DisCon ’26 – Personal highlights from five club members

Five MRR club members were able to attend the District Conference (DisCon ’26) in Eugene on May 15-17^th and I asked each to share the highlights of the conference for them.

Eric Hodnett – Many good things:

• The speakers were all very good. I thought Sylvia Whitlock was particularly interesting and impactful as it relates to how women became eligible to be Rotarians.
• The three students in the Four Way Speech finals were very impressive.
• I also learned a lot about human trafficking and the history of Peace within Rotary.

Ian Foster

• A standout moment was hearing from Sylvia Whitlock. Hearing the history of the journey it took to get women into Rotary was really something. I only knew little tidbits, so hearing the whole story first-hand was really impactful.
• I also liked hearing from the inbound exchange students about their experiences adapting to life in Oregon. Likewise, I also enjoyed hearing from the outbound students- and the nervous excitement as they prepare for their own adventures abroad. That always brings back my own memories of attending the District Conference as an outbound exchange student.
• It’s always a good time just catching up with other Rotarians from all over the district.

Linda Brown

• Hearing speaker Jennifer Jones (via Zoom)
• A noticeable emphasis on Peace at this year’s conference:
• There was at least one session about Peace in each of the three scheduled breakout sessions.
• One of the keynote speeches was a powerful one about peace with a few short videos shared, including one about a Medford Rogue Rotary member. The Oregon Peace Trail was announced as well.
• Members from Port Orford made 15 Peace Poles at the conference for various clubs who ordered them ahead.
• There was a Peace Pole dedication at the Nobel Peace Park in Eugene. Eugene’s mayor, DG Chris Waugh, and Rotary Youth Exchange students participated in the event, which was covered by local media.”
• I noticed it will take four people to replace Jane Falls for Polio Plus!

Kellie Hill

• The keynote speakers were really engaging.
• Great networking opportunities with folks from other districts.

George Prokop

• The entire speaker line-up was phenomenal. To name just a few; the energy and humor of Michael Caruso is infectious, the perseverance story of Sylvia Whitlock was fascinating and inspiring, and Frank King, a suicide prevention speaker and comedian, was excellent raising awareness and discussing difficult topics with courage, hope and humor.
• The 4-Way test finalists were soooooooo good.
• The focus on Rotary’s Peace Initiative was front and center. Very consistent with the messages I heard at last year’s international convention in Calgary.

Next year’s District Conference will be held in Coos Bay on May 14-16. It’s already in my calendar.