Reina Rago, President of the Westborough Rotary Club, shares her interview with Eric Hammond, this month's "Member Spotlight".
What motivated you to join? I have lived in Westborough for nearly 20 years and always wanted to volunteer for my community, however life, kids, and work had a way of getting in the way. I went through a career change that had me working out of my home and my kids are grown now…so there was no excuse not to volunteer. I joined the Westborough Rotary Club two years ago.
What are your passions and how have you been able to express your passions through Rotary? I have a passion for counseling young adults, so supporting anything youth related allowed me btings me joy. Whether it was supporting RYLA, (Rotary Youth Leadership Academy), being on the steering committee for our annual Rotary youth scholarships, or getting involved with the Interact Club at WHS…all filled me with a sense of pride by giving back to the youth in our community, and hopefully being a role model for others to volunteer.
Just as important as working with youth is volunteering…just for volunteering's sake. I try to pitch in whenever and wherever I can. Rotary does so much, but without folks pitching in and “doing” the stuff behind the scenes our service projects would not be possible. Volunteering at the Trex collection, the Repair Cafe, the senior center, cleaning up on Earth Day, attending the environmental awareness fair, placing flags for Veterans day, and helping to put on the winter lights are just a few examples of what I’ve done as a Rotarian. Seeing the event go off smoothly and seeing the joy it brings those who attend make the small sacrifice of volunteering well worth it.
What are some of the challenges that Westborough as a community faces? How has Rotary helped to address these challenges? In today’s ultra polarized society, genuine human compassion seems to have dissipated. We have become cynical and fearful of our fellow citizens, that we find it hard to grasp a basic truth, that we are in this together, and only “we” can make our community better. Rotary has allowed me to meet more people in the two years I’ve been a member than the previous 18 years living in Westborough. Rotary gives you the opportunity to roll up your sleeves and be a part of the solution to create a more compassionate and caring community.
How has Rotary influenced you? Changed you? Impacted you? Simply put, it has allowed me to “be the change I want to see”. It has significantly changed how I feel and act towards being part of a community…listening to understand instead of listening to react…lead with compassion and empathy…and to do all I can to make this great town a welcoming and thriving place for all.
