Page 4 - September 2015 Gears & Ears

Gears and Ears

Journal of the Rotary Club of Lake Buena Vista

Page 4 September 2015

My Mexican Makeup -- Luis Figueroa

My visit to the Rotary Club of Coyoacán, México was one of the most
rewarding experiences of my Rotary life (my Rotary aha moment). We
landed in México few days before the meeting, with plenty of time to set
up everything for the conference we were scheduled to attend. Using
the Club Locator application, I found a club nearby our hotel. My dad, a
Rotarian for more than 25 years, suggested that we look them up on
Facebook. We did and were surprised to learn that the Rotary Club of
Coyoacán is a men only club. Of the five or six clubs we identified, we
decide to visit this one. We used the Uber transportation system, which
is huge in México, arrived to the meeting 30-40 minutes early, and David
immediately welcomed us and identified himself as what we call the
sergeant-at-arms. One by one of the members greeted us as their own.
We sat right next to a past Governor, who he explained to me the history
of the club and what activities they do. During the two hour meeting Me with President Gunter
(which it was very formal, where everyone ask the sergeant-at-
arms for time to speak) I had the chance and privilege to talk and
give my opinion about the topic they were discussing: Rotaract
and the problems they are having trying to set up this branch of
their club.

When the moment of formal introduction and exchange of banners
came, I talked about our club and how special we were: what
activities we conduct and most important (for them) the history of
our world-famous Mickey Mouse pin. They were fascinated by it
and immediately asked me for my own pin, which I give to their
German president, Mr. Gunter.
Me with my Dad and President Gunter
After the meeting, we stayed for 30 more minutes networking and answering all the questions they had.
One of the most senior members told me that I was too young to be a Rotarian. I explained what we are
doing in our district to attract young professionals to clubs and bring down our median age. It was very
interesting to see his reaction when I mentioned to him that last year I was doing some talks about membership
and how clubs can engage young professionals.

They invited us to two events they had that same week. The first
was their weekly get-together in a restaurant, kind like our social
but they do it every week, and we decided to attend. We had
the same warm welcome as our first meeting but, this time, in a
more relaxed atmosphere and with drinks. After few drinks, they
were more open to us and they explained the role woman play
in their club as event coordinators, and why they choose to do it
that way. Their kindness went far beyond what we expected.
One of the members who is running for district governor in 2018-
2019 took us to a mini concert and back to our hotel.
With past Governor, Eng. Gerardo Ruiz