RAC Speaks

Working Both Sides of Service

By Crizelle Belmonte | Posted on June 16, 2026

I didn’t really plan on doing both roles as a Rotaractor while also working for Rotary. It unfolded naturally, shaped by the opportunities I chose to say yes to, until I found myself fully immersed in both and understanding the unique value each one brings.

I started as a Rotaractor in 2011, when I was 18. I was curious, eager, and just wanted to be part of something meaningful. Along the way, I realized I wasn’t just joining projects anymore. I stayed because I genuinely cared about the work and the people behind it.

Standing alongside fellow members of Rotary Club of Lucena South Premier, united by shared values, teamwork, and a commitment to sustained and meaningful service.

In 2021, I had the opportunity to work behind the scenes as part of the secretariat and admin of the Rotary Club of Lucena South. That experience gave me a different perspective. I began to see not just the projects, but everything that makes them possible. Then in 2023, I became a charter member of the Rotary Club of Lucena South Premier. That’s when I realized I didn’t have to choose between Rotaract and Rotary. I could do both, and doing both allowed me to contribute more.

Actively planting seedlings during Thousand Trees of Hope, contributing to a collective effort to restore the environment and create impact that grows over time.

Rotaract is where I feel the energy. It’s hands-on, fast-paced, and very real. You’re involved in planning, execution, and being on the ground. Rotary, on the other hand, taught me structure. It showed me the value of systems, documentation, and thinking long-term. Being in both made me understand that service needs both heart and direction.

Joined by Rotarians and partners from the Rotary Club of Lucena South, reflecting strong collaboration, shared purpose, and the power of working together for community impact.

Being a Rotaractor helps me stay grounded when I work with Rotary. I think about whether plans are practical and doable. At the same time, my Rotary experience has made me more intentional in Rotaract. I’ve learned to think beyond the moment and consider sustainability and long-term impact.

For me, they are not separate. Rotaract helps you grow, and Rotary helps you sustain that growth. Being in both allows me to connect the two and help bridge differences in pacing, expectations, and communication.

Early days in Rotaract, circa 2012, capturing a group of young leaders during a RYLA activity, forming friendships, building confidence, and discovering a shared passion for

One thing I’ve learned is that passion can start something, but systems are what keep it going. Most people only see the final output, but there is a lot that happens behind the scenes to make everything work.

Working both sides of service, for me, means seeing the bigger picture and doing what I can to help it all come together.

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