Summary of the 2026 District 5360 Conference
- Event Overview: The 2026 District 5360 Conference was held at the Pidherney Event Centre in Red Deer, Alberta, from May 1 to May 3, 2026.
- Themes: The weekend's official themes included "Unite for Good" and "Celebrate Rotary, Connecting Communities, Leading with Purpose".
- Attendance: The event drew approximately 440 Rotarians from across the district, which included a contingent of 14 members from the Rotary Club of Calgary West.
- Fellowship: Attendees experienced a strong sense of community, with Rotarians treating each other as "good neighbours" united by a commitment to service.
- Agenda Highlights: The schedule included a community round dance by the Storm Riders, a memorial for lost Rotarians, and the introduction of District Governor-Elect Darcy Mykytyshyn.
- Keynote Speakers:
- Chandra Crawford: The Olympic gold medalist spoke about high performance, the discipline required to achieve success, and her charity empowering young women.
- Tareq Hadhad: The Syrian entrepreneur behind "Peace by Chocolate" spoke about leadership, compassion, and the welcoming spirit of Canadian communities.
- Nanton Motivational Speaker: An internationally sought-after speaker born without arms or legs who has traveled to more than 150 countries shared a powerful message about overcoming extraordinary challenges.
Calgary West Takeaway: The conference inspired Keith to view Rotary not merely as a well-resourced organization, but as a community powered by the collective willpower of its members. This shared determination is the driving force behind Rotary's local and international impact.
The Willpower to Serve
In May 2026, fourteen members of the Rotary Club of Calgary West traveled to Red Deer to join approximately 440 fellow Rotarians for the annual District 5360 Conference. Running from May 1 to May 3, the event was built around the theme of "Connecting Communities, Leading with Purpose" and invited attendees to "Unite for Good". For Calgary West member Keith Laws, the true highlight wasn't found in the scheduled sessions, but rather in the powerful sense of fellowship. The conference created an atmosphere where members from disparate clubs felt like "good neighbours," deeply united by a shared purpose of service.
The weekend featured an engaging agenda, including a community round dance by the Storm Riders and a memorial celebrating the lives of lost Rotarians. The keynote speakers left a lasting impression on the attendees. Olympic gold medal-winning cross-country skier Chandra Crawford shared real-life tools for overcoming obstacles and spoke about the charitable organization she founded to empower young women through sport. Attendees also heard from Tareq Hadhad, a Syrian immigrant who built the thriving "Peace by Chocolate" business in Nova Scotia. His presentation was a testament to the welcoming spirit of Canadian communities and the remarkable impact that immigrants can have when overcoming adversity.
However, for Calgary West Member Keith Laws, the most profound moment came from a motivational speaker from Nanton. Born without arms or legs, this speaker overcame unimaginable adversity to travel to over 150 countries. Listening to this story, Keith had a deep realization about the true nature of willpower, which he defined as the "strong determination that allows one to do something difficult". He returned to Calgary with a completely new perspective on Rotary. He realized that the organization’s success in driving international projects, microcredit programs, and local service efforts stems not just from its resources, but from the collective willpower of its members. The greatest strength of Rotary, he concluded, is the unwavering determination of its members to tackle difficult challenges and make a meaningful difference in the world.
2026 Celeberate Ditrict 5360 Conference Photo Album:
