Mid-Northeast PELS 2025: Full Schedule

Mid-Northeast Presidents-Elect Learning Seminar (PELS) is a premier learning event for Rotary President-Elects and Assistant Governors. Mid-Northeast PELS provides required knowledge to serve as Club President, or Assistant Governor as well as inspiration and motivation. Mid-Northeast PELS is a 6-District, 300+ clubs learning event, with the atmosphere of a mini-Rotary International convention. As we emerge from the pandemic, the 2025 PELS will continue to be the in-person event it was in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Our speakers, District Governors-Elect, educators, committee, and discussion leaders all have one thought in mind: equip and excite Club Presidents-Elect and Assistant Governors for their year of service.

9:30am EDT

New Presidents Session: Planning The Year Ahead

Friday March 21, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am EDT

3rd Floor Meeting Rooms

Learning Leaders: Sonia Saleh, Peter Sullivan, Penny Byron, David Ping, Abit Ragbeer, Arnold Quaranta, Debbie Shelly, Sal Lavatino, Peter Lefkowitz, John Susani, John Cosgrove

Session Feedback:
Please click the link below to give your feedback about this session.
First TIme Presidents: https://forms.gle/rTcx1wRnp7s6NHt97

Session Overview
By understanding trends, strengths, and opportunities, presidents can help clubs set short- and long-term goals that align with Rotary’s Action Plan.

After this session, participants will be able to:

Identify their club’s strengths and weaknesses.
Set goals that align with Rotary’s Action Plan
Session Resources:
- Action Plan Page: https://my.rotary.org/en/who-we-are/about-rotary/action-plan
- Rotary Citation Page: https://my.rotary.org/en/news-media/office-president/rotary-citation
- Learning Center Courses
- Rotary’s Action Plan and You: https://learn.rotary.org/learn/course/980/rotarys-action-plan-and-you
- Rotary Club Central Resources: https://learn.rotary.org/learn/course/8/rotary-club-central-resources
PDFs
- Rotary Club Health Check: https://my.rotary.org/en/document/rotary-club-health-check
- Action Plan Flyer: https://my.rotary.org/en/document/action-plan-flyer
- What Clubs Can Do Flyer: https://my.rotary.org/en/document/what-clubs-can-do-flyer

Style of Dress:
Business Casual is recommended for this session.
Click here for a guide to styles of dress

Friday March 21, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am EDT
3rd Floor Meeting Rooms Hanover Marriott

New President, President Elect

10:30am EDT

New Presidents Session: Conducting Meetings

Friday March 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

3rd Floor Meeting Rooms

Learning Leaders: Penny Byron, Peter Sullivan, David Ping, Abit Ragbeer, Arnold Quaranta, Sonia Saleh, Debbie Shelly, Sal Lavatino, Peter Lefkowitz, John Susani, John Cosgrove

Session Feedback:
Please click the link below to give your feedback about this session.
First TIme Presidents: https://forms.gle/rTcx1wRnp7s6NHt97

Session Overview
Club presidents can provide meaningful experiences for members and participants by working with other club officers to plan club meetings, assemblies, and board meetings that are welcoming, engaging, and inclusive.

After this session, participants will be able to:

Discuss ideas for meeting formats that will keep members engaged
Identify ways to improve the meeting experience for members
Session Resources:
- Engaging Online Meetings: https://my.rotary.org/en/learning-reference/learn-topic/engaging-online-meetings-person-venue-virtual
Learning Center Courses:
- Best Practices for Engaging Members: https://learn.rotary.org/learn/course/94/best-practices-for-engaging-members
- Creating an Inclusive Club Culture: https://learn.rotary.org/learn/course/view/elearning/1602/creating-an-inclusive-club-culture
- Vibrant Clubs in Action: https://learn.rotary.org/learn/course/view/elearning/1797/vibrant-clubs-in-action

Style of Dress:
Business Casual is recommended for this session.
Click here for a guide to styles of dress

Friday March 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
3rd Floor Meeting Rooms Hanover Marriott

New President, President Elect

1:15pm EDT

New Presidents Session: Engaging Club Members

Friday March 21, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT

3rd Floor Meeting Rooms

Learning Leaders: David Ping, Abit Ragneer, Arnold Quaranta, Sonia Saleh, Thomas Crowley, Marcia Loughman, Kalpana Patel, Joe Smith, Debbie Shelly, Peter Lefkowitz, Rick Saltarelli

Session Feedback:
Please click the link below to give your feedback about this session.
First TIme Presidents: https://forms.gle/rTcx1wRnp7s6NHt97

Session Overview:
By getting to know members well, club presidents can engage them in ways that tap into their unique skills and interests, creating a more meaningful membership experience.

