Dr. Roger Marshall, of Great Bend, has assumed the volunteer post of Rotary International district governor for 2014-15. As governor, Marshall coordinates the community and international service projects of the 32 clubs in district 5670 which encompasses the Central and Northwest Kansas area. He assumed office on July 1, and will serve through June 30, 2015.
Marshall is one of 532 Rotarians worldwide serving as a district governor this year. A member of the Rotary club of Great Bend for 23 years, Dr. Marshall will also be responsible for organizing new Rotary clubs and strengthening existing ones.
During an installation ceremony at the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene, Dr Marshall said his main goal for the coming year is to encourage and help each club share with others citizens what they are doing to make a difference in their community, and the world. Additionally, he mentioned the district will be celebrating their first ever Rotary Day at the state fair on Sunday Sept 7. “As local leaders and volunteers, Rotarians can help find community solutions to local needs. Every club has a rich history of quietly performing meaningful service projects in their respective communities and contributing to many projects on the world stage. Our district is planning a service project for spring break 2015 which will allow us to take our children and grandchildren and help those less fortunate than ourselves receive clean water.”
Area Rotary clubs are involved in many local and international service activities. The Rotary Club of Great Bend, for example, participates in the Rotary International goal of eradication of polio, plants trees at the Great Bend Sports Complex, presents dictionaries to third grade students, participates in many local betterment projects, partnered with Young Professionals organization to provide goods for charitable organizations locally, provided funds to Shelter Box International to be distributed in disaster areas, and provides three scholarships to Great Bend High School students.
A doctor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Marshall contributes to the community in many ways. He has been on the Golden Belt Community Foundation board, Great Bend Chamber board, First Christian Church board and coached over 30 little league teams. He is a board member of Farmers Bank and Trust and Great Bend Regional Hospital. He is currently serving the state of Kansas as a commissioner for the wildlife, parks, and tourism department and as a member of the governor’s ecotourism committee. Dr, Marshall served seven years in the Army Reserve.