Program

Day One: Impact Session
Friday, April 24, 2026
9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Rotary International & District Theme: Unite For Good — Do Good Stuff!
  • Welcome to Conference Mark Brandon
  • Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance Brandy Phillips-Brandon
  • National Anthem Maddy Brandon
  • Find Your Why Mark Brandon
  • Club Roll Call
  • Insta Inspiration Introduction Mark Brandon
  • Good Night Grants Mark Hensley, Mark Brandon
  • A Bed and A Book Anneliese Wall
  • Sweet Dreams Initiative Karen Pollard, Anant Venkataraman, Mark Hensley
  • Door Prizes Dale Badgett
  • Spin the Wheel of Destiny!
  • In Memoriam – Part I
Break 10 Minute Break
  • Sing-Along: “Goin’ To Rotary” King Rotary
  • Insta Inspiration
  • Operation Footprint Mark Kolada
  • Operation Wipe Out Isabel Scarinci
  • Door Prizes Dale Badgett
  • Spin the Wheel of Destiny
  • In Memoriam – Part II
  • Adjournment & Excursion Information
Day Two: Impact Session
Saturday, April 25, 2026
9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Theme: Unite For Good — Do Good Stuff!
  • Welcome Back Mark Brandon
  • Insta Inspiration Introduction Mark Brandon
  • 4-Way Test Speech Contest Ashley Cavanaugh
  • Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Brandy Phillips-Brandon - RYLA Executive Director,   Lynn Michael - RYLA Board Chairperson
  • Jamaican Water Catchment System Global Grant Wolde Kristos, Karen Pollard
  • Door Prizes Dale Badgett
  • Spin the Wheel of Destiny
  • In Memoriam – Part III
Break 10 Minute Break
  • Insta Inspiration
  • The Power of Rotary Connections Area 9 Clubs Video
  • Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust Fund Update
  • End Polio Now Update Mark Brandon
  • A Conversation with Zone Director & Rotary International Treasurer Patrick Eakes
  • Door Prizes Dale Badgett
  • Spin the Wheel of Destiny
  • In Memoriam – Part IV
  • Adjournment & Excursion Information
Closing Impact Session
Sunday, April 26, 2026
10:30 – 11:15 AM
Theme: Unite For Good — Do Good Stuff!
  • Welcome Back Mark Brandon
  • Insta Inspiration
  • Thanks to the Team Mark Brandon, Brandy Phillips-Brandon
  • Passing of the Conference Gavel Mark Hensley
  • Door Prizes Dale Badgett
  • Spin the Wheel of Destiny
  • Closing Song: “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” Everybody!
  • The 4-Way Test
  • Ring the Bell for Adjournment
Club Appreciation Night
Celebrating Service • Fellowship • Impact
  • Welcome Mark Brandon
  • Enjoy Your Meal!
  • District Governor-Elect Remarks Karen Pollard
  • District Conference 2027 Preview Mark Hensley
Club Awards
Presented by Tonda Phillips
Platinum Level
  • Western Forsyth
  • Surry Sunrise
  • Summit
  • Southern Pines
  • Southern Guilford
  • King
  • Kernersville
  • Global Trekkers
  • Downtown Greensboro
  • Crescent
  • Asheboro
Gold Level
  • Yadkin County
  • Thomasville
  • Sanford
  • Sandhills
  • Pittsboro
  • Mount Airy
  • Guilford
  • Greensboro
  • Clemmons
Silver Level
  • Troy
  • Reidsville
  • Randolph
  • Pinehurst
  • Mocksville
  • Graham
  • Alamance
Bronze Level
  • Yadkin Valley
  • Reynolda
  • High Point
  • Gate City
  • Carthage
  • Thank You for Your Hard Work
  • Adjournment

Speakers

Meet the individuals leading sessions and sharing insights throughout the conference.


Speaker
Patrick Eakes
Rotary International Director 2024-26

Patrick earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering at North Carolina State University. He has operated a high-end custom metal manufacturing business for the past 30 years. Patrick led his club’s drive to become Rotary’s first Triple Crown Club (100% Paul Harris Fellow, 100% Sustaining, 100% Benefactor simultaneously). While district Rotary Foundation Chair, District 7690 led the world in 100% Sustaining clubs for five years and became Rotary’s first 100% Paul Harris Fellow district.

Patrick served Zone 33 as an Innovative Club Advocate and Rotary Membership Coordinator, and he served Zones 33-34 as the Leadership Seminar Chair and chair of the Membership Action Plan. Patrick currently serves on the Rotary International Board of Directors as the Treasurer, and he is the aide to 2027-2028 Rotary International President Larry A. Lunsford.

Patrick is a Past President of the US-Canada Golfing Fellowship of Rotarians and has served on Rotary International’s Executive, Finance, Membership Development, Convention, and Global Networking Groups Committees. Patrick also served two terms as President of Sedgefield Country Club, home of the PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship.

Patrick is married to Kristen, and they have two children who are young adults and active in Rotary projects. Patrick enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, whitewater rafting, and wine collecting. He is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award and the Service Above Self Award.

Speaker
Isabel C. Scarinci, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Director, Division of Global and Rural Health

Dr. Isabel Scarinci is a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she also serves as the Founding Director in the Division for Global and Rural Health. As a behavioral scientist and public health expert, she has dedicated her career to the development, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-based programs in women’s health in the U.S. and low- and middle-income countries with a particular focus on cervical cancer prevention and control.

As a member of the Rotary Club of Birmingham, she has been engaged with the Rotary Club of Colombo toward the elimination of cervical cancer in Sri Lanka. She is one of the leaders of OPERATION WIPE OUT, an effort to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem in Alabama through a partnership between the Rotary Club of Birmingham, Alabama Department of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham and other organizations.

In 2021, she was chosen as one of the six champions of health worldwide by Rotary International for her work in cervical cancer.

Speaker
Wolde Kristos
Co-Founder of Bluefields People’s Community Association

Wolde Kristos is a lifelong community leader and advocate who has been serving the people of Bluefields, Jamaica since 1988. He co-founded the Bluefields People’s Community Association, helping educate over 5,000 individuals and establish critical early childhood programs.

He is the founder of the Bluefields Bay Fishermen’s Friendly Society, leading efforts in marine conservation, sustainable fishing, and the creation of a protected fishermen’s sanctuary. His work has also expanded into agriculture, education, and infrastructure, including the development of two primary schools and over 100 rainwater harvesting systems.

Wolde has led disaster relief efforts through multiple hurricanes and continues to champion resilience and sustainability. He is also the owner of Reliable Adventures Jamaica, promoting ecotourism and conservation.

Speaker
Anneliese Wall
CEO of A Bed and A Book
Anneliese Wall is the founder of A Bed and A Book, a nonprofit providing beds and books to children in need. Through community partnerships and volunteer efforts, her organization has served hundreds of families, ensuring children have both a place to sleep and a foundation to thrive. She brings a message of purpose driven leadership, faith, and the power of community to create lasting impact.