Altrusa International District Nine, Inc.
70th Annual Conference
April 17-19, 2026
Embassy Suite, Amarillo, TX
   
Friday, April 17, 2026   
9:00 am - 12:00 pmDistrict Nine Pre-Conference Board Meeting  Hotel Private Dining
10:00 am - 1:00 pmVendor Set-upPre-Function Area
12:00 pmLunch on your own 
1:00 pm - 6:00 pm  Vendor Fair Open  Pre-Function Area
1:00 pm - 6:00 pmSet up Club Displays w/ Club Banners  Capital Boardroom
1:00 pm - 4:00 pmGet Social with a Hands-On FocusSanborn B/C
 “Servicepalooza Projects” & “Digital Literacy” Social 
 Card of Kindness (by BJ Taylor, Altrusa Copperas Cove) 
 
Beads of Friendship (by TeachHaiti, Jane Tucker, Altrusa Richardson/Austin)
 
 Days for Girls Fabric Trace n’ Cut (hosted by Altrusa Richardson) 
 Patriot Paws Tug Toys (hosted by Altrusa Dallas) 
 Digital Literacy Tech Corner
(Tech Gurus: Sherry Burke, Frances Dalbey, Elle Reese, Mary Powlen and Sharon Tramonte)
 
4:00 pm - 5:30 pmRegistrations & Credentials Open  Pre-Function Area
 Service Project Donations  Lighthouse Room
 Everything Room Opens: Club Displays & “Carry the Cause”Capital Boardroom
5:30 pm - 6:15 pmFirst Timers Special EventYellow Rose A/B
   
6:30 pm - 9:30 pmCash Bar Open 
6:45 pmWelcome to Friday Fun Night Announcements & KickoffYellow Rose C/B
 Dress Attire: Favorite Game (Sport, Card, Board, etc.) 
 Conference Kick OffKimberly Kierce
 First Timer Engagement Activity OverviewJudy Porter
 First Timer Drawings 
 Fun Night Games, Passports and PrizesLynne Moore
7:00 pm - 9:00 pmFriday Fun Night BBQ Buffet OpensYellow Rose C/B
 “Travel Texas: Get on Board the Game Train” 
 DJ Entertainment, Games and Photo Booth 
8:45 pmGame Prizes awardedYellow Rose C/B
   
Saturday, April 18, 2026 
  
7:30 am - 8:20 amRegistrations & Credentials Open  Pre-Function Area
 Service Project Donations  Lighthouse Room
 Everything Room Opens: Club Displays & “Carry the Cause”Capital Boardroom
8:00 am - 4:00 pmVendor Fair Open  Pre-Function Area
   
8:30 am - 9:45 amDistrict Nine Conference Opens - 1st Business Meeting Yellow Rose A/B
 Call to OrderKimberly Kierce
 Invocation and Pledges of AllegianceSharon Tramonte
 Welcome & IntroductionsKimberly Kierce
 Welcome from Host ClubSandra McKinney
 Welcome City of Pampa MayorMike Borger
 Altrusa Collect & Altrusa Accent  Mary Powlen
 Registration ReportAnn Franklin
 Credentials ReportLaure Bruner
 Ratification of Conference and Election RulesLaVone Arthur
 Report from International (20 Min) & UN Video (10 Min)Kitty McElhaney
 Altrusa Int’l Foundation: “How to give during conference” &
How to become a Charter Member of "Club 52"
Linda Moore &
Betty Sainz
 2026-2027 District Proposed BudgetMary Powlen
 Nominating Committee Candidates ForumKimberly Kierce
 First Timer DrawingsJudy Porter
 AnnouncementsBarb Hahn
 Recess Business MeetingKimberly Kierce
   
  9:45 amBreak & Shop Vendor Fair 
 Everything Room Opens: “Carry the Cause” Raffle OpensCapital Boardroom
 Club 52 Pin Pick-up (1/3) App: GalaBid 
   
