Rotary Club of Folsom Bullegraph - November 20, 2025 Meeting 

Our meeting was full of energy and engagement from start to finish. President Scott Bailey opened the evening by leading the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a thoughtful invocation from Bill Hutto. Secretary Jim Padgett welcomed guests, and Fine Master Jim Ortega kept everyone laughing with a lively round of fines that brought plenty of good-natured fun to the room.

The meeting included several highlights that showcased what makes our club so special.

Get to Know Your Fellow Rotarian

Ramesh Dontha brought back one of our favorite segments as he highlighted member John Lindow. Ramesh shared an insightful look into John’s background, including his family, professional path, personal interests, and the experiences that shaped his Rotary journey. Read John’s full member profile >> John Lindow Member Profile

Welcoming a New Member

We were pleased to induct Leslie Michaylo, a transferring Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Historic Folsom. Assistant Governor Ryan Jantzen conducted the induction. Leslie has been an active Rotarian within the community, and we are excited to welcome her to our club.

Guest Speaker: Dr. Bill Wittich

Our guest speaker was Dr. Bill Wittich, a past president of the Laguna Sunrise Rotary Club and former District 5180 Assistant Governor. Dr. Wittich is an instructor for Far West PETS, holds a doctorate from USC, and is the author of Stop Recruiting, Start Attracting. His presentation focused on modernizing how Rotary grows, not by pursuing potential members, but by building clubs that people are naturally drawn to. He discussed reasons people join Rotary, reasons some hesitate, and ways we can create a diverse and appealing membership for the next generation of service-minded leaders.

A Fun Win!

In a spirited auction moment, Will Kempton took the prize with the winning bid for a framed photo of the Folsom Bulldogs football team.

Rotarians In Action: Folsom’s Hope Project at Mt. Olive Church

Rotarians from our club put their skills to work at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, helping enhance the spaces used by Folsom’s Hope. The team built a new shade structure over the playground and installed an accordion door to create a more adaptable indoor environment for programs held onsite. These improvements support safer and more comfortable spaces for the children who participate in Folsom’s Hope throughout the year.

Folsom’s Hope provides academic support, mentorship, enrichment activities, and consistent, caring relationships for students who benefit from additional encouragement and stability. Their programs serve children facing challenges at home or school and help ensure that every student has access to the tools they need to succeed. Through their work, they strengthen families and uplift youth across our community.

Our members continue to demonstrate their commitment to hands-on service, and we are proud to support community partners like Folsom’s Hope.

View the entire photo gallery from the Mount Olive Church project: Work Project Mt. Olive Church

Upcoming Community Events and Service Projects:

• Saturday, December 20, 5 to 7 pm - Caroling at the Folsom Zoo for Wild Nights
• Saturday, January 3, 2026, 9 to 10 am - Removal of Folsom Zoo holiday lights

Wrappin' Rotarians - Holiday Gift Wrapping Event

Let our talented holiday helpers make your gifts shine with festive wrapping, beautiful bows, and creative touches. Gift wrapping begins Saturday, November 29, and continues the following three Saturdays, December 6, 13, and 20, from 11 am to 4 pm at Grain, the art gallery located at 705 Sutter Street in Historic Folsom.

Wrapping is complimentary and donations are gratefully accepted. All proceeds benefit Twin Lakes Food Bank. Come support a wonderful cause and enjoy a visit with your favorite Rotarian gift wrappers.

For more information, contact: Conni Thompson.

Rotary Club of Folsom Holiday Schedule

Our club will be dark this week on Thursday, November 27, 2025  in observance of the holiday. Happy Thanksgiving and we look forward to seeing you next week.

Guest Speaker - Alex Prime 

We return on Thursday, December 4, 2025, when our guest speaker will be our own club member, Alex Prime. Alex will share his family’s remarkable story of their escape from communism and their journey to America. His testimony is powerful, inspiring, and a reminder of the freedoms and opportunities we sometimes take for granted. You will not want to miss this presentation.

Rotary Reflection

As we enter Thanksgiving week, it is a fitting time to pause and reflect on the meaning of gratitude in our lives and in our work as Rotarians. We serve because we believe in lifting others, building community, and creating possibilities where they may not have existed before. Each act of service, whether large or small, becomes part of a legacy of kindness that strengthens our club and the world around us.

This season, may we be grateful not only for what we have, but for the opportunities we are given to share our time, talents, and compassion with others. Service Above Self is both a call and a privilege, and we thank each member of our club for the heart and dedication they bring to that mission every day.

December Birthdays & Anniversaries

Happy Birthday to the following members: