Celebrating the 2025-26 Rotary year
Click the image above to watch a special video with highlights celebrating the 2025-26 Rotary year.
2025-26 was an exceptional year of service and impact, as the Rotary Club of Birmingham (RCB) celebrated its 113th year dedicated to "Service Above Self." During the June 24th meeting, President Jeff Stone expressed appreciation to all those who supported the club this year.
President Stone began RCB’s 113th year, nicknamed “The Stone Age,” with a renewed focus on member engagement, building on the club’s strengths to maximize its reach and impact, and encouragement to adopt a relaxed dress code at meetings. He led meetings with dry wit and efficiency, highlighting America’s history leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the incredible things Rotary has built around the world. The club welcomed 33 new members during the term.
President Stone applauded the club’s Board of Directors for their outstanding leadership. Thanks to Treasurer Charlie Pitts, who oversaw the implementation of a new dues structure and significant work to enhance our accounting functions and financial reporting; Walton Foster for her service as Secretary, Craft O’Neal for serving as Sergeant-at-Arms, as well as Chairperson Bruce Rogers and President-Elect Nancy Goedecke for their guidance and support throughout the year. who provided valuable service and leadership.
We appreciate the thoughtful leadership of at-large members Mac Beale, Jimmy Holloway, Stephanie Mays, Henry Panion, and Reggie Torbor. Libba Vaughan led information gathering and analysis concerning our club membership experience that is informing the development of the club’s next strategic plan with expert assistance from VP of Communications Emily Jerkins Hall. Emily also oversaw the printing of our first member directory in five years and provided strategic oversight of our efforts to engage members and communicate our mission to the public.
VP of Club Service Cal Dodson recruited invocators, greeters and Boiling n’ Bragging representatives, and led new member orientation sessions. He worked with Miller Girvin & Popsi Miller to plan fantastic 1913 Society social events at Kinetic Communications, the Birmingham Museum of Art, and the Bottega Wine Dinner. He also enlisted Rotarians Helen Combs and Jen Dent to organize an incredible Rotary Trail 10th Anniversary Celebration. Libby Lassiter expertly led the Rotary Trail Task Force and Bill Jones & Jay Brandrup rallied members to support Rotary Trail’s Eastern Gateway campaign, with $1,722,421 raised to date.
VP of Community Service Katrina Watson planned engaging service opportunities including cards for PreK teachers, bed building with the Rotaract Club of Birmingham & The Junior League of Birmingham, Rotary Trail service, Salvation Army collection, and the club’s signature Rotary Reads program in partnership with United Way of Central Alabama’s Success by Six. We continued our Holiday Boarding Home Project under the leadership of Alison Grizzle & Libba Vaughan.
Alison also served as VP of Vocational Service, overseeing a professional clothing drive, induction ceremony and two mock interview sessions benefiting CAMP and Birmingham Promise students.
VP of International Service Mike Saag garnered support for RCB’s cervical cancer elimination work and the Rotary Foundation. RCB hosted an OPERATION WIPEOUT luncheon for leaders of area women’s organizations and the program continued to expand under the leadership of Isabel Scarinci, who was inducted into the Rotaract Hall of Fame.
VP of New Generations Bains Fleming enhanced the club’s engagement with Rotaract through the Professional Partners program and led selection of 3 students to attend RYLA. President Stone also congratulated Alex Bowker for doing a tremendous job as Rotaract President, attending RCB board meetings, and playing an integral role in strengthening the relationship between our two clubs.
VP of Programs Jeris Gaston led the Programs Committee to coordinate a fantastic lineup of engaging keynote speakers for 47 weekly club meetings. The holiday meeting at Red Mountain Theatre Arts Campus was a highlight, and Jeris gracefully adjusted to coordinating offsite meetings necessitated by construction at The Harbert Center this summer.
The RCB Foundation board, under the leadership of Chair Clark Watson, granted over $250,000 to support the club’s commitments to Education through RYLA, PreK learning, ACT prep, and college scholarships; Health by supporting critical care transport at Children’s of Alabama and cervical cancer elimination; Other Community Needs, including grants to Sleep in Heavenly Peace and the Community Food Bank of Central AL; as well as Rotary Trail 10th anniversary special projects and regular maintenance.
Finally, we remember the club members who passed away this year: Past Presidents Merrill Bradley & Eddie Friend, Wayne Hutchens, longtime Executive Director Susan Jackson & Teresa Pulliam.