ReCII - A Family in the Making

Ignacio Revilla

Editor’s Note: Continuing our series where we ask the Board Members of ReCII, about the first year of the eClubs existence, and their roles, Ignacio brings a unique perspective, balancing the formal role of Sergeant-at-Arms with his passionate involvement in youth engagement and impactful community projects. 

His reflections highlight the importance of structure, shared leadership, and creating real change through Rotary.

Reflections on My Role
as Sergeant-at-Arms & YEO

When I first joined the ReCII Board, my primary responsibility was as Sergeant-at-Arms, ensuring that protocols were followed during our meetings. 

With the support of Cat Milton and Deborah Sass, this role became a shared effort, allowing me to dedicate more time to Hirschsprung Project and the Ibiza Professionals initiative.

I also initially took on the role of Meeting Organizer, which turned out to be a more demanding responsibility than I had anticipated. Eventually, my role solidified as Youth Exchange Officer (YEO) and Sergeant-at-Arms, while I stepped back from meeting logistics to engage more fully in these impactful initiatives.

Building a New Club – A Family in the Making

The most exciting part of helping shape ReCII has been witnessing how we have become a family in such a short time. From the very beginning, we connected through a shared purpose and built something truly special.

Naturally, every group brings a mix of personalities and perspectives. But thanks to the warmth and good intent of this team, even the tricky moments have felt more like learning curves than obstacles.

Projects That Made a Difference

Looking back, I am especially proud of the contributions I made in launching some of our club’s earliest projects:

  • Yoga at the Port – Our very first project, bringing wellness and community engagement together.

  • The Hirschsprung Project – Providing online emotional support to eight teenagers across Spain facing serious health challenges. This initiative was made possible thanks to the encouragement and trust of the eClub members, after I shared a deeply personal report on the issue.
    Their response was overwhelming, and I will never forget that moment.
    Projects are often multi-layered and an example of this was organizing a Christmas Lottery Fundraiser (the Lottery is a big deal in Spain!) that allowed us to raise further funds for this project.

  • Ibiza Professionals – Helping organize our club’s first professional networking event, which brought together 120 attendees from 30 different countries at Ibizkus Winery. Seeing such strong interest and enthusiasm was incredibly fulfilling.

The moment that stands out most for me?
November 2024, when we officially launched the Hirschsprung Project and those eight teenagers began receiving online emotional support. That was an unforgettable milestone - proof of what we can achieve together when we step forward and share our vision.

Lessons Learned & Advice for Future Leaders

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that true leadership in Rotary is shared leadership.

Our club is filled with natural leaders, and we are constantly learning to collaborate, develop ideas together, and distribute responsibilities effectively.

For anyone stepping into a leadership role in a new Rotary club, my advice is simple but important:

  • Distribute responsibilities early on.
    Ensure that work is shared among members to maximize potential and encourage teamwork.

  • Have someone dedicated to tracking all projects.
    A Project Manager-style approach helps ensure continuity, accountability, and progress across multiple initiatives.

Looking Ahead

As ReCII continues to grow, our focus must be on two key areas:

  1. Securing collective funding to develop more impactful projects.

  2. Expanding our social visibility so that more people know about the work we do and how they can support it.

Personally, my commitment remains strong: I hope to continue consolidating and expanding the Hirschsprung Project, ensuring that even more young people receive the support they need.

This has been an incredible journey, and I am excited to see where we go next.
Together, we are making a real difference.

~ Ignacio Revilla
YEO, and Sergeant-at-Arms,
ReCII, 2024-2025