ROTARY CLUB OF FOLSOM
People of Action. Making a Difference in Folsom and Beyond
HONORING THOSE WHO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY
Last week, our regular evening meeting looked a little different. Instead of gathering at the clubhouse, Rotarians came together at the Folsom Community Center for the Fifth Annual Public Safety Awards Luncheon on September 17, 2026.
Hosted by the Rotary Club of Folsom in partnership with the Sierra Law Enforcement Chaplaincy, Folsom Police Department, and Folsom Fire Department, the luncheon brought together city leaders, community members, Rotarians, and public safety professionals to recognize seven individuals whose dedication and service make a difference in Folsom every day.
Congratulations to our 2026 Public Safety Award Recipients!
Folsom Fire Department
- Firefighter of the Year: Firefighter Alex Karp
- Professional Staff of the Year: Fire Prevention Officer Maddox Sanchez
- Supervisor of the Year: Captain Nick Boule
Folsom Police Department
- Police Officer of the Year: Officer Tyler Fordham
- Dispatcher of the Year: Dispatcher Erica Dawson
- Professional Staff of the Year: Assistant to the Chief of Police Tracie Callahan
- Supervisor of the Year: Sergeant Mike Grueneberg
These seven recipients represent the professionalism, leadership, dedication, and commitment that help keep our community safe. Much of their work happens behind the scenes or during moments of uncertainty, but its impact is felt throughout Folsom every day.
The Rotary Club of Folsom is proud to help shine a light on these exceptional individuals and the many men and women who serve our community through Folsom Police and Folsom Fire.
IT TAKES A ROTARY TEAM
An event like this doesn’t happen without a lot of Rotarians showing up and pitching in.
A special thank you to Paul Bonaventure for his continued support and for making sure our guests were well fed. Leslie Michaylo and Dawn Johnson brought the room together with decorations and setup, while Josh Brannan and Rich Rider kept things moving at the grill.
And to everyone who worked in the kitchen, helped serve, set up, clean up, or jumped in wherever they were needed: thank you. You helped get a full room fed quickly and efficiently, and you did it as a team.
That’s one of the things that makes Rotary special. When there is a job to be done, Rotarians show up.
FOLSOM COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY
Service Above Self in Action
It was a busy week of service for the Rotary Club of Folsom, with members lending their time and muscle to projects benefiting local organizations.
One of the day’s major projects was at Folsom’s Hope, where Rotarians tackled several playground improvements. The team helped install a new commercial-grade swing set, relocate and secure existing playground equipment with concrete footings, and give the existing shade structure a fresh coat of paint.
Closer to home, Rotarians also partnered with the Folsom Garden Club to refresh the landscaping around the Robert H. Miller III Rotary Clubhouse, spreading bark and replacing plants to give the clubhouse grounds a fresh new look.
A huge thank you to our Community Service Directors, Chuck and Conni Thompson, for the tremendous amount of work that goes into making days like this happen. From coordinating projects and volunteers to overseeing the details and making sure everyone knew where they were needed, they put in countless hours behind the scenes.
The projects may look different, but the goal is the same: identify a need, bring people together, and get to work.
That’s Service Above Self.
INVESTING IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS
On Sunday, September 20, students and advisors from 12 schools gathered at Sierra College in Rocklin for Interact Presidents and Officers Training.
The day focused on leadership, fundraising, service projects, District activities, officer elections, and practical tools students can take back to their Interact clubs. Breakout sessions gave students the opportunity to dig deeper into specific leadership roles and topics.
Rotary Club of Folsom was well represented.
District Governor Nominee Ryan Jantzen facilitated a breakout session for Interact presidents and vice presidents, while Samantha Davidson led a session focused on public image.
President-Elect Vicki Bencken spoke to the students about RYLA, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, an intensive leadership training program for students organized locally by Rotary clubs in District 5180 and District 5190. RYLA helps young people develop dynamic leadership skills, personal growth, sportsmanship, and citizenship rooted in Rotary’s core value of Service Above Self.
Our 2026–2027 Rotary Youth Exchange student, Amélie, also shared her experience as an exchange student from Switzerland and encouraged students to get involved with Rotary Youth Exchange.
Representing Vista del Lago Interact, Vice President Tyler Hoekstra also participated in the training alongside fellow Interactors from across the District.
Rotary’s impact doesn’t stop with today’s leaders. We are also helping young people discover their own ability to lead, serve, and make a difference.
OKTOBERFEST IS COMING!
Sunday, October 25 | 3–7 p.m. | Folsom Community Center
Our biggest fundraiser of the year is getting closer, and there is still plenty to do!
A huge thank you to everyone who has already donated items for our silent auction. If you still have a donation to turn in, please get it to us as soon as possible so we can get everything organized and ready for the big day.
TICKET LINK IS LIVE!
Members are encouraged to purchase or sell four tickets and help us fill the room!
Purchase tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/folsomrotaryclubs/2380095
SPONSORS NEEDED!
We are still looking for businesses and individuals who would like to sponsor Oktoberfest and support the work of the Rotary Club of Folsom.
