Each month on Rotary in the Heart of California, I’m privileged to sit down with District 5220 Governor Jay Hislop to explore the work and heart of Rotary across our region—and often, across the globe. Our latest conversation took us on an inspiring journey, from California’s historic gold country to the war-torn streets of Gaza, showing once again that the spirit of Rotary transcends borders and eras.

Rediscovering the Mother Lode

Jay began this month’s episode by sharing stories from his recent visits to Rotary clubs across the Mother Lode—the legendary “southern camps” of California’s Gold Rush. He described visiting the clubs in Mariposa and Oakhurst, where the echoes of 1849 still shape the landscape and the people who live there.

“The wealth of the Mother Lode built the United States before the Civil War,” Jay explained. “From 1849 to 1857, the gold, beef, hides, and crops from California fueled the nation’s economic boom.”

That prosperity ended abruptly in 1857, when six tons of California gold—shipped aboard the SS Central America—were lost to a storm off the Carolinas. The sinking triggered an economic collapse that nearly paralyzed the young country. Jay recounted how towns like Columbia, Angels Camp, and Sonora went from tens of thousands of residents to mere hundreds almost overnight.

Yet, as he noted, the human spirit—like Rotary’s own—proved resilient. “Most of these towns survived,” Jay said. “They found new life in agriculture, ranching, and now tourism. They’ve become living museums of history and hospitality.”

Jay even floated a new idea during our talk: a Rotary Club of Columbia, dedicated to preserving the town’s historic heritage. “That alone would be reason enough for a Rotary club to exist,” he said with a smile.

Rotary at the Heart of Community Life

When Jay visits clubs, he often asks a simple question: What would your town be without Rotary?

The answer, he says, comes after a moment’s reflection and often with a tear or two. “People realize their towns wouldn’t be the same,” Jay said. “Rotary is woven into the fabric of these communities.”

He highlighted the San Andreas Rotary Club, which literally shuts down Main Street for its “Raging Cajun” festival—a beloved local fundraiser featuring Cajun food, music, and camaraderie. That same club also sponsors several rib cook-offs each year and recently gave the district one of its rising leaders: David Schmidt, now the District Governor Nominee Designate.

In Mariposa, Jay found another shining example of Rotary’s legacy in action. The local club there has made historic preservation its mission. Members research key moments from Mariposa’s past and commemorate them with metal plaques embedded in stone or concrete throughout the town. “It’s a living museum,” Jay said proudly. “They’re preserving stories forever—in metal.”

He concluded that segment with heartfelt conviction: “You can’t imagine Angels Camp, Sonora, or Groveland without Rotary. These clubs are the beating heart of their communities.”

A World Away: Shelter in Gaza

From the hills of California, our conversation turned to one of the world’s most urgent humanitarian crises.

Jay, a longtime ambassador for ShelterBox, shared a sobering update on the organization’s efforts to provide shelter to those displaced in Gaza. ShelterBox began as a Rotary Club project in Great Britain, built around a simple idea: when disaster strikes—whether through natural disaster or conflict—people need not only food and medicine, but also shelter.

“Shelter is survival,” Jay said. “It gives families a place to gather, cook, rest, and begin to rebuild their lives.”

Currently, ShelterBox has aid stockpiled in Egypt, the UAE, and Lebanon, ready to deploy as soon as border crossings open. The challenge, Jay explained, is access—getting trucks carrying tents and shelter kits into Gaza.

He described the organization’s evolving approach: alongside their signature family tents, ShelterBox now provides shelter kits containing tarps, tools, and materials so families can build temporary homes amid rubble. “You can’t pitch a tent on concrete,” Jay noted. “But you can create a frame and cover it with heavy-duty tarps. It’s not perfect, but it saves lives.”

Despite the obstacles, Jay’s faith in Rotary’s impact remained steadfast. “We’re ready,” he said. “When the doors open, we’ll be there.”

Polio: The Promise We Keep

Our discussion concluded with one of Rotary’s signature causes—the fight to eradicate polio.

Jay shared encouraging news: only one new case of wild poliovirus was reported recently, in Afghanistan. While vaccine-derived variants remain a challenge, he emphasized how far we’ve come since Rotary began this global effort in the 1980s.

“Back then, millions were infected every year and hundreds of thousands were dying,” Jay reminded us. “Today, we’re down to just a handful of cases.”

He acknowledged “polio fatigue” among some Rotarians after four decades of commitment but urged persistence. “We’ve been this close for a long time—but we are this close,” he said.

Recent announcements from the Gates Foundation—longtime Rotary partners—have reinvigorated the effort. “Bill Gates has promised new initiatives,” Jay said. “Every dollar Rotarians donate to PolioPlus is matched two-to-one by the Gates Foundation. So one dollar becomes three—and that’s enough to vaccinate a child.”

Jay’s message to listeners was simple but stirring: “We made a promise to the world to eradicate polio. We will keep that promise.”

A Call to Leadership—and to Fellowship

Before signing off, Jay shared two invitations for Rotarians in District 5220.

First, he urged Rotarians to look beyond their clubs and consider how they can contribute at the district level. “You don’t have to chair a committee to make a difference,” he said. “If you’re good at photography, social media, or youth programs—there’s a place for you. Just raise your hand.”

Second, he encouraged everyone to attend two upcoming gatherings: the nearly sold-out District Foundation Dinner on November 1 at the DoubleTree in Modesto, and the Far West Fest District Conference at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, May 1–3, 2026.

“Both will be unforgettable,” Jay promised. “The Foundation Dinner will feature one of Rotary’s most inspiring speakers, Greg Pod, and Far West Fest will be the best district conference we’ve ever had.”

The Spirit of Rotary Endures

As we wrapped up, Jay shared a text he received from a fellow Rotarian after a previous episode:

“That was the best hour I spent all day.”

It was a reminder of why these conversations matter—not just to inform, but to inspire.

From the quiet strength of our Mother Lode clubs to the urgent compassion for families in Gaza, Jay’s message resounded clearly: Rotary’s heart beats wherever service and humanity meet.

And that heart, here in California and around the world, keeps beating strong.

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