaster.

Larry Bratt opened with his Icebreaker, “The Present,” reflecting on mindfulness, truth‑seeking, and the empathetic bridge Toastmasters builds between people.
Jie Wang followed with “It All Began with a Tube of Blood,” giving us a fascinating behind‑the‑scenes look at how blood samples are processed and analyzed.
Our third speaker, Drew Bonsu, delighted the audience with his top summer culinary picks—charcuterie, pasta salad, and a refreshing rosemary spritzer.
The fourth speaker offered a humorous yet thoughtful take on media exaggeration, describing today as “the peak period of gullibility,” while reminding us that misinformation is not unique to our era.
Closing the evening, Linda Thompson shared her inspiring public speaking journey, weaving personal stories with the challenges she has overcome.
This bonus session highlighted the strength and diversity of our club. Each speaker brought a unique perspective, reminding us why these additional meetings matter: they create space for growth, confidence, and connection. We look forward to continuing this momentum in the weeks ahead.

07/27/2026

Patuxent Toastmasters Summer Cookout – July 12

Patuxent Toastmasters gathered on July 12 for a wonderful summer cookout at the home of Jessica Dorsey. Members, family, and friends enjoyed an afternoon of great conversation, laughter, and an amazing assortment of food.

The menu reflected one of our club's greatest strengths—our diversity. From traditional American favorites to dishes inspired by cultures from around the world, the variety of flavors was as impressive as the people who brought them.

Events like this strengthen the friendships that make Patuxent Toastmasters more than just a place to practice public speaking. They celebrate the welcoming, inclusive spirit of our club and remind us that, just like a great potluck, we are stronger because each member brings something unique to the table.

A heartfelt thank you to Jessica Dorsey and her spouse.... the bar tending extraordinaire, for graciously opening their home and helping make the afternoon such an enjoyable success.

07/13/2026

Patuxent Toastmasters meeting summary - July 9th

The July 9 meeting of Patuxent Toastmasters was exceptional. While the summer months traditionally bring smaller audiences, our club was delighted to welcome 32 attendees, creating an energetic and enthusiastic atmosphere from the very beginning.

Our new Club President, Chuck Davis, opened the meeting with an inspiring presentation on the value of a Toastmasters membership. His remarks reminded us that Toastmasters is far more than a public speaking organization—it is a place where confidence grows, leaders are developed, and friendships are formed.

Chuck was followed by our Toastmaster of the Evening, Linda Thompson, who recognized Patuxent Toastmasters for recently earning the prestigious Smedley Distinguished Award. Her presentation celebrated the club's commitment to excellence and the dedication of every member who contributed to this achievement.

Linda then introduced our three speakers for the evening:

Saurabh Aggarwal presented A Sport for Life, sharing his passion for soccer and the many life lessons it has taught him. Through personal stories, he illustrated how teamwork, discipline, resilience, and goal setting on the soccer field translate into success in everyday life.

William Clark delivered Buzzer Be**er, a thoughtful speech centered on his love of basketball. While drawing parallels to the game, he encouraged us not to over-plan our lives, reminding us to leave room for spontaneity, mystery, and the unexpected opportunities that often become our most memorable experiences.

Breaking the evening's sports theme, Cycy Clark took us on an unforgettable journey to Cameroon with her speech about a surprise visit to family members. She opened her presentation with the vibrant rhythms of Cameroonian music, instantly filling the room with energy and transporting the audience to her homeland.

The July 9 meeting was an outstanding example of what makes Patuxent Toastmasters special: inspiring leadership, engaging speeches, enthusiastic participation, and a community that continues to grow stronger together.

06/16/2026

Our June 11 meeting featured an excellent mix of engaging activities. First, we held club officer nominations and elections, presided over by Chad Welch, our outgoing VP of Membership and Immediate Past President. The elections were filled with drama, anticipation, and excitement.

Our Toastmaster of the Evening, Anjali Saini, introduced the meeting theme: “New Beginnings.” At the close of the meeting, Anjali shared that she would be taking a brief hiatus from the club — her own way of embracing new beginnings.

