THIS WEEK'S SPEAKER: Mike McGovern, Chair, Rotary International PolioPlus
Mike McGovern will update us on progress on Rotary's dream of a polio free world. The past year has been challenging for polio eradication but the program is adapting and innovating to get the job done, He will give a perspective that dates from first contributing to polio eradication 38 years ago to visits earlier this year to Pakistan and Nigeria where there are still polio cases.
He joined Rotary in 1986 as a member of the Rotary Club of South Portland-Cape Elizabeth, Maine, USA. Mike served as President, District Governor, Director and VP for Rotary International, and trustee and Vice Chair Rotary Foundation. Mike has also chaired the Rotary International Membership Committee, the RI Zoning Committee during the last two rezoning efforts, the RI President Nominating Committee and the Rotary Action Group for Family Health and AIDS Prevention.
Mike McGovern has chaired the Rotary International PolioPlus Committee since October 2014. He also represents Rotary on the Polio Oversight Board which governs the global polio eradication initiative partnership and chairs its Finance Accountability Committee. He has spoken in person at Rotary events in 41 countries, 40 states and 8 Canadian provinces.
He served his entire professional career with the Town of Cape Elizabeth beginning as an intern in 1977 and serving as the chief appointed officer (town manager) for 31 years until his retirement in 2016 and again for five months in 2024.
BITS AND PIECES | By Patty Byers
WHERE? ...in the World is La Romana, DR? Roger Fagan was the guest speaker at the South Berwick-Eliot Rotary to talk about the Rotary Hearing Clinic in the Dominican Republic. The SB-E club had a wonderful announcement in response. On April 4th, their Club is planning their 14th Annual Community Geography Quiz fundraiser supporting an international project. This year, the competition is called Where in the World is La Romana, DR and proceeds will go to the hearing clinic project in the DR! We are so grateful to South Berwick/Eliot for their generous support of our project, spearheaded by Roger and Liz Fagan. Photo: Roger with Helen Goransson, President of the SB-E Club. As a thank you to Roger, the Club will donate a child's book, Grandad's Island, to the local library, a fitting way to honor Roger and his 23 years of bringing the gift of hearing to the Dominicans on the island of Hispaniola. Left, the Poster with details of the April 4th Geo Quiz.
LOW KEY - NO WAY! It was anything but quiet or subdued when 20 Rotarians and friends gathered at the Low Key neighborhood bar on Munjoy Hill for our monthly social event.
Thanks to Jake Bourdeau and Charlie Frair for making this happen. Truly a festive evening of fun and fellowship! A few pictures will give you a good idea!
DISTRICT LEARNING ASSEMBLY: As previously reported, we're looking forward to the District Learning Assembly on Sat, April 5, at Westbrook High School (registration at 8:30 AM). Learning opportunities for all Rotarians and specialized training for various club roles. Christine Johnson will facilitate technology sessions on Club Runner, Dick Hall will train Club Secretaries, and Roger Fagan will staff a booth featuring the Dominican Republic Hearing Program. The club will pay the $30 registration fee. Please email Patty to attend.
April 4 - No Meeting, but we do have the Maine Mariners / Skating Night - 3:55pm. Open Skate/ Pond Hockey 4:15-5:15, 5:30 Happy Hour at Aura 7:30 Mariners Game!
April 11 - Major Ralph Gamache - Maine Civil Air Patrol
April 18 - Giovanna Gray Lockhart & Bryan Matluck - Frances Perkins Center
April 25 - Regine Whittlesey - L'Alliance Francaise
May 2- Ava Kabouchy - Award Winning Travel Photographer
May 9 - "New Members Meeting!" Fun meeting run by the newbies!
May 16- No Meeting
May 18 (Sunday) Epic Day of Service and Social at Back Cove
Club Executives
President Patty Byers President Elect John Thompson Vice President Justin Lamontagne TreasurerDick Hall Secretary Tom Nickerson Board of Directors Dick Hall,
Mike McGovern will update us on progress on Rotary's dream of a polio free world. The past year has been challenging for polio eradication but the program is adapting and innovating to get the job done, He will give a perspective that dates from first contributing to polio eradication 38 years ago to visits earlier this year to Pakistan and Nigeria where there are still polio cases.
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