Member Spotlight
Sheryl Figliano, Center for Hearing Care
Years at Boardman Rotary: 25 Years
I love the feeling of being in a small group of people that all want to make the world a better place.
For some Rotarians, the path to Rotary begins at a lunch meeting. For others, it begins thousands of miles from home. For this month’s featured Rotarian, that journey began on an international mission to Guatemala alongside members of Boardman Rotary.
“I went on an international mission to Guatemala with some Boardman Rotarians, and they asked me to consider joining Rotary,” she shared. “They were the nicest people, and they were doing so much good in Guatemala. When we returned, I was invited to lunch, and I fell in love with Boardman Rotary. The rest is history.”
That experience perfectly reflects what she loves most about being a Rotarian: being surrounded by people who share a genuine desire to make a difference.
“I love the feeling of being in a small group of people that all want to make the world a better place.”
Of all the projects Rotary supports, the current Guatemala Hearing Project holds an especially meaningful place in her heart. Her passion for helping people hear extends well beyond Rotary and has become an important part of her life.
“Can you imagine having a child who cannot hear simply because your family does not have enough money?” she said. “Imagine the only thing keeping your child from developing speech, language and hearing is money. These children’s lives are changed when Rotary comes to town.”
Her dedication to hearing care is also evident in her work outside of Rotary. She serves on the board of a large foundation helping provide hearing aids to people around the world. The organization is currently working with the World Health Organization and has programs operating in 19 countries.
“This is my passion,” she said.
When she isn’t working or participating in hearing missions, she enjoys traveling with her husband. And there is already another destination on her wish list: Iceland, where she hopes to one day see the Northern Lights.
One thing fellow Rotarians may be surprised to learn? She grew up on a farm taking care of grapes.
Closer to home, you may find her enjoying dinner at Aqua Pazzo, which she calls her favorite local restaurant because of its friendly staff and the Italian food is the best in the area.
And if she were unexpectedly given an entire free day? There probably wouldn’t be much relaxing involved. She would spend it “planning the next hearing mission!”
Her favorites also reveal a little more about her personality. Morgan Wallen is always on her playlist, Theo of Golden is her favorite book of the year, and she is currently watching the newest season of Ted Lasso.
From Guatemala to communities around the world, service remains at the center of everything she does. Her story is a reminder that Rotary can connect people locally while creating an impact far beyond our own community.
Finish the sentence: Rotary Means The World is a Better Place to me.
Reserve Run Golf Course
Sometimes you join an organization for one reason and end up getting so much more out of it than you expected.
