July 3, 2025 • 26 mins
When persistence meets pizza, amazing things happen. At least that's how Frances Vegas discovered Rotary - after declining three invitations to join a Rotaract club as a busy graduate student, she finally agreed when offered dinner in exchange for helping carry boxes to a meeting. Little did she know this seemingly small decision would spark a lifelong journey of service that would take her from Mexico to California, transforming countless lives along the way.
Frances shares her powerful "Rotary moment" that occurred while fundraising for children's cleft palate surgeries in Ciudad Juarez. Seeing before-and-after photos from grateful parents revealed the profound impact simple interventions could have - not just on appearance, but on children's ability to eat, breathe, and develop normally. This experience cemented her commitment to an organization creating meaningful change in vulnerable communities.
As an economics professor at UC Riverside and current Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club president, Frances brings professional expertise to her service work. She's taken her doctorate in economic development to the international level, serving as a Cadre Technical Advisor ensuring Rotary's global grants are properly implemented and sustainable. Her story illuminates lesser-known pathways within Rotary where specialized knowledge can maximize impact - from Action Groups to technical advisory roles.
Perhaps most refreshing is Frances's practical wisdom about engagement: don't just invite people to meetings; invite them to make a difference. Whether building Corazon homes, cooking meals for veterans, or supporting youth programs, hands-on service creates deeper connections than formal gatherings ever could. As she prepares to apply her United Nations experience to Rotary's Model UN program, Frances continues finding new ways to merge her professional skills with humanitarian goals.
Ready to find where your talents can create meaningful change? Subscribe to Community Heroes of Hope and join us in discovering how ordinary people are transforming lives through extraordinary service.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
Hello and welcome to the Community.
Heroes of Hope, a podcast wherewe shine a light on the
remarkable individuals andprojects in Rotary District 5330
that bring hope and change toour local and global communities
.
I am Judy Zelfikar, yourco-host and the current District
Governor of Rotary District5330.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
And I'm Niren McLean, the Rotary District
Governor-Elect.
Together, we're diving deepinto the heart of the community
service, showcasing the impactof dedication and collaboration
in addressing some of the mostpressing challenges our
communities face.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
Each episode will tell stories of incredible
people making a difference,innovating solutions and
inspiring others to take action.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
We'll also be giving you a behind-the-scenes look at
the projects that aretransforming, making a
difference, innovating solutionsand inspiring others to take
action.
We'll also be giving you abehind-the-scenes look at the
projects that are transformingtheir lives, and we'll discuss
how you too can get involved,contribute and be part of the
positive change.
Whether you're a seasonedRotarian or just looking to give
back, this podcast is for you.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
So join us as we explore the journeys, challenges
and successes of people likeyou who have stepped up to make
a difference.
Let's celebrate the spirit ofcommunity and the power of hope
together.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Don't forget to subscribe to the Community
Heroes of Hope on your favoritepodcast platform.
Stay with us on this journey ofinspiration and let's spread
the message of hope further thanever.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
Thank you for tuning in.
Let's get started, niren, wehave your very own club
president with us today.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
I know this is so exciting for me.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
So I'm going to let you set the tone.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
Well, frances has been just a dynamo for our club
and I really appreciate she'svery assertive, she's creative
and she is really a really,really good source of energy for
the club and I'm excited thatyou're with us today, frances.
(01:58):
She is an economics professorat University of California,
riverside.
Wow economics professor atUniversity of California.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
Riverside Wow.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
And has also come up through the ranks in Rotary as
well.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
Yeah, she has a really great Rotary story and
that's what we hear from Francestoday.
Frances, can you introduceyourself and take us into when
you first connected with Rotary?
Speaker 3 (02:21):
Well, thank you.
Yes, my name is Francesca Vegasand I go by Frances.
Well, thank you.
(02:42):
Yes, my name is Francisca Vegasand I go by Frances.
And my realtor story started,actually, in a very interesting
way.
I am from Mexico and then I,when we moved to the US, we
landed in El Paso, texas, rightthere at the border between
Texas and Ciudad Juarez, andover there at El Paso I joined
the University of Texas at ElPaso and I started doing my
master's.
While I was doing my master's,I joined an entrepreneurship
center at the university and oneof my co-workers was a very
(03:03):
energetic undergrad student.
Her name is Karina Schumacherand she was the president of the
Road Track Club, so she was theone that invited me to Road
Track At the beginning.
I have to say that I declinedthree times.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
And she kept on asking because she was not
taking a no for an answer.
Persistence, persistence.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
So she said, oh, join us.
And I'm like, no, I'm doneasking, because she was not
taking a no for an answerPersistence, persistence.
So she said, oh, join us.
And I'm like, no, I'm too busy.
And you know like when you're agrad student, I'm like, oh,
please, I have more importantthings to do than joining an
undergrad club.
And she invited me three timesand then at the end, one day,
she took a different approachand said like, oh, can you help
me carry all these pizzas andall these sodas, because we're
(03:44):
going to have our club meetingand then you'll stay there and
then you'll have three pizza fordinner.
I'm like I'm sold.
I'll help you out with a pizza,pizza that's the way to go.
And that's actually the firsttime that I joined.
I was super excited aboutseeing students from different
backgrounds, from differentwalks of life to get together
(04:08):
and do community serviceprojects.
I have to confess that I hadnever heard about Rotary before.
It was until then in my latetwenties.
And then I always get reallyemotional about this because I
keep telling people.
It's like I got my Rotarymoment when I was a Rotaractor
(04:30):
Because we were actually helpingfundraising for the plastic
surgeries for kids that areaffected with cleft palate in
Ciudad Juarez.
So, we were doing bake sales,spaghetti nights and all those
things.
So we did the fundraising forjust the medical supplies, not
(04:50):
even the medical equipment or topay in the doctors or anything
like that.
At that time it was just a fewthousand dollars.
But what stuck to me was thatthe parents were so kind and
sent us thank you cards and thebefore and after pictures of the
kids and I was like I want tobe part of this organization
(05:11):
because they have a profoundimpact on the lives of others.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
Is that Operation Smile within Rotary correct?
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Yes, yes, I think they.
Yeah.
Ovarian Health Pass.
They call it a different name,but it's similar to a thousand
smiles or muleson recess.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
And the life change.
That surgery is truly a lifechanging surgery for these kids
here in the States that getsdone, you know, when they're
little tiny, tiny, tiny littlebabies if they have a cleft
palate, I mean, but thatprevents them from being able to
eat properly.
For them having breathingissues dental issues and then
(05:52):
sometimes they're, you know, notthought of well in the
community because they have thischallenge.
That's really a simple surgery.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
Super simple surgery Thrown to the side.
Thrown to the side.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
It is a simple surgery Super simple surgery.
Thrown to the side Thrown to theside Right and, as you said,
it's like in other countries,it's something that it takes
immediate attention over thereat the hospitals as soon as they
report.
But in Ciudad Juarez and inmany other I mean Mexico and
many other countries it'sactually something that is not
done, not even for free, orsometimes the process is lengthy
(06:28):
for who receives that plasticsurgery and, as you said, it has
a huge impact not only in,obviously, physically and their
appearance, but also in their Imean the way that they live.
It affects them, as you said,feeding and even the whole
development for the kids.
So it was supertransformational for them.
(06:49):
But I was very touched by thatand then they kicked me out Not
really.
I graduated.
And then I moved to us.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
You became a big Rotarian.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
I joined the club, the West El Paso Club, and they
were actually the sponsors ofthe Rotary Club, so it was just
a natural transition.
That's awesome, and since thenI've been a Rotarian, and
wherever I move to a differentcity, I just join a Rotary Club.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
So how many different cities have you been a Rotarian
in?
Speaker 3 (07:22):
Well, I was in the West El Paso Club.
That was when I was living inEl Paso, and then in Las Cruces
in the Mesilla Valley Club.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
That's where I was born, in Las Cruces.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
Yes, we have something in common we do.
And I stayed there when I wasdoing my doctorate and then
after that I joined the SilverCity Grocery Club because I was
a faculty member over there atthe university it's called
Western New Mexico Universityand then I stayed there and then
(07:59):
I stayed as an honorary memberwhen I moved to Mexico and then
I moved to Riverside and Ijoined the Riverside Sunrise
Raspberry Club.
Tell us about your journey.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
Well, that's along with you there, Naira.
What has your journey been atthe Riverside Sunrise Club.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
Well, I joined the club in February 2022.
And it was super interestingbecause I just walk into a club
meeting and say, like I want tobe a part of your club.
I'm a Rotarian and I was justlike this works for me because
(08:46):
it's a Friday mornings and I'mlike that way I can just do
laundry during the day, do myweekly meeting and then go to
work and obviously continuedoing community service projects
.
And there I started, just likeyou know, when a new club trying
(09:07):
to get a sense of what's goingon with their culture and all
those things.
And then Chandler McKenzieinvited me to serve as club
president.
And, yeah, I started serving asclub president in 2024.
And I have a couple months togo.
(09:27):
You're right along my path I'mso proud to be working alongside
of you in this year.
No, thank you.
It's an honor to be a part ofthis leadership group and I
appreciate you, yuri, and Iappreciate Naren as well.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Well you know, frances is one of our emerging
Rotary leaders.
Speaker 1 (09:46):
She absolutely is.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
So we're excited about her being able to go on to
Zone and get some additionalknowledge and make some
connections there that we knowshe'll take that energy with her
and really impact not only theclub but do some things in our
district.
So congratulations on that.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
Thank you.
Yeah, I've had the opportunityand pleasure of building a house
, a Corazon home, with Francis.
We rode together and we werepainting together and we had a
great time, didn't we?
Speaker 3 (10:25):
Yes, one of the things that I love is I
participate in other communityservice projects from other
clubs, because I love to dothose ones in a more hands-on
exercise, because it is what wedo as Rotarians we go and build
things and we go and help othersand I love that idea of going
(10:48):
out there to work on thesecommunity service projects.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
The true spirit of what we do.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
That engagement is so important.
That is really an opportunitythat I think that our club
should take more advantage of,because it's not necessarily
inviting me to breakfast, lunchor dinner.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
Right.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
It's hey, grab a paintbrush or grab a rake, let's
go make a difference.
And with seeing somebody who'swilling to do that, then you
know they're of the same mindset.
And therefore you've seen me dothis a number of times.
And you say let's invite Niren,let's invite Judy, let's invite
Frances.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
Well, I think that's great and it's a great testament
to what you're saying, niren,of community services is the way
in right.
When you ask somebody to comejust to have a meal or come to
another meeting when they'resuper busy, they're like no, I
don't have time for that, butyou invite them, like Frances
was invited Come help me, comehelp me do this.
(11:49):
Then you're going to get thatperson more engaged.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
Come make a difference.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
Because that's where Francis's heart was was helping
and obviously it's shown thatthroughout the years.
Speaker 3 (11:59):
Well, thank you, and I had a blast.
I don't know if you had fun.
I love having the opportunityto interact with other Rotarians
and then, here and there, wetalk about our lives, but we're
doing that, as you say, likewhile we're painting, we're
building walls and all thosethings.
(12:20):
So it is actually a part ofthis fellowship spirit that we
all of us share as Rotarians.
Speaker 1 (12:27):
Yeah, you really do.
And Frances and I had a longconversation on the bus ride
back, I think, from our courseon house build and we learned
that you know we have a lot ofthings in common where Frances
went to school and where I wasborn and Silver City is where my
mom lives.
I mean, it's just so manythings in common and you really
(12:49):
find those relationships arebuilt in that avenue of service,
in actually the doing of thework that we do in this world.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
It makes such a difference.
And that's how I was introducedto Rhody, because the work I
was doing in Haiti.
But I remember on one of thosetrips we had a lady who was a
neurosurgical nurse from Texassince we're talking about Texas,
actually she was on the tripand she says I hope you don't
mind, but I really don't want todo nursing.
Is there something else that Ican do?
And at the time we were inaddition to our medical and
(13:19):
dental trips.
We also I mean teams we alsohad we were building four wells,
digging four wells, and we'rebuilding toilets and houses.
So I said you can join theconstruction team and put her on
there.
At the end of the week she saidthis is the most fun I've ever
had.
Right, she's not doing nursing,she was hammering, she was
sawing.
(13:40):
She was doing somethingdifferent than her job, which is
what she wanted out of thisexperience, she loved it, she
was so turned on and again, thatengagement finding because you
bring so much joy, the simplething like four walls and a roof
makes a difference insomebody's life and we take it
for granted.
So I'm really excited about theengagement in Francis and our
(14:01):
club and that's one of thethings I love about our club.
We've been involved.
We do the ADD Center, asFrancis was saying, where we
have our young people, and wecook meals for the seniors and
do that.
Last week we cooked meals forthe homeless veterans at March
Air Force Base.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
That's a great program.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
She's really very dynamic with that, so we
appreciate your leadership onthat.
Speaker 3 (14:23):
Well, thank you, and, as I said, like in our club, we
try to help with those twospecific groups, with the
veterans and with the youth.
But I'm always very close tothat youth thing and I say to my
roots of like helpinginteractors and realtors,
because those are my people, youknow, that's how I started and
(14:45):
I want them to also getmotivated to continue working on
it and be the new generation oflibrarians.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
That's awesome.
Speaking of that, what doesyour future look like?
What are you excited to doafter you complete your year as
president?
Speaker 3 (15:04):
Well, I'm super excited about many things Like.
The first one is you probablyknow this that I am more active
now on the community andeconomic development action
groups, and I know that a lot ofpeople don't know about the
Realtree Action Groups, but Iwas invited to join that
(15:28):
regulatory action group forcommunity and economic
development particularly becauseof my background, Since I have
a doctorate in economicdevelopment.
Speaker 1 (15:37):
That was a good fit.
It is a great fit.
Speaker 3 (15:41):
And then on the other thing after that, actually Dan
Goodrich was the one that toldme he's like why don't you apply
to become a member of the CadreTechnical Advisors?
And I'm like I don't know whatthat is.
Explain what that is.
And so he educated me on thatand then I followed that all the
(16:02):
educational part of Rosary asto the Rotary Foundation and
international and global grants,and then I applied to become a
cadre technical advisor.
I got accepted last year.
Congratulations, thank you.
I'm super excited about it.
I believe it's an honor and ahuge responsibility to assist
(16:26):
clubs with global grantsapplications and continue doing
that work because it's like tooversee the sustainability of
the global grants andparticularly again on the area
of close to my background oncommunity and economic
(16:47):
development.
Speaker 1 (16:48):
And that's a really important piece of what we do in
our international and globalgrants.
Maybe could you just definethat a little bit.
I know a lot of what you justsaid.
It really brings it to light.
But maybe explain to ouraudience that is not familiar
with Rotary, Global Grants andthis cadre position and how it
(17:08):
works within that construct.
Speaker 3 (17:12):
Thank you.
Well, the cadre of technicaladvisors are a group of experts
on all the areas of focus thatget together to provide
assistance, support and guidanceto all the clubs and the
districts when they're doingplanning stages, so that way
they understand that they haveto comply with Rotary Foundation
(17:40):
guidelines in terms of theneeds assessments and then even
who's going to be the host club,who's going to be the partner
club, and give that guidance andsupport in the planning stage
up and give that guidance andsupport in the planning stage
Once the global grants getapproved.
Our advisory serves just tomonitor the global grant and
(18:06):
then at the end it's alsohelping with the sustainability
aspect after the grant has ended.
But also it gives theopportunity to do site visits to
see if actually what wepromised in our global grants
was actually implemented and seehow we can expand the reach.
(18:28):
So it's actually, I guess somedays it's like an auditor or
supervisor, but also, as I said,a lending hand, as like a
person that can guide you in theprocess and that support.
Speaker 1 (18:44):
I think it's so important.
We often talk a lot aboutfundraising for foundation, but
I don't know that we put as muchemphasis on what's happening.
I mean it's happening.
I don't know that we put asmuch emphasis on what's
happening, I mean it's happening.
It's not like when we bringmoney in as Rotarians and we put
it towards these global grants.
And our district alone thisyear has invested $333,000 in
(19:09):
global grants all over the world.
That's amazing.
And to know and we're just onedistrict and we're not even a
big district, I mean we're agood-sized district, we've
gotten a lot of impact.
But to know that those dollarsaren't just being thrown at
projects, but the projects arevery intentionally thought out,
that they have a certain levelof criteria to make sure that
(19:34):
it's going to be successful,that there is auditing and there
are cadre professionals thatare looking at the finance side
of it, the implications to thecommunity, making sure the needs
assessment is correct, makingsure that we're not just going
and building, just going out andspending money, because a lot
of times you know people thatwant to do good are here.
(19:55):
I'm going to throw some money,we're going to build you a well
in Nigeria, for example, butthen they don't figure out.
Oh well, who's going tomaintain that?
Well, how is you know the wellis going to be good for a month
and then it's not going to begood anymore, and then we wasted
all those dollars.
We do our grant process andimplementation in Rotary is
(20:18):
really effective because we'remaking sure that those dollars
are going not only for a goodcause but that that is going to
be sustainable over a period oftime.
Speaker 2 (20:25):
And that's why we have such a wonderful ranking
with GuideStar, because we'remonitoring as well and paying
attention, and that's one thingI think that Rotary can feel
good.
So not only are we giving, butthat money's being spent and
closely watched and ensure thatit's being applied the way it
was originally intended to.
Speaker 1 (20:44):
And I learned something about you today,
francis, that I didn't know.
I did not know you were a CADREmember.
I think that is brilliant,first of all because you are so
smart and it is in your area ofeducation and excellence, and I
think it's a testament to otherRotarians that are in our field
of influence.
(21:05):
You know, if you're really goodat finances, or you're really
good at economic development oryou're really good at whatever
you're really good at that, youhave a place to be a potential
cadre to help these grants goforward.
And you don't have to be adistrict governor, you don't
have to have been a president,you just have to be really good
at what you're doing.
And you can have a whole otheropportunity in Rotary that maybe
(21:28):
you didn't think about.
Speaker 3 (21:28):
And Rotary needs you.
Speaker 1 (21:29):
I know we don't talk about cadre.
I mean, we've got so manythings to talk about in Rotary.
This is one of the things thatI'm excited we're talking about
today, because it's something wehave not talked about, even on
this podcast.
Speaker 2 (21:41):
And we have a lot of talent in this district that
really needs to find themselvesavailable to help Rotary in this
way all around the world.
To put their knowledge to greatuse.
Yes, their expertise Absolutely, absolutely.
Speaker 3 (21:59):
Yes, well, you're preaching to the converter.
It's like I actually think thatand to your point, Aaron, is
that I think that us returns, wecan offer obviously our time,
our time to community serviceprojects and to be active in our
clubs and participate in ourclub meetings.
But also we have the otherparties like the talent and, as
(22:24):
you said, all the Rotarians havea talent that obviously has a
place in Rotary.
Is it like in accounting, inmarketing, in social media, in
economics, economic developmentand all the areas of focus is
like I mean some people that arereally experts in educations,
(22:44):
Others that are experts inhealth and providing
opportunities for children,Others are in water.
I mean so many areas that manyreturnees can tap into at the
cadre of technical advisor levelor even at the real reaction
group level.
Right, go to a road reactiongroup and go and meet with
(23:17):
people from all over the worldthat are actually working and
passionate about that specificarea, or you can actually join
road reaction groups areactually open to everybody and
that's interesting that it's awell-kept secret, I know right.
I actually talked to economicdevelopers pretty much all the
(23:39):
time and one day I was tellingthis person that lives actually
in the Northeast of the US andthen I was like we were talking
that she's a Rotarian as well.
We are Perlman EconomicDevelopment Association together
and I was like how does it jointhe World Reaction Group for
Economic Development?
She's like I don't knowanything about it and I'm like
(24:01):
well, there's another World Cupsecret I can't tell you.
Speaker 1 (24:05):
So now we get to talk a lot more about it, right?
Speaker 3 (24:08):
Yes, obviously continue that conversation, but
to elaborate on another thingthat I'm doing now, as soon as I
guess we finish this year, iswork a little more also at the
district level, and Naira willtell you a little bit more about
this, and this is a projectthat I'm super excited about.
(24:31):
This is the United Nationsmodel.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (24:34):
This is the United Nations model, yes, and I'm
super excited to learn moreabout it because I participated
in the UN model when I was atUTEP, but also in my previous
life, before joining UCR, I wasactually working with the United
Nations Development Program,with the United Nations
(24:54):
Development Program.
So I'm super excited to see howWorld Trade explores that
relationship with the UnitedNations and educate the youth
groups about the role of theUnited Nations, the role of
World Trade and all that idea ofdiplomacy and working together
to solve real-life problems.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
And that's so needed in our world today.
Speaker 1 (25:18):
Yes, it is.
Speaker 2 (25:20):
On both national and international levels.
Speaker 1 (25:23):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (25:24):
So that Model UN program I think is very exciting
.
And again it comes back toyouth and giving the opportunity
for youth to expand theirhorizons, to realize they're in
control, to make a differenceand to take charge.
So it's really exciting thingsthat Rotary does and that's what
I love about the collaborationamongst districts and going to
(25:46):
even going to internationalconventions.
You get to take classes andmeet people from all around the
world who are doing what youwant to do and they can say, hey
, let me advise you on that,this is what we did.
We fell in this hole.
Don't do that, but go over hereand succeed.
Speaker 1 (25:59):
And this worked for us All working together to do
good in the world, right?
Absolutely, yeah, awesome.
Well, thank you so much,francis, for joining us today.
We really appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (26:10):
Well, no, thank you for the invitation.
I really appreciate theopportunity to talk about my
story and keep inviting peopleto participate more in all these
other projects.
Speaker 1 (26:21):
Awesome, have a good day.
Speaker 3 (26:24):
Yeah, you too, thank you.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
Bye-bye.
Speaker 1 (26:26):
Adios, bye.
So that wraps up this episodeof Heroes of Hope.
We are so happy that we have anaudience out there listening.
We want you to subscribe, shareand tell your friends about the
Rotary Community Heroes of Hope, because that's how we get the
word out about the impact we'rehaving in this world.
Hello and welcome to the Community.
Heroes of Hope, a podcast wherewe shine a light on the
remarkable individuals andprojects in Rotary District 5330
that bring hope and change toour local and global communities
.
I am Judy Zelfikar, yourco-host and the current District
Governor of Rotary District5330.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
And I'm Niren McLean, the Rotary District
Governor-Elect.
Together, we're diving deepinto the heart of the community
service, showcasing the impactof dedication and collaboration
in addressing some of the mostpressing challenges our
communities face.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
Each episode will tell stories of incredible
people making a difference,innovating solutions and
inspiring others to take action.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
We'll also be giving you a behind-the-scenes look at
the projects that aretransforming, making a
difference, innovating solutionsand inspiring others to take
action.
We'll also be giving you abehind-the-scenes look at the
projects that are transformingtheir lives, and we'll discuss
how you too can get involved,contribute and be part of the
positive change.
Whether you're a seasonedRotarian or just looking to give
back, this podcast is for you.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
So join us as we explore the journeys, challenges
and successes of people likeyou who have stepped up to make
a difference.
Let's celebrate the spirit ofcommunity and the power of hope
together.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Don't forget to subscribe to the Community
Heroes of Hope on your favoritepodcast platform.
Stay with us on this journey ofinspiration and let's spread
the message of hope further thanever.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
Thank you for tuning in.
Let's get started, niren, wehave your very own club
president with us today.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
I know this is so exciting for me.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
So I'm going to let you set the tone.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
Well, frances has been just a dynamo for our club
and I really appreciate she'svery assertive, she's creative
and she is really a really,really good source of energy for
the club and I'm excited thatyou're with us today, frances.
(01:58):
She is an economics professorat University of California,
riverside.
Wow economics professor atUniversity of California.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
Riverside Wow.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
And has also come up through the ranks in Rotary as
well.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
Yeah, she has a really great Rotary story and
that's what we hear from Francestoday.
Frances, can you introduceyourself and take us into when
you first connected with Rotary?
Speaker 3 (02:21):
Well, thank you.
Yes, my name is Francesca Vegasand I go by Frances.
Well, thank you.
(02:42):
Yes, my name is Francisca Vegasand I go by Frances.
And my realtor story started,actually, in a very interesting
way.
I am from Mexico and then I,when we moved to the US, we
landed in El Paso, texas, rightthere at the border between
Texas and Ciudad Juarez, andover there at El Paso I joined
the University of Texas at ElPaso and I started doing my
master's.
While I was doing my master's,I joined an entrepreneurship
center at the university and oneof my co-workers was a very
(03:03):
energetic undergrad student.
Her name is Karina Schumacherand she was the president of the
Road Track Club, so she was theone that invited me to Road
Track At the beginning.
I have to say that I declinedthree times.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
And she kept on asking because she was not
taking a no for an answer.
Persistence, persistence.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
So she said, oh, join us.
And I'm like, no, I'm doneasking, because she was not
taking a no for an answerPersistence, persistence.
So she said, oh, join us.
And I'm like, no, I'm too busy.
And you know like when you're agrad student, I'm like, oh,
please, I have more importantthings to do than joining an
undergrad club.
And she invited me three timesand then at the end, one day,
she took a different approachand said like, oh, can you help
me carry all these pizzas andall these sodas, because we're
(03:44):
going to have our club meetingand then you'll stay there and
then you'll have three pizza fordinner.
I'm like I'm sold.
I'll help you out with a pizza,pizza that's the way to go.
And that's actually the firsttime that I joined.
I was super excited aboutseeing students from different
backgrounds, from differentwalks of life to get together
(04:08):
and do community serviceprojects.
I have to confess that I hadnever heard about Rotary before.
It was until then in my latetwenties.
And then I always get reallyemotional about this because I
keep telling people.
It's like I got my Rotarymoment when I was a Rotaractor
(04:30):
Because we were actually helpingfundraising for the plastic
surgeries for kids that areaffected with cleft palate in
Ciudad Juarez.
So, we were doing bake sales,spaghetti nights and all those
things.
So we did the fundraising forjust the medical supplies, not
(04:50):
even the medical equipment or topay in the doctors or anything
like that.
At that time it was just a fewthousand dollars.
But what stuck to me was thatthe parents were so kind and
sent us thank you cards and thebefore and after pictures of the
kids and I was like I want tobe part of this organization
(05:11):
because they have a profoundimpact on the lives of others.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
Is that Operation Smile within Rotary correct?
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Yes, yes, I think they.
Yeah.
Ovarian Health Pass.
They call it a different name,but it's similar to a thousand
smiles or muleson recess.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
And the life change.
That surgery is truly a lifechanging surgery for these kids
here in the States that getsdone, you know, when they're
little tiny, tiny, tiny littlebabies if they have a cleft
palate, I mean, but thatprevents them from being able to
eat properly.
For them having breathingissues dental issues and then
(05:52):
sometimes they're, you know, notthought of well in the
community because they have thischallenge.
That's really a simple surgery.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
Super simple surgery Thrown to the side.
Thrown to the side.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
It is a simple surgery Super simple surgery.
Thrown to the side Thrown to theside Right and, as you said,
it's like in other countries,it's something that it takes
immediate attention over thereat the hospitals as soon as they
report.
But in Ciudad Juarez and inmany other I mean Mexico and
many other countries it'sactually something that is not
done, not even for free, orsometimes the process is lengthy
(06:28):
for who receives that plasticsurgery and, as you said, it has
a huge impact not only in,obviously, physically and their
appearance, but also in their Imean the way that they live.
It affects them, as you said,feeding and even the whole
development for the kids.
So it was supertransformational for them.
(06:49):
But I was very touched by thatand then they kicked me out Not
really.
I graduated.
And then I moved to us.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
You became a big Rotarian.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
I joined the club, the West El Paso Club, and they
were actually the sponsors ofthe Rotary Club, so it was just
a natural transition.
That's awesome, and since thenI've been a Rotarian, and
wherever I move to a differentcity, I just join a Rotary Club.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
So how many different cities have you been a Rotarian
in?
Speaker 3 (07:22):
Well, I was in the West El Paso Club.
That was when I was living inEl Paso, and then in Las Cruces
in the Mesilla Valley Club.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
That's where I was born, in Las Cruces.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
Yes, we have something in common we do.
And I stayed there when I wasdoing my doctorate and then
after that I joined the SilverCity Grocery Club because I was
a faculty member over there atthe university it's called
Western New Mexico Universityand then I stayed there and then
(07:59):
I stayed as an honorary memberwhen I moved to Mexico and then
I moved to Riverside and Ijoined the Riverside Sunrise
Raspberry Club.
Tell us about your journey.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
Well, that's along with you there, Naira.
What has your journey been atthe Riverside Sunrise Club.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
Well, I joined the club in February 2022.
And it was super interestingbecause I just walk into a club
meeting and say, like I want tobe a part of your club.
I'm a Rotarian and I was justlike this works for me because
(08:46):
it's a Friday mornings and I'mlike that way I can just do
laundry during the day, do myweekly meeting and then go to
work and obviously continuedoing community service projects
.
And there I started, just likeyou know, when a new club trying
(09:07):
to get a sense of what's goingon with their culture and all
those things.
And then Chandler McKenzieinvited me to serve as club
president.
And, yeah, I started serving asclub president in 2024.
And I have a couple months togo.
(09:27):
You're right along my path I'mso proud to be working alongside
of you in this year.
No, thank you.
It's an honor to be a part ofthis leadership group and I
appreciate you, yuri, and Iappreciate Naren as well.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Well you know, frances is one of our emerging
Rotary leaders.
Speaker 1 (09:46):
She absolutely is.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
So we're excited about her being able to go on to
Zone and get some additionalknowledge and make some
connections there that we knowshe'll take that energy with her
and really impact not only theclub but do some things in our
district.
So congratulations on that.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
Thank you.
Yeah, I've had the opportunityand pleasure of building a house
, a Corazon home, with Francis.
We rode together and we werepainting together and we had a
great time, didn't we?
Speaker 3 (10:25):
Yes, one of the things that I love is I
participate in other communityservice projects from other
clubs, because I love to dothose ones in a more hands-on
exercise, because it is what wedo as Rotarians we go and build
things and we go and help othersand I love that idea of going
(10:48):
out there to work on thesecommunity service projects.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
The true spirit of what we do.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
That engagement is so important.
That is really an opportunitythat I think that our club
should take more advantage of,because it's not necessarily
inviting me to breakfast, lunchor dinner.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
Right.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
It's hey, grab a paintbrush or grab a rake, let's
go make a difference.
And with seeing somebody who'swilling to do that, then you
know they're of the same mindset.
And therefore you've seen me dothis a number of times.
And you say let's invite Niren,let's invite Judy, let's invite
Frances.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
Well, I think that's great and it's a great testament
to what you're saying, niren,of community services is the way
in right.
When you ask somebody to comejust to have a meal or come to
another meeting when they'resuper busy, they're like no, I
don't have time for that, butyou invite them, like Frances
was invited Come help me, comehelp me do this.
(11:49):
Then you're going to get thatperson more engaged.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
Come make a difference.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
Because that's where Francis's heart was was helping
and obviously it's shown thatthroughout the years.
Speaker 3 (11:59):
Well, thank you, and I had a blast.
I don't know if you had fun.
I love having the opportunityto interact with other Rotarians
and then, here and there, wetalk about our lives, but we're
doing that, as you say, likewhile we're painting, we're
building walls and all thosethings.
(12:20):
So it is actually a part ofthis fellowship spirit that we
all of us share as Rotarians.
Speaker 1 (12:27):
Yeah, you really do.
And Frances and I had a longconversation on the bus ride
back, I think, from our courseon house build and we learned
that you know we have a lot ofthings in common where Frances
went to school and where I wasborn and Silver City is where my
mom lives.
I mean, it's just so manythings in common and you really
(12:49):
find those relationships arebuilt in that avenue of service,
in actually the doing of thework that we do in this world.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
It makes such a difference.
And that's how I was introducedto Rhody, because the work I
was doing in Haiti.
But I remember on one of thosetrips we had a lady who was a
neurosurgical nurse from Texassince we're talking about Texas,
actually she was on the tripand she says I hope you don't
mind, but I really don't want todo nursing.
Is there something else that Ican do?
And at the time we were inaddition to our medical and
(13:19):
dental trips.
We also I mean teams we alsohad we were building four wells,
digging four wells, and we'rebuilding toilets and houses.
So I said you can join theconstruction team and put her on
there.
At the end of the week she saidthis is the most fun I've ever
had.
Right, she's not doing nursing,she was hammering, she was
sawing.
(13:40):
She was doing somethingdifferent than her job, which is
what she wanted out of thisexperience, she loved it, she
was so turned on and again, thatengagement finding because you
bring so much joy, the simplething like four walls and a roof
makes a difference insomebody's life and we take it
for granted.
So I'm really excited about theengagement in Francis and our
(14:01):
club and that's one of thethings I love about our club.
We've been involved.
We do the ADD Center, asFrancis was saying, where we
have our young people, and wecook meals for the seniors and
do that.
Last week we cooked meals forthe homeless veterans at March
Air Force Base.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
That's a great program.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
She's really very dynamic with that, so we
appreciate your leadership onthat.
Speaker 3 (14:23):
Well, thank you, and, as I said, like in our club, we
try to help with those twospecific groups, with the
veterans and with the youth.
But I'm always very close tothat youth thing and I say to my
roots of like helpinginteractors and realtors,
because those are my people, youknow, that's how I started and
(14:45):
I want them to also getmotivated to continue working on
it and be the new generation oflibrarians.
Speaker 1 (14:55):
That's awesome.
Speaking of that, what doesyour future look like?
What are you excited to doafter you complete your year as
president?
Speaker 3 (15:04):
Well, I'm super excited about many things Like.
The first one is you probablyknow this that I am more active
now on the community andeconomic development action
groups, and I know that a lot ofpeople don't know about the
Realtree Action Groups, but Iwas invited to join that
(15:28):
regulatory action group forcommunity and economic
development particularly becauseof my background, Since I have
a doctorate in economicdevelopment.
Speaker 1 (15:37):
That was a good fit.
It is a great fit.
Speaker 3 (15:41):
And then on the other thing after that, actually Dan
Goodrich was the one that toldme he's like why don't you apply
to become a member of the CadreTechnical Advisors?
And I'm like I don't know whatthat is.
Explain what that is.
And so he educated me on thatand then I followed that all the
(16:02):
educational part of Rosary asto the Rotary Foundation and
international and global grants,and then I applied to become a
cadre technical advisor.
I got accepted last year.
Congratulations, thank you.
I'm super excited about it.
I believe it's an honor and ahuge responsibility to assist
(16:26):
clubs with global grantsapplications and continue doing
that work because it's like tooversee the sustainability of
the global grants andparticularly again on the area
of close to my background oncommunity and economic
(16:47):
development.
Speaker 1 (16:48):
And that's a really important piece of what we do in
our international and globalgrants.
Maybe could you just definethat a little bit.
I know a lot of what you justsaid.
It really brings it to light.
But maybe explain to ouraudience that is not familiar
with Rotary, Global Grants andthis cadre position and how it
(17:08):
works within that construct.
Speaker 3 (17:12):
Thank you.
Well, the cadre of technicaladvisors are a group of experts
on all the areas of focus thatget together to provide
assistance, support and guidanceto all the clubs and the
districts when they're doingplanning stages, so that way
they understand that they haveto comply with Rotary Foundation
(17:40):
guidelines in terms of theneeds assessments and then even
who's going to be the host club,who's going to be the partner
club, and give that guidance andsupport in the planning stage
up and give that guidance andsupport in the planning stage
Once the global grants getapproved.
Our advisory serves just tomonitor the global grant and
(18:06):
then at the end it's alsohelping with the sustainability
aspect after the grant has ended.
But also it gives theopportunity to do site visits to
see if actually what wepromised in our global grants
was actually implemented and seehow we can expand the reach.
(18:28):
So it's actually, I guess somedays it's like an auditor or
supervisor, but also, as I said,a lending hand, as like a
person that can guide you in theprocess and that support.
Speaker 1 (18:44):
I think it's so important.
We often talk a lot aboutfundraising for foundation, but
I don't know that we put as muchemphasis on what's happening.
I mean it's happening.
I don't know that we put asmuch emphasis on what's
happening, I mean it's happening.
It's not like when we bringmoney in as Rotarians and we put
it towards these global grants.
And our district alone thisyear has invested $333,000 in
(19:09):
global grants all over the world.
That's amazing.
And to know and we're just onedistrict and we're not even a
big district, I mean we're agood-sized district, we've
gotten a lot of impact.
But to know that those dollarsaren't just being thrown at
projects, but the projects arevery intentionally thought out,
that they have a certain levelof criteria to make sure that
(19:34):
it's going to be successful,that there is auditing and there
are cadre professionals thatare looking at the finance side
of it, the implications to thecommunity, making sure the needs
assessment is correct, makingsure that we're not just going
and building, just going out andspending money, because a lot
of times you know people thatwant to do good are here.
(19:55):
I'm going to throw some money,we're going to build you a well
in Nigeria, for example, butthen they don't figure out.
Oh well, who's going tomaintain that?
Well, how is you know the wellis going to be good for a month
and then it's not going to begood anymore, and then we wasted
all those dollars.
We do our grant process andimplementation in Rotary is
(20:18):
really effective because we'remaking sure that those dollars
are going not only for a goodcause but that that is going to
be sustainable over a period oftime.
Speaker 2 (20:25):
And that's why we have such a wonderful ranking
with GuideStar, because we'remonitoring as well and paying
attention, and that's one thingI think that Rotary can feel
good.
So not only are we giving, butthat money's being spent and
closely watched and ensure thatit's being applied the way it
was originally intended to.
Speaker 1 (20:44):
And I learned something about you today,
francis, that I didn't know.
I did not know you were a CADREmember.
I think that is brilliant,first of all because you are so
smart and it is in your area ofeducation and excellence, and I
think it's a testament to otherRotarians that are in our field
of influence.
(21:05):
You know, if you're really goodat finances, or you're really
good at economic development oryou're really good at whatever
you're really good at that, youhave a place to be a potential
cadre to help these grants goforward.
And you don't have to be adistrict governor, you don't
have to have been a president,you just have to be really good
at what you're doing.
And you can have a whole otheropportunity in Rotary that maybe
(21:28):
you didn't think about.
Speaker 3 (21:28):
And Rotary needs you.
Speaker 1 (21:29):
I know we don't talk about cadre.
I mean, we've got so manythings to talk about in Rotary.
This is one of the things thatI'm excited we're talking about
today, because it's something wehave not talked about, even on
this podcast.
Speaker 2 (21:41):
And we have a lot of talent in this district that
really needs to find themselvesavailable to help Rotary in this
way all around the world.
To put their knowledge to greatuse.
Yes, their expertise Absolutely, absolutely.
Speaker 3 (21:59):
Yes, well, you're preaching to the converter.
It's like I actually think thatand to your point, Aaron, is
that I think that us returns, wecan offer obviously our time,
our time to community serviceprojects and to be active in our
clubs and participate in ourclub meetings.
But also we have the otherparties like the talent and, as
(22:24):
you said, all the Rotarians havea talent that obviously has a
place in Rotary.
Is it like in accounting, inmarketing, in social media, in
economics, economic developmentand all the areas of focus is
like I mean some people that arereally experts in educations,
(22:44):
Others that are experts inhealth and providing
opportunities for children,Others are in water.
I mean so many areas that manyreturnees can tap into at the
cadre of technical advisor levelor even at the real reaction
group level.
Right, go to a road reactiongroup and go and meet with
(23:17):
people from all over the worldthat are actually working and
passionate about that specificarea, or you can actually join
road reaction groups areactually open to everybody and
that's interesting that it's awell-kept secret, I know right.
I actually talked to economicdevelopers pretty much all the
(23:39):
time and one day I was tellingthis person that lives actually
in the Northeast of the US andthen I was like we were talking
that she's a Rotarian as well.
We are Perlman EconomicDevelopment Association together
and I was like how does it jointhe World Reaction Group for
Economic Development?
She's like I don't knowanything about it and I'm like
(24:01):
well, there's another World Cupsecret I can't tell you.
Speaker 1 (24:05):
So now we get to talk a lot more about it, right?
Speaker 3 (24:08):
Yes, obviously continue that conversation, but
to elaborate on another thingthat I'm doing now, as soon as I
guess we finish this year, iswork a little more also at the
district level, and Naira willtell you a little bit more about
this, and this is a projectthat I'm super excited about.
(24:31):
This is the United Nationsmodel.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (24:34):
This is the United Nations model, yes, and I'm
super excited to learn moreabout it because I participated
in the UN model when I was atUTEP, but also in my previous
life, before joining UCR, I wasactually working with the United
Nations Development Program,with the United Nations
(24:54):
Development Program.
So I'm super excited to see howWorld Trade explores that
relationship with the UnitedNations and educate the youth
groups about the role of theUnited Nations, the role of
World Trade and all that idea ofdiplomacy and working together
to solve real-life problems.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
And that's so needed in our world today.
Speaker 1 (25:18):
Yes, it is.
Speaker 2 (25:20):
On both national and international levels.
Speaker 1 (25:23):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (25:24):
So that Model UN program I think is very exciting
.
And again it comes back toyouth and giving the opportunity
for youth to expand theirhorizons, to realize they're in
control, to make a differenceand to take charge.
So it's really exciting thingsthat Rotary does and that's what
I love about the collaborationamongst districts and going to
(25:46):
even going to internationalconventions.
You get to take classes andmeet people from all around the
world who are doing what youwant to do and they can say, hey
, let me advise you on that,this is what we did.
We fell in this hole.
Don't do that, but go over hereand succeed.
Speaker 1 (25:59):
And this worked for us All working together to do
good in the world, right?
Absolutely, yeah, awesome.
Well, thank you so much,francis, for joining us today.
We really appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (26:10):
Well, no, thank you for the invitation.
I really appreciate theopportunity to talk about my
story and keep inviting peopleto participate more in all these
other projects.
Speaker 1 (26:21):
Awesome, have a good day.
Speaker 3 (26:24):
Yeah, you too, thank you.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
Bye-bye.
Speaker 1 (26:26):
Adios, bye.
So that wraps up this episodeof Heroes of Hope.
We are so happy that we have anaudience out there listening.
We want you to subscribe, shareand tell your friends about the
Rotary Community Heroes of Hope, because that's how we get the
word out about the impact we'rehaving in this world.
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