From DG Emma: I hope you will all join me in congratulating our fellow 7780 Rotarian Michael K. McGovern, a member of the Rotary Club of South Portland-Cape Elizabeth, Maine, USA, who has been selected to chair the Polio Oversight Board, the governance body that provides strategic direction and unified leadership for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). The POB is the highest decisioin-making body in GPEI-our partnership with WHO, UNICEF, the Gates Foundation, the CDC and Gavi.
McGovern’s appointment is a significant milestone for Rotary International, which cofounded the GPEI in 1988 and has contributed more than US$2.9 billion — along with countless volunteer hours — toward ending polio worldwide. In his new role, McGovern will help coordinate the work of the GPEI’s partner organizations and steer efforts to safely and sustainably reach the goal of a polio-free world. He will also continue to chair Rotary’s International PolioPlus Committee, a role he has occupied since 2014.
McGovern has been a Rotary member since 1986. He has served as director and vice president of Rotary International and trustee and vice chair of The Rotary Foundation. He will begin his two-year term as Polio Oversight Board chair on 1 January 2026.
This is a high honor in recognition of Mike's valuable contributions to the polio eradication effort over many years. Congratulations, Mike!!!! Proudly, DG Emma