Past District Governor Andres Goyanes and his wife, Veronica, are active Rotarians—both of whom are Paul Harris Fellows and Rotary Bequest Society members.
Rotary Leadership
Rotary is a global volunteer organization focused on civic leadership development
I first joined Rotary in 2009 and since then I cannot see my life without an affiliation to Rotary. This service organization of 1.2 million members worldwide who belong to one of 35,000+ Rotary Clubs around the globe is as important to me as the blood that runs through my veins. Belonging to a Rotary Rotary club has helped me grow my network of friends, business contacts, and colleagues in an organic way that no other affiliation could have.
Every year I’ve spent in Rotary has given me the opportunity to volunteer at local and global events. From ringing the bell for a few hours at a Salvation Army post during Christmas time to traveling to Quito, Ecuador and contributing to the development of an elementary school and a hospital sponsored by local Rotary Clubs in that country; and visiting Rotary Clubs across Europe, South America, the Caribbean, and throughout the USA.
On a local level, Rotary membership has led to my participation in Service Projects with my home Rotary Club of International Drive in Orlando, as well as leadership development in Central Florida’s District 6980:
- District Governor Elect (2022-2023)
- District Chief of Staff (2019-2021)
- Rotarian of the Year (2019-2020)
- Rotary Emerging Leader Award (2018-2019)
- Assistant Governor (2017-2020)
- Rotary Club of International Drive
- Founding President (2011-2013)
- Public Image Chair (2013-Present)
- Club Secretary (2016-2017)
- Programming Chair, Rotary Club of Lake Buena Vista (2010-2011)
Rotary also introduced me to ShelterBox USA, a disaster relief organization born from a Rotary Club project in the United Kingdom. In the year 2000, the organization was formalized to provide shelter for families that lost their homes due to a natural disaster. Since then, what started as a local club project has evolved into a global effort to provide shelter and support to people displaced by hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes, floods, and tsunamis, and humanitarian reasons such as war regional conflict.
I am grateful to Rotary for giving me an opportunity to Serve Above Self and with the moral compass of The Four-Way Test. My personal connection with other Rotarians I’ve met from every corner of the world has made my life richer and given me a new perspective on human goodwill—and a renewed sense of what global communication can produce when people come together without regards to nationality, religion, politics, or other differences.