International Rotary President makes trip to Birmingham from Scotland

Gordon McInally, the current president of Rotary International, traveled to Birmingham all the way from West Lothian, Scotland last week.

While here to celebrate The Rotary District 6860‘s recent fundraising campaign, he went on several excursions including a tour of the Rotary Trail, which we got to come along for. Keep reading for more.

An exclusive tour of The Rotary Trail

Jane Reed Ross gave McInally the ultimate Rotary Trail tour. (Callie Puryear / Bham Now)

On Friday, February 23, we walked the Rotary Trail as Jane Reed Ross, lead architect of the trail and Cheryl Morgan, co-chair of the project committee, told McInally all about the designs for the trail that has catalyzed economic development in the surrounding downtown area.

“This trail was the Rotary Club of Birmingham’s 100th anniversary gift to the Birmingham community.

Parks, trails and streetscapes are where all people come together and meet. It is where memories are created and we really kept that in mind when designing this.”

Jane Reed Ross, Lead Landscape Architect, GMC

Jane also gifted the president a beautiful original painting of the trail to take home to Scotland.

McInally was impressed with the trail and how it has become a destination for visitors as well as one of the most photographed places in the city.

Celebrating over $2M towards Rotary’s endowment

McInally visited Birmingham to attend and serve as the keynote speaker for Rotary District 6860’s Legacy Dinner at The Harbert Center.

The event honored the collective commitment of individuals who have made significant pledges to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International during its campaign period. The campaign largely surpassed its $1M goal, reaching a total of $2,729,863.

Proceeds of the campaign will support Rotary International’s annual programs, including:

• District 6860 grant activities that largely support local projects
• World Fund for the greater good of Rotary
• Funding for Rotary Peace Fellows to attend premier global institutions of learning
• Areas of focus such as
  • water + sanitation
  • maternal + child health
  • basic education + literacy
  • peace + conflict prevention + resolution
  • disease prevention + treatment
  • economic + community development
  • the environment

Rotary President McInally enjoyed the best of The Magic City

After his tour of Rotary Trail, The Rotary Club had a day full of Magic City fun in store for McInally, including stops at:

• Children’s of Alabama
• Birmingham Botanical Gardens
• Bottega Cafe

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