Local leader joins national board

World Affairs Council of America (WACA), described as the largest international affairs nonprofit in the U.S., has elected Michael Phillip to its board of directors. He will be installed during the annual conference in Washington, D. C. next month.

“Of the 86 WAC chapters represented at the conference, the Ventura County chapter has repeatedly stood out for its creative programming, innovative approaches and quality of leadership,” said Norma Maidel, WACVC vice chair. “Our chairman, Michael Phillip being asked to participate on the national board is a compliment to our community and reflects the importance of what this county means to the rest of the nation.”

Phillip, a vice president/senior financial advisor with Merrill Lynch in Oxnard, has served the local chapter as chairman for the past three years. He has been recognized locally as the “guardian of the Ventura County franchise.” He first took on the chairmanship as the organization was going through a number of challenges. He was instrumental in bringing professional management, recruiting business and education leaders for the local board of directors and promoting programs to encourage college students to attend events.

The VISA (Very Important Student Award) program used by local professors was recently recognized by the national council and is being implemented by other chapters.

While the local WAC-VC consists of about 200 members, WACA serves nearly 500,000 members nationally.

World affairs councils are nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations. Started in 1918, the council system operates on membership dues, corporate sponsorships, grants, in-kind donations, fundraising events, and fee-for-service activities. 

Additional information about WAC-VC and upcoming programs may be obtained by calling the county headquarters at (805) 988-0784 or by visiting www.worldaffairscouncilvc.org.