Rotary Community Heroes of Hope
Introducing "Rotary Community Heroes of Hope" - a podcast dedicated to showcasing the profound impact of Rotary in District 5330 and beyond. Join us as we explore the remarkable stories of rotary heroes and initiatives that are transforming communities and creating hope around the world.
Rotary Community Heroes of Hope
Finding Your Voice: How a Mountain Leadership Weekend Changed Everything
What happens when a shy high schooler steps outside their comfort zone and discovers a world of leadership, service, and lifelong friendships? Eddie's remarkable journey from reluctant ROTC student to passionate Rotarian exemplifies the transformative power of Rotary's youth programs.
Eddie's story begins with hesitation. Already busy with ROTC commitments, he initially questioned whether to attend a weekend leadership camp called Ryla in the mountains. That pivotal decision changed everything. Despite having leadership training through ROTC, Eddie found that Ryla provided something uniquely powerful—an environment that pushed him beyond social barriers and self-imposed limitations. The discussion groups, talent shows, and particularly the "culture walk" activity fundamentally shifted his perspective on empathy and understanding.
The connections Eddie formed proved equally valuable. Charlie, a dedicated Rotarian who recognized Eddie's potential, immediately recruited him to Interact after Ryla. This began a seamless progression through Rotary's programs—from Interact to Rotaract to becoming a full Rotarian with the Moreno Valley Sunset Club. Now balancing his Rotary service with a career at Costco, Eddie remains passionate about returning as a Discussion Group Leader to inspire new generations of students just as he was inspired.
Eddie's journey reminds us that stepping outside our comfort zones often leads to unexpected growth and opportunities. His message to young people is simple but powerful: "Don't be afraid to serve your community in any way you can. Try your best to make a difference, even if it's something small." Ready to be inspired? Subscribe to Community Heroes of Hope on your favorite podcast platform and discover how ordinary people are creating extraordinary change through service.
Hello and welcome to the Community. Heroes of Hope, a podcast where we shine a light on the remarkable individuals and projects in Rotary District 5330 that bring hope and change to our local and global communities. I am Judy Zelfikar, your co-host and the current District Governor of Rotary District 5330.
Speaker 2:And I'm Niren McLean, the Rotary District Governor-Elect, and I'm Niren McLean, the Rotary District Governor-Elect. Together, we're diving deep into the heart of the community service, showcasing the impact of dedication and collaboration in addressing some of the most pressing challenges our communities face.
Speaker 1:Each episode, we'll tell stories of incredible people making a difference, innovating solutions and inspiring others to take action.
Speaker 2:We'll also be giving you a behind-the-scenes look at the projects that are transforming their lives, and we'll discuss how you, too, can get involved, contribute and be part of the positive change. Whether you're a seasoned Rotarian or just looking to give back, this podcast is for you.
Speaker 1:So join us as we explore the journeys, challenges and successes of people like you who have stepped up to make a difference. Let's celebrate the spirit of community and the power of hope together.
Speaker 2:Don't forget to subscribe to the Community Heroes of Hope on your favorite podcast platform. Stay with us on this journey of inspiration and let's spread the message of hope further than ever.
Speaker 1:Thank you for tuning in. Let's get started Well. District Governor-elect Niren, you're about ready to start your year. This is an amazing journey that you've been through so far in preparing to be a district governor.
Speaker 2:It has been, and one of the parts of the journey is I visit clubs and meet people. I've had the opportunity to meet Eddie some time ago, and actually I think I first met him when he was just coming out of high school and was a great interactor, and so I'm eager to hear more about his journey now.
Speaker 1:Awesome, Well, Eddie, welcome to the District 5330 podcast. Thank you for joining us today. Can you introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about where you are today?
Speaker 3:Yeah, definitely. Thank you for having me guys. I appreciate it. It's always good to come on these type of spaces to come talk about my experience. It's cool, you know. Come on these type of spaces to come talk about my experience, it's cool, you know, absolutely, yeah, so, um, so my name is eddie, my name is, my full name is aguardo. Uh, I started interact um, my junior of high school, um, I wasn't prior to that, I wasn't in interact. I was. I was in ROTC and someone had approached me about this thing called Ryla and immediately I was like okay, what is this? What are we doing here? I figured you're in ROTC. It's a leadership thing. I feel like you could benefit from it. You might want to check it out. And I thought you know, I don't know, I'm already.
Speaker 3:I can have my hands tied already. You know, with all these things, do I?
Speaker 1:really want to go up to the mountain and camp you know they said it's a weekend thing.
Speaker 3:You know you gotta go, you're gonna be in the mountains, it's gonna be fun. You know why not. You know, check it out, I'll apply. You know they told me oh well, you can't just go, you have to apply first. You know you have to go through an interview. I said, okay, I'll check it out. I mean, worst case scenario, it's a no. And you know, just go about my day right no harm, no foul yeah yeah, and so, um, I uh, I had.
Speaker 3:I went to the interview I met with at the time. Was, you know then, interact or not? I shouldn't say interactors road actors and road tarians, actually from the Marina Valley Sunset Club, the club I'm now a part of. Now, you know, I met Charlie very briefly, but I didn't know him at that time. You know I met Charlie very briefly, but I didn't know him at that time.
Speaker 2:You know, he was just some. You know, to me he was just this crazy dude you know big on Inter-Ride, big on Rotary.
Speaker 3:I said, oh okay, you know, because I don't know if you guys know this, but Charlie went to the same high school as I did.
Speaker 1:Yeah, he's very passionate about that school, that's for sure.
Speaker 3:Yeah, so we both went to high school. Uh, that's a fun fact. He grew up on the in the same neighborhood. I did way back in the day okay uh, and then he also was in rtc.
Speaker 3:So, you know, we kind of we kind of clicked on that early on, which which I thought was pretty cool, right, and I said, oh well, you know what, maybe you know, our journey seems cool. You know, we'll check this out. And yeah, I mean, the interview went super smooth. I ended up getting accepted and, boom, ryla was a hit man I loved it.
Speaker 1:What was your favorite part about Ryla?
Speaker 3:Oh man, oh sheesh, that's a tough one. That's a tough one, I think, for me personally, my attitudes, it'd probably be my group, you know. The theme of that year was countries, you know. I can't exactly remember what the actual theme was, but it was centered around countries, you know, and my group was Japan. You know, and Andy, I'm sure you guys know Andy.
Speaker 1:Andy Brakebill. Yeah, was he your discussion group leader.
Speaker 3:Yeah, that's right, he was my DGL man. Super cool guy, man, Super cool guy, man, Super cool guy. I miss that dude man. Yeah, it's just. You know those people that I got to experience with, they were super friendly. Yeah, at first I didn't know them. It was kind of weird at first. I didn't know them, it was kind of weird at first. But, man, within a couple hours it's like all these weird emotions, you feel that anxiousness, it just goes away. You know, you don't feel it.
Speaker 2:You feel like everyone there is family, you know, Yep. So, Eddie, let me ask you if you can put a finger on it, what would you say that attending, since you already were in ROTC and you already were in leadership positions, what would you say that Ryla did for you?
Speaker 3:Looking back now you can say that Ryla had an impact on you as much as ROTC helped me with leadership and really speaking up and being vocal about certain things. It wasn't until I had gone to RILA that really gave me that extra push, you know, to really go out and just go for things, just go out and do it Right. One of the things that I remember at Ryla that I was kind of iffy about was I wasn't sure if I wanted to fully, you know, immerse myself in this experience at first, because I was just, you know, growing up. I was always kind of like a shy kid, you know. I mean, don't get me wrong, I like to. I would talk to certain people, but more or less, you know, I tried to keep it to myself. And you know, when you're put in this environment like Ryla, where it's like you can't do that, you know you can't you really can't.
Speaker 3:I mean, everyone's coming up to you, hey, where, where are you from? Hey, what club are you with? Hey, like I haven't noticed you do this. What what's up? You know it's, it's uh, you're kind of forced to, you know, just go out and you know, make friends, you know, be more, more social, you know. And so when it came down to it, I don't know if you guys remember the talent show- oh yeah talent show so much fun. Yeah, the no talent talent show.
Speaker 3:Right, right, right right. So I remember watching all these kids, man that you know doing the talent show and I think to's like, yeah, you know what, maybe you can do it. You know, maybe you can. Even if you feel like you can't, you can just give it a shot. You know who cares what people think, you know.
Speaker 1:I think that's probably the best thing about Ryla. What I've heard from yourself and other students is that it brought them out of their shell and realized that you know there's other people first of all that are having challenges just like you, that you maybe didn't realize that they were there having those challenges and and that that you can come out of your shell, you can be whoever you want to be and you're not limited by the circumstance that you might live in or some things that may have had in the past.
Speaker 1:That you can choose to be resilient, you can choose to come out and make a difference and be who you want to be.
Speaker 3:You're not limited by those other things resonates with me the most is the uh, the culture walk. Oh yeah, and and the reason why I say that it's because you know everyone has their days. You know they're good and bad days, you know every now. And then you know certain people might get on their nerves or whatever, and you think, oh man, I just want to. You know you'll say something crazy that you don't really mean, but that culture walk, it really put things into perspective for me that, hey, you know what, maybe it's not, maybe it's not okay to, you know, judge others. You know, because we don't really know, at the end of the day, what people are going through. Right, everybody, everybody's situation is different, everybody's going through things and at the end of the day, the best thing to do is just try your best to be kind, you know, because that goes a long way.
Speaker 1:Yep absolutely. So after you left Ryla, did you join Interact that year or did you wait till you got into your senior year? What was the rest of that journey.
Speaker 3:Immediately, immediately. Once I came down that hill, uh, charlie went out looking for me personally. He was like I need this kid man, I need to put him in interact. And he sure did. Man. He found me. That man, that dude, went through the ends of the earth to you know, look for me.
Speaker 1:That's awesome you know.
Speaker 3:And he immediately he's like let me introduce you to the Interact advisor. This is the Interact president. Get situated, this is going to be your new home. I said OK, cool, cool, cool, cool, cool. And you know, that was where it all started. From that point on, it was just boom, what's next? What's next? You know what are we going to do.
Speaker 1:So, speaking of what was next, I mean, you're now out of high school, correct?
Speaker 2:Yeah, and so what happened?
Speaker 1:what happened after your Interact high school journey. What did?
Speaker 3:where did you go to next? Literally that following year. Big salute, big shout out to, to the marina valley rotary club because literally that cash prize that I won was able to sponsor my uh, my varsity jacket oh, that's awesome.
Speaker 3:So I was super, super thankful for that, Super thankful when I had graduated high school. Immediately I was going to enroll at Cal State, San Bernardino, and join the Rotor Rat Club there. But I noticed that, you know, being a commuter coming from Reno Valley going to San Bernardino, it's really tough sometimes to make those meetings, you know.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 3:And so, charlie, at the time he was doing, he was starting up the Merino Valley World Rite Club here, which at the time they were doing at Merino Valley College. But you know, because there wasn't a lot of members there, you know, it wasn't really gaining traction. He had this idea where it's like you know what, if we just open it up, you know, because they were very limited to what they could do there. Everything had to go through school. You know a whole lot of paperwork, the words, you know, and he was just like you know what. I feel like we could get more attendance, we get'd get more members, more reach, and we could do more stuff if we just did it at my shop, at his shop.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 3:And so that's what we did, man. We ended up, you know, basically starting up the Rotorite Club here in Mariana Valley from the ground up you know those that were already in it at Mariana Valley College, you know and then we were able to get some students from Cal State, san Bernardino, some from UCR. I know we stole some from UCR. I feel bad to say that, but it's not stealing.
Speaker 1:You're all working on the same stuff. Yeah, you know.
Speaker 3:But yeah, we, yeah, we grabbed a few. We grabbed a few and um, it was cool, man, it was really nice. It was, you know, we were doing stuff in the community. We were meeting up, we were doing social. My favorite thing was doing the socials. I loved going out after the meeting to go get food, when it was just tacos or something, just catching up with these guys, because you know, as much as it's fun and it feels good to give back to the community I think it's every now and then it's really nice just to you know, kind of get together, see what everyone's up to you know and really get that sense of I don't know camaraderie.
Speaker 1:I guess I would say maybe, yeah, the community, you know that's been proven time and time again that people join Rotary because they want to do the service, but they stay in Rotary because of the friendships that they developed in the process. And so it's a very, very important part of our service organization.
Speaker 2:Absolutely so. Let me ask you is that Moreno Valley Rotaract? Is that still going strong, or what's the status of it?
Speaker 3:Well, you know, I'll be honest with you, I haven't, since I graduated college, I've been kind of, you know, trying to focus more on Rotary. So I haven't really, you know, kept up with what's going on with the Rotaract Club, but as far as I'm concerned, I'm pretty sure they're still going strong. You know, it's kind of tricky with Rotaract because it's you know you're, it's not like Interact, where you know you're you're confined to the spaces of the school, right as a high school, you're allowed to, you know, be more broader with your community service. But then the problem comes in and it's like, hey, well, I have school, you know I have midterms, you know, now we're working, I have school, you know I have midterms, you know, now we're working.
Speaker 3:I have a job, you know, I have a boyfriend, I have a girlfriend, you know, and, um, all these commitments, you know, sometimes, man, it gets tricky, it gets really tricky. So it's trying to find the balance. It's really that's, that's, I think that's the most difficult part really with any Rotary club.
Speaker 2:So what are you doing now?
Speaker 3:I know you're part of the Rotary club, yeah, now I'm just focused with the Rotary club, with the main Rotary club, with the Myrna Valley Sunset.
Speaker 2:Are you doing anything in particular for them, any particular departments? Are you working with youth? Are you working with international service, or are you just kind of getting your feet wet and checking things out and seeing where you can help?
Speaker 3:I'd say in the moment, I'm really just. You know, whatever the club needs help with, I try my best to, you know, help them out. If we're doing certain events, like we just got done doing the spaghetti dinner at the Senior Center a couple months ago, so that was really fun, we always do that every year, it's a really good event. You know, what I want to get back into is being a DGL, you know. So I guess that would fall under the youth services, right with Charlie.
Speaker 1:Yep, are you coming up to Ryla this year?
Speaker 3:Not this year, you know, unfortunately. My only issue is just that my job they get real picky, you know, with allocating vacation and when can you take vacation. So for me that's always the tricky part. You know, how can I get around that? But I've been talking to Charlie man, I really want to get back to it, because being a DGL as much as going to Ryla as a Rylarian was fun, man, being a DGL, that's where it's at, that's where you really uh, you get, you really get a lot of fulfillment for sure.
Speaker 2:And you, you have the experience that you can really share with other kids who, again, they go up there thinking that it's just them. Nobody understands them, nobody knows where they're coming from and the shoes that they walk in, and you can say, hey, been there, done that. Let me tell you what's on the other side.
Speaker 2:And you know you can be an example to so many kids who think they're lost and by themselves, and so you can really have an impact. And that's what I love about you You've always been dynamic. I remember the first time I met you at Charlie's Shop and you were just. You were on the ball man. You were moving like a bus side, helping him do things and getting stuff organized. And every time I've gone to the Interact banquets at the end of the year, you've been involved. You've been there. So kudos to you on your involvement. I'm glad that.
Speaker 2:Ryla and Interact and Rotaract, and now Rotary has had an impact on your life and you haven't let go, and that is so important. A lot of times we lose kids. We send them to Pride, we send them to Ryla. They're part of Interact. They go off to college somewhere else and forget about Rotaract and then go off to a career in another state or another city and then they become, you know, they run into Rotary 30 years later and you've never let go. You've been Rotarian all the way through from Ryla and so that is awesome, both a testament to you as well as to Charlie, quite frankly, for not letting you slip away.
Speaker 1:And there's so many opportunities within Rotary. I mean, you just got started. We just got off a podcast with a vocational training team member. That's an opportunity for you. That's literally an opportunity to go to another country and experience another district and learn more about it. Partnerships, and and uh, zone Institute. I mean there's just so many things that you have available to you. I know I didn't become a Rotarian until well into my thirties and I really wish I would have had that opportunity. Uh, you know, in high school and coming through and after high school. So the world is bright, my friend. You have so many things to look forward to.
Speaker 3:Oh, definitely, thank you.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and I mean it's so crazy. I say that because that's that's literally what I told my kids, you know, when I was a DTL I said look, you know, you guys are juniors right now in high school. Pretty soon you guys are going to be seniors and right after that you guys are going to enter the world. And you know, before you know it it's you know, you guys are adults too. You guys are going to be, you know, in the same boat. I am, you know.
Speaker 3:Now the question is what are you guys going to do? What are you guys going to do with this? What are you guys going to get with this experience, right? So I told them, you know, I'm not expecting you guys to. You know, go out and join Rotary, if that's, if you feel like that's not for you. But I hope that if there's one thing I leave with you guys, it's you know, don't be afraid to go out there, serve your community in any way you can. You know, try your best to make a difference, whether that be, you know, picking up the trash, you know, or just something small. Really, you know, and I really I think about these kids all the time, because I still follow them on social media and I see them. You know, now these kids are practically most of them they're graduating college already.
Speaker 1:It's amazing how fast those days go. It's crazy, it's crazy.
Speaker 3:Yeah, these kids are about to graduate college and they're about to enter. You enter. Some of them have already entered the workforce. Some have joined the military. You know, it's just, it's crazy. To me it's mind boggling really.
Speaker 2:Well, eddie, that actually brings another opportunity to be able to reach out to people who've come through our youth services in Pride, ryla, interact, rotaract, et cetera and reach out to them and try to bring them not bring them back to Rotary, but re-engage them with Rotary and to bring them back to the family and let them help out in any way they now feel as they've matured and gone into the career you know, you're I believe that you're at Costco, right?
Speaker 3:Yeah, okay.
Speaker 2:So you know, just think of somebody else wants to get involved in Costco and start a career and you can say, hey, you know what? I can mentor you, let me show you how it is, let me tell you who to talk to and do a number of different things. So I'll reach out to you about that. But there's so much that you can bring, and you've done so much at your young age as well and within Rotary, which is truly amazing.
Speaker 3:Yeah, no, thank you. I mean, it's definitely been an experience, it's been a journey, I mean starting from Rylerian to alumni DGL, right, I mean the whole thing. I really look back sometimes and I think, wow, man, what a time, what a time. You know, just the other day I was thinking about Neil man. Rest in peace, Neil. Oh, I know. Neil doing yep, you know, that guy was a character man. He was so much fun, man, so much fun, you know. Shout out to Michelle as well. Miss Michelle, I hope she's doing well too.
Speaker 1:Well, we appreciate you taking time out of your day, eddie, to join us and tell us a little bit about your Rotary journey. I look forward to watching you continue this journey and really engage and interact with other Rotarians in our district. Thank you for everything you do and thank you for your dedication to Rotary overall.
Speaker 2:Absolutely, absolutely. Thank you guys for having me to Rotary overall, absolutely, absolutely.
Speaker 3:Thank you guys for having me on. I truly appreciate it. I mean, this is amazing. I love any chance I get to do these little things. I always jump at them, you know, because, as you guys know, this is what I studied in college. So I was, I graduated as a comm major, so this is literally what I did for years, you know.
Speaker 1:Well, I'm sure you will be asked more now that we have you on our radar.
Speaker 2:So be careful what you ask for. But I'm excited about it and just keep in mind.
Speaker 1:The podcast can be located on district5330.org we have a button on there for podcasts, but you can also get it on your Apple podcast or any other podcast service that you currently use, and please spread the word. Let everybody else know, and I'm sure we will be talking to you soon in one form or another, because we'd love to have you helping us out at the district level. To share this enthusiasm and passion that you have for Rotary Sounds good. Let's do it. Let's do it All right. Thanks, eddie. Have a good day.
Speaker 2:Have a good afternoon you too.
Speaker 1:So that wraps up this episode of Heroes of Hope. We are so happy that we have an audience out there listening. We want you to subscribe, share and tell your friends about the Rotary community Heroes of Hope, because that's how we get the word out about the impact we're having in this world.