President Jeff Stone Rings in the New Rotary Year

Jeff Stone leads the first meeting of the 2025.26 Rotary year.

Rotary Club of Birmingham President Jeff Stone called the first meeting of the 2025-26 year to order on July 9th. Club members welcomed the 113th president with a standing ovation, per the club's tradition.

“It is a true honor to lead an organization filled with so many distinguished leaders, and I promise to do everything in my power to uphold this club’s tradition of excellence and to build on the great legacy of leadership of Presidents Bruce, Gordon, and so many others before them,” Stone said.   

Stone, who recently retired from a 46-year career in construction with Brasfield & Gorrie, shared that this is his second time leading a Rotary Club, as he previously served as president of the Birmingham Sunrise Rotary Club.

President Stone acknowledged the importance of assembling a strong team aligned to work together toward a common vision. He thanked each member of the club’s new board of directors for their service, showed appreciation for the RCB staff, and applauded Harbert Center and Southern Food Service staff members.

Stone recognized Past President Bruce Rogers and his board for excellent leadership, setting the new team up for success. He also acknowledged his wife Linda, daughter Callie Nash, son-in-law Wilson Nash, and Brasfield & Gorrie colleagues for their support.  

Stone explained that the Rotary Club of Birmingham stands on a strong foundation and the leaders will continue building on our strengths to maximize the club’s reach and impact.  

“For 112 years, we have been bringing together civic leaders in our community to learn, exchange ideas, and take action to solve critical community problems in Birmingham and beyond. With over 600 members, we have assembled the largest Rotary Club in the U.S. and erected a formidable reputation as one of the largest in the world. Our members represent 55 different industries and over 570 organizations.”  

Stone shared that RCB is built upon a strong foundation and structure that has enabled it to excel for more than a century: outstanding membership, phenomenal leadership, supportive stewardship, and incredible impact. Rotary’s five Avenues of Service provide the pillars that stand upon that foundation, forming a framework for the initiatives the club supports.  

 First is Club Service, where the club will continue to frame opportunities to engage members throughout the year. The team is working to critically evaluate our Community Service initiatives to provide the most effective blueprint for meaningful impact in the Birmingham area. The club continues to engineer effective plans on the International Service front with its partners to eliminate cervical cancer in Guatemala. Leaders are building out plans to engage our members in opportunities to share their professional skills through Vocational Service. And RCB is working closely with Rotaract and newer members to build networks under New Generations Service. 

Stone observed that the pillars of service support the key initiatives that enable our club to continue to reach up and reach out to make a tremendous impact in the Magic City and beyond. 

April 2026 will mark 10 years since the completion of Rotary Trail, RCB’s centennial gift to Birmingham and the club has big plans to celebrate and enhance the trail.

The club’s work to Eliminate Cervical Cancer took center stage at the Rotary International Convention when Isabel Scarinci inspired everyone with the personal journey that led her to launch Operation Wipe Out. RCB will continue to support building out the impressive framework of this initiative as it grows rapidly. 

RCB will continue to Enhance Educational Opportunities in Birmingham through our programs supporting Pre-K education as well as college prep and scholarships for Birmingham City Schools students.  

Stone reminded members that membership is the lifeblood of the organization and leaders will work intentionally to promoting Member Vitality with focus on recruitment, engagement, education, retention, and effective communication.

Stone encouraged support for the Rotary Club of Birmingham Foundation, which underwrites the club’s initiatives. He shared that donations will be made in honor of each week’s speakers to support the club’s cervical cancer elimination efforts. 

Stone shared the pride he felt joining other members to represent the club at the Rotary International Convention in Calgary in June. They heard presentations from such luminaries as the Director General of the World Health Organization, Bill Gates, and actress Geena Davis. RCB also continued its tradition of hosting a cocktail reception for leaders from around the world. “t was remarkable to meet so many past presidents, leaders of the Rotary Foundation, and current members of the Board of Directors, including the new Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo.”     

Stone highlighted President Arezzo’s theme for the year—Unite for Good—which invites Rotary members to be a force for unity in a world increasingly divided by politics, geography, and ideology.   

Stone shared that RCB maintains a tremendous legacy at the international level, with Past Presidents Roy Hickman and Frank Spain serving as presidents of Rotary International, and Past President Leslie Wright serving as the first chair of the PolioPlus initiative.  

Stone shared plans to highlight the tremendous projects that have been built thanks to the work of Rotarians around the world. He reminded members that their continued support of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International makes an incredible difference. 

Stone also highlighted significant anniversaries in addition to the 10th anniversary of Rotary Trail: the 40th anniversary of the Harbert Center, the 70th anniversary of the Birmingham Zoo, the 75th anniversary of the Birmingham Museum of Art, and the 250th anniversary of the nation’s declaration of independence.

Stone encouraged members to find meaningful ways to plug into the impactful opportunities the club builds to serve, engage and learn throughout the year.

“Together we will sustain continuous improvement in our community focused on the important initiatives this club maintains under the Rotary motto of Service Above Self,” Jeff said. “Thank you for your partnership and trust in me to serve as your President for this incredible project we call Rotary.”