10:00 am – 11:15 amKeynote Speaker & Leadership AwardsYellow Rose A/B
 Welcome & IntroductionsKimberly Kierce
 Introduction of Keynote SpeakerSarah Wagner
 Keynote Address: "Choosing YOUR MOVE When Life Happens!"Rebecca Silvestri
 Response to Keynote SpeakerShirley Raymer
 Award: Edith DeBusk President’s AwardsShirley Raymer
 Award: Kathy Folley Innovation AwardsKathy Folley & Frances Dalbey
 Explanation of Voting ProcessElle Reese
 AnnouncementsBarb Hahn
 Recess Business Meeting & Voting/Lunch InstructionKimberly Kierce
   
11:15 am – 11:45 amRegistration Open  / Club 52 Pin Pick-up (2/3)Function Area
11:15 am – 11:30 am Voting (and last minute Credentials)Sanborn B/C
 Break & Shop Vendor FairFunction Area
 Everything Room Opens: Visit “Carry the Cause” RaffleCapital Boardroom
   
11:45 am – 1:30 pmSERVICE AWARDS LUNCH: “Adventures in Service”Yellow Rose C/D
 Welcome & Head Table IntroductionKimberly Kierce
 Altrusa Grace & AccentLaura Roach
 Enjoy your meal 
 First Timer DrawingsJudy Porter
 Introduction of Service Project SpeakerBeth Bagwell
 Tralee Crisis CenterPenny Harvey
 Response to Speakers & Donation ReminderBeth Bagwell
 Service Award Presentations -  
   Award: Mamie L. Bass ServiceBeverly Luedke
   Award: Letha H. Brown LiteracyGail Woods
   Award: ASTRA Service AwardKaitlyn Glover
   Award: District Nine Book Challenge AwardsLaura Roach
 AnnouncementsBarb Hahn
 First Timer DrawingsJudy Porter
 Recess & Workshop InstructionsKimberly Kierce
1:30 pm - 2:00 pmBreak & Shop Vendor FairFunction Area
   
2:00 pm - 2:50 pmWorkshopalooza “A” (choose one) Yellow Rose A / B, Sanborn A / B / C
 A1. Keynote: Your Move: Stepping Into LeadershipRebecca Silvestri
 A2. Membership: GrowthDebbie Mabry & Candance Martin
 A3. Communication: Marketing 101Holly Mabry & Jennifer Phillips
 A4. Leadership: I am RemarkableLaura Roach
 A5. Service: LiteracyKathleen Witte & Janelle Williamson
2:50 pm - 3:00 pmBreak, Everything Room & Shop Vendor Fair 
   
3:00 pm - 3:50 pmWorkshopalooza “B” (choose one) Yellow Rose A / B, Sanborn A / B / C
 B1. Keynote: Your Move: Stepping Into LeadershipRebecca Silvestri
 B2. Leadership: Leading With KindnessSarah Wagner & Leadership Panel
 B3. Administration: FundraisingBrenda Hill & Regina Phinney
 B4. Communications: Social MediaSherry Burke & Frances Dalbey
 B5. Membership: EngagementLaura Trainor-Collins & Debbie Llacuna
 B6. Service: Lone Star Texas Virtual Club Hotel Private DiningLone Star Texas Club Leadership
   
3:50 pm - 4:00 pmBreak, Everything Room & Final Shop Vendor Fair Opportunity 
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm  Vendor Teardown   
   
4:10 pm - 5:00 pmDistrict Nine Conference - 2nd Business Meeting Yellow Rose A/B
 Reconvening Business Meeting & HeadtableKimberly Kierce
 Voting ResultsKimberly Kierce
 Lone Star Texas Virtual Club: “Service That Fits Your Life”Kimberly Kierce
 Texas OneStar Foundation RecognitionsKimberly Kierce
 Successes in New Club BuildingDebbie Mabry
 Celebrate: Altrusa Ambassador RecognitionsCandace Martin
 Award: Joella Terrill Butler Membership AwardsCandace Martin
 Celebrate: Honoring Years of Service RecognitionsDebbie Llacuna
 Celebrate: Sue Powell Perfect Attendance RecognitionsSharon Tramonte
 AnnouncementsBarb Hahn
 First Timer DrawingsJudy Porter
 Evening Instruction & Recess Business MeetingKimberly Kierce
   
5:30 pm - 6:45 pm  Club Group Photos (see Club Times list for details)Pre-Function Area
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm  Cash Bar OpenPre-Function Area
6:00 pm - 6:45 pm  Int’l Visitor Reception: “Friendship Passports”Pre-Function Area
6:50 pm  Line-up of Current and Past International Presidents,Pre-Function Area
   Past Governors, Int’l Visitor, and District Nine BoardDebbie Fendrick
   
   
7:00 pm - 9:30 pmGovernor’s Banquet Celebrating International FoundationYellow Rose C/D
 Entrance of Current and Past Int’l PresidentsBetty Sainz
     Past Governors, Int’l Visitor, and District Nine Board   
 Welcome & Introduction of HeadtableKimberly Kierce
 Recognition of 2025–2026 Club PresidentsKimberly Kierce
   A Special “TEXAS” Presentation 
 Altrusa GraceKimberly Kierce
 Enjoy Your Meal 
 First Timer DrawingsJudy Porter
 International Foundation 'Many Ways to Give"Linda Moore & Betty Sainz
 Club 52 Pin Pick-up (3/3) 
 Award: Linda Nichols Foundation Contribution AwardsLinda Moore
 Award: Dr. Nina Fay Calhoun Int’l RelationsBeverly Luedke
 Introduction of SpeakerBeverly Luedke
 Report from the International FoundationLaVone Arthur
 Last Chance to GiveLinda Moore & Betty Sainz
   “Carry the Cause” Purse/Bag Raffle Closes 
 AnnouncementsBarb Hahn
 Closing RemarksKimberly Kierce
 Group Photo: All Attendees 
 Group Photo: All Club 52 Charter Members 
 Group Photo: All Lamplighter Levels 
   
Sunday, April 19, 2026 
  
7:30 am - 8:30 amBreakdown of Club Displays/Banners &Capital Boardroom
   “Carry the Cause” Pick-ups in Everything Room   
8:30 am  Memorial Participants Report for instructionsYellow Rose A/B
   
8:45 am - 9:15 amMemorial ServiceYellow Rose A/B
9:15 am - 9:30 am Break & Final Pick-ups 
   
9:30 am - 11:30 amDistrict Nine Conference - Closing Business Meeting Yellow Rose A/B
 Good Morning! & IntroductionsKimberly Kierce
 First Timer DrawingsJudy Porter
 Membership Spotlight: “Diversity in Altrusa”Kimberly Kierce
 Final Registration Report  Alicia Snelgrooes
 Final Credentials ReportLaure Bruner
 Award: Communications AwardsGail Woods
 Award: Club Display AwardsKitty McElhaney
 Award: First Timers & Helen Hooker AwardsJudy Porter
 Invitation to Fall Leadership Event (FLE) 2026Frances Dalbey
 Invitation to District Nine Conference 2027Altrusa DFW
 Invitation to Bid for 2028 District Nine ConferenceKimberly Kierce
 International Visitor CommentsKitty McElhaney
 Foundation SuccessLinda Moore & Betty Sainz
 Service Project SuccessBrenda Tucker
 "ServicePalooza" SuccessFrances Dalbey
 Governor’s ReportKimberly Kierce
 Evaluation ReminderGuadalupe Carvajal
 Final AnnouncementsBarb Hahn
 Closing RemarksKimberly Kierce
 BenedictionAll
 AdjournmentKimberly Kierce
   
12:00 pm – 2:00 pmDistrict Nine Post-Conference Board MeetingHotel Private Dining