De Camargo to focus on continuity and membership increase

It was a Rotary Youth Exchange programme way back in 1974–75 “that changed my vision of life, after spending a year in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, with a freezing winter and warmhearted people. That experience paved the way for me to become the first RI president coming from the ranks of the YEP. By the way, I survived the winter,” said RI President Nominee Mario de Camargo, in a passionate acceptance speech made at the closing session of the Singapore Convention.

Amidst applause, as his spouse Denise stood by his side, he promised to focus on the core values and objectives of Rotary and particularly follow the mantra of continuity. At the outset he made it clear that as Rotary is in the business of “we, not ‘I’, as isolation induces a feeling of superiority, the reason for many difficulties,” he was accepting the presidency for not only himself but also his spouse Denise and son Andre. He also recognised his parents who had introduced him to Rotary at an early age, and acknowledged the hard work put in by earlier RI presidents from Latin America — Paulo Costa from Brazil in 1990–91, Luis Giay from Argentina in 1996–97 and Frank Devlyn from Mexico in 2000–01; and the first RI ­president to mention continuity, Carlo Ravizza from Italy (1999–2000), when he was the DG.

De Camargo said he would keep in mind the “successful lessons from Polio to help change our partnership mindset. Rotary can do wonders working alone but we need partners to change the world. There is an African proverb that states: If you want to go quickly, walk alone. If you want to go far, walk together.”

Innovation for membership boost

Reiterating the need for innovation, new club formats and new forms of associations, he said, “We must change to continue to be the same — to be in sync with modern times in an ever dynamic world and stay relevant. We accept the need for continuity, realising the president must lead by example and emphasise we are in a relay race, not a solitary sprint. The long-term goal is what matters most, not our individual egos. We will continue what Gordon (McInally) and ­Stephanie (Urchick) started and we will move forward with continuity.”

We accept the need for continuity, realising the president must lead by example and emphasise we are in a relay race, not a solitary sprint.

— Mario De Camargo, RI President Nominee

For membership and revenue growth it was important to connect with professional and business associations — doctors, traders, industrialists, lawyers, salespeople (He is a salesperson and a lawyer). Rotary also needs to “rejuvenate our image and procedures; appeal to the younger generation to guarantee our succession plan for Rotary — that means including them in our decision process, not using them as cheap labour to move furniture.”

He stressed that membership increase would remain “our biggest priority, asset and challenge — after more than 25 years of stagnant growth.”

He was confident that with a great history as an NGO, “we will win the battle for more members. We know we will prevail because we are a force for good that will defeat polio around the planet after 40 years of battle.”

He said his Rotary journey has always included Denise. “She was a little jealous when I joined Rotary six months before getting married to her. She joked that she was second, and behind Rotary.” Denise, who was beside him on the dais, added that his club asked her if she wanted to join. “But I wanted to do Rotary my way, so I helped form a satellite club!”

In conclusion, De Camargo said, “Leading Rotary will be the most rewarding mission somebody can perform. So we accept (the presidency) to work with this extraordinary pool of talent and do good in the world.”