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RECAP: AscenCon 2024

Thanks for checking out the recap of AscenCon 2024. This was our first official in-person Ascension leadership conference, hosted from August 8 to August 11, 2024. We felt it would only be appropriate to host our inaugural conference in Chicago, IL (the birth city of Rotary) and close to the current Rotary International Headquarters in Evanston, IL. Did you miss our first AscenCon? Don't worry, stay tuned for more details about our next conference opportunity.

Conference Schedule

Pre-Conference: Thursday, August 8th​

  • Evening downtown Chicago, Dinner at “Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago”
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Conference Day 1: Friday, August 9th

  • Rotary International Headquarters Tours (Evanston, IL)

  • Welcome Reception

  • General Session 1: Opening

    • Welcome Remarks: Elizabeth Roach, Executive Director of Ascension Rotaract Network

    • Conference Overview: Mark Ruedinger, Chair of AscenCon 2024

    • Keynote Speaker: Ed Futa, Dean of the Rotary International Global Representative Network & Past General Secretary of Rotary International​​

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Conference Day 2: Saturday, August 10th

  • General Session 2

    • ​Procession of Districts

    • Overview of Ascension Rotaract Network: Taylor Huie, Past Executive Director of Ascension Rotaract Network

    • Keynote Speaker: Mario Cesar Martins de Camargo, RI President 2025-26 

  • Breakout Session 1

    • Breakout 1A: Effective Mentorship Strategies, Transition from Rotaract to Rotary

      • Speaker: Marilyn Nevy Cruz, Rotary Club of Washington D.C.

    • Breakout 1B: Rotary’s Areas of Focus, Action Groups and Rotaract

      • Speaker: Karen Kendrick-Hands, Rotary Club of Madison WI

  • Breakout Session 2

    • Breakout 2A: Effective and Sustainable Project Planning

      • Speaker: Nishantkumar Patel, Rotaract Club of Boston MA

    • Breakout 2B: Rotary International Resources for Rotaract

      • Speaker: John Hannes, Club and District Support at Rotary International at RI

  • Lunch & General Session 3

    • The Status & Future of Rotaract Panel

      • Moderator: Caroline Lazaro, Rotary & Rotaract Clubs of Atlanta Metro GA

      • Panelists:

        • John Hannes, Global Initiatives Supervisor - Club and District Support at RI

        • Megan Madrid, Zone 34 Assistant Rotary Coordinator

        • Sam Mitzel, District Rotaract Representative for District 7610 

        • Mikhail Raymore, District Rotaract Representative-Elect for District 7020

  • Breakout Session 3

    • Breakout 3A: “The Magic of Rotary: Empowering Young Professionals Through Service and Networking”
      • Speaker: Amelia Stansell, Rotary Club of Warrenton VA
    • Breakout 3B: Ascension 101
      • ​Speakers:
        • Elizabeth Roach, Executive Director of Ascension Rotaract Network
        • Taylor Huie, Past Executive Director of Ascension Rotaract Network

  • SERVICE PROJECT - FOOD PACKING ​​

  • Dinner & General Session 4

    • Closing Ceremony

    • Elizabeth Roach, Executive Director of Ascension Rotaract Network

    • Mark Ruedinger, Chair of AscenCon 2024

    • DJ & Music

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Post-Conference: Sunday, August 11th

  • Paul & Jean Harris Home Tour + Lunch 

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