By James Jimenez
Rotary International is a global service organization that unites leaders from various professions to provide humanitarian aid, promote ethical standards, and advance goodwill and peace. In each country where Rotary is, the various clubs are organized into Districts. Here in the Philippines, for example, there are ten separate districts, with each being headed by a Governor.
The District Governor – or DG – is an elected Rotarian, who serves a one-year term, and provides leadership and ensures effective administration of the District. This year, the District Governor of my District, Rotary International District 3810, is a gentleman named Jackie Rodriguez.
Who is Jackie?
You wouldn’t think Joaquin “Jackie” Rodriguez was a Filipino, until he starts talking. Right away, you hear in his words his deep concern for the welfare of the less privileged, and his overwhelming drive to uplift others around him; when he speaks, Jackie presents the very picture of a true Filipino. The fact that he has a flawless command of Tagalog, Ilocano, and Kalinga doesn’t hurt either.
As close to a renaissance man as we’re likely to get in this day and age, Jackie played ball for De La Salle in his youth, before striking out into the world, determined to make his mark in his own way, on his own terms. Having then achieved tremendous success in his many endeavors – he was a talent manager, a restaurateur, the CEO of various million-dollar companies, and an environmental advocate, among many other things – Jackie eventually turned to philanthropy, channeling his impulse for service through Rotary.
“What matters to a person, changes as time goes by,” he says. “When I was younger, it was mostly about making money and enjoying it. But now, what matters most is doing good in the world and helping people reach their full potential.”
And it is this way of thinking that is now set to define the thrust of his Governorship of Rotary International District 3810.
The District Governor as Servant-Leader
“I intend to use my tenure to shift the focus away from the Governor and onto the clubs,” Governor Jackie declared.
His approach to leadership changes the paradigm of a District-led agenda to one where the District acts as a backbone for the clubs, thrusting them to the fore while providing them with the resources, guidance, and encouragement needed to bring their projects to fruition. By assigning the role of supporter and facilitator to the Governor and the district, Governor Jackie is looking to empower clubs to achieve their best, fostering an environment where every Rotarian feels valued and capable of making a significant impact.
Part of this plan is Governor Jackie’s vision to bring the entire district together to achieve the overarching goal to green the Philippines with the creation of a park in every city and municipality, throughout the country. “This initiative is not merely about creating recreational spaces,” he explained. “It is about fostering community, promoting environmental sustainability, and enhancing the quality of life for residents across the nation.”
“Parks serve as communal hubs where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together,” Governor Jackie explains. “They provide a space for social interaction, recreation, and cultural activities, strengthening the fabric of the community, all while contributing to cleaner air.”
Letting the Magic of Rotary Shine Through
Apart from accomplishing environmental objectives in a commercially viable fashion – a sure-fire way of ensuring broad support from the government and the general public – creating parks will require meticulous planning, collaboration, and unwavering commitment from all the clubs involved. This will challenge the clubs to step up in order to get the job done.
By giving clubs both the impetus and the opportunity to make the magic of Rotary shine through and create an irresistible impact, Gov. Jackie is aiming to strengthen the bridges between the clubs and the communities they serve, recalling the ringing words of Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick: “It’s in those moments when we are committed and focused that we are the most effective and relevant.”
