Schedule.

The Great Lakes Rotary PELS planning committee is working hard to provide you with a schedule of events that balances learning with networking and fun. 

​The schedule includes time for general and district sessions as well as informative Forums that target specific learning interests.

THE 2025 GLRPELS SCHEDULE 

click here to download schedule

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Thursday, March 20, 2025

All times are Eastern Daylight Savings Time

1 - 8 pm ​	Registration | Upper Lobby Level  ​Vendor Shops | Lower Lobby Level
​3:30 - ​4:30 pm​ ​ ​	Pre-conference Learning Opportunities The Value of Social Media and Your Public Image Campaign | ​Learning Leaders Devankar Mukhi and Keith Hodkinson Reach members and potential members with Social Media! It could increase membership and help to explain the story of what Rotary does in your community. ​Successful Fundraising  | Learning Leader DGE Mark Andresky Need to raise money to do more good in your communities? Need some ideas of great things you can do in your community locally or globally?  Then you won’t want to miss this session. ​Back Again? Encore Presidents  | Learning Leader PDG Bruce Goldsen Things change year to year in Rotary. Let’s talk about what's new in Rotary and how you can help your club can grow and adapt to new ways of doing things.    ​Revitalizing Your Club  | ​Learning Leaders DGE Brent Sheppard and Jenny Stotts Let’s put energy back into your club, so that you members are excited to be at club meetings and events and so that you all stand ready to serve and most of all have fun!
4:30 - 5:50 pm​	Reception | Lower Lobby Level
6 pm ​ ​	Dinner and Plenary Session 1 | Arcadia Ballroom The kick-off dinner features opening ceremonies and an energizing keynote address  Keynote Speaker: Rotary International President-Elect Mário César Martins de Camargo ​
7:45 - 9:15 pm ​ ​​	District Session 1 | Report to your District Room Meet with your district leaders and your class of club presidents. District 6290 | Kalamazoo II District 6310 | Glens III ​District 6330 | Great Lakes IV and V District 6360 | Glens I and II District 6380 | Great Lakes I, II and III District 6400 | Prairies IV, V and VI District 6540 | Meadows

Friday, March 21, 2025

7 am - 12 pm	Registration | Upper Lobby Level
7 - 7:45 am	Breakfast | Arcadia Ballroom
8 am	General Session 2 | Arcadia Ballroom Keynote Speaker | Jenny Stotts - Being Rotary Happy
9:15 am - 12 pm ​​	Learning Session / President Nominees ​PNs will explore leadership insights and strategies as they begin their journey to club leadership.
​9:15 - 10:05 am​​​ ​	Learning Session 1:  Planning the Year / Preparing to Lead Participants will be randomly assigned to a room for this Learning Session
10:15 - 11:05 am​ ​	Learning Session 2:  Managing your Club / Conducting Meetings Participants will be randomly assigned to a room for this Learning Session
11:15 am​​ - 12:05 pm​ ​	Learning Session 3:  Engaging Club Members / Attracting New Members Participants will be randomly assigned to a room for this Learning Session
12:15 pm​  ​ ​	​Lunch and Plenary Session 2 | Arcadia Ballroom Keynote Speaker | Chris Singleton - Embracing Love Over Hate
2:15 - 3 pm ​ ​	Breakout Sessions - Round 2 | Select one learning opportunity  The Rotary Foundation and How It Can Help Do More Good In The World | Learning Leader PDG Randy Ettema, ARFC Zone 28/32 Learn about the various ways members can donate to the foundation and then how the resources the foundation has can be applied for various great work and programs that the foundation has.  Building Rotary Youth Programs | Learning Leaders Taylor Huie and DGE Jackie Huie  Our Young leaders are the future of Rotary. Hear about great programs that are available and working in communities that you can do your area.​ Promoting Rotary and Telling Your Rotary Story | ​Learning Leaders Devankar Mukhi and Keith Hodkinson We do amazing things! What are some of the best practices for telling our Story!   Let’s not keep what we do a secret. Courageous Conversations  | Learning Leader PDG Bruce Goldsen Most people avoid uncomfortable situations and conversations.  As a leader in your club equipping you with tools to have these conversations can be empowering! Get Prepared for and have Courageous Conversations. Becoming "Shift Disturbers" – Setting the Stage for Change | Learning Leader PDG Louisa Horne, Zone 28 Rotary Coordinator If your committee, team or club needs a shakeup to become more irresistible, this session is for you. ​​
3:15 - 4 pm ​	Breakout Sessions - Round 2 | Select one learning opportunity  The Rotary Foundation and How It Can Help Do More Good In The World | Learning Leader PDG Randy Ettema, ARFC Zone 28/32 Learn about the various ways members can donate to the foundation and then how the resources the foundation has can be applied for various great work and programs that the foundation has.  Engaging Emerging Leaders | Learning Leaders Taylor Huie and DGE Jackie Huie  Our emerging leaders are the future of Rotary. Learn ways to identify and develop emerging leaders within your Rotary club, with the goal of preparing them for future leadership roles within the club and beyond. Promoting Rotary and Telling Your Rotary Story | ​Learning Leaders Devankar Mukhi and Keith Hodkinson We do amazing things! What are some of the best practices for telling our Story!   Let’s not keep what we do a secret. Courageous Conversations  | Learning Leader PDG Bruce Goldsen Most people avoid uncomfortable situations and conversations.  As a leader in your club equipping you with tools to have these conversations can be empowering! Get Prepared for and have Courageous Conversations. Becoming "Shift Disturbers" – Setting the Stage for Change | Learning Leader PDG Louisa Horne, Zone 28 Rotary Coordinator If your committee, team or club needs a shakeup to become more irresistible, this session is for you.
5:30 - 7 pm	Reception | Lower Lobby Level​
7 pm	Dinner and Plenary Session 4 | Arcadia Ballroom ​Keynote Speaker | Louisa Horne - Rotary Coordinator Zone 28​​​​
8:30 - 9:30 pm	Karaoke For Polio

​Saturday, March 22, 2025

7 - 9:30 am	​Registration | Upper Lobby Level
7:45 - 9 am	Breakfast and Plenary Session 5 | Arcadia Ballroom TRF Trustee Marty Helman - Making a difference in the world through our Rotary Foundation.​
9:15 - 12:15 am ​	District Session 3 |​ Report to your District Room Report to your designated District Room
12:30 - 2 pm	​Lunch and Plenary Session 6 | Arcadia Ballroom Keynote Speaker | RID Chris Etienne - The action plan and taking action in your club! ​Oath of Office | Swearing-in of 2025-2026 Club Presidents