26-27 President Resource Hub

Prepare for a successful term.

Welcome, Presidents Elect!

You’re about to begin one of the most meaningful and inspiring journeys in Rotary leadership. As incoming club presidents, you hold the opportunity to shape a year of impact — fostering connection, purpose, and growth within your club and community.

This is your season to prepare, to learn, and to lead with intention. It’s a time to clarify your vision, strengthen relationships, and equip yourself with the tools to guide your club to new heights.

This webpage is your one-stop hub — a curated collection of resources, tools, and inspiration designed to support your leadership journey and help you build a year that’s effective, empowering, and fun.

Page Overview

 

 

How to Prepare

Your year as president-elect is a vital time to lay the foundation for a successful term. This planning phase allows you to align your vision with your club’s strategic goals and set the tone for impactful leadership.

As president-elect, you'll collaborate closely with your assistant governor and incoming leadership team to shape your club’s direction. Use this year to build momentum, strengthen your leadership skills, and prepare your club for lasting success.

Key Steps to Take:

  • Complete online training in the Rotary Learning Center — focus on courses designed for club presidents

  • Assess your club’s health by identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and risks

  • Set realistic, measurable annual goals that align with your club’s long-term vision

  • Create an action plan to achieve those goals with clear steps, timelines, and accountability

  • Appoint your committee chairs early to ensure strong team alignment and project ownership

  • Prioritize leadership continuity to maintain momentum across service projects and club operations

  • Attend PELS (Presidents-Elect Learning Seminar) — your essential leadership launchpad

  • Participate in your District Training Assembly for hands-on learning and networking

This is your moment to plan with purpose — and lead with confidence.

Not sure where to start? Use the President-Elect Planning Calendar [PDF] to guide your journey.

Key Dates

Here is an overview of key meetings, trainings or events you should plan to attend. Please contact DG YuHui (rotarianyuhui@gmail.com) or COS Gary (garybutlerrotary@gmail.com) with any questions:
 
Date:
Event:          
Location:
Time:
December 6, 2025
The Rotary Foundation
Rotary Terrace (one of two options)
 
January 10, 2026
 
The Rotary Foundation
Rotary Terrace (one of two options)
 
February 7, 2026
Pre PELS Two
Rotary Terrace
8:00am–1:00pm
February 7, 2026
Grants Management
Training
Rotary Terrace
1:30pm–4:00pm
March 6-8, 2026
PELS (Mandatory)
San Jose Doubletree
 
March 21, 2026
District Assembly
Redwood High School
 
April 4, 2026
District Grant Training
 
 
April 20, 2026
Post PELS check-in
Zoom
6:30pm-7:30pm
June 4, 2026
AG/PE Meeting w/ DG
Zoom
6:30pm–7:30pm
June 13-17, 2026
International Conference
Taiwan
 
July 13, 2026
AG/P Meeting w/DG
Zoom
 6:30pm-7:30pm
 
Sept 27-29, 2026
Rotary HG (Evanston)
Evanston/Chicago
 
October 12, 2026
AG/P Meeting w/ DG
Zoom
6:30pm-7:30pm
November 7, 2026
Foundation Event
 
 
January 11, 2027
AG/P Meeting w/ DG
Zoom
6:30pm-7:30pm
March 8, 2027
AG/P Meeting w/ DG
Zoom
6:30pm-7:30pm
March 20, 2027
District Assembly
Redwood High School
 
May 10, 2027
AG/P Meeting
Zoom
6:30pm-7:30pm
May 22-26, 2027
International Conference
Dubai
 
June 12, 2027   
District Conference
San Francisco
 

Rotary Learning Center

Rotary International has a robust online learning resource with materials that are designed to help you learn new skills and become more successful in what you do.  
 
Step One:  Log-in to Rotary's Learning center by visiting Rotary.org/learn. Use your MyRotary account credentials to log-in. You must log-in first for the links below to work. 
 
Step Two:  Click on a course name below to go directly to the course.
 
 
 

Resources & Reference

Ready for a deep dive? Use these manuals to learn more about the role of the Club President and help you begin to build a plan for your term. 

Resources & Reference

Ready for a deep dive?  Here's some links for learning more about the role of the Club President and help you begin to build a plan for your term. 
 
Club Awards:
Club Awards
 
DG Visits:
 
Rotarian of the Month (ROTM)
 
Sites:
 
 
Documents:
 
Pre-PELS Documents:
 
 
Videos:
 

Grant Qualification Process

Did you know there are grant funds available to do service projects during the 2026-2027 Rotary year (your term as Club President)? District Designated Funds (DDF) provide funding for District Grants and Global Grants. Each Club is allocated DDF annually by District 5150 based on the Club’s prior 3 years of donations to The Rotary Foundation’s (TRF) Annual Fund.
 
This is FREE money available to clubs that complete the grant qualification process. As President-Elect, you are responsible for helping your club qualify for the grant application process.

Support Team

You have a large network to support you as Club President. Consider reaching out to the following resources for help:
 
Immediate Past Club President
Club Board Members
District Leadership Team (2026-27)