McGovern to be named V.P. of Rotary International
By Ward Peck
Editor
In June, Cape Elizabeth Town Manager Michael McGovern will be sporting a new title: Vice President of Rotary International, the third highest position in an organization with more than a million members in 32,000 clubs in 163 countries.
Currently, McGovern is one of 19 members of the Rotary International Board of Directors. Each year, Rotary International selects a new president and vice president from the board. McGovern said the process is not sequential, meaning he will not be president next year.
A member of the local Rotary Club since 1986 and a member of the board since July 2006, McGovern has traveled extensively doing the work of the service organization. In addition to projects in South Portland and Cape Elizabeth, McGovern has traveled to places such as Turkey, as he did last year in the service of one of Rotary International’s primary objectives: the eradication of polio.
“We have been working on this for 14 years and we’re down to 4 countries, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria” McGovern said.
Rotary International has partnered with several groups in this effort, including the World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control and UNICEF.
While the eradication of polio is considered one of medical sciences greatest accomplishments, it is not quite complete.
“We’ve got to stick with it,” McGovern said, adding that some of the obstacles to the final step are the governments and religious leaders in the countries where the disease still exist. He declined to elaborate on how these institutions are resisting the eradication effort.
“It’s fascinating to serve with people from all over the world,” McGovern said.
Asked if he perceived any anti-American sentiment among other members in the last few years, McGovern described the organization as “non-political.”
“We don’t take sides,” he said, adding that the organization promotes peace through dialog, education and cultural understanding.
While the new position comes with added responsibility, McGovern said people in town should not expect an absentee manager during his term.
“There’s already a lot of travel involved,” he said. “Residents should expect the same level of service they are used to receiving.”
Editor
In June, Cape Elizabeth Town Manager Michael McGovern will be sporting a new title: Vice President of Rotary International, the third highest position in an organization with more than a million members in 32,000 clubs in 163 countries.
Currently, McGovern is one of 19 members of the Rotary International Board of Directors. Each year, Rotary International selects a new president and vice president from the board. McGovern said the process is not sequential, meaning he will not be president next year.
A member of the local Rotary Club since 1986 and a member of the board since July 2006, McGovern has traveled extensively doing the work of the service organization. In addition to projects in South Portland and Cape Elizabeth, McGovern has traveled to places such as Turkey, as he did last year in the service of one of Rotary International’s primary objectives: the eradication of polio.
“We have been working on this for 14 years and we’re down to 4 countries, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria” McGovern said.
Rotary International has partnered with several groups in this effort, including the World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control and UNICEF.
While the eradication of polio is considered one of medical sciences greatest accomplishments, it is not quite complete.
“We’ve got to stick with it,” McGovern said, adding that some of the obstacles to the final step are the governments and religious leaders in the countries where the disease still exist. He declined to elaborate on how these institutions are resisting the eradication effort.
“It’s fascinating to serve with people from all over the world,” McGovern said.
Asked if he perceived any anti-American sentiment among other members in the last few years, McGovern described the organization as “non-political.”
“We don’t take sides,” he said, adding that the organization promotes peace through dialog, education and cultural understanding.
While the new position comes with added responsibility, McGovern said people in town should not expect an absentee manager during his term.
“There’s already a lot of travel involved,” he said. “Residents should expect the same level of service they are used to receiving.”
Comments