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.”