New Rotary International President Gordon R. McInally is presenting us with his new theme of "Create Hope in the World.  He has 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."

 

Promoting Peace:  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.

 

Focusing on Mental Health:  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.  He added that Rotary will work to improve mental health services in the next year and beyond. Rotary should be known as an organization that takes care of its members as well as the people it serves, McInally said. "Any mental health professional will tell you that by helping others, we essentially help ourselves."

 

"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."

 

To view his speech, click here.

 

Please join us Monday at noon as we begin the new Rotary year!!

 

Ron Rasmussen 

We have a new address:

We need at least four individuals to assist with parking for the Touch-A-Truck event on Saturday, July 29th from 9:30 p.m. to about Noon.  Please let us know at the meeting on Monday if you can assist or sign up via the email sent last week.

 

Meeting ID: 839 8618 4069
Passcode: 202324

 

+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

July 5 - Tim Oates, $200, Sponsor:  Paul Gross Jewelers

July 6 - Susan Feith, $250, Sponsor:  Ruder Ware

July 7 - Kathy Bohman, $250, Sponsor:  Crockett Septic

July 10 - Deb Rokke, $100, Sponsor:  Milkweek Market/Ink Splash

July 11 - Tami Smith, $100, Sponsor:  Renaissance

July 12 - Miriam Lueck, $100, Sponsor:  Bassuener Trucking & Excavating

July 13 - Tari Jahns, $250, Sponsor:  Glacial Lakes Cranberries

July 14 - $500, Sponsor:  Safe-Way Bus Transit