Former police chief takes on new public-service role as Rotary district governor

John Hartman is no stranger to public service, having spent a career in law enforcement including a stint as chief of the Southwest Regional Police.

But outside of his police uniform, Hartman has also lived a life of volunteering the past eight years with the Murrysville-Export Rotary Club, where he most recently served as president.

Hartman, 68, of Penn Township took the next step up in office this year, taking on the responsibility of serving as 2023 district governor for Rotary’s District 7305, which stretches from Aliquippa to Cambria County and south to Westmoreland County. Hartman will manage and support more than 80 Rotary clubs across the district, and he recently spoke with the Tribune-Review about the new role and the importance of volunteering.

This interview has been edited for length.

Q: What got you interested in possibly becoming a district governor and what are the duties of the office?

A: The decision is a personal one … As I proceeded up the ranks through the club level, I liked the administrative demands of the organization and ultimately decided to make application for the district governor chain. The district governor is the Rotary International officer for the district, charged by Rotary with administrating it. The primary duty of the district is to provide support to the clubs.

How has your membership in the Murrysville-Export Rotary helped prepare you for this new role?

A: You have to proceed through various ranks in your home Rotary club. That journey will culminate with your serving as president. I served two consecutive year-long terms as president of the Murrysville-Export Rotary Club. I also proceeded from there to serving as assistant governor for the district, representing five clubs. I served as district membership chair for the district itself. And I was selected as “Emerging Leader” for the district, acquiring training in that capacity which more or less started my journey towards district governor.

What are you most looking forward to as district governor?

A: Providing whatever assistance I may be able to provide for the district, and ensuring its continued health and growth. When approaching my ultimate retirement as chief of police for the Southwest Regional Police Department I asked myself, “What do you do after you do?” Providing service to others was central to my life’s goal. Rotary was my answer to that question. I wanted to continue to provide “Service Above Self” (the Rotary motto),” and simply serve others in need

Rotarians across the globe are doing great works for others operating under our call to order from Rotary International President Gordon McInally: “Create Hope in the World.”