NSA Chapter Leader Spotlight: Joanne Summer, Monmouth County Chapter
For more than six years, Joanne Summer has been leading the NSA Monmouth County Chapter, creating a space where people who stutter can share their experiences and support one another. With thoughtful leadership and a deep commitment to giving back, Joanne has helped build a warm and welcoming community for members in her area.
Meet the Monmouth County Chapter
The Monmouth County Chapter typically meets online in a hybrid format, with occasional in-person gatherings at Bell Works or local restaurants. Meetings usually bring together 4-10 participants.
Each meeting begins with welcoming remarks and introductions, depending on who is attending. From there, the group moves into open discussion, which often becomes the heart of the meeting.
Although Joanne often prepares a game for the group, members are usually so engaged in conversation that the discussion carries through most of the meeting. The session concludes with closing reflections before everyone signs off.
What inspired Joanne to become a Chapter Leader?
Joanne’s journey into leadership began after attending an NSA Annual Conference in Chicago.
As a speech-language pathologist who does not stutter, she initially attended with some uncertainty about how welcome she might feel.
Instead, she had the opposite experience.
“I wound up having such a great time and learning so much,” Joanne shared. “After that conference, I decided I wanted to open a chapter in Monmouth County.”
Joanne recalls that her first meeting was quite small.
Despite her husband's enthusiastic marketing efforts, who worked in public relations at the time, only four people attended, including Joanne herself. But one detail stands out: one of those original attendees is still a member today.
The most rewarding part of leading the Monmouth County Chapter
For Joanne, the most meaningful part of being a Chapter Leader is knowing she is making a difference.
“I feel so good that I am able to make a small difference in the lives of people who stutter by providing this safe space for them to connect and talk,” she said.
Over time, she has also seen friendships grow within the group, something she finds especially rewarding.
Some of the most powerful moments Joanne has witnessed happen when members share vulnerabilities, such as anxiety about an upcoming job interview or presentation. During those moments, other members who stutter often step forward with encouragement and understanding.
Joanne also appreciates when members remember and follow up on something someone previously shared. It shows that people are truly listening and care about one another’s experiences.
How leadership has impacted Joanne
Leading this NSA Chapter has brought deeper meaning to Joanne’s life. She believes strongly in the idea that when someone has received many gifts in life, it’s important to give back.
Now that she has retired from working professionally with people who stutter, leading the chapter allows her to continue supporting the community in a meaningful way.
She has also built friendships through the group, something she treasures.
Joanne’s advice for anyone thinking about starting a chapter is simple and honest: “Be patient. Building an NSA Chapter takes time.”
In the early days, there were meetings when only one or two people logged on. Over time, attendance grew, and now the group regularly welcomes between four and seven members, sometimes as many as ten.
Welcoming new NSA Chapter members
Joanne makes a point of helping first-time attendees feel comfortable.
She welcomes them personally, invites everyone to introduce themselves, and shares a bit about how and why the chapter was started. She also gently includes newcomers in the discussion, while respecting that some people prefer to observe during their first meeting.
Learning through leadership
When Joanne first started the NSA Chapter, she expected to lead it alongside a Co-Chapter Leader. When that plan fell through, she decided to run the group on her own, even though she had never led a group before.
The experience taught her something important: She discovered that she can successfully moderate discussions and guide meaningful conversations, a skill she continues to use today.
Joanne says her inspiration comes from two places: her belief in giving back and the incredible people she has met through the NSA. Meeting individuals who stutter and hearing their stories has reinforced her commitment to the community.
Looking ahead
In the coming year, Joanne hopes to help more people discover the Monmouth County Chapter and the benefits of stuttering support groups.
She also plans to host a holiday gathering at her home and possibly a spring barbecue, so members can connect socially outside regular meetings.
Life outside the NSA
When she’s not leading meetings, Joanne enjoys reading, music, and art, and is currently learning watercolor painting while continuing to practice figure drawing. She’s also a fan of word games, especially Scrabble, and enjoys puzzles on the New York Times app such as Spelling Bee, Wordle, and the crossword.
Although she doesn’t consider herself particularly athletic, Joanne lifts weights at the gym, walks her dog for at least an hour every day, and can even navigate a stand-up paddleboard.
Three words to describe the Monmouth County Chapter
Warm
Welcoming
Interesting