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3rd District Governor from our Naisvuori Club

Born in Helsinki the forthcoming District 1430 Governor  for 2027-2028 Markku Ranin is already the third appointed from our Club. Markku has spent some 35 years in Asia and originally joined Rotary in 1988 while being assigned as the Commercial Counsellor at the Embassy on Finland in Seoul, South Korea. 

Reason for joining Rotary was to be able better get involved in the local society.  Few spoke English then in Korea and the english language Seoul International Club was a great avenue to meet native Koreans and local expats.  Over the years Markku has also been a member at the Helsinki International Rotary Club and has served two years as the Naivuori Club President.

Married to a British lady Claire he felt we need an English language club in Mikkeli, too, to ease her settling in Finland.  We now have two English speaking clubs in the district, both web based clubs to be able to reach people all around Lake Saimaa area and beyond.

Markku is also active in the Rotary Shelterbox disaster relief organisation’s Finnish chapter. (Photo below taken at Hamina Tattoo charity display in 2024)