Conference 2025 Schedule
Click here to download our full Conference of Champions Playbook so you can print the schedule and info you need.
Friday, April 4, 2025
12-3pm: Lunch on your own & Capitol Tours
3-5pm: Conference Registration Opens
Floor B of Hilton Downtown Albany
Floor B of Hilton Downtown Albany
5-6pm: Tailgating (Happy Hour)
East Gallery
East Gallery
6pm: Welcome & Dinner
Governor A/B (Main Ballroom)
Governor A/B (Main Ballroom)
7pm: Parade of Presidents
7:30pm: Announcements to prepare you for the weekend & Door Prizes
Including speakers from The Mooncatcher Project and CNY Rotary Gift of Life
Including speakers from The Mooncatcher Project and CNY Rotary Gift of Life
8pm: CNY Rotary Cabaret
Saturday, April 5, 2025
7am: 3K Walk/Run led by PDG Evan Kurtz
Meeting in hotel lobby
Meeting in hotel lobby
8-9am: Breakfast
Governor A/B (Main Ballroom)
Governor A/B (Main Ballroom)
9am: Welcome from Albany Mayor & Parade of Flags
9:30am: 15-minute break
9:45am: Breakout Session I
Gov D: Artificial Intelligence for Rotary – Speaker Ken Schmidt
Gov E: Alzheimer’s Advocacy – Speaker Erica Salamida
Empire: Harriet Tubman History – Speakers Bill Conole and Michele Jones Galvin
State: Peace Poles 101 – Speaker Ingrid Neitsch
Charter Restaurant: Mooncatcher Service Project
Anteroom: How to Build a Micro-Forest – Speaker Chuck Tomaselli
Gov D: Artificial Intelligence for Rotary – Speaker Ken Schmidt
Gov E: Alzheimer’s Advocacy – Speaker Erica Salamida
Empire: Harriet Tubman History – Speakers Bill Conole and Michele Jones Galvin
State: Peace Poles 101 – Speaker Ingrid Neitsch
Charter Restaurant: Mooncatcher Service Project
Anteroom: How to Build a Micro-Forest – Speaker Chuck Tomaselli
10:30am: 10-minute break
10:40am: Breakout Session II
Gov D: Artificial Intelligence for Rotary – Speaker Ken Schmidt
Gov E: Paralympic Experience – Speaker Bob Balk
Empire: DEI Storytelling – Speaker Pam Baxter
State: Grants Inspiration – Speaker Dave Hennel
Charter Restaurant: Mooncatcher Service Project
Anteroom: Supporting Habitat for Humanity – Speaker Evan Kurtz
Gov D: Artificial Intelligence for Rotary – Speaker Ken Schmidt
Gov E: Paralympic Experience – Speaker Bob Balk
Empire: DEI Storytelling – Speaker Pam Baxter
State: Grants Inspiration – Speaker Dave Hennel
Charter Restaurant: Mooncatcher Service Project
Anteroom: Supporting Habitat for Humanity – Speaker Evan Kurtz
11:25am: 5-minute break
Return to Governor A/B (Main Ballroom) and take your assigned seats
Return to Governor A/B (Main Ballroom) and take your assigned seats
11:30am: Membership Panel Discussion
Governor A/B (Main Ballroom)
Governor A/B (Main Ballroom)
12:15pm: Lunch
Governor A/B (Main Ballroom)
Governor A/B (Main Ballroom)
1pm: Speaker Dr. Anshu Chandra – Vision in Haiti
Governor A/B (Main Ballroom)
Governor A/B (Main Ballroom)
1:15pm: Speaker Avi Rosentalis – Narcan Box Service Project
Governor A/B (Main Ballroom)
Governor A/B (Main Ballroom)
2pm: 15-minute break
2:15pm: Breakout Session III
Gov D: CNY Rotary Book Club Discussion led by Glenn Ivers and Ann Allen
Gov E: Mandala Painting led by Pam Baxter
Empire: Finding Meaningful Causes – details to come
State: Global Grants Panel Discussion – Speakers Lana Rouff, Gordie Howard and Peter Brown
Charter Restaurant: Mooncatcher Service Project
Anteroom: Sports Fans Unite led by Cindy Rosenthal
Gov D: CNY Rotary Book Club Discussion led by Glenn Ivers and Ann Allen
Gov E: Mandala Painting led by Pam Baxter
Empire: Finding Meaningful Causes – details to come
State: Global Grants Panel Discussion – Speakers Lana Rouff, Gordie Howard and Peter Brown
Charter Restaurant: Mooncatcher Service Project
Anteroom: Sports Fans Unite led by Cindy Rosenthal
3-5pm: Free Time
Visit the New York State Museum, walk the plaza, spend time in the Rotary Village or House of Friendship, take a nap – whatever you want to do!
Visit the New York State Museum, walk the plaza, spend time in the Rotary Village or House of Friendship, take a nap – whatever you want to do!
5pm: Fellowship Hour
Kick off the sneaker ball with a fun photo opp and beverages
East Gallery
Kick off the sneaker ball with a fun photo opp and beverages
East Gallery
6pm: Welcome & Dinner
7pm: Legacy Campaign Recognition and Celebration
7:45pm: Review of the Day Through A DEI Lens
8:15pm: 50/50 Drawing and Door Prizes
8:30pm: Free Time
Hit the town, hang out in the Rotary Village or House of Friendship, gather at the hotel bar or meet up with fellow Rotarians in your rooms for more time to socialize and connect.
Hit the town, hang out in the Rotary Village or House of Friendship, gather at the hotel bar or meet up with fellow Rotarians in your rooms for more time to socialize and connect.
Sunday, April 6, 2025
8am: Remembrance of Members We’ve Lost
Words of comfort and a video featuring members who have passed
Maybe live music from our CNY Rotary Choir!
Words of comfort and a video featuring members who have passed
Maybe live music from our CNY Rotary Choir!
8:30-9:30am: Breakfast
Governor A/B (Main Ballroom)
PDG’s are encouraged to take their breakfast into Gov D for fellowship and discussion
Governor A/B (Main Ballroom)
PDG’s are encouraged to take their breakfast into Gov D for fellowship and discussion
9:30am: Welcome & Keynote Speaker Ingrid Neitsch – Rotary’s Peace Efforts Around the World
10:30am: CNY Rotary Peace Committee – Initiatives & Resources
11am: Wrap-up of the Conference of Champions
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BREAKOUT SESSION I
Artificial Intelligence for Rotary
Room: Governor D
Speaker: Ken Schmidt
Speaker: Ken Schmidt
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we work, communicate, and solve problems—including within Rotary. In this session, we'll explore how AI can enhance club operations, brainstorm on club projects, and amplify outreach efforts. From automating routine tasks to generating fresh ideas, you'll learn practical ways to leverage AI tools to support your club’s mission. The session will include demonstrations of how our club uses ChatGPT to enhance real-life Rotary projects Whether you're new to AI or already experimenting with it, this session will provide valuable insights and hands-on applications to drive impact.
Alzheimer's Update
Room: Governor E
Room: Governor E
Speaker: Erica Salamida
Get an overview of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and the latest on risk factors, research trends and available treatments. Learn about the services of the Alzheimer's Association Chapters in CNY, and opportunities to join as a volunteer in the fight against this disease.
Harriet Tubman History
Room: Empire
Speakers Bill Conole and Michele Jones Galvin
Hear from the great, great niece of Harriet Tubman (a Syracuse Rotarian) and the powerful history, including stories you may not have learned in grade school.
Peace Poles 101
Room: State
Speaker Ingrid Neitsch
Understand the purpose of placing a peace pole in your community, how to use it for visibility for your club, and how to get one.
