The Economics of Service: From Rotaract to Cadre Leadership

Rotary Community Heroes of Hope

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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.
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Chapters

1. Introducing Community Heroes of Hope Podcast (00:00:00)

2. Meeting Frances Vegas: Rotary Origins (00:01:23)

3. From Rotaract to Rotarian Journey (00:04:24)

4. Engagement Through Hands-On Service (00:08:22)

5. Cadre Technical Advisor Role Explained (00:15:08)

6. United Nations Model and Future Goals (00:21:58)

7. Episode Wrap-Up and Call to Action (00:26:25)