Convention Workshops | Civitan International Convention 2026
Civitan International Convention 2026 · Louisville, Kentucky

Convention Workshops

Learn. Connect. Lead. Serve.

The Power of Service. The Spirit of Champions.

Whether you're looking to sharpen your leadership skills, discover new ideas for growing your club, or gain confidence using Civitan's newest tools, this year's workshop lineup offers something for every attendee.

Technology & Club Operations

Build confidence using Civitan's tools and discover ways to make club administration, communication, and member engagement easier.

Membership & Leadership

Strengthen your ability to recruit, communicate, lead with compassion, and inspire others through the Civitan story.

Mission & Service

Explore partnerships and service opportunities that help Civitan clubs create meaningful, lasting impact in their communities.

Leadership Connections

Meet Civitan International's incoming Executive Vice President in an informal regional conversation.

Our workshops are organized into three program themes to help you find sessions that match your interests. While these are not formal tracks, they highlight the many ways Civitans can continue growing as leaders, members, and champions of service.

Technology & Club Operations

MemberSuite: The Power to Connect

Making the Most of Your New Member Experience

Whether you're logging in for the first time or ready to explore everything MemberSuite has to offer, this session will help you confidently navigate Civitan's new member platform.

Learn how to update your profile, connect with members across the organization, access valuable resources, view your membership information, register for events, and make the most of both the Portal and Community. You'll also discover helpful tips and shortcuts that make MemberSuite an essential tool for staying connected throughout the year.

To get the most out of this interactive session, attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop and follow along in the MemberSuite Portal during the live demonstration.

You'll Learn
  • How to confidently navigate the MemberSuite Portal and Community
  • Where to find member resources, event information, and account details
  • Tips for personalizing your profile and staying connected year-round
Presented by
Mary Frances ForbusSenior Director, Member Relations & Strategy, Civitan International
MemberSuite for Club Officers

Power Tools for Club Leadership

Designed specifically for current and future club officers, this hands-on session explores the MemberSuite tools that simplify club administration and strengthen communication with members.

Learn how to manage your club roster, submit officer updates, locate reports and resources, communicate with members, and take advantage of features that make leading your club easier and more efficient.

To get the most out of this interactive session, attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop and follow along in the MemberSuite Portal during the live demonstration.

You'll Learn
  • Best practices for managing club information in MemberSuite
  • How to access officer resources, reports, and communication tools
  • Time-saving tips to streamline everyday club operations
Presented by
Mary Frances ForbusSenior Director, Member Relations & Strategy, Civitan International

Membership & Leadership

The Power of Recruitment

Strategies from Civitan's Super Recruiters

Every thriving club has one thing in common — they know how to welcome new members.

Hear directly from some of Civitan's most successful recruiters as they share the conversations, relationship-building strategies, and practical techniques that have helped them grow vibrant, engaged clubs. Through an interactive panel discussion, you'll gain ideas you can immediately put into practice within your own community.

You'll Learn
  • Proven recruiting strategies from Civitan's top membership champions
  • Practical ways to start meaningful membership conversations
  • Ideas for creating a welcoming culture that encourages growth
Presented by
Joley MiddletonClub Growth Specialist, Civitan International
The Power of Compassionate Leadership

Leading with Purpose, Courage, and Connection

What does it mean to lead with compassion — and why does it matter?

Presented by the Muhammad Ali Center, this engaging and interactive workshop explores how compassion can transform the way we lead our clubs, strengthen our communities, and inspire those around us. Drawing on Muhammad Ali's extraordinary legacy, participants will discover leadership principles rooted in empathy, courage, respect, and inclusion.

Through stories, research, discussion, and practical activities, attendees will explore the Muhammad Ali Index and learn how everyday acts of compassion can create meaningful social impact. The session will also provide practical strategies for fostering cultures where kindness, belonging, and service are valued, empowering participants to build stronger relationships and more vibrant organizations.

Whether you serve as a club officer, committee chair, volunteer, or community leader, you'll leave with fresh perspective and practical tools for leading with greater purpose, connection, and impact.

You'll Learn
  • Leadership principles inspired by Muhammad Ali's legacy
  • Practical ways to cultivate empathy, inclusion, and trust
  • How everyday acts of compassion strengthen clubs and communities
Presented by
The Muhammad Ali Center
The Power of Your Story

Public Speaking That Inspires Others to Serve

Every Civitan has a story worth sharing.

Whether you're introducing your club to a prospective member, speaking at a community event, or celebrating a successful service project, the way you tell your story matters. This engaging session will help you become a more confident, authentic communicator while learning to share Civitan's mission in ways that inspire others to get involved.

You'll leave with practical public speaking techniques and storytelling strategies you can use in your club, your community, and beyond.

You'll Learn
  • Techniques for becoming a more confident public speaker
  • How to tell compelling stories that inspire action
  • Ways to share Civitan's mission with authenticity and impact
Presented by
Brittney Knox-MensahDirector of Marketing & Communications, Civitan International

Mission & Service

The Power of Partnership

How Civitan and The Arc Are Creating Greater Impact Together

Discover how Civitan International and The Arc of the United States are strengthening communities through a growing strategic partnership.

Hear from leaders of both organizations as they share the vision behind this collaboration and the opportunities it creates for local clubs. You'll also hear directly from Civitans who are partnering with local Arc chapters to develop meaningful service projects, strengthen community relationships, and even charter new clubs through these partnerships.

Whether your club is already connected with The Arc or just beginning to explore the possibilities, you'll leave inspired with practical ideas for expanding your impact at home.

You'll Learn
  • The vision behind the Civitan–The Arc strategic partnership
  • Real examples of successful local partnerships and service projects
  • Ideas for building meaningful relationships with your local Arc chapter
Featured Presenters & Panelists
Kerry MaugerThe Arc of the United States
Mark EisingerExecutive Vice President, Civitan International
Lloyd LewisArc Ambassadors Civitan Club
Fred MatthiesCivitan International President-Elect
John SofleyCivitan International President

Leadership Connections

Regional Conversations with Civitan's Incoming EVP

Meet. Connect. Share Your Perspective.

One of the best parts of Convention is the opportunity to connect directly with Civitan leadership.

Join members from your region for an informal conversation with Civitan International's incoming Executive Vice President. These regional gatherings are designed to foster meaningful dialogue as the incoming EVP begins their leadership journey with Civitan. Share your region's successes, discuss opportunities and challenges facing local clubs, exchange ideas, and help shape the future of our organization.

These sessions are conversational, welcoming, and designed to encourage open discussion among members and leadership.

You'll Experience
  • A personal introduction to Civitan's incoming Executive Vice President
  • Meaningful conversation about the future of Civitan International
  • Opportunities to share your region's ideas, successes, and challenges
  • Networking with fellow Civitans from your region
Regional Meet & Greet Schedule
RegionDayTime
Region 1Thursday, August 207:30–8:00 a.m.
Region 8Thursday, August 2012:00–12:30 p.m.
Region 7Friday, August 213:30–4:00 p.m.
Region 2Friday, August 214:00–4:30 p.m.
Region 3Saturday, August 227:45–8:15 a.m.
Region 6Saturday, August 221:00–1:30 p.m.
Region 4Saturday, August 221:30–2:00 p.m.
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Civitan International Convention 2026 · Louisville, Kentucky