After this session, participants will be able to:

Involve members in ways that make them feel valued for the unique skills they bring
Create strategies to engage members
Session Resources:
- Learning Center Courses:
  - Best Practices for Engaging Members: https://learn.rotary.org/learn/course/94/best-practices-for-engaging-members
  - Creating an Inclusive Club Culture: https://learn.rotary.org/learn/course/view/elearning/1602/creating-an-inclusive-club-culture
- PDFs:
  - Connect for Good: https://my-cms.rotary.org/en/document/connect-good
  - Improving your Member Retention: https://my-cms.rotary.org/en/document/improving-your-member-retention-retention-assessment-and-analysis
  - Member Satisfaction Survey: https://my-cms.rotary.org/en/document/enhancing-club-experience-member-satisfaction-survey
  - What Makes the Club Experience pdf

Style of Dress:
Business Casual is recommended for this session.
Click here for a guide to styles of dress

Friday March 21, 2025 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
3rd Floor Meeting Rooms Hanover Marriott

New President, President Elect

2:15pm EDT

New Presidents Session: Attracting New Members

Friday March 21, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT

3rd Floor Meeting Rooms

Learning Leaders: David Ping, Abit Ragbeer, Arnold Quaranta, Sonia Saleh, Thomas Crowley, Marcia Loughman, Kalpana Patel, Joe Smith, Debbie Shelly, Peter Lefkowitz, Rick Saltarelli

Session Feedback:
Please click the link below to give your feedback about this session.
First TIme Presidents: https://forms.gle/rTcx1wRnp7s6NHt97

Session Overview:
When club presidents create an inclusive club culture, then develop and implement innovative strategies to attract diverse participants, they strengthen their own clubs and Rotary.

After this session, participants will be able to:

Identify areas of their club they need to focus on to create an inclusive environment
Develop strategies to attract new and diverse members
Session Resources:
- Learning Center Courses:
  - Strategies for Attracting New Members: https://learn.rotary.org/learn/course/95/strategies-for-attracting-new-members
  - Diversify Your Club: https://learn.rotary.org/learn/course/1687/diversify-your-club
  - Online Membership Leads: https://learn.rotary.org/learn/course/104/online-membership-leads
- PDFs:
  - Diversifying Your Club: Member Diversity Worksheet: https://my-cms.rotary.org/en/document/diversifying-your-club-member-diversity-assessment
  - Finding New Club Members: Identifying Prospective Members Worksheet: https://my.rotary.org/en/document/finding-new-club-members-prospective-member-exercise
  - Creating a Positive Experience for Prospective Members: https://my-cms.rotary.org/en/document/creating-positive-experience-prospective-members
  - Membership Reports: https://my-cms.rotary.org/en/document/understanding-membership-reports-getting-started
  - Membership Leads: https://my-cms.rotary.org/en/document/grow-your-club-using-membership-leads
- Pages:
  - Engaging Younger Professionals: https://www.rotary.org/en/engaging-younger-professionals-toolkit

Style of Dress:
Business Casual is recommended for this session.
Click here for a guide to styles of dress

Friday March 21, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
3rd Floor Meeting Rooms Hanover Marriott

New President, President Elect

3:30pm EDT

New Presidents Session: Your Public Image Campaign

Friday March 21, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT

3rd Floor Meeting Rooms

Learning Leaders: Peter Sullivan, Eric Storberg, Mary Ellen Bentler, Andrea Chapman, Bill Skinner, Sal Lavatino, John Susani, John Cosgrove, Phil Wells, Jay Fowler

Session Feedback:
Please click the link below to give your feedback about this session.
Encore Presidents: https://forms.gle/hATFkVosQ4jwPGxp7

Session Overview:
To help expand our reach, one of Rotary’s strategic priorities, clubs should develop a plan to promote their activities and projects.
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Understand how to organize a public image campaign
identify ways to promote their club and its activities and projects
Session Resources:
- Learning Center Courses:
  - Club Public Image Committee Basics: https://learn.rotary.org/members/lms/index.php?r=coursepath/deeplink&id_path=5&hash=d781ed5072f781fcac13f0a33724a4c87118312f&generated_by=75642
- Pages:
  - Brand Center: https://brandcenter.rotary.org/en-us/
  - Regional Leaders: https://my.rotary.org/en/regional-leaders

Style of Dress:
Business Casual is recommended for this session.
Click here for a guide to styles of dress

Friday March 21, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
3rd Floor Meeting Rooms Hanover Marriott

New President, President Elect

4:30pm EDT

New Presidents Session: Preparing to Lead

Friday March 21, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT

3rd Floor Meeting Rooms

Learning Leaders: Peter Sullivan, Eric Storberg, Mary Ellen Bentler, Andrea Chapman, Bill Skinner, Sal Lavatino, John Susani, John Cosgrove, Phil Wells, Jay Fowler

Session Feedback:
Please click the link below to give your feedback about this session.
First TIme Presidents: https://forms.gle/rTcx1wRnp7s6NHt97

Session Overview:
Club presidents motivate members to reach goals, recognize club members with awards, communicate with club and district leaders, and listen to all members to ensure that their needs are met.

