I love hosting “Rotary in the Heart of California” because every month, I get to bring you a conversation with a leader changing the world from right here in Central California, District Governor Jay Hislop. His message is simple, powerful, and timely: Rotary’s superpower is people—neighbors and friends who decide to do good together.

If you’re not a Rotarian, welcome. You’re exactly who I hope will read this. My goal is to show you what Rotary actually looks like in our region and why it might be the community you’ve been looking for.

Let’s start with where we are. District 5220 lives in the literal and figurative heart of California—from Tracy across to Yosemite, up to Lodi, and down along the 99 and I-5 corridors through places like Merced, Madera, Gustine, Patterson, Ceres, and Turlock. Picture a patchwork of vibrant towns and cities where neighbors still know each other’s names—and then imagine a network connecting them all to do good. That’s Rotary here.

Jay’s path to District Governor says a lot about the culture. Unlike roles that demand endless campaigning, District Governors are selected by their peers. The process is quiet, rigorous, and rooted in trust. Jay calls it an honor—and then immediately reframes his job as service: helping clubs thrive and welcoming new people in. That’s it. No fanfare, just a focus on strengthening communities.

What does that look like on the ground? Jay describes Rotary as a “human social network.” I love that. It’s real friendship—across professions, backgrounds, and beliefs—turned outward into service. In Rotary, fellowship isn’t separate from impact; fellowship creates impact. When you gather people who share values, ideas start flowing. Projects get launched. And the world inches forward.

Take one local example Jay highlighted: the Tracy Sunrise Rotary Club. It’s not the biggest club in our district, but it’s mighty. They host a signature shrimp dinner to raise funds—and then turn those dollars into scholarships (including for healthcare and vocational pathways), Interact support in local high schools, literacy efforts, and a community Thanksgiving dinner for seniors who might otherwise dine alone. They run a regular Feed the Homeless program. They’ve landscaped public spaces and even built a downtown clock. And they invest in young leaders through RYLA, a leadership camp that builds emotional intelligence and real-world skills. This is Rotary in action—practical, local, persistent.

Now multiply that story by club after club up and down Central California. Add in crab feeds, rib cook-offs, Cajun festivals, tri-tip dinners, and a district-wide speech contest where high school students deliver five-minute, from-memory talks for scholarships. It’s community woven tightly—and joyfully—together.

But Rotary isn’t only local. One of our great differentiators is the Rotary Foundation, which Jay calls out as a global engine for good. It’s the largest private foundation in the service-club world—surpassing $2.075 billion and granting more than $500 million a year to projects worldwide. Those numbers aren’t abstract; they translate into clean water, disease prevention, education, peace initiatives, and more.

If you want a concrete picture, consider this: through a Rotary global grant in Nigeria, clubs funded ten water wells and ten latrines built to last a lifetime. An entire village of 4,000 people no longer needs to pull drinking water from a river used as a toilet upstream. Infant mortality drops. Health improves. Dignity rises. One person can’t easily do that alone. A network of Rotarians can—and does.

Jay and I also talked about how Rotary is changing. The heart—service through friendship—hasn’t budged. But delivery is evolving. Training is moving into bite-sized, high-quality modules online so more people can grow as leaders on their schedule. District events are being redesigned for depth and connection rather than marathon days of lectures. Our communications are shifting from long email blasts to accessible channels like podcasts (hello!) and fresh websites and social feeds. The goal isn’t trend-chasing; it’s meeting people where they are today.

That adaptive spirit was on display this year at the very top of Rotary. In an unusual turn, the Rotary International president-elect resigned just weeks before the new year began. The organization moved with speed and unity to select Francesco Arezzo of Italy as president—with barely two weeks to prepare. The message he shared at our international gathering was both humble and galvanizing: we will be successful—even if the success looks different than planned—and what he asked of Rotarians wasn’t merely “support,” but “affection.” Lead with peace, friendship, and love, he said, and service will follow. That’s Rotary in a sentence.

For those of you discovering Rotary through this show, here’s what I want you to hear:

Rotary isn’t a club for insiders. It’s a platform for people who want to turn caring into doing. If you’ve ever wondered how to make a meaningful difference that’s bigger than a solo effort—but still rooted in your own neighborhood—this is your invitation.

You don’t have to be a certain age or industry. Every club is different by design. Your gifts, your story, your energy—they belong here.

And your first step is simple: come see for yourself. Visit a meeting. Volunteer at an event. Bring a friend. You’ll know quickly if it’s for you.

If you’re already a Rotarian reading this, Jay asked me to pass along two friendly nudges. First, keep engaging with the new ways we’re learning and connecting—online modules, focused leadership events, and updated communications. These aren’t changes for change’s sake; they’re tools to help us help more people, better. Second, think about your relationship with the Rotary Foundation as a lifelong journey. Whether it’s a sustaining gift of $100 a year, stepping into the Paul Harris Society at $1,000 a year, or more as you’re able over time, consistent giving fuels consistent impact. It’s one of the clearest ways to turn goodwill into measurable progress.

And if you’re not a Rotarian? You’re welcome at our big tent moments, too. Jay highlighted the November 1 Rotary Foundation Dinner at the DoubleTree in Modesto—yes, non-Rotarians can attend. Expect a professionally produced evening with video segments, music, and a keynote by Rotary Foundation Vice President Greg Podd (bring your curiosity; giving is welcome but not required). Events like this are a glimpse into the global network you hear about on the show—and how it connects right back to Central California.

I also want to echo a theme Jay raised that I think resonates beyond Rotary: the power of collective action. As individuals, our choices matter—recycling, conserving water, driving cleaner vehicles. But systems shift when we act together. Rotary amplifies personal commitment into community-scale impact, and community-scale impact into global change. That amplification is our specialty.

Here’s how to plug in—today:

Visit a local club. If you’re near Tracy, Modesto, Merced, Madera, Turlock, Lodi, Patterson, Ceres, or any of the communities up and down the 99 and I-5 corridors, there’s a welcoming Rotary meeting within easy reach. Drop me a note and I’ll help you find one.

Say yes to a single project. Help at a shrimp dinner, crab feed, or holiday service event. Tutor a student. Plant trees. You’ll meet the people who make the work joyful—and you’ll see how tightly service and friendship are intertwined here.

Bring your passion. If there’s a cause you care about—youth leadership, literacy, homelessness, clean water—Rotary gives you a team, a structure, and a grant-making engine to help you get from idea to impact.

And finally, listen to the episode with Jay. You’ll hear the warmth and candor that make him a great District Governor and a great ambassador for how Rotary is evolving without losing its soul. He’s serious about impact and light-hearted about the journey. That combination makes space for everyone.

I’m convinced Rotary is one of the best-kept secrets in civic life—especially for people who want to do something meaningful with others. If that’s you, Central California Rotary clubs are ready to welcome you.

Thanks for reading—and for caring about this place we call home. If you enjoyed the conversation with Jay, share it with a friend who might be curious about Rotary. Then consider joining us. The door is open.

P.S. If you’d like an introduction to a nearby club or details for the Foundation Dinner in Modesto on November 1, reply to or comment on this post and I’ll connect you personally.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rotaryintheheartofcalifornia.substack.com