International Inner Wheel is the world’s largest Voluntary Non-
Governmental women’s organization to help and serve the needy
and underprivileged sections of the society. In recognition of its
social service, it has been inserted in the ECOSOC roster of United
Nations. Members in more than 100 countries are working on the
motto of Friendship and Service. It was started in 1924 in
Manchester UK by Margarette Oliver Golding.
The International Inner Wheel President Zenaida Y. Farcon,this year
is from Phillipines, a charming dynamic lady. Zeny is celebrating her
34 years of friendship and service in Inner Wheel. Zeny is very much
prepared to serve as IIW President for 2022-2023, where her
dedication and competence shall contribute to the continual
improvement of the management system of Inner Wheel, the
organization she loves most. Zeny Farcon has high Organizational
Sensitivity, exhibiting respect for the diversity of members, clubs,
and districts while preserving systems thinking and big picture image.
Her passion and love for Inner Wheel moved her to serve in higher
positions and important committees
Here she is in conversation with Prabha Raghunandan International
Inner Wheel Editor/Media Manager; a frequent writer in
Womenshine since it started.
PR .34 years in Inner Wheel, that major part of your life, do you think
there has been change in IW, if yes what?
ZF • When Rotary started accepting lady Rotarians, that affected the
membership of IW because many Inner Wheel members started
joining Rotary. IIW resolved this by opening its membership to
women not related to Rotarians but who believe in our causes.
• IW service projects were well-kept secrets in the past, but later IW
recognized the need to publicize these projects to attract like-
minded women, especially the younger generation, to become part
of our organization.
• During the pandemic, IW clubs have optimized the use of different
tools of technology, especially the way meetings are conducted.
Virtual platforms were trendy for conducting meetings and events.
IW was able to cope with the challenges of not meeting in person.
PR. You served as club President at a young age again National President pretty young, do you think this taking up leadership at younger age, helps improve leadership skills
Definitely. As a young member, I was mentored by veteran leaders at all levels of the organization. I always accepted the committees given to me, and I have observed the many ways they do things and
adopted the best style of leadership, which I believe is effective.
PR How many Districts and clubs in your country?
Philippines is a charter member country of IIW. At present, we have 9 districts and 113 clubs.
PR. How many members does your club have?
We have 26 members.
PR What is their well-known service project?
Education for Girls: Every year, we sponsor girls in public schools who were identified as slow learners, and we pay for the tutor’s fee so they can cope with the class lessons. Above60 Academy: We have a member who is a Geriatrics Doctor, and she is the chairman of this project. Activities are: health
education lectures, cooking demos with the Nutritionists from City Health Office, and exercise and health programs.
Teen Academy: This is an offshoot of Above60, to educate the youth to care for the elderly.
Relief Operations: Our club’s area of jurisdiction is a valley—flooding
always occurs during the rainy season. We give relief goods to the
flood victims.
PR Why Inner Wheel? For you?
I like it here because we serve the community together with our husbands. Our IW and Rotary Clubs are partners-in-service. Also, in IW, we do activities and projects with our girlfriends, whom we consider extended family members. In IW, Friendship is at its best.
PR. Zeny was a member of the National Learning and Development
Committee (NLDC) and a Subject Matter Expert (SME), and served as Resource Speaker in National and District Leadership Training Seminar Revisiting the IWCPI Vision, Mission and Core Values, the
Heart of a Servant Leader, Communications, Inner Wheel Branding, IWCPI History and Structure, Duties of Club and District Officers, and many more. These are presentations of yours that are well
remembered in your country.
PR . Servant Leader is description you have in the first few lines of your profile.You have given presentations on it What does it mean? And what does your heart wish to convey to the outside world today
• According to Robert Greenleaf, a Servant leader is first and foremost a servant first. It explains why Servant is the first word, and before you can become a leader, you must first serve or be a servant.
• So it begins with a natural feeling that one wants to serve, then the conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. So, the desire to lead comes only after your desire to serve.
• A Servant Leader serves out of love, and this is very important because you can only enjoy serving if you do this out of love, especially if you will serve the poor. As Leaders of Inner Wheel, we are all here to serve and not to be served.
PR. Mission and core values of Inner Wheel that you would like to emphasise to the world today through Women shine .
As Inner Wheel is an organization motivated by friendship and selfless service, active work in its community and civic projects is purely voluntary. But all of us must always endeavor to make ourselves available to serve. Our dedication and commitment to our purpose will ensure the success of our work.
PR .You have been Managing profession, Home, Inner Wheel since your 20s; and we have young women who say they cannot join IW.
because they are professionals, or they have to manage home. Your
advice/suggestion. In Inner Wheel, I discovered that it fulfilled my needs. It gave me a feeling of belongingness, and it is a dynamic platform to learn and become a better person. It provides a hearty fellowship and a great opportunity to be involved in a worthwhile cause. I love the organization so much that I always find time to attend its meetings and activities. And as I involved myself in it, it eventually became a
way of life for me.
PR Work Wonders is your IIW theme for 2022-23. A gist of what you would like members to do.
“Work Wonders” is our calling and will be our unifying drive to transform, build and accomplish positive and uplifting results for humanity. As an international women’s organization with a presence
and influence across 100 countries, we have the power to make responses to address challenges globally. Together, we can unleash our inner power to make this world stronger for a better and
brighter tomorrow. We will all do Inner Wheel work that is so meaningful, so valuable, so significant, and authentic to the world, that our work inspires and creates wonders for the greater community.
Zeny takes the rapid fire in her stride as I bombard her with
questions
Mountains or beaches for a holiday? Mountains
If not Zeny whom would you like to be? Full-time housewife
What quality/qualities do you admire in a person? Loyal
What is your USP, uniqueness? Servant Leader
Something in your life, when you think back it is with gratitude.God has blessed me with a loving family and friends, a stable career, an opportunity to serve others through Inner Wheel, and a spiritual community, the Couples for Christ.
What makes you smile? Answered prayers
What do you like doing in your spare time? Sleep (a luxury for me)
Who is your inspiration? God and Family
How many languages do you speak? 2 Filipino & English
What would you like remembered about you? Supportive
Are you a morning person or a night one? Used to be a morning person; now, night person
Favourite type of Ice cream? Mint with chocolate chips
Whom do you take advice from? From husband and from very close
friends
We saw you dance beautifully Do you sing too? Yes
Best/favourite possession My Faith
Interview by : Prabha Raghunandan,
