IATC 100th ANNIVERSARY CONVENTION – JUNE 20-23, 2024

​Celebrating the Past & Igniting the Torch of Tomorrow
THANK YOU
​RICHMOND!
We had an extraordinary convention celebrating our Centennial Anniversary in Richmond in 2024! Our 91st Torch Convention was a dynamic fusion of honoring our past and sparking our future. With a theme of growth, 95 enthusiastic Torch members and their guests from 29 clubs gathered in Richmond, VA. Impressively, over a quarter of the attendees were first-timers, adding fresh energy to our celebration.

The convention was an exhilarating mix of tradition and innovation, with several exciting announcements:
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  • History Celebration:
    • We kicked off by honoring the clubs and individuals who have shaped our rich history.
    • Thursday evening dazzled with a dance video performance by Joe and Judy Ashley (Richmond).
    • The debut of our new Torch Anthem was a highlight, with heartfelt lyrics by David Piner (Winston-Salem) and uplifting music by Art Bloom (Winston-Salem), performed by a lively pop-up choir.
  • Centennial Video Premiere:
    • On Saturday, we unveiled the stunning new Torch Centennial video, produced by the talented Evan Stulc (Saratoga) and Gerald Stulc (Saratoga).
  • Paxton Gala Extravaganza:
    • Saturday night's Paxton Gala was a showstopper.
    • Winner W. David Piner (Winston-Salem) captivated the audience with an entertaining reading of his article "Hamilton: In History and In Hip Hop".
  • Awards Celebration:
    • Friday evening sparkled with our Awards ceremony.
    • The prestigious Gold Award for outstanding service went to Past-President Sue Breen-Held (Central Iowa) for her exceptional leadership, including bylaw revisions and pandemic survival efforts.
    • The Outstanding Club Award was presented to Saginaw Valley, MI.
    • The return of our beloved sing-a-long session had everyone on their feet, featuring an IATC version of "YMCA" and a variety of member-led songs.
  • Engaging Business Sessions:
    • We celebrated the past year's achievements.
    • Discussed exciting new club growth activities.
    • Shared upcoming tech support plans.
    • Reviewed insightful results from the all-member survey.
  • Inspiring Presentations:
    • Attendees were riveted by talks on Richmond's history, Black capitalism, and innovative methods of teaching American history in the digital age.
    • Richmond Club member Mike Mason electrified the crowd with his passionate talk on living our best lives.
  • Captivating Tours:
    • Our tours were unforgettable, including city and state capitol explorations.
    • Visits to museums showcasing Black history and fine art.
    • Tours of various local and state cultural sites.
  • Luxurious Venue:
    • The Omni Richmond Hotel in historic Shockoe Slip offered top-notch amenities and delicious cuisine, adding to the overall enjoyment of the event.

This convention was a jubilant celebration of our past and an exhilarating push towards the next century:
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  • Igniting the Future:
    • Seminars on "Igniting The Torch of Tomorrow" brought fresh, innovative ideas, challenging us to grow and adapt.
    • A standout panel featured dynamic young Torch leaders from Trenton, NJ; Lincoln, NE; and Des Moines, IA, inspiring us all with their vision for the future.
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The energy, enthusiasm, and camaraderie at this year's convention were truly unforgettable, setting the stage for an even brighter future for our Torch community!
Convention Photos
Centennial Video
Presentations
Media
International Association of Torch Clubs, Inc.  •  PO Box 20130, Columbus, OH 43220​  •  Email: [email protected]