Excerpts from Rotary International President-Elect's Address R. Gordon R. Mclnally - Melbourne, Australia, May 31, 2013

July 11, 2023

"Our human compassion binds us the one to the other — not in pity or patronizingly, but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future."

These words were spoken by Nelson Mandela, and they express so much of what it means to be a Rotary member and to take up the challenge of our times, to see beyond the divisions and conflicts, finding our singular human need for connection and peace.

Our theme this year is Create Hope in the World. Five simple words that build on Mandela’s invitation. Words that find Rotary at this critical moment in history ready to answer the call...

And as we help create peace across the globe, we also must work to create a similar kind of change within ourselves. Because for many people on this planet, lost hope is not just a function of material poverty. All of us face challenges that threaten our well-Around the world many have lost loved ones to disease, war, and disasters. Social circles have narrowed. Divisions have grown wider.

Opportunities for connection have been lost. Sadly, children and young adults are feeling that their education and personal growth have been interrupted. There are many parts of the world where discussing mental health challenges is considered a weakness. We must change that.

What makes Rotary powerful isn’t just what we do for the communities we serve. We also support and empower each other, by creating a safe space for our members to bring their whole, authentic selves. We show each other comfort and care. We strengthen our friendships, we strengthen our clubs, and we strengthen ourselves. Research shows that performing acts of kindness is the most effective step anyone can take to protect our sense of well-being. …I know that Rotary can do something about that. I am confident we can illuminate mental health needs near and far.

We can advocate for mental health services. And we can build bridges with experts in the mental health space to help expand access to treatment. The good news is that we are not starting this effort from scratch. The Rotary Action Group for Mental Health has been focused on these kinds of issues for several years now — and we will be looking to them for leadership throughout the year as we continue to build awareness.

Rotary clubs around the world already have numerous mental health-focused projects. And mental health care fits comfortably within several of our areas of focus.

I am excited and delighted that we have already begun to embrace mental health in the Rotary world. For 2023-24, I aim to prioritize it and hopefully make it possible to keep this commitment in the years ahead. To do this, I encourage you to help us erase the stigma associated with emotional well-being. I encourage you to help us raise awareness of mental health needs. Speak up and advocate for resources where they don’t exist.

I encourage you to help us improve access to preventative and interventive mental health services. Forge collaborations to help avert a looming public health crisis.

I’m asking each and every one of you to become champions of this effort. As we cross that bridge into the new Rotary year, let us Create Hope in the World.

R. Gordon R. McInally President 2023-2024, Rotary International
RI