New beginnings for Silver Spring Toastmasters Club 1314

Mel thanking Club Officers (2011-2012) for the job well done

The meeting on Wednesday June 20, 2012 was a new beginning because:

1. New Club Officers were inducted, and

2. Two new CC’s were achieved by Drew Kolody and Renee Davis. 

Congratulations to Drew and Renee!!!

What a fantastic year it has been, thanks to Club Officers of the year 2011-2012. Lots of milestones were achieved including the most prestigious award: President's Distinguished Club.

Mel inducting the new Club Officers (2012-2013)

The new Officers of Silver Spring Toastmasters Club 1314 for the year 2012-13 Pauline Brown, President; Renee Davis, VP Education; Desiree Payne, VP Membership; Shirley Jarvis, VP Public Relations; Mel Bayo, Treasurer; Ellen Segal, Sergeant-at-Arms; and me Assegid Habtewold, Secretary installed by immediate Past Area 62 Governor, Mel Bayo. 

Una-Mae Kettering, immediate past Division F Governor, took the turn and inducted Mel. The ceremony was terrific and full of fun.

Una inducting Mel

Representing the previous leadership, Joan Phillips- the immediate past President of our Club beautified the event by awarding orange flowers to both past and newly inducted Club Officers. Joan’s color choice was purposeful. It was the Club’s color- orange which, according to Joan, is “a powerful color evocative of activity, fun, socialization, and more.”

Mel Bayo, the Toastmaster of the Evening, artfully led the event and made it colorful. Below are the three inspirational speeches from three great communicators:

1. “Give One Piece a Chance” by Drew Kolody
2. “I Have a Dream” by Renee Davis
3. “Be the Spark” by Myrln Kettering

Every new beginning starts with a “Dream”, says, the new President of our Club Pauline Brown. Both Renee and Merlyn made reference to Dr. Martin Luther King, who is synonymous with the word “Dream”. Drew also motivated us to listen NPR and some of us have already begun a new journey to listen Channel 88.5 FM.

What is more? We all profited from evaluations given by the Master Evaluator Myrln Kettering, and Evaluators of the three speeches enlisted above Fiona Morrissey, Desiree Payne, and Una-Mae Kettering.

We also received valuable feedbacks from our Timer Andy Jacobs and Grammarian/Wizard of Ahs Ignatius Cobb.

Many thanks to Mike Nolan and Una, we enjoyed your delicious refreshments during our social time. 


We were also so much happy to have three wonderful guests-Rebecca (from the neighborhood), Rebecca (from New Mexico), and Rich. We hope to see you again.

Thanks to Ignatius for the pics.


Keep your fingers crossed for another exciting and new Toastmasters year ahead...


Keep dreaming for another great new year: 2012-2013...

See you all on July 18, 2012.