Welcome to the Rotary Club of Nevada City

 
There's something that all Rotary club members have in common: We take action. As community volunteers, we reach out to neighbors in need. We build, support, and organize. We save lives. We work locally and globally.
 
The main objective of Rotary is service -- in the community, the workplace and the world. Around the world and around the corner, the 1.2 million men and women of Rotary
  • Get involved in our communities
  • Connect with other professionals
  • Share their time and experience with young people
  • Support global causes, such as eradicating polio
  • Use our skills to help others
Rotary is not just an organization. It is a medicine for the soul, a family we choose, not inherit,
and a gift we give to ourselves and the world! Past President Cathy Wilcox-Barnes.

Whether you're a veteran volunteer or new to community service, we are looking for people like you. Contact us for more information about Rotary and how to join us.
Change
Big
 
 
Join Us at Our Regular Meetings
Welcome to Nevada City Rotary
We meet In Person
Thursdays at 12:15 p.m.
Alternating Lunch & 5:30 Social meetings
420 Providence Mine Rd
Nevada City, CA 95959
United States of America
2nd & 4th Thursdays with catered lunch. Please RSVP lunch preference. 1st and 3rd Thursdays 5:30pm Social at Round Table Pizza
District Site
Bulletins
Venue Map
Our Club in Action
Nevada City Zero Waste Summit 2026

RCAT Shout Out!

Nevada City Zero Waste Summit
September 12, 2026 at The Alpha Building

Schedule of Events:
8am-1pm Coffee and Art Show
8am-4pm-Clothing and Plant Swap
2pm-4pm Repair Cafe Nevada County

5pm-8:30pm-Evening Keynote Speakers
Featuring Presentations by:
Bea Johnson | Bestselling Author of Zero Waste Home
Shawn Donnille | President & Owner of Mountain Rose Herb
Jesse Hicks | Founder of ROTN Industries
Stephanie Barger | Director of TRUE Zero Waste Certification (USGBC)

Join us for an inspiring evening of exploring what a truly sustainable future can look like. We will talk about strategies for reducing waste from our homes, businesses, and community organizations. 

Admission is free, and seating for the evening program is limited, so please arrive early.
 

Honoring Dolly Parton’s Legacy

Dear Community Champion,

It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of Dolly Parton on August 25, 2026. Dolly was a devoted champion for children and literacy, inspired by her own father’s inability to read and write — the same inspiration behind the Imagination Library she launched in 1995, now touching millions of children and families, including thousands right here in Nevada County.

In Memory of Dolly Parton

1946 — 2026

One year ago, our community came together around the simple but powerful idea Dolly held dear: every child deserves the joy of receiving books of their very own. Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is now changing lives across Nevada County – we have over 1,100 children enrolled and over 10,000 books have been mailed to local families – bringing stories, imagination, and opportunities to learn into homes every month.

Today, the Imagination Library mails more than three million free, age-appropriate books each month to children worldwide. Thanks to the Nevada City Rotary Club Foundation, First 5 Nevada County, and countless community supporters, Nevada County joined this movement one year ago — and now carries the responsibility of honoring Dolly’s legacy by making sure it lives on for generations of local children to come.

One Year of Impact

  • Over 10,000 books delivered to children across Nevada County
  • Free, high-quality books mailed each month to children from birth to age five
  • Bilingual books available for Spanish-speaking families
  • Personalized books addressed directly to each child, helping build excitement around reading
  • A program that is available to every eligible child, regardless of income or background

In memoriam of Dolly Parton and who she will continue to be for our children, we invite you to read more about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Nevada County and how you can honor her legacy.

Preparing for Pumpkins Palooza 2026

SAVE THE DATE ~ OCTOBER 15, 2026
2nd ANNUAL PUMPKINS PALOOZA

Restaurant Raffle 
New this year, we are bringing back our popular Restaurant Raffle Bonanza! Odds are 1 in a 100 to win the grand prize package winner-take-all raffle for 12 local $100 restaurant certificates ~ a $1,200 value and more!  The Palooza team has identified over 20 restaurants to solicit for $100 certificates. We have at least 10 committed with more coming in! Restaurant solicitations are continuing and we need your help. Contact Tom Ryan to signup for for specific restaurