Individual members are the foundation of the century- old Kiwanis movement. Diverse human beings who sacrifice their time and resources to improve their community are the glue that holds Kiwanis International together. Our local volunteer armies may be small or large, but every club is mighty in potential and capabilities. Kiwanians join to serve.
However, Kiwanis Clubs also rely heavily on leaders stepping up to guide and support them for maximum impact. To accomplish all that we want to do and need to do for children in Oklahoma and Texas, we constantly must raise up new servant leaders to lead our clubs, regions, divisions, and District. We urgently need members willing both to serve and to lead.
Leadership development is my heart. I trained leadership principles for more than 25 years in corporate settings. As Governor, I will use my experience to encourage and equip more Kiwanis members for servant leadership at all levels of the organization.
To raise a new generation of leaders, we must encourage the will to lead. Kiwanis International has terrific training opportunities available for new leaders. We do an excellent job of laying out roles and responsibilities for each leadership position. Kiwanis has Club Leadership Education, Lieutenant Governor training, Youth Protection Training, and Kiwanis Amplify. We can train. However, all the training and resources in the world are worthless if no one has the will to lead.
Who has the will to lead?
At the club level, we need newer members willing to serve as presidents so that the president’s position no longer rotates among two or three longtime members. Clubs need assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers to learn the ropes and assist. Clubs need newer members with fresh ideas and different perspectives to step into director positions. Every club needs someone willing to raise their hand to be a membership chair who will drive club growth initiatives throughout the community.
At the division level, we need members with a little time and flexibility to lead as lieutenant governors. Trust me – lieutenant governor is the best job in Kiwanis! You visit other clubs in your division and become their trusted advisor and resource. You also support the Governor in all their initiatives. I agree with KI President Lee Kuan Yong who believes that engaged lieutenant governors have the power to increase every club’s capabilities to meet needs in their community.
At the district level, we need Kiwanians willing to lead our operations side as a regional trustee. Our Board of Trustees review the District’s finances, maintain our Bylaws and Policies, and make business decisions in concert with District Officers. Trustees serve three- year terms. We need Kiwanians with a business mind willing to lead as regional trustees.
Who has the will to lead?
Our growth and maximum local effectiveness depend heavily on more Kiwanians raising their hand with the will to lead. Even more than time and money, a scarcity of servant leadership in critical roles will ripple our Kiwanis mission. We need more of the will to lead, much more.
There was a time when holding a leadership role in a service club, nonprofit, or charitable organization looked good on a resume. This can still be true if we market that fact to our corporate partners and the community at large. Many businesses and government agencies have up- and- coming, high- potential employees who can learn leadership by joining Kiwanis. They provide an additional set of hands for service. In return, we give them the safe space to learn basic leadership skills in a rewarding environment. Win-Win!
Holding a leadership position in a volunteer organization once seemed universally attractive to club members. Today more and more members say they do not have the time or want the hassle and the politics of leadership. We must reduce the hassle and politics so that our servant leadership roles are attractive and fun again.
Kiwanis International magnificently develops leaders in Aktion Club, Key Club and Circle K. If you attend a Key Club or CKI District Board meeting, you must remind yourself that these impressive, organized, thoughtful, respectful, willful leaders are still high school and college students. We know how to create and develop leaders!
Our mandate is to cultivate the will to lead in a new generation of adults. Let us grow more leaders in our Kiwanis Clubs. Our future depends on it.
Thank you to all our servant leaders who stepped up this year! You have the will to lead. Proudly I work together with you for the children to make their world a better place.
2024-2025 District Governor Bobby Quinten
Last Updated: April 21, 2025 by admin
Kiwanis Leaders: Hands for Service and the Will to Lead
Individual members are the foundation of the century- old Kiwanis movement. Diverse human beings who sacrifice their time and resources to improve their community are the glue that holds Kiwanis International together. Our local volunteer armies may be small or large, but every club is mighty in potential and capabilities. Kiwanians join to serve.
However, Kiwanis Clubs also rely heavily on leaders stepping up to guide and support them for maximum impact. To accomplish all that we want to do and need to do for children in Oklahoma and Texas, we constantly must raise up new servant leaders to lead our clubs, regions, divisions, and District. We urgently need members willing both to serve and to lead.
Leadership development is my heart. I trained leadership principles for more than 25 years in corporate settings. As Governor, I will use my experience to encourage and equip more Kiwanis members for servant leadership at all levels of the organization.
To raise a new generation of leaders, we must encourage the will to lead. Kiwanis International has terrific training opportunities available for new leaders. We do an excellent job of laying out roles and responsibilities for each leadership position. Kiwanis has Club Leadership Education, Lieutenant Governor training, Youth Protection Training, and Kiwanis Amplify. We can train. However, all the training and resources in the world are worthless if no one has the will to lead.
Who has the will to lead?
At the club level, we need newer members willing to serve as presidents so that the president’s position no longer rotates among two or three longtime members. Clubs need assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers to learn the ropes and assist. Clubs need newer members with fresh ideas and different perspectives to step into director positions. Every club needs someone willing to raise their hand to be a membership chair who will drive club growth initiatives throughout the community.
At the division level, we need members with a little time and flexibility to lead as lieutenant governors. Trust me – lieutenant governor is the best job in Kiwanis! You visit other clubs in your division and become their trusted advisor and resource. You also support the Governor in all their initiatives. I agree with KI President Lee Kuan Yong who believes that engaged lieutenant governors have the power to increase every club’s capabilities to meet needs in their community.
At the district level, we need Kiwanians willing to lead our operations side as a regional trustee. Our Board of Trustees review the District’s finances, maintain our Bylaws and Policies, and make business decisions in concert with District Officers. Trustees serve three- year terms. We need Kiwanians with a business mind willing to lead as regional trustees.
Who has the will to lead?
Our growth and maximum local effectiveness depend heavily on more Kiwanians raising their hand with the will to lead. Even more than time and money, a scarcity of servant leadership in critical roles will ripple our Kiwanis mission. We need more of the will to lead, much more.
There was a time when holding a leadership role in a service club, nonprofit, or charitable organization looked good on a resume. This can still be true if we market that fact to our corporate partners and the community at large. Many businesses and government agencies have up- and- coming, high- potential employees who can learn leadership by joining Kiwanis. They provide an additional set of hands for service. In return, we give them the safe space to learn basic leadership skills in a rewarding environment. Win-Win!
Holding a leadership position in a volunteer organization once seemed universally attractive to club members. Today more and more members say they do not have the time or want the hassle and the politics of leadership. We must reduce the hassle and politics so that our servant leadership roles are attractive and fun again.
Kiwanis International magnificently develops leaders in Aktion Club, Key Club and Circle K. If you attend a Key Club or CKI District Board meeting, you must remind yourself that these impressive, organized, thoughtful, respectful, willful leaders are still high school and college students. We know how to create and develop leaders!
Our mandate is to cultivate the will to lead in a new generation of adults. Let us grow more leaders in our Kiwanis Clubs. Our future depends on it.
Thank you to all our servant leaders who stepped up this year! You have the will to lead. Proudly I work together with you for the children to make their world a better place.
2024-2025 District Governor Bobby Quinten
Category: Governor's Blog
2024-2025 Texas Oklahoma Kiwanis District Governor
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