John D. Powell, III, of South Charleston, has assumed the volunteer post of Rotary International district governor for 2016-17. As governor, Powell coordinates the community and international service projects of the 27 clubs in the southern West Virginia District 7550, and will be responsible for providing leadership, support, and motivation to the clubs as they carry out service projects and participate in Rotary programs. He will assume office on July 1, 2016 and will serve through the end of June 2017.
Powell is one of 534 Rotarians worldwide supporting over 1.2 million Rotarians as district governor this year.
During an installation ceremony at Little Creek Golf Course in South Charleston, he said two of his primary goals for the coming year are to get more high school students involved in Rotary’s Interact program and to see the District participate in international projects. “Interact not only teaches important values and character to the students involved, but also brings vitality and excitement to Rotary. Involvement in international projects, like bringing clean water to communities around the world, helps all of our clubs look beyond themselves and their local communities.”
“We take great pride in having a District Governor from our very own club, particularly as we are celebrating our 60th Anniversary this year,” stated South Charleston Rotary president, Michael Kawash. “John is only the second District Governor from the South Charleston club in its 60 year history.”
Area Rotary clubs are involved in many local and international service activities. For example, a few of the projects that the Rotary Club of South Charleston participated in this year include holding a book drive for Bridgeview Elementary School, participating in a financial literacy day at South Charleston Middle School, and also providing scholarships to graduating high school seniors.
Powell, the Chief Procurement Officer for BridgeValley Community & Technical College, began his involvement in Rotary in 2002 in Winchester, Va. After moving to the Kanawha Valley, Powell joined the South Charleston Club in 2010. He is a Rotary Leadership Institute graduate, a sustaining member, a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, a Paul Harris Society Member, a Benefactor, and a member of the Bequest Society. He also serves as elder and former treasurer of the First Presbyterian Church of South Charleston. Powell resides in South Charleston with his wife, Jan.
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Congratulations Robbie — You have your work cut out for you — especially with the recent flooding. If you haven’t already, please get in contact with District 7530 in the Northern half of WV and let’s see what we can do to help you with getting folks back on their feet.