Thank you for attending Convention 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky! It was a memorable time of fellowship with Civitans from near and far. This page is filled with information from convention that should be helpful to you and your clubs as you seek to grow Civitan and make an impact in your local communities!
Dear Civitan Members,
I hope everyone made it home safely from Louisville with minimal travel delays—and that you’re feeling as energized and inspired as I am after such an incredible few days together!
The 2026 Civitan International Convention was truly a celebration of our shared mission and the power of community. From thought-provoking workshops and a productive business session to fellowship overlooking historic Churchill Downs, every moment reflected the passion and purpose that make Civitan so special. Thank you for bringing your energy, ideas, and dedication—we couldn’t have done it without you.
I am excited to share some amazing highlights:
- The 33rd Annual Breakthru Golf Benefit raised $104,675 in support of our mission.
- The Live Auction raised $24,950 for the Civitan Impact Program.
- The Silent Auction by the Host Hospitality volunteers raised $2,300 for the Civitan Impact Program.
- Walk & Roll for Research raised $63,160, surpassing 100 participants for the very first time!
To everyone who participated, donated, or volunteered—thank you. These milestones are a direct reflection of your commitment and generosity.
This Convention also marked an exciting new chapter for Civitan International, as we welcomed Dr. Bryan Johnson as our first Executive Director and installed Teresa Wakeman as our new President-Elect. I couldn’t be more excited about the vision and energy they bring as we move Civitan into the future.
Now, let’s keep this momentum going! I want to encourage every Civitan to take one small step with big potential: invite just one new member to join our Civitan family. Together, we can expand our reach, strengthen our clubs, and continue changing lives—one community at a time.
Thank you once again for making the 2026 Convention truly unforgettable. Here’s to the road ahead full of purpose, progress, and unity.
With gratitude and excitement,
John Sofley
President, Civitan International
Thank you to all the Civitans who donated items to support Dreams with Wings! Thanks to your incredible support, we collected sensory devices, general use items like dish washing liquid and other much needed items for their center. Your kindness and generosity truly made an impact!
Still want to contribute? Click here to visit their Amazon Wishlist!
We are thankful to their team for providing transportation for Civitans with mobility issues to our offsite events.
Bylaws Passed by Membership
- Executive Leadership Structure: Bylaw amendment officially passed transitioning the Executive Vice President title to Executive Director.
- Treasurer Appointment: Bylaw amendment officially passed allowing the International President to appoint a qualified volunteer Treasurer.
Congratulations to Our Newly Elected Leadership!
- International President-Elect: Teresa Wakeman
- Region 3 International Director: Stephanie Crosby
- Region 4 International Director: Al Harmon
- Region 7 International Director: Dr. Diane Potts
Congratulations to Region 8 International Director, Andy Wheeler who was voted by the International Board to serve as Senior Director this year!
PHOTOS FROM CONVENTION 2026
We hope you enjoy the official Convention Photo Album! Feel free to download, print and share with your fellow club members all these great memories from our time in Louisville, KY!
Photos – Click here to view our 2026 Convention Photo Album. | This album is a combination of photos from multiple sources. Civitan International Director of Marketing & Communications, Brittney Knox-Mensah is so grateful to Past International President Kendyl Massey, members Keith Wilson and Jasmin Chambers as well as other Civitans members for contributing to this photo album for our members to enjoy! What a great team effort!
CLICK BELOW TO DOWNLOAD OR VIEW CONVENTION WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS
Convention Workshop Presentations Review and download slides from our featured convention workshops:
- The Power of Your Story — [View Workshop Slides]
- The Power of Partnership — [View Workshop Slides]
- The Power of Recruitment – [View Workshop Slides]
MemberSuite Workshop Sessions —The convention workshop was an interactive session with some participants using their laptops to login and ask questions, but if you want to learn more about the portal, visit www.civitan.org/portal for step-by-step guides and member tools.
The 2026 Convention would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of many Civitans behind the scenes, both leading up to and during the event. We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the Region 3 Civitans for being such amazing hosts with a special thanks to Past International President Kendyl Massey and Region 3 Senior Director Chuck Bowman for being host region chairs. Special thanks also to Past International President JoAnn O’Toole and Denise Phelps who served as convention volunteer chairs.
We are extremely grateful to the Civitan International volunteers who helped make our convention a success! From setting up the session rooms to loading the truck at the end, your hard work and dedication were truly appreciated. We couldn’t have done it without you!
DRUMROLL FOR 2027….
Start planning ahead, Civitans! Make your plans to join us for the 107th International Convention in vibrant New Orleans, Louisiana from August 11-14th! Get ready for incredible fellowship, inspiring sessions, and the unique culture of NOLA.
Click here for a video you can share with your club and on social media.
THANKS AGAIN TO OUR SPONSORS!