Sponsorship information and sponsorship packet: https://www.folsomrotaryoktoberfest.com
Come for the brats, beer, great music and chicken dancing. Stay for the fun, the auction, and the chance to help Rotary raise money for our community!
A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
We also want to recognize the Rotarians who have been out there talking to businesses, making connections, and bringing Oktoberfest sponsors to the table.
Bavarian Biergarten Sponsor | $2,500
- Rosario Rodriguez, Sacramento County Supervisor, District 4
Edelweiss Sponsors | $1,000
- Lisa and Dennis Carlson, who brought their son Steve Carlson of Carlson Agency Insurance Services on board
- Jim Howe, who brought Folsom Chevy on board
Wunderbar Sponsors | $500
Dale Bourassa, River City Re-Pipe
John Baciocco, Allstate
Chuck and Conni Thompson, who brought Dorothea’s on board
Thank you to everyone who is helping make Oktoberfest possible. Every sponsorship, auction donation, ticket sold, and volunteer hour helps turn a great party into a great fundraiser for our community.
ROTARY CLUBS OF FOLSOM BLOOD DRIVE
The Rotary Club of Folsom is partnering with Folsom Lake Rotary and Historic Folsom Rotary Club for a community blood drive with Vitalant.
Thursday, October 15, 2026 | 4–7 p.m.
Parking lot of the Robert H. Miller III Rotary Clubhouse
Donate blood, then stay for our evening meeting!
Appointments are encouraged.
Visit vitalant.org and enter blood drive code: 100559797
BUILD YOUR LEADERSHIP TOOLBOX
PRLS: Practical Relevant Leadership Skills
October 10–11, 2026
Sierra College
5100 Sierra College Blvd., Rocklin
Looking to build leadership skills you can actually use?
PRLS is District 5180’s Practical Relevant Leadership Skills training, designed to give Rotarians real-world tools they can put to work immediately.
Topics include:
- Leadership and motivating volunteers
- Effective communication
- Facilitation and conflict management
- Project planning
- Artificial intelligence
The course is $150, but our club is subsidizing $75 for each member who attends. After completing the course, you will receive the $75 as a credit on your club bill.
It’s an opportunity to invest in your own leadership skills and bring those tools back to our club and our community. All members are encouraged to attend!
ENGAGE. ENERGIZE. ELEVATE.
2026–2027 Rotary District 5180 Fall Conference
October 30–November 1, 2026 | Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe
Ready for a weekend of Rotary, connection, learning and a little Halloween fun?
This year’s Rotary District 5180 Fall Conference is heading to South Lake Tahoe for a “Spooktacular” weekend designed to Engage, Energize and Elevate the Rotary experience.
The weekend will feature inspiring speakers, breakout sessions, Rotary Youth Exchange students, fellowship, a PolioPlus fundraiser walk, and plenty of fun, including a Jimmy Buffett tribute band, Halloween costume contest, dancing and comedian Turner Sparks.
Saturday’s sessions will include The Power of Storytelling, practical ClubRunner and membership tools, and conversations about AI and the future of our lives, including ways to use AI in Rotary. The conference will also include the District business meeting and the annual celebration of the Rotary Foundation.
It’s a great opportunity to connect with Rotarians from across District 5180, bring home new ideas, and recharge for another year of Service Above Self.
Conference registration and details:
https://www.rotary5180.org/page/rotary-district-5180-fall-conference-2026
THIS THURSDAY
Erik Swanson
Superintendent, Folsom Cordova Unified School District
This Thursday, we welcome guest speaker Erik Swanson, Superintendent of the Folsom Cordova Unified School District. Now in his third year leading FCUSD, Erik will share insights into the district, the work happening in our local schools, and opportunities and challenges facing students and educators. Our schools are an important part of what makes Folsom a strong community, and this will be a great opportunity to hear directly from the superintendent about the district and the students it serves.
NEXT WEEK
Sarah Smernes Edson
Child Action
Next week, we welcome guest speaker Sarah Smernes Edson, who leads Child Action’s Fund & Business Development Department, building partnerships and fundraising to expand the organization’s impact. Child Action is a local nonprofit helping families access quality child care and early childhood resources.
ROTARY REFLECTION
When We Show Up, Service Becomes Impact
The past few weeks have been a pretty good picture of what Rotary looks like in action.
We gathered to recognize the people who protect and serve our community. We spent a day getting our hands dirty and improving spaces that local families and organizations rely on. We invested in young leaders through Interact. We supported Rotary Youth Exchange and RYLA. And we’re coming together to make Oktoberfest a success so we can continue putting resources back into our community.
None of those things happen because of one person.
They happen because Rotarians show up.
Sometimes showing up means standing behind a grill. Sometimes it means organizing a project, mentoring a student, making a phone call to a potential sponsor, setting up a room, donating blood, or simply saying yes when there is a need.
That’s the heart of Service Above Self.
We don’t have to do everything. We just have to be willing to do our part.
And when a room full of people of action each does their part, the impact reaches far beyond the individual act of service.
That’s Rotary.
