Dear fellow Rotarians,
Create Hope in the World – the presidential theme of Rotary Year 2023-24. With collaborative efforts of District 3450, we will restore hope — to help the world heal from destructive conflicts and, in turn, to help us achieve lasting change for ourselves.
It’s my greatest honor to be the District Governor of District 3450, Zone 10C, Rotary International and to serve Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors and JuniorActors. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Outgoing District Governor Norman Lee and his elite team for driving our District to Imagine Rotary over the past year.
It has already been three years since COVID-19 was evolved as a global pandemic. We almost closed the door for 3 years, now is the time to create a new beginning and build a bridge to the next one.
Let’s begin by focusing on health. The Covid-19 pandemic has posed a serious threat to global mental health. The comfort and care of our members is the single greatest driver of member satisfaction and retention. We need to ensure that it remains a priority – we can raise the awareness about the need for mental health, educate ourselves about it and increase funding for and improve access to mental health care. Remember, mental health is recognizable and treatable. RI President Gordon R. McInally reminded us that helping others benefits our mental health by reducing stress and improving our mood. To echo with RI President Gordon R. McInally’s call, please join me in transforming District 3450 into a commonplace where we can address, show up for and take care of one’s body and mind in RY2023-24.
Besides caring for individuals, the development of our District is another noteworthy issue. Showcasing what Rotary is and what Rotarians do are not only the task for District Public Image Committee, but also a task for every Rotarian. Do you know your own Club well? Well enough to introduce Rotary to your family and friends? It is essential that you have a thorough understanding of the true spirit, the culture, the vision, the value and the opportunities of Rotary and your Clubs. The impact report that we are going to publish at the end of Rotary Year is a useful media for brand building. The concrete data is the best illustration of “What we have accomplished in Rotary”. I encourage all to take an active role in building our brand awareness by submitting your service projects information. The more meaningful projects we have, the more lasting impact we can achieve for society.
Membership growth is much more than a number. With more Rotarians, we can build a bigger pool of volunteers, drive greater Foundation contribution, brainstorm better ideas, deliver greater impact community services, and ultimately create more hope in the world. The more fellows we have, the more lasting changes we can achieve. Nevertheless, we should not overlook the importance of being diversified, equal and inclusive. With an open mind and open heart, District 3450 will embrace the best people with the best ideas, and eventually cultivate the best partnership.
If we say volunteers are our engine, then financial support must be the fuel. The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts and donations into service projects that change lives both in our District and around the world. The Rotary Foundation’s mission is to help Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment and alleviating poverty. Rotary International has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years. Rotary members have contributed more than $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease. Please join me to complete this enormous task. Every contribution counts, no matter how big or small. Giving is not just about making a donation, it is about making a difference.
Besides, we have to embrace our future leaders, Rotaractors, Interactors and JuniorActors. Collaborate more, communicate more, and involve them more in our committees and service projects. Invite them in your club projects, not limited to participation; go beyond and involve them at organizing stage. We will also help develop closer relationships between the four parties. Especially for Rotaractors, they are now elevated as equal partners to Rotary. Just like a tree, it can never be that lush without the root underneath. To cultivate the growth of Rotaract Clubs, meticulous care should be rendered to the base, the knowledge to Rotary’s true value. Today, we sow the seeds of contribution by promoting Rotary value and opportunities to the youth through service. Hoping that they will become our future leaders one day.
Finding inner peace by attending oneself’s mental status; cultivating social peace by Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI); achieving environmental peace would be the next step. I am urging every single one of you to resolve the greatest conflict that we are facing every day, pollution, the conflict between human beings and the world. Let’s participate in Preserve Planet Earth events and the Rotary Clean Day. A thousand miles starts with a single step. Gear up and be People of Action. Begin protecting the environment with ourselves, and ultimately arouse public awareness by our actions.
District 3450 is now rezoned from Zone 9 to Zone 10C. Instead of separating from our old partners, I view rezoning as more potential and opportunities. I encourage all to maintain a good partnership with Clubs in Zone 9 while establishing new partnerships with Clubs in Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and South East Asia countries. Let’s make this rezoning a better change for District 3450, not just in terms of its scale, but also its prosperity.
Let’s empower District 3450, welcome more quality new members, join hands together and embark on a wonderful and meaningful Rotary journey to Create Hope in The World.
Yours in Rotary
Andy Li
District Governor
Rotary Year 2023-24
Rotary International District 3450