PP/DAD Girlie Siasat-Segubre
Twenty one years ago, I was a freshman in the world of the Rotary International. It was an invitation from Mayor Roy Loyola who was the Charter President of the Rotary Club of Carmona, District 3810 that opened the door for me to be a Rotarian.
I was so hesitant then because my orientation about a Rotary Club is an organization which is composed of rich and known people who have businesses, and I don’t think I belong to the group since I am just a plain college professor. CP Roy made me understand that Rotary is a group of professionals who are open to help others and share their gifts or talents, time and treasure. I tried to reflect for a while. True, I may not be rich just like the rest of the members but gifted with the talents that I have, I believe I can become a deserving Rotarian, thus I gave my yes to the invitation and I was one of the club’s chartered members.
I accepted the new challenges and to get oriented of what is the organization all about I always attended the club’s meetings, got involved in the club’s projects and participated in the district activities. I got the opportunity to meet more people, engage more services to humanities, travel to many places and learn more about life.
To be a Rotarian is not just all about money contributions. It is more of friendships and rendering voluntary services to the less fortunate that gives more meaning of becoming a true Rotarian. As years passed, I did not remain only as a member, but became an officer and director of the different services of the club and I became the club’s president, Rotary Year 2015-2016 as World Class President with Governor Roberto Pagdanganan.
During my term as WCP I learned more about leadership, and being a servant leader I was able to perform my tasks with the support of my family and help of my fellow Rotarians and Rotaractors. I was inspired and guided by the philosophy of Immanuel Kant, one of the famous philosophers , “To be is to do” likewise with the Rotary Motto, “Service Above Self”.
I continuously serve with joy in my heart as one of the district officers after my WCP term until today, Rotary Year 2021-2022 as District Area Coordinator under the leadership of the very committed-action leader, Governor Robert Koa. To continuously impart my Rotarian learning experiences and to inspire more our new club leaders I accepted the invitation of our club Life Changing President Patrick Doloroso to be the Club Secretary. Serving with joy in our hearts, I believe that once a Rotarian is always a Rotarian, a call to serve and change lives for the better and maintaining a work-life balance.