FEATURED SPEAKERS
Rotary International President Elect
Gordon McInally
Gordon R. McInally, a member of the Rotary Club of South Queensferry, Lothian, Scotland, is the selection of the Nominating Committee for President of Rotary International for 2023-24.
McInally lauded Rotary’s ability to adapt technologically during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the approach should continue and be combined with the best of our past practices as Rotary seeks to grow and increase engagement.
“We have learned there is a willingness within communities to care for one another,” he says, “and we must ensure that we encourage people who have recently embraced the concept of volunteering to join us to allow them to continue giving service.”
McInally says that senior leaders’ ability to communicate directly with club members online will be one positive legacy of the changes Rotary has had to make. But, he adds, “face-to-face meetings remain important, as they encourage greater interaction.”
The best way to increase membership is engagement, according to McInally. To better support clubs, he says, Rotary International, regional leaders, and district teams all need to engage with them. Engagement through social media will reinforce Rotary’s brand and showcase the opportunities that come with it. And, he says, engagement with governments, corporations, and other organizations will lead to meaningful partnerships.
With better engagement, McInally says, “We will grow Rotary both by way of membership and in our ability to provide meaningful service.”
He adds, “Membership is the lifeblood of our organization. I would encourage the use of the flexibility now available to establish new-style clubs that would appeal to a different demographic.”
McInally, a graduate of dental surgery at the University of Dundee, owned and operated his own dental practice in Edinburgh. He was the chair of the East of Scotland branch of the British Paedodontic Society and has held various academic positions. He has also served as a Presbytery elder, chair of Queensferry Parish Congregational Board, and commissioner to the church’s general assembly.
A Rotary member since 1984, McInally has been president and vice president of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland. He has also served Rotary International as a director and as member or chair of several committees. He is currently an adviser to the 2022 Houston Convention Committee and chair of the Operations Review Committee. McInally and his wife, Heather, are Major Donors and Benefactors of The Rotary Foundation. They are also members of the Bequest Society.
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Dr. “Bowtie” Todd Jenkins
Dr. Todd Jenkins currently serves as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Executive at a Fortune 100 company and as a Global Inclusion Trainer, Strategist, and Speaker with Bowtie Leadership, Inc. As a consultant, he has worked with several companies such as Walmart, Google, Facebook, American Airlines, Deloitte, etc., oil and gas companies, small and large non-profits, and entrepreneurs. He graduated with honors from the University of South Carolina with two degrees, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Sociology, a Master of Science from Illinois State University, and a Doctorate from the University of Arkansas. His research area focused on minority professionals, retention, and perception of their supervisor within the workplace. He attended Harvard University to complete his post-doctorate studies as Harvard Fellow and recently appointed to Harvard Business School as a Research Director. Also, Dr. Jenkins serves as a faculty member for the Executive Institute on Inclusion and on the Diversity Business Journal Review Board.
Dr. Jenkins is a proud Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow from the Rotary Club of Fayetteville, Arkansas since 2012; he has served as the former Rotaract Advisor, Interact Sponsor, RYLA presenter, Youth Services Chair, two terms on the Club Board of Directors, and graduated from his District and Zone Leadership Academy. Dr. Jenkins is currently one of the youngest Youth Exchange District Chairs in Rotary International and gained his passion through his new generation exchange to Brazil. He has been honored and often invited to speak at various Rotary districts, zones, and international conventions. Dr. Jenkins serves on multiple boards locally and internationally in education, business, and inclusion initiatives. He proudly serves on the first Rotary International Committee- DEI Taskforce to align Rotary's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion assessment, strategy, goals, and initiatives.
Today he is known as Dr. "Bowtie Todd," who has given inspirational talks and education to audiences of all sizes and backgrounds throughout North America, Asia, South America, and Europe. Dr. Todd Jenkins is a proud husband, father, author, servant leader, and conversationalist who believes in his philosophy "bowtie" it all together, serve and simply be a gift unto the world!
Feel free to connect with Dr. Jenkins on social media outlets Instagram/Facebook @dr.bowtietodd , www.bowtieleadership.com, or email
bowtietietodd@bowtieleadership.com !