January 7, 2026

Happy New Year, Toastmasters!

This week’s meeting marked a thoughtful and energizing start to the new year, grounded in reflection, honesty, and renewed confidence. Our Toastmaster, Audrey, opened the meeting by introducing the evening’s theme, “New Year, Old Voice,” inviting members to embrace growth without abandoning authenticity. The atmosphere was welcoming and purposeful, setting the tone for a meaningful hybrid gathering.

The word of the day was:

Courage (noun) – the ability to do something that frightens one, while being aware of the risks involved.

One of the highlights of the meeting was the Leader Profile, presented by Dawn, who introduced us to Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code. Dawn shared Reshma’s journey from running for public office—despite multiple losses—to discovering a larger mission in addressing the gender gap in technology. What resonated most was how Reshma’s leadership philosophy evolved over time: shifting from encouraging women to be “fearless” to advocating for courage, balance, and sustainability. Her story reminded us that leadership grows through reflection and learning, not just ambition.

Our prepared speech was delivered by Jagan, titled “Where Is My Next Paycheck?” In this engaging and candid speech, Jagan shared his personal experience of navigating a sudden layoff while simultaneously performing in a major dance production. With humor and vulnerability, he walked us through the emotional challenges of uncertainty and the strategies he used to maintain morale—creating structure, enrolling in classes, pursuing joy, and deliberately avoiding negative influences. His message emphasized resilience, discipline, and finding purpose beyond financial stability, leaving the audience both entertained and inspired.

The meeting continued with a reflective Table Topics session led by Sarah, centered on New Year intentions. Members were paired up and invited to share what they wanted to do more of, less of, and what they hoped to begin in the coming year. Themes of mindfulness, self-care, confidence, consistency, and reducing stress emerged across the conversations, creating a supportive and introspective space for connection.

Thank you to our evaluators, Akila and GE Preetha!

This meeting was a powerful reminder that the start of a new year doesn’t require reinventing ourselves—sometimes it simply asks us to speak with courage using the voice we already have. We look forward to continuing this journey together in the meetings ahead.

See you at our next meeting!