We were also entertained and enlightened by three wonderful speakers:

Mary Klett spoke about her connection to and understanding of the nuclear industry, tracing its evolution from a much-maligned source of energy to a leading candidate in the future of renewable and sustainable energy.

Vaibhav Umale explored the theme “AI: Untangling the Spiderwebs of a Con Man.” In this intriguing speech, he introduced us to the concepts of artifact versus artifice, as well as LLMs (large language models).

Our third speaker, Junichi Inaba, discussed the pros and cons of GMO technology and its safe use in food production.

Overall, the June 11 meeting was a memorable evening filled with leadership, learning, and inspiration. From the excitement of club elections to thought-provoking speeches on energy, artificial intelligence, and food technology, members were encouraged to reflect on change, growth, and innovation.

06/02/2026

On May 28th, Patuxent Toastmasters gathered at our alternate meeting location in Stephens Forest. The smaller, more intimate setting created a warm atmosphere that perfectly complemented an evening filled with engaging conversation and inspiring presentations. We were treated to four outstanding speakers who delivered thoughtful, varied, and memorable speeches.

Our first speaker, Jie Wang, cleverly began with a simple complaint about an uncomfortable office chair and transformed it into a compelling story about personal growth and professional advancement. Her speech highlighted her pursuit of Project Management Professional certification as a way to strengthen her role within the research community.

Our second speaker, Sabarina Clark, delivered an insightful presentation on understanding leadership styles. Despite having little preparation time, she introduced the audience to the CliftonStrengths assessment tool and encouraged us to reflect on the unique strengths that shape our leadership abilities.

Our third speaker, Drew Bonsu, shared his experience redesigning the institutional graphics for the Farm Credit Council. He explained how that opportunity became the foundation for launching his own graphic arts business, demonstrating how creativity and initiative can open unexpected doors.

Our final speaker, Alexa Johnson, delivered her Icebreaker speech and guided us through her life story with a series of engaging and carefully prepared slides. Appropriately titled “Still Figuring Things Out,” her presentation captured the curiosity, self-discovery, and commitment to growth that embody the spirit of Toastmasters.

It was an enjoyable and inspiring evening that reminded us how every Toastmasters meeting offers an opportunity to learn, connect, and grow together.

05/17/2026

On Thursday, May 14th, the Patuxent Toastmasters Club held another stellar meeting. Our Toastmaster of the Evening was Matt Hemler (top left), and the meeting theme was “Community.” Matt spoke about the value of community in our lives and the importance of engagement and connection with others.

We were treated to four wonderful speeches:

Saurabh Aggarwal (top right) presented a speech titled “Fifteen Minutes of Unscripted Joy.” He shared the story of helping organize an alumni conclave and stepping in for a cancelled speaker at the last minute. Drawing on the skills he developed through Toastmasters, he successfully delivered an impromptu presentation.

Dianne Garrett delivered a speech titled “Connections.” She discussed the importance of social connections and how the COVID-19 pandemic strained many relationships. She also reflected on how retirees often face the challenge of rebuilding social networks after relocating.

Raphael Akuffo spoke about exercising empathy during difficult conversations. His speech emphasized the importance of being mindful of how our words affect others and approaching conversations with compassion and understanding.

Linda Thompson presented a project from the Better Speaker Series titled “Using Body Language.” Toastmasters International’s Better Speaker Series offers instruction on fundamental speaking skills and is designed to help members strengthen their communication abilities through practical techniques and presentations.

Overall, it was an engaging and inspiring evening filled with learning, encouragement, and community spirit.

05/01/2026

What a wonderful meeting with three amazing icebreakers! We got to know our members a little bit better, and encourage each other to keep growing. Our meetings are always filled with such positive energy and joy, it is contagious! If you missed this meeting, you will not want to miss the next one on May 14th. See you there!

Address

9770 Patuxent Woods Drive, Room #174
Columbia, MD
21046

Opening Hours

7:30pm - 9pm

Website

https://7412.toastmastersclubs.org/

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