The Rotary Club of Downtown Silver Spring

10/10/2026

More Than Morning Coffee: Building Community in Downtown Silver Spring

Strong communities are built through relationships, shared experiences, and places where people feel they belong.

At a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Downtown Silver Spring, we had the pleasure of welcoming Jennifer Meltzer, Managing Partner of All Set Restaurant & Bar, to share her journey as a local business leader.

Jennifer reflected on the challenges of navigating the pandemic, supporting her employees, and sustaining a restaurant that has become so much more than a place to enjoy a great meal. All Set is a gathering place where friendships grow, connections are made, and community thrives.

Her story was a powerful reminder that supporting local businesses means investing in the strength and vitality of our community.

🍽️ Support Local! Next time you’re looking for a delicious meal or a welcoming place to gather, visit All Set Restaurant & Bar in downtown Silver Spring. And be sure to tell Jennifer her friends at Rotary sent you!

💙 There’s a Seat for You at Our Table!
Every Friday morning (except holidays), our Rotary members come together over coffee, conversation, and a shared commitment to making a difference.

Whether you’re a local business leader, community advocate, or simply someone who wants to give back, we invite you to join us!

☕ Come for the coffee.
🤝 Stay for the fellowship.
🌎 Discover the impact we can make together.

Because at Rotary, we’re not just building connections. We’re building a stronger community.

Service Above Self.

10/09/2026

10/05/2026

✨ MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Scott Sleek
Scott Sleek recently retired after 40 years in communications, but don’t let the word “retired” fool you. He’s still freelancing and showing up for his community through Rotary.

Originally from Ohio, Scott moved to Silver Spring in the 1980s for a reporting job and has called it home ever since. He joined DTSS Rotary because he wanted to be more than a resident—he wanted to be a contributor. And he’s done exactly that, especially through the club’s holiday gift and food deliveries with Rainbow and Community Bridges.

His favorite Rotary moment? Seeing the glee on children’s faces when delivering holiday gifts to adopted families. “Priceless,” he says.

When he’s not volunteering, Scott loves to travel, play pickleball, and work out.

We’re so proud to have Scott in our club! 🙌

More Fun Facts:
* Favorite lunch spot: Parkway Deli
* Currently reading: Reading The Coming Wave: AI, Power, and our Future by Mustafa Suleyman and Fever Beach by Carl Hiaasen
* Listening to: a lot of Tedeschi Trucks Band
* Hobbies: nature photography, standup comedy

10/02/2026

🎉 Please help us welcome the Rotary Club of Downtown Silver Spring's officers for 2026–27:

* President — Theresa Testoni
* Secretary — Lindsey Flick Sullivan
* Treasurer — Mei Powers
* Public Image Chair — Shannon Babe-Thomas

We're so grateful to this team for stepping up to guide our club this year. Here's to another year of service, fellowship, and making a difference in Downtown Silver Spring! 👏

08/25/2026

06/26/2026

Inspiring meeting with Pastor William Spence from Breadcoin.
Bread coin is a local nonprofit that brings community members together at local restaurants.

06/17/2026

Open your home to an international student, and build a lasting inter-cultural relationship with your family.
The Rotary Club of Silver Spring is hosting an exchange student this coming school year, and we are in need of one additional host family (3 month term). Host should live in the Blair / Einstein high school zone. Message us below if you are interested !

Students learn a new language, discover another culture, and truly become global citizens. Exchanges for students ages 15-19 are sponsored by Rotary clubs in more than 100 countries.

05/25/2026

✨ MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Adriane Griffen

Fun fact: Adriane K. Griffen got her start in public health through a Girl Scout Gold Award project — and her start in fundraising through selling cookies! Today, she’s Vice President of Programs at the American Nurses Foundation, where she leads initiatives supporting nurses across the country through the Reimagining Nursing Initiative.

Originally from outside Philadelphia, Adriane came to DC for college at George Washington University and never left. She joined DTSS Rotary in 2019 after seeing a flyer for Storytown — and it quickly became her favorite project. She also loves volunteering at the Thanksgiving Parade and wants to see the club adopt more stretches of Georgia Avenue for cleanups.

For Adriane, the Rotary value that hits home is leadership. “We can all be leaders wherever we may be,” she says. And she lives it — from her work advancing health equity nationally to teaching fourth grade religious education at St. John the Evangelist right here in Silver Spring.

When she’s not volunteering or leading, you’ll find Adriane gardening, hiking, or doing yoga.

We’re so proud to have Adriane in our club!

More Fun Facts:
• Favorite lunch spot: Mandalay
• Currently reading: Some of Us are Looking by Carlene O’Connor
• Hidden talent: Crafting Christmas ornaments from upcycled materials

05/15/2026

✨ MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Michele Joseph

Fun fact: before becoming a nonprofit CEO, Michele Joseph was a professional runway model with Wilhelmina Modeling Agency for 10 years! Today, she leads two organizations—SGAP Leaders, which empowers underrepresented teens through STEM, sustainability, and social impact, and Next Generation, Inc., which provides workforce readiness training in the energy and construction sectors.

Born in DC and raised between Trinidad and Tobago, Silver Spring, and NE Washington, Michele returned to the Silver Spring area in 2016. She joined DTSS Rotary after fellow member Cyndie Shadow invited her to a meeting—and she felt right at home. She jumped onto the Green Team and has been making an impact ever since: planting a pollinator garden at Loiderman Middle School, traveling to India on a humanitarian mission with fellow Rotarians to administer polio vaccines, and raising awareness about period poverty in rural Indian schools.

After a recent health challenge, Michele says she’s more committed to service than ever. “We have to be grateful for so much,” she shared. Outside of Rotary, you’ll find her enjoying slam poetry, dancing, acrylic painting—or doing something that makes her feel airborne (yes, she’s gone skydiving!).
We’re so proud to have Michele in our club! 🌱
Student Global Ambassador Program