District Conference - Rotarians Uniting for Good
May 01, 2026 10:00 a.m. - May 02, 2026 9:00 p.m.
- Inspiring Speakers:
- Stephanie Urchick: Past RI President, will share a perspective of the "Benefits of Rotary - Personally / Locally / Globally" on Friday night. Saturday night she will share her experiences from "Traveling the World Representing Rotary" and the "Unique Experiences and Rewarding Projects and Programs."
- Tom Gump: RI Director-Elect, Friday, he will share a message on "Membership - Engaging / Retaining / Attracting Rotary Members." Saturday noon, He will share his message as our RI Director-Elect concerning "Future Outlook of Rotary."
- Dr. David Moser, will speak on "Mental Wellness." He will focus on "Family Mental Wellness."
- Tom Martin: Quad City Times Editor - Publisher will speak about "Changes in the Newspaper Industry and the Responsibilities to Present Unbiased Information to Create Individual Awareness." The changes in the newspaper industry correlate with changes Rotary is experiencing.
- Patrick Harrison: ZONE 29 Public Image Coordinator Zones 25b & 29. He will have a General Session on "How Your Club Can Effectively Use Public Image With Your Club and In Your Community." He will also have 2 Special Sessions for specific discussions and questions.
- Mason’s Light House: Hear about a new initiative to build a hospice home dedicated to serving Iowa’s sickest kids - an important effort we can all support.
- Flight Around the Atlantic - PolioPlus – Join us for the evening as we hear from John Ockenfels and Peter Teahen about the Flight Around the Atlantic for Polio Plus.
- Lots of Prizes: Lots of ways to win different prizes throughout the 2 days of the Conference.
- Kentucky Derby: Kentucky Derby, with bidding and prizes for best dressed Female, Male, and Couple.
Conference Schedule
Friday – May 1
Morning
10:00 – 11:20 AM
Opening Ceremony
Rotary Minutes
11:20 – 11:50 AM
Break / House of Friendship
11:50 AM – 1:30 PM
Lunch & General Session
-
Flag Ceremony
-
RPIC Patrick Harrison and Heidi Drager– Your Rotary Club Experience, Telling Our Story and the Secret Sauce
Afternoon
1:30 – 1:45 PM
Break / House of Friendship
1:45 – 2:35 PM
Breakouts – Round 1
-
Public Image Q & A - RPIC Patrick Harrison & D6000 PI Team
-
Youth Exchange, RYLA & Interact - District 6000 Youth Services Team
-
Community Service Projects & Global Grants – Glen Rippke
2:35 – 2:50 PM
Break / House of Friendship
2:50 – 3:40 PM
Breakouts – Round 2
-
Public Image Q & A - RPIC Patrick Harrison & D6000 PI Team
-
Youth Exchange, RYLA & Interact - District 6000 Youth Services Team
-
Community Service Projects & Global Grants – Glen Rippke
3:40 – 4:00 PM
Break / House of Friendship
4:00 – 5:00 PM
General Session
-
Peter Teahen & PDG John Ockenfels – Flight Around the World and Flight Around the Atlantic
-
Polio Free World Service Award
-
Heads or Tails ($1 per player)
Evening
5:00 – 6:30 PM
Reception & House of Friendship
6:30 – 9:00 PM
Dinner
-
Welcome Comments
-
Moment of Reflection
-
In Memoriam
-
Guardian of Integrity Awards
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Rotary Director Elect Tom Gump – Membership Attraction, Engagement and Retention
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PRIP Stephanie Urchick – Benefits of Rotary: Personally, Professionally, Locally & Internationally
Saturday - May 2
Morning
8:00 – 9:00 AM
Breakfast Buffet
9:00 – 9:15 AM
General Session
-
Opening Comments
-
Moment of Reflection
-
Tom Martin – Changes in the Industry: Providing Unbiased Information for Individual Perspectives
9:45 – 10:00 AM
Break / House of Friendship
10:00 – 10:45 AM
General Session
-
Dr. Dave Moser – Family Mental Wellness
10:45 – 11:00 AM
Break / House of Friendship
11:00 – 11:50 AM
Breakouts – Round 1
-
Mental Wellness – Jessica Raun
-
Membership – Tom Gump & D6000 Membership Team
11:50 AM – 12:00 PM
Break / House of Friendship
Midday
12:00 – 1:15 PM
Lunch & General Session
-
Tom Gump – The Future Outlook of Rotary
1:15 – 1:30 PM
Break / House of Friendship
1:30 – 2:20 PM
Breakouts – Round 2
-
Mental Wellness – Jessica Raun
-
Membership – Tom Gump & D6000 Membership Team
2:20 – 2:40 PM
Break
Afternoon
2:40 – 3:20 PM
General Session
-
Panel Discussion – PDG Mike Ruby with Assistant Governors & Club Presidents
3:20 – 3:35 PM
Break
3:35 – 4:30 PM
General Session
-
2027 District Conference – Bill Bruce & Allyson Walter
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Mason’s Lighthouse Project – Shanna & Curtis Sieck
Evening
4:30 – 6:30 PM
Kentucky Derby Watch Party 🎩
6:30 – 8:45 PM
Dinner
-
Moment of Reflection
-
Quilt Auction – Deb Ockenfels
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Tie Auction – Loring Miller (signed by RI Presidents)
-
Awards
-
Stephanie Urchick – My Experiences Traveling the World for Rotary International
- Closing Ceremony