RI President Klinginsmith remarks at Convention

Posted by Craig Clarke 
 
Klinginsmith asks Rotary clubs to get 'bigger, better, and bolder'
By Arnold R. Grahl 
Rotary International News – 23 June 2010  
  
 
 
As the 2010 RI Convention in Montréal, Québec, Canada, drew to a close on 23 June, RI President-elect Ray Klinginsmith outlined his plans for his term, which begins 1 July. 

Klinginsmith will ask Rotarians to apply "cowboy logic" and make Rotary clubs "bigger, better, and bolder."

The fundamental principles of cowboy logic are taking pride in your work, talking less and saying more, doing what has to be done, and remembering that some things just aren't for sale, he explained during the closing plenary session.

"I believe the way for Rotary to remain viable and vibrant in the next century is to help our clubs to be bigger, better, and bolder," Klinginsmith said. "The clubs are the life and breath of Rotary. Therefore, it is clear to me that my job is to help the district governors to help the clubs. We can do it, and we will do it, if all of us follow the simple solution of cowboy logic."

All Rotarians should seek out best practices to build upon what works, Klinginsmith adds. "What I'm trying to do is create a culture of innovation where we can take a fresh look at everything we do, to see whether or not it's a best practice or just a traditional practice. If we are already doing it in the best way, I don't want to disturb it. But if we can find a better way to do it, then we need to start some new traditions."

Klinginsmith also listed improvements that he and the RI Board have already authorized, including revisions to the RI Strategic Plan to make it easier to implement and evaluate, a realignment of RI committees to fit the revised plan, the recruitment of 41 Rotary coordinators, and a commitment to finding new ways to attract younger members and enable them to serve as district governors.

 

 
Klinginsmith's Rotary journey started in New Orleans, where he boarded a ship to begin a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, in 1961. After returning home, he and his wife, Judie, married and then honeymooned in the city. He said he is excited about the venue of the 2011 RI Convention because he will have traveled full circle in both his personal and Rotary life.
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