Page 11 - 2023-24DMS地區社員研討會手冊

#promotepeace

One important way to bring hope to the world is to place a greater
emphasis on peace, McInnally said. He cited the actions Rotary

members have taken over the past year in support of the people of

Ukraine following the Russian invasion. Rotary made humanitarian

relief a priority, attracting more Ukrainian members in the process. But
McKinnally points out that there can be no real relief without peace

-- not just in Ukraine, but in Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria and dozens of

other places around the globe.

“Peace is the soil in which hope takes root,” McInnally said.
McInnery also emphasized the power of continuity, calling on Rotary

members to carry on the work of some former leaders. He pledged

to sustain the 2020-21 Girls Empowerment Initiative launched by

President Shekal Mehta and maintain an emphasis on diversity, equity
and inclusion throughout Rotary. He also noted that recent events

underscore the importance of the Rotary Club’s continued focus on

polio. Cases of polio have emerged in many parts of the world over
the past year, making it more important than ever for Rotary members

to lead the fight against the disease.

To do that, McKinnery said, the club must continue to raise at least

$50 million a year to receive a 2-for-1 full funding match from the Bill &

Melinda Gates Foundation. Currently, only about one in 12 members
donate to the polio eradication campaign, and fewer than one in five

clubs donate annually.

McInally asked the district governors-elect to support creating a new
sense of urgency in their clubs to help realize Rotary’s vision for a polio-

free world. He added: “Now is the time for us to look beyond what

has been necessary year after year and make sure we have all the

resources we need to be successful as quickly as possible.”

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