Mooncatcher Service Project
This will be available all day
Room: Charter Restaurant
Hands on service project helping prep menstruation kits for students in Africa.
How to Build a Micro-Forest
Room: Anteroom
Speaker Chuck Tomaselli
Learn what a micro-forest is and how you can plant on in your community, as well as the spin-off service projects that go with one like pollinator gardens and peace poles.
BREAKOUT SESSION II
Artificial Intelligence for Rotary
Same program being offered a second time
Room: Governor D
Speaker: Ken Schmidt
Speaker: Ken Schmidt
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we work, communicate, and solve problems—including within Rotary. In this session, we'll explore how AI can enhance club operations, brainstorm on club projects, and amplify outreach efforts. From automating routine tasks to generating fresh ideas, you'll learn practical ways to leverage AI tools to support your club’s mission. The session will include demonstrations of how our club uses ChatGPT to enhance real-life Rotary projects Whether you're new to AI or already experimenting with it, this session will provide valuable insights and hands-on applications to drive impact.
Paralympic Experience
Room: Governor E
Room: Governor E
Speaker: Bob Balk
Meet Paralympic athlete and our next CNY Rotary President Bob to hear the stories of his involvement with winter sports and international competition experience.
DEI Storytelling
Room: Empire
Speaker Pam Baxter
More details to come
Grants Inspiration
Room: State
Speaker Dave Hennel
District Grants, funded by The Rotary Foundation, are one of the ways our clubs can have an impact on their communities (and the world). Hear about some of the great INSPIRATIONAL projects that have been funded through District Grants. Also, an opportunity to showcase some NEW ideas for upcoming District Grant applications!
Mooncatcher Service Project
This will be available all day
Room: Charter Restaurant
Hands on service project helping prep menstruation kits for students in Africa.
Supporting Habitat for Humanity
Room: Anteroom
Speaker Evan Kurtz
Will discuss Rotary's partnership with Habitat International, past events in our region, and what we can do as CNY Rotary!
BREAKOUT SESSION III
CNY Rotary Book Club Discussion
Room: Gov D
Speakers Glenn Ivers and Ann Allen
A classic book club discussion with a spin. Members are encouraged to read Haven by Ruth Gruber for a discussion to be led by fellow author Ann Allen, who will present additional reading on the topic of the WWII refugees who lived at Fort Ontario in Oswego, NY. Immediately following, during break time, members are encouraged to visit the New York State Museum to see an exhibit on Fort Ontario. Click here for more on the CNY Rotary Book Club.
Mandala Painting
Room: Gov E
Led by Pam Baxter
Get crafty with a relaxing painting class to make your very own coaster. All supplies will be provided and you keep your coaster to take home.
Finding Meaningful Causes
Room: Empire
Room: Empire
Led by Keila dos Santos, Tandra LaGrone (IOOV), and Jennifer Lawrence (SEAT)
Learn about two local non-profits, In Our Own Voices (IOOV) and Social Enterprise and Training Center (SEAT Center), and how clubs can help organizations like theirs. Hear from CNY Rotary Service Chair Keila on finding similar causes where you live and making service happen on our Epic Day of Service, May 17th.
Global Grants Panel Discussion
Room: State
Speakers Lana Rouff, Gordie Howard and Peter Brown
Come learn about some existing global grants and how you can get your club involved in these international projects. They aren't as hard to do as you might imagine! Speakers will share about three projects: a water project in Enabelibel, Kenya, planting avocados in Africa, and installing narcan boxes across the southern tier of our very own CNY district.
Mooncatcher Service Project
This will be available all day
Room: Charter Restaurant
Hands on service project helping prep menstruation kits for students in Africa.
Sports Fans Unite
Room: Anteroom
Led by Cindy Rosenthal
It’s going to be a sports party and “deep discussion” about sports, teams, interesting facts, favorite rivalry, best moments and anything else sports. Come in your favorite sports team jersey, hat or shirt.