After this session, participants will be able to:

Identify the skills needed to be an effective club leader
Analyze challenges in leading the club and develop strategies for handling them
Session Resources:
- Learning Center Courses:
  - Get Ready: Club President: https://my.rotary.org/learn?deep-link=https%3A//learn.rotary.org/members/learn/course/internal/view/elearning/96/get-ready-club-president
  - Working With Your Club Leadership Team: https://learn.rotary.org/learn/course/202/working-with-your-club-leadership-team
  - Vibrant Clubs in Action: https://learn.rotary.org/learn/course/view/elearning/1797/vibrant-clubs-in-action
- Pages:
  - Rotary Citation: https://my.rotary.org/en/news-media/office-president/rotary-citation

Style of Dress:
Business Casual is recommended for this session.
Click here for a guide to styles of dress

Friday March 21, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
3rd Floor Meeting Rooms Hanover Marriott

New President, President Elect

9:30am EDT

New Presidents Session: Service and Your Community

Saturday March 22, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am EDT

3rd Floor Meeting Rooms

Learning Leaders: Penny Byron, Carrie Hernandez, Mahbub Ahmad, Thomas Crowley, Samantha Maruzzelli, Andrea Chapman, Bill Skinner, Kalpana Patel, Joe Smith, Jay Fowler, Rick Saltarelli

Session Feedback:
Please click the link below to give your feedback about this session.
First TIme Presidents: https://forms.gle/rTcx1wRnp7s6NHt97

Session Overview:
To promote effective projects, club and district leaders ensure that organizers conduct a needs assessment, develop a plan, carry out the plan, and evaluate success. Partnering with other organizations, community members, or beneficiaries can foster sustainability and local ownership of the project.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Identify new ways to involve more Rotary members in projects
Involve the community in planning and conducting a project
Session Resources:
- Learning Center Courses:
  - Rotary’s Areas of Focus: https://learn.rotary.org/members/learn/course/83/areas-of-focus?generated_by=75642&hash=42e332a48d1bd16e1847247f9ba50ecd45969e29
- Pages:
  - Our Causes: https://www.rotary.org/en/our-causes
  - Project Lifecycle Resources: https://my.rotary.org/en/take-action/develop-projects/developing-effective-projects
  - Rotary Showcase of projects and partners: https://my.rotary.org/en/secure/showcase
- PDFs:
  - Community Assessment Tools: https://my.rotary.org/en/document/578

Style of Dress:
Business Casual is recommended for this session.
Click here for a guide to styles of dress

Saturday March 22, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am EDT
3rd Floor Meeting Rooms Hanover Marriott

New President, President Elect

10:30am EDT

New Presidents Session: Fundraising for The Rotary Foundation

Saturday March 22, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

3rd Floor Meeting Rooms

Learning Leaders: Penny Byron, Carrie Hernandez, Thomas Crowley, Mahbub Ahmad, Samantha Maruzzelli, Andrea Chapman, Bill Skinner, Kalpana Patel, Joe Smith, Jay Fowler, Rick Saltarelli

Session Feedback:
Please click the link below to give your feedback about this session.
First TIme Presidents: https://forms.gle/rTcx1wRnp7s6NHt97

Session Overview:
Clubs and districts often ask their members to contribute to The Rotary Foundation and hold fundraising events to support projects or polio eradication.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Identify strategies to fundraise for their club, district, or The Rotary Foundation
Collaborate on fundraising efforts with other participants
Session Resources:
- Learning Center Courses:
  - Rotary Foundation Basics: https://learn.rotary.org/learn/course/356/rotary-foundation-basics
  - Fundraising Basics: https://learn.rotary.org/learn/course/1039/fundraising-basics
  - The Power of Giving: https://learn.rotary.org/learn/course/view/elearning/1527/the-power-of-giving
- Pages:
  - Fundraising: https://my.rotary.org/en/knowledge-and-resources/resources-and-reference/fundraising
  - Contribution and recognition reports: https://my.rotary.org/en/manage/club-district-administration
  - Regional Leaders: https://my.rotary.org/en/regional-leaders
- PDFs:
  - Every Rotarian, Every Year Brochure: https://my-cms.rotary.org/en/document/every-rotarian-every-year-brochure

Style of Dress:
Business Casual is recommended for this session.
Click here for a guide to styles of dress

Saturday March 22, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
3rd Floor Meeting Rooms Hanover Marriott

New President, President Elect