Sherry Ann “SheAn” Madla Murillo was born on the 30th of March 1990 from a family of Rotarians, Rotary International District 3790 Past Assistant Governor Fidel and Assistant Governor Susan Murillo. She is second among her five siblings.
She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science Major in Area Studies at University of the Philippines – Manila and obtained her Civil Service Eligibility on December 2011.
Currently, she is an Enterprise Services Specialist at the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority – a government owned and controlled company under the Department of Tourism.
SheAn is an experienced community leader. She was elected as the Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson of Brgy. Mountain View in Mariveles, Bataan from year 2007-2010 and until today, is an active youth coordinator in their church.
She shares some Sage Advice for Rotaractors below:
As an individual who takes initiative to make our society a better place, what characteristic/s of a Rotarian should a Rotaractor emulate?
For me, the characteristics of a Rotarian that a Rotaractor should emulate are having integrity and being selfless. As we all know, integrity is one of the Rotary values that simply means the quality of being honest and having strong ethical or moral principles and following them at all times, no matter who’s watching. A person with integrity acts with honesty, honor, and truthfulness.
Rotarians recognize that our ethos calls us to daily strive to meet the standards of integrity and ethical standards to which we hold ourselves. While our members are, quite often, community leaders in every sense of the word, it behooves all of us, whether leaders, members or “just plain Rotarians”, to act at all times with integrity and within commonly accepted ethical standards and to work together to uphold that standard in our personal and professional lives as well as within our clubs. To have integrity is to act in a righteous and upright manner.
Next is being selfless as the principal motto of Rotary says “Service Above Self” which best explains the philosophy of unselfish volunteer service. One of the greatest things a human being can do is to serve others. The truest form of selfless service is when we give without wanting anything in return. That is the spirit in which we should give. This means that we do not broadcast to others what we do to receive adulation, praise, power, or name and fame. Rather, we serve from our heart and soul in the spirit of helping others because it is the right thing to do. If every one of us thinks more of other people’s welfare than ourselves I think we will have a better place to live in.
Membership is one key to sustain a club through the years, what recommendations will you impart to ensure their stay in the organization?
Membership is one of the pillars of a successful club and for me this is the most important. We all know that the world needs more Rotary members that’s why it is our responsibility as members to make sure everyone who shows interest in joining Rotary gets an invitation and ensure that every member has a reason to stay. We have to let the members be engaged and involved in all of the club activities, projects and other Rotary events. If we have more quality members, we can do more and give more to the community.
In our club, we welcome innovative ideas, develop leadership skills, and champion teamwork. We adopt best practices from other clubs that we think will also work for us. Each of the club members is encouraged to suggest new ways to improve the club. We help our members develop leadership skills by encouraging them to choose projects they’re interested in and to lead those projects. We also thrive on teamwork. Our projects are successful because we pair members with different skill sets to complement each other together with our Interactors and Rotaractors. We cultivate strong relationships with members and the community. Rotary is built on friendship. Aside from our regular meetings, we also spend time with each other socially through fellowships. We also don’t forget to appreciate the efforts of our members, it doesn’t matter how big or small those accomplishments are, we just let them feel that they are truly appreciated and they are needed by the club. By having this kind of club that engages in meaningful projects and have fun along the way, we provide value to our club members that they cannot find anywhere else.
How can you inspire Rotaractors to take action?
I think I can inspire Rotaractors by leading by example through hard work, dedication, and selflessness. Make sure to walk the talk. As Rotarians, we are leaders in implementing our core values. As John Maxwell says, “As a leader, the first person I need to lead is me. The first person that I should try to change is me.”
By saying that, part of our role is to inspire the people around us to push themselves- and, in turn, the organization- to greatness. To do this, we must show them the way with our own actions.
When you lead by example, you create a picture of what’s possible. People can look at you and say, “If he/she can do it, I can do it.” By that, you make it easy for others to follow you.
As a Rotarian, what values can you share to the Rotaractors in continuing their service to the community?
I think as a Rotarian, we should live by the Rotary’s core values of the Four Way Test which represent the guiding principles of the organization’s culture, including what guides members’ priorities and actions not only within the organization but also in our everyday lives. We have to live by the The 4 Way Test in everything we think, say or do. The Four Way Test values are: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Does it build goodwill and better friendships? Is it fair to all concerned?
Values are an increasingly important component in strategic planning because they drive the intent and direction of the organization’s leadership and we have to focus on the Rotary’s core values which are: service, fellowship, diversity, integrity and leadership. All of these core values are reflected in the Object of Rotary and The Four-Way Test, which we use in our daily lives. They inspire us to foster and support the ideal of service for developing and maintaining integrity in human relations.
How can you strengthen the relationship between Rotary Club to Rotaract Club as well as Rotarian to Rotaractor?
Let us remember and do the 3 C’s: Connect, Communicate and Collaborate
First, we have to connect to the Rotarians/ Rotaractors in our club, cluster, area, district and in other parts of the world. We have to know who they are, their backgrounds, cultures as well as their strengths and weaknesses. After knowing who the Rotarians/Rotaractors, next is to have constant and open communication with them. To have effective communication, aside from expressing your thoughts, you should also know how to listen well because in listening you will know what you should learn. You can do this by attending their meetings or by having joint meetings, projects, activities and other events so you will better understand them and have the opportunity to also share your ideas especially now that most of our activities are virtual because of the pandemic, let’s take advantage of this time to connect and partner with them through virtual platforms.
If you already established the first 2 C’s, it boils down to the third C which is collaboration. Rotary and Rotaract should complement each other not compete with each other because we are all part of one organization with one common goal and that is to do good in the world. Rotarians can be mentors and true service partners to Rotaractors, while Rotaractors can introduce new ideas and tools to Rotarians like using social media and being tech-savvy.
We need to have mutual respect, to see each other as equals. Let us work hand in hand to make this organization better and stronger.
In the world of Rotary, building linkages and networks is very essential, what advice can you give to the Rotaract Clubs that want to expand their network?
My network or linkages of Rotaract/Rotary friends goes far beyond my club. I have made Rotaract friends from many countries. Rotary has taken me to every corner of the world. Rotaract conventions like Pilipinas Rotaract Convention (PRoCon), Asia Pacific Regional Rotaract Conference (APRRC), Rotaract Preconvention and the opportunity to be part of the International Assembly have extended my network of friends all over the world. Social media keeps me connected to this extended network of Rotary friends.
Aside from attending the said conventions and different district, multi-district, national and international events you can also join different Rotary Action Groups through Rotary website and Facebook Groups and explore clubs from other parts of the world using different social media platforms.
What will you suggest to the Rotaractors to increase their donation in the Rotary Foundation and End Polio?
Explain to them the importance of giving to The Rotary Foundation. Inform them that when they make a donation to The Rotary Foundation, they are helping Rotary members make a difference in the lives of millions of people around the world, by promoting peace such as having Rotary Peace Centers program that trains some of the world’s most dedicated and brightest professionals, preparing them to promote national and international cooperation and to resolve conflict, preventing disease like setting up temporary clinics, blood donation centers, and training facilities in underserved communities struggling with outbreaks and health care access, supporting education by having different literacy projects and teacher trainings, bolstering economic development, ending hunger, providing clean water and sanitation and eradicating polio which is known as one of the greatest achievements in history. They can be part of the solution to the world’s most pressing issues today and will be able to help different parts of the world through their donations to The Rotary Foundation. They can do that aside from giving through their personal savings, they can also think of fundraising activities as a club intended to The Rotary Foundation and End Polio contribution. They can also recognize their members who will have the highest contribution at the end of the Rotary Year aside from the recognition given by the Rotary International.
How would you motivate Rotaractors to become a dual member?
The Rotary International introduced dual membership to give young leaders a way to maintain their involvement in Rotaract, along with giving Rotary clubs greater flexibility in the format and frequency of meetings, which will facilitate Rotaractors’ transition to Rotary clubs.
To encourage Rotaractors to become a dual member, let them know what are the benefits of being a dual member. Being an active dual member presents a number of advantages that include: participation in a service organization with a rich history capable of assessing and responding to a diverse range of needs within the community and our country; increase awareness of your community and its leaders through association with Rotary; immediate access to the global Rotary network of Rotary clubs, partner organizations and charities; participation opportunities with Rotary hands-on projects; and membership in an organization dedicated to assisting and supporting community, national and international needs and activities. Being a dual member will also serve as a training ground for you before you decide to become a full pledge Rotarian. Having all of these perks at the same time while still enjoying the privileges and experiences of being a Rotaractor are some of the reasons why you should become a dual member.
What advice/s can you give to the Rotaractors?
Just continue to SERVE.
By saying that, it only means to S- Stay focused and committed to the goals of Rotary International and that is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace so we can see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
Next is E, Embrace the new normal. Whether we like it or not, let’s accept the fact that this is the new normal and don’t let this current situation stop us to serve other people. As people of action, we need to think of creative ideas and innovative ways on how we can still reach and help the community without compromising our own health and safety.
R is to Recognize and respect the organization’s diversity. Through Rotary, we meet different kinds of people, having different backgrounds, beliefs, cultures, languages, experiences and identities but we are united with one common goal and one common purpose and that is to do good in the world so we should respect them so you will also be respected in return.
V is to Value your Rotaract journey and share it to other young professionals so you can encourage more people to join the organization.
Last is E- don’t forget to Enjoy while doing service or while serving other people. Love what you are doing and it is the love you have for the doing that ultimately leads to happiness and fulfilment and you will also become an inspiration to other people.
Again, just continue to SERVE and if you have the heart or passion to help and do good in the world, you’re on the right track, just remain to be the champions of goodwill and excellence in serving the community, and I am very sure that you will be having a life-changing experience as a Rotaractor in Rotary world.
