This Thursday we will be DARK at Noon as we are sponsoring the Single Springs-Cameron Park Networking Mixer from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Cameron Park CSD. Invite your friends to come out and have a blast. There will be appetizers, a no-host bar, and raffle prizes!
A member of the Rotary Club of Reno since 1982, Dave Bianchi served as club president in 1988-89 - the same year Rotary welcomed its first female members. He went on to serve as District Governor in 2005–2006, and is currently District 5190’s PolioPlus Chair.
Dave opened with a quote from the Dalai Lama: “A compassionate concern for others’ well-being is a source of happiness.” He shared that this perfectly captures the heart of Rotary’s decades-long commitment to eradicating polio. He then delivered a powerful and timely presentation on Rotary’s PolioPlus initiative, blending history, progress, and a clear call to action.
When Rotary launched its global eradication campaign in 1988, there were approximately 350,000 cases of polio worldwide. Thanks to sustained international efforts, cases have declined by 99 percent. By the end of 2025, only 44 cases were reported globally—and as of January and February this year, zero cases have been reported.
Yet polio remains endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan, particularly along their remote, mountainous border. Reaching children there is logistically and politically challenging, but Dave emphasized that Rotary made a promise to the world—and we must finish the job.
Today, global partners vaccinate approximately 450 million children in 50 countries each year, primarily in Africa and Asia. This effort is supported by extensive laboratory networks and surveillance systems around the world. It is costly and complex—but stopping now would be far more expensive.
The Rotary Club of Cameron Park hosted a special Rotary Social at the Cameron Park Community Observatory in the fall, welcoming members from five Rotary clubs for an evening of fellowship, pizza, soft drinks, and stargazing.
The Observatory itself is a point of pride for our club. Built by Rotarians as part of our Centennial Rotary Project, it stands as a lasting symbol of Rotary’s commitment to education, science, and community enrichment.
Proceeds from the evening totaled $365, which President Adam Marshall proudly presented to Chris McCown, Chief Docent of the Observatory, at last week’s meeting. The funds will support ongoing educational programming and outreach efforts that serve families and students.
It was a wonderful night under the stars—celebrating fellowship, service, and the enduring legacy of Rotarians who built something truly special for our community.
Our club, in partnership with other local Rotary clubs, Sheriff Jeff Leikauf, and Wally’s Pizza Bar, is proud to co-sponsor the highly successful Third Annual Ethics and Leadership Conference for high school students.
As in previous years, the conference will be offered in two sessions:
Session One
March 9 | 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Students from Oak Ridge, Ponderosa, and John Adams Academy
📍 Bayside Church, 800 White Rock Road, El Dorado Hills
Session Two
March 16 | 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Students from El Dorado Union Mine, Classical Conversations, Pacific Crest Community, and Community Learning Academy
📍 Green Valley Church, 3500 Missouri Flat Road, Placerville
Rotarians are encouraged to participate as mentors in this outstanding conference and may volunteer for one or both sessions. The first two years were a tremendous success, and we are excited to expand the program even further this year.
Chris McCown, Chief Docent at the Rotary Club of Cameron Park Observatory
Words of Wisdom:
Tom Elken - shared quotes fromHarry S. Truman, the 33rd President of the US.
“It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you don’t care who gets credit.”
“Always be sincere, even if you don’t mean it.”
“It’s a recession when your neighbor loses their job. It’s a depression when you lose yours.”
“I never did give them hell. I just told them the truth and they thought it was hell.”
Featured Rotarian:
N/A
Announcements:
Adam Marshall:
1) Thanked Members Who Volunteered to Serve Lunch to Staff at Buckeye School on Monday, February 23, as they returned to campus following a recent tragedy affecting their school community.
2) Bob Dorr Visit, a small contingent of members will present a card and "Lion of Rotary Award" recognizing Bob's more than 40 years of Rotary Service, following our March 12 meeting. Please contact Laurie Edwards, who is coordinating the effort.
3) Chamber Mixer- On Thursday, March 5th at 5:30 PM, our club will host the Chamber Mixer at the CSD. As a result, we will be dark for lunch that day.
4)Area 6 Foundation Dinner is Thursday evening, March 26. We will be dark at noon. Placerville Rotary is hosting it at the Shakespeare Club in Placerville. Social begins at 5:30 PM, followed by dinner at 6:15 PM.
5)The 2026 Rotary Multi-District Conference, called the "Far West Fest," will take place May 1-3 in Reno, Nevada, at the Grand Sierra Resort, bringing together Districts 5190, 5220, 5170, and 5240 for a joint event focusing on fellowship, project showcases (House of Friendship), and collaborative ideas, with early bird registration available. Attending so far from the club: Adam and Sally Marshall, Don Fuller, Dan Gott and Gary Clarke.
Don Fuller:
1) Mentor Volunteers Still Needed for Tomorrow's Leaders Conference. Please refer to bulletin article for dates and information on how to sign up.
2) Student of the Quarter and Music/Speech Contests Updates. We recognize our Student of the Quarter from Camerado Middle School and host our annual high school Speech Contest on March 12. Our Music Contest will take place on March 19, and we still need one additional judge.
Joe Ryan: Bicycle Project Update - Teamsters recently picked up 100 refurbished bicycles from Folsom State Prison—nearly double the typical number collected for distribution. Of those, 50 bicycles are now en route to Ukraine, and the remaining 50 were delivered regionally to Afghan refugees.
Happy (or Not) Bucks
Gary Gall: $20 happy that after being “deserted” by the women of our club last week, he was delighted to see four ladies in attendance this week.
Dave Sargent: $10 happy that close friends returned home safely after sheltering in place during their vacation in Puerto Vallarta.
Dan Gott: $10 happy to have safely made it out of Mexico last week as well.
JoEllen Brooks: $5 happy about the enthusiastic response to the idea of bringing bingo and bunco events to the Community Services District. Her Nextdoor post generated approximately 7,000 views and more than 100 positive comments, demonstrating strong community interest.
President Adam Marshall: $10 happy that the Board is evaluating the possibility of hosting the bingo event monthly or quarterly, beginning July 1 during President-elect Dan Gott’s term, due to overwhelming community interest.
Birthdays in March
Gary Gall
Joe Ryan
-----Spouse/Partners----
Sabrina and Alex Ho
Anniversaries in March
Vickie Christensen and Perry McLain
Rotary Join Date in March
Anne Eckert: 22 years
Bill Hughes: 16 years
Dan Gott: 3 years
Upcoming Sergeant at Arms Assignments
Please arrive early, serve as greeter, take attendance via the sign-in roster at the front desk, lead the pledge, introduce guests, provide words of wisdom, and other duties as requested. If you are unable to serve, it is your responsibility to find a replacement and notify President Adam.
Mar 12 Ben Foulk
Mar 19 Don Fuller
Mar 26 DARK at noon - Rotary Foundation Dinner in Evening
Apr 02 Dan Gott
Apr 09 Rich Grieco
Apr 16 Shawn Khales
Apr 23 Cheryl Motassian
Apr 30 DARK at noon - 5th Tuesday Social in Evening
