Patuxent Toastmasters Club

Patuxent Toastmasters Club 2024 President's Distinguished Toastmasters Club

Summary for the Patuxent Toastmasters Bonus Meeting – July 30Our fifth‑Thursday bonus meeting was offered as a Speechath...
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.

Patuxent Toastmasters Summer Cookout – July 12Patuxent Toastmasters gathered on July 12 for a wonderful summer cookout a...
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.

Patuxent Toastmasters meeting summary - July 9thThe July 9 meeting of Patuxent Toastmasters was exceptional. While the s...
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.

Our June 11 meeting featured an excellent mix of engaging activities. First, we held club officer nominations and electi...
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.

On May 28th, Patuxent Toastmasters gathered at our alternate meeting location in Stephens Forest. The smaller, more inti...
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.

On Thursday, May 14th, the Patuxent Toastmasters Club held another stellar meeting. Our Toastmaster of the Evening was M...
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.

What a wonderful meeting with three amazing icebreakers! We got to know our members a little bit better, and encourage e...
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!

Patuxent Toastmasters – April 9th Meeting RecapOn April 9th, Patuxent Toastmasters hosted an inspiring speakathon featur...
04/14/2026

Patuxent Toastmasters – April 9th Meeting Recap

On April 9th, Patuxent Toastmasters hosted an inspiring speakathon featuring seven outstanding speakers. The evening was expertly guided by Harriet Baayeh, who performed admirably as host and Toastmaster of the Evening, setting the tone for a dynamic and engaging event. Attendees were treated to a diverse range of powerful stories and thought-provoking insights:

Edgar Nzokwe shared a vivid dream sequence in which he envisioned his future self as a senior vice president of engineering. His talk explored both the promise and potential dangers of artificial intelligence.
Jie Wang reflected on her early family life in China, weaving together themes of learning English and making dumplings. She left the audience with a compelling message about being mindful of the things we avoid in life.
Matt Hemler spoke candidly about his journey to learn how to swim as an adult, highlighting perseverance and personal growth.
Greg Kamigawachi delivered a heartfelt tribute to his grandfather, whose unwavering encouragement inspired him to continuously reach for the stars.
Camrom Smith energized the room with a talk on superheroes, reminding us that each of us possesses unique “superpowers.” He shared how his own strength lies in bringing people together.
Anjali Saini presented a thoughtful and research-based perspective on the power of positive thinking, offering practical strategies to help others cultivate a more optimistic mindset.
It was an engaging and memorable event that showcased the talent, depth, and diversity of the Toastmasters community.

We are proud to celebrate an outstanding achievement within our Toastmasters community—Chad Welch has earned the prestig...
04/13/2026

We are proud to celebrate an outstanding achievement within our Toastmasters community—Chad Welch has earned the prestigious Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award!

This remarkable accomplishment represents the highest level of educational achievement in Toastmasters, reflecting Chad’s dedication, perseverance, and commitment to personal growth and leadership excellence. Through countless speeches, leadership roles, and mentorship of fellow members, Chad has exemplified the true spirit of Toastmasters.

Please join us in congratulating Chad Welch on this well-deserved honor. We are incredibly proud to have you as part of our community and look forward to your continued impact and leadership!

Congratulations, Chad!

Address

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

Opening Hours

7:30pm - 9pm

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