Welcome to the Rotary Club of Washington, DC
Upcoming Lunch Programs
In-Person/Hybrid Washington DC Weekly Club Meeting
Speaker: Michael McGovern
Polio Eradication
Mike McGovern has chaired the Rotary International PolioPlus Committee since
October 2014. He Chairs the Global Polio Eradication Initiative’s (GPEI’s) Polio
Oversight Board and formerly chaired the GPEI’s Finance Accountability Committee.
He made his first financial contribution for polio eradication in 1988.
He joined Rotary in 1986 as a member of the Rotary Club of South Portland-Cape
Elizabeth, Maine, USA. He has served in many Rotary positions including as a director
and vice president of Rotary International and as a trustee and vice chair of the Rotary
Foundation.
Other volunteer service include terms as president of the Maine Municipal Association
and of the Maine Town and City Association, chair of ecomaine which is the state’s
largest recycler, chair of the Rotary Action Group for Family Health and AIDS
Prevention, global chair of the Rotary Leadership Institute and he served as a member of
the Board of Visitors of the Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service from which he
had earned a Master’s in Public Policy and Management prior to it being named as the
Muskie School.
He served his entire professional career with the Town of Cape Elizabeth, Maine USA
beginning as an intern in 1977 and serving as the chief appointed officer (town
manager) for 31 years until his retirement in 2016.
In-Person/Hybrid Washington DC Weekly Club Meeting
Speaker: Paolo Bembo, Rear Admiral (ret)
Amerigo Vespucci on the 250th anniversary of the United States
Rear Admiral (ret), Paolo Bembo specialized as hydrographer, his career included a variety of naval, administrative and diplomatic
positions, including two in command of a ship and a tour as teacher at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD..
During his career, he had the opportunity to study three of his passions: Naval History, Middle Ages Cartography and Naval Painting. After his retirement, he became a freelance
journalist and editor of the Italian Navy League magazine. He currently is president of the Italian Naval Painters Association. He has written extensively (included seven books) and has lectured in Italy, in the United States and other countries on the subjects mentioned above. In the U.S. he has been lecturing before at the U.S. Naval Academy, at the Cosmos Club, at the University Club and
once at the Rotary. A consultant of the Italian Historical Office of the Navy, he has been recently invited by the U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command to give his support in helping with the
Navy Art Branch and to give a presentation at the National Museum of the Navy in Washington, D.C.graduated from the Italian Naval Academy.
In the U.S. he holds a B.S. degree in Liberal Art, while in Italy he has a Master’s degree in Maritime and Naval Sciences and one in International and Diplomatic Sciences. He attended the Italian Naval War College and the U.S. Naval War college, in Newport, R.I., graduating with high honors.
In-Person/Hybrid Washington DC Weekly Club Meeting
Speaker: Wendel K. Jones, Ambassador from the Bahamas
His Excellency Wendall K. Jones has been a leader in Media in The Bahamas for decades. He is clearly the most successful Journalist and media owner of his generation in the country. For the past four decades he pioneered the creation of enterprises which have changed the face of Journalism and Communications throughout society. Mr. Jones is the Proprietor and Chairman of Jones Communications International Limited, comprised of Radio Love 97 FM; The Bahama Journal, Jones Publications, the publisher of several Bahamian books and JCN Television. This trailblazing Journalist has published The Bahamas’ best-selling book, “The One Hundred Most Outstanding Bahamians of The 20th Century” as well as its compendium, “Bahamian Legends” Volumes I and II. He also produced books on The Parliament of The Bahamas and three publications on the Independence of The Bahamas in 2003, 2013, and 2023. These books have been distributed around the world. His work has been recognized by the State. In 1998, he was awarded the Silver Jubilee Award in recognition of his Outstanding Contribution to National Development in Broadcasting. In 2023 he was the recipient of the Golden Jubilee Award. Ambassador Jones was appointed Ambassador to the United States of America and non-resident Ambassador to Colombia and Malaysia by the Honourable Philip Davis, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas on 17th February, 2022. His leisure pursuits include reading, painting and playing the piano.
In-Person/Hybrid Washington DC Weekly Club Meeting
Speaker: Brian Schwalb
Our Upcoming Events
In-Person/Hybrid Washington DC Weekly Club Meeting
Speaker: Michael McGovern
Topic: Polio Eradication
More info
In-Person/Hybrid Washington DC Weekly Club Meeting
Speaker: Paolo Bembo, Rear Admiral (ret)
Topic: Amerigo Vespucci on the 250th anniversary of the United States
More info
In-Person/Hybrid Washington DC Weekly Club Meeting
Speaker: Wendel K. Jones, Ambassador from the Bahamas
More info
Interested in the Rotary Club of Washington DC?
ATTEND LUNCH
Visitors are warmly invited to attend a weekly luncheon meeting of the Rotary Club of Washington, D.C. to experience our culture of service, leadership, and fellowship. The Club meets every Wednesday from 12:30–1:30 p.m. at the University Club of Washington, D.C. (1135 16th Street NW), with informal fellowship beginning at approximately 12:15 p.m. Guests are encouraged to register in advance using the link below and to introduce themselves at the registration table upon arrival. The cost of lunch is $42.
MEMBERSHIP INFO
We would also like to invite you to attend a New & Prospective Membership Orientation, which takes place on the 3rd Monday of every month from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Please register HERE.
It’s the best opportunity to meet Club leaders and learn more firsthand about why joining us is so rewarding personally and professionally.
APPLY TODAY
If you are looking for a place to serve, lead, and connect with others who care about making a difference, we invite you to apply for membership in the Rotary Club of Washington, D.C. Our members come from many professions and backgrounds, united by a shared commitment to “Service Above Self” and to building community in the nation’s capital. Simply complete the application using the link below, and a member of our team will reach out to welcome you and guide you through the next steps.
Impacting the Community
Our members take action to create lasting change in Washington, D.C. and around the world. Through service projects, partnerships, grants, and hands-on volunteerism, we work to address real needs in our community while building meaningful relationships with those we serve and with one another.
Rotary is where people come together to turn commitment into impact.
Our Impact
