Niagara Falls NY News
Posted by John Cooper
THE MULTIPLIER EFFECT
On Wednesday, August 10, 2016 the Rotary Club of Niagara Falls, New York welcomed as guest speakers - husband and wife Rotarians Rudy and Catherine Garcia from the Rotary Club of Fluvanna County located in Palmyra, Virginia. Rudy was two term president (2014 - 2016) and Catherine, a school teacher, is deeply engaged in their Rotaract endeavors.
The Garcias talked about the makeup of their club members who are businesspersons and retired residents of the Lake Monticello community and surrounding area. As a Rotary club, they are constantly seeking ways to have a positive impact on Fluvanna County and the rest of the district, while still keeping the global focus of Rotary International. They have assisted with the county's Habitat for Humanity, provided assistance to the local food bank, funded the purchase of holiday gifts for needy families, and donated to a variety of humanitarian organizations in support of their community.
As in other smaller Rotary clubs, they have similar challenges as to the recruitment of new members and retention, leadership commitments (no governance responsibility), etc. They encouraged us to have our spouses or significant others join Rotary as they did. They outlined for us some of the benefits of "couples" Rotary including: (A) they are together doing Rotary activities on an ongoing basis, (B) at least one of them will always be available to attend Rotary club and district functions, (C) they always volunteered together anyway, and (D) the multiplier effect - augment membership and contributions to The Rotary Foundation.
Pictured are President Jesse Scott and Secretary Louise Lascelle presenting the Garcias with a mug President Jesse Scott, Sr and the mother of Catherine Garcia helped present the speakers with a mug as token of our appreciation. Also present to the right is Catherine's mother, Pat Feidner, who probably taught Pat everything she knows about service above self - another multiplier effect!