| CLUB OFFICERS |
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| Patricia Pines |
| President |
| Stephanie Steckel |
| Vice President Education |
| Gabriel Young |
| Vice President Membership |
| Karen Storey, DTM |
| Vice President of Public Relations |
| Jay Mathur |
| Secretary |
| Moriam Aime |
| Treasurer |
| Tracy T. |
| Sergeant at Arms |
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| Dear Fellow Toastmasters, |
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Our club continues to shine with strong, engaging meetings—both
in the evening and during the day. Each session reflects our
commitment to growth, excellence, and supporting one another.
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We are just two members away from achieving
Distinguished Club
status—a milestone well within reach.
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Thank you for your dedication, energy, and passion.
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Keep speaking,
Patricia Pines
Club President
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CONGRATULATIONS |
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| Kendrick Gaston |
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| for completing the |
| Innovative
Planning path. |
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"You cannot escape the
responsibility of tomorrow
by evading it today."
— Abraham Lincoln
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The price of greatness
is responsibility.
- Winston Churchill |
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I understand being a
responsible adult,,,but
everyday? Every single
day? That seems a little
excessive... |
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| NEWSLETTER EDITOR |
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| Karen Storey, DTM |
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| WEBMASTER |
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| Frank Storey, DTM |
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“Which Path Am I?”
Guess the Path
I help
members lead with confidence.
I include “Building a Social Media Presence.”
I’m great for those who want to persuade,
inspire, and influence others.
Which
Path am I?
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Pathways
Level Scramble Unscramble Me!
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Unscramble the
project names
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| In October of 2025,
Toastmasters International enhanced Pathways. |
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| Basically, they added
eighteen meeting roles. They also added |
| the requirements to present |
| a module from the
Better Speaker |
| Series, the
Leadership Excellence |
| Series and the
Successful Club Series. |
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| See my new Pathways website
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https://my-pathways.info/index.htm |
orview my new
upcoming
Pathways Pointers. |
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SPEAK FOR
YOURSELF
As printed in the
Rotarian
I enjoyed reading about President Francesco Arezzo
in the September issue [“Out of the gate”]. Arezzo
discussed his reluctance to become his club’s
president and later district governor due to his
stutter and concern about “making a fool of
himself.” He said he owes [the fact that he overcame
his fears] to “all the Rotarians I have met in my
life.”
As a fellow orthodontist who once shared his fear of
public speaking, I appreciated his sentiments. In
2019 I learned about Rotary’s alliance with
Toastmasters, which was formed to bring more
personal growth opportunities to its members. I am a
30-year Rotarian and joined Toastmasters in 2023 to
finally work on my fear of public speaking.
For those of us in Rotary who want to address this
common human fear and do not expect to be RI
president, I strongly recommend you visit a
Toastmasters club. Then, the next time you are asked
to give an update or introduce a club speaker or
give a wedding toast, you’ll be better prepared and
happy to do so. Toastmasters works.
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Dr. Stephanie Steckel
Smyrna, Delaware
As printed in the
Rotarian
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| CONGRATULATIONS |
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Congratulations to Jay Mathur for
completing Level 1 and Level 2 of
Presentation Mastery
path.
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In addition, Jay was moved from the
Cybersecurity Pathways Analyst to
Systems Administrator role at his
job.
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| CONGRATULATIONS |
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Surani
Pieris has completed all the
requirements for a graduate degree!
She is going to Sri Lanka for the
commencement in January 2026.
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Planning: Turning Ideas Into Achievable Outcomes
The power to fulfil our dreams is within us. We alone have the
responsibility to shape our lives. When we understand this, we know
that nothing can deny us greatness.
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Responsibility refers to being accountable for something—having
a duty to manage or take care of a task or obligation.
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In everyday life, responsibility appears as deadlines, caring
for family, or managing financial commitments.
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Personal responsibility involves acknowledging standards and
striving to meet them—not because they are required, but because
we value constructive community behavior.
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A key part of responsibility is recognizing one's shortcomings
instead of blaming external conditions.
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Ultimately, responsibility is both a social expectation and a
personal commitment.
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You are not only responsible
for what you say,
but also
for what you do not say.
Martin Luther King
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10 Ways to Become More Mature and Responsible
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1. Set Goals
If you don’t know what you’re aiming for, how can you get there? Mature, responsible people set clear goals. Defining your targets helps you focus your energy on the actions that move you toward success.
2. Practice Self-Control
Learning to manage your actions and emotions is a key sign of maturity. When emotions drive behavior, situations can escalate quickly. Developing self-awareness and emotional control is challenging—but transformative.
3. Stay Persistent
Maturity is a marathon, not a sprint. Growth requires commitment and persistence. Embracing personal development gives you the motivation to keep moving toward your goals.
4. Respect Other People’s Opinions
Everyone sees the world differently. Respecting the viewpoints of others—without judgment—shows open-mindedness and maturity. Even when you disagree, listening respectfully reflects strength and understanding.
5. Build Self-Confidence
A strong sense of self fuels success. Believe in your abilities and value who you are. One of the best ways to build confidence is to stretch beyond your comfort zone.
6. Take Ownership
Rather than placing blame, mature people recognize their role in outcomes—good or bad. Viewing mistakes as opportunities to learn helps build resilience and wisdom.
7. Listen More
Many people treat conversations like competitions. Mature individuals listen to understand, not to win. Listening deepens insight and strengthens relationships.
8. Avoid Negativity
Negativity drains focus and stunts growth. Mature people lean toward positivity, using it to navigate challenges and overcome obstacles.
9. Make Sacrifices
Responsibility often means delaying gratification without resentment. Mature individuals willingly make sacrifices—whether for others or for long-term goals.
10. Give Back
Giving back your time, knowledge, or effort is a profound sign of maturity. It shows you’re secure enough to shift focus from yourself toward improving the lives of others.
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Excerpted from Modern
Therapy
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"The moment you accept responsibility
for everything in your
life
is the moment you gain the power
to change everything.
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— Hal Elrod
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Roxanne Lieberman
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I often
credit Toastmasters International
with launching my teaching career.
Years ago, a letter of
recommendation from TI helped me
secure my first position at the
University of Maryland Global
Campus, where I’ve now taught for 29
years. Toastmasters also played a
significant role in my academic
journey, giving me the confidence
and communication skills I needed to
pursue advanced degrees—including my
Doctorate in Cybersecurity.
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Next year, I’ll be
taking another exciting step as I transition
to teaching at the graduate level. It’s
remarkable to look back and realize that
this entire path began with one
recommendation from Toastmasters.
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Just as
importantly, Toastmasters has continued to
be an incredible source of networking—both
professionally and personally. Few
organizations offer the same range of
connections, insights, and opportunities. To
gain what Toastmasters provides, you’d have
to join several different groups, and even
then, it wouldn’t be quite the same.
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Toastmasters truly
opens doors—sometimes in ways you don’t
expect.
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Northrop
Grumman Toastmasters Club Holiday Party
Shines with Laughter, Memories, and a New
Tradition
The Northrop
Grumman Toastmasters Club celebrated the
season in festive style as members gathered
for a holiday party that was every bit as
joyful as it was memorable. Thanks to the
warm and engaging leadership of our holiday
host, Tracy T., the event was a tremendous
success.
We kicked off the
celebration with a special round of
Holiday-Themed Table Topics, inviting
members to share their favorite holiday
memories. From childhood traditions to
unforgettable family moments, the stories
sparked nostalgia, laughter, and a more
profound sense of connection among everyone
present.
Next came a lively
session of charades, which quickly became
one of the highlights of the night—mainly
because of how hilariously bad we all were
at it. Whether it was someone dramatically
struggling to mime a saint or another person
interpreting “Die Hard” in a way no one
could have guessed, the room was filled with
nonstop laughter.
The fun continued
with a spirited game of Jeopardy, where
teammates put their holiday trivia skills to
the test. The final question of the evening
asked:
“What was the
highest-grossing Christmas movie?” After
some suspense and friendly debate, the
correct answer was revealed: How the Grinch
Stole Christmas (2018). Correctly answered
by our President, Patricia Pines.
By the end of the
night, one thing was clear: a new tradition
had been born. The mix of storytelling,
games, and laughter brought out the best of
Toastmasters camaraderie, making this
holiday celebration one we will remember for
years to come.
Here’s to more
traditions, more laughter, and another
fantastic year ahead for the Northrop
Grumman Toastmasters Club!
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