INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TORCH CLUBS.
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IATC 100th ANNIVERSARY CONVENTION – JUNE 20-23, 2024

​Celebrating the Past & Igniting the Torch of Tomorrow

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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
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Media
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International Association of Torch Clubs, Inc.  •  PO Box 20130, Columbus, OH 43220​  •  Email: [email protected]

  • Home
    • International Board of Directors
    • The Torch Magazine Staff
    • Partners
  • Find A Club Near You
    • Application
    • New! Madison, WI
  • Centennial Club
  • Torch Foundation
    • Join The Foundation
    • Donate Now
    • Grants
    • Our Honor Roll
    • In Memoriam Honorees
  • Club & Member Access
    • The Torch - Current Edition >
      • Submit Your Paper
      • Join The Debate
      • Letters To The Editor
      • Toasts
      • Travelers
      • Past Editions
    • Membership Growth & Expansion Tool Kit
    • Celebrating 100 Years of Torch History
    • Regional Information >
      • Tutorials
      • 2024-2025 IATC Club Invoices
      • Region 1
      • Region 2
      • Region 3
      • Region 4
      • Region 5
      • Region 6
      • Region 7
      • Region 8
      • Region 9
      • Region 10
    • Order Member Pins
    • Silver & Gold Nominations
    • Speaker's Bureau
    • ByLaws, Constitution, Policies & Procedures & Logos
    • Feature Presentations
    • Historical Information >
      • Past Presidents
      • Paxton Winners
      • Past Conventions
      • Great Photos