Rotary International President R. Gordon R. McInally called for members to capture the world’s attention and lead the way toward possibilities far beyond our current expectations.

“The goal is to restore hope — to help the world heal from destructive conflicts and, in turn, to help us achieve lasting change for ourselves”; McInally said at Rotary’s annual training event for incoming district governors.

A significant way to bring hope to the world is to put a greater emphasis on peace, McInally said. He cited the action Rotary members have taken in the past year to support the people of Ukraine after the invasion by Russia. Rotary has made humanitarian relief a priority, attracting more Ukrainian members in the
process. But McInally noted that true relief won’t come without peace — not just in Ukraine, but in Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria, and dozens of other places around the globe.

McInally also emphasized the power of continuity, calling for Rotary members to continue the work of some past leaders. He pledged to maintain the Empowering Girls initiative launched by 2021-22 President Shekhar Mehta and uphold the emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout Rotary. He also noted recent events that underscore the importance of Rotary’s continuing focus on polio. In the past year,
polio cases have emerged in many areas around the world, making it more crucial than ever for Rotary members to lead the fight against the disease.

In addition, McInally said, Rotary members should offer hope to those affected by mental health challenges — a crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people have lost family members, many more have found their social networks uprooted, and young people especially have had their educational and
developmental paths interrupted. As a result, more people around the world are facing mental health issues. And yet, seeking assistance is often perceived as a sign of weakness.

McInally ended his speech by describing his ideal balance of continuity and innovation. “Rotary helps create the conditions for peace, opportunity, and a future worth living” he said. “By continuing what we do best, by remaining open and willing to change, and by keeping our focus on building peace in the world and within ourselves, Rotary helps create a more peaceful world — a more hopeful world.”

Finally a link to McInally’s vision statement.

Our own club will concentrate on activating our members and improving the public image of our club. We want to make Rotary’s achievements more visible. We will be more and more active towards youth and their families in order to support their growth towards an active and healthy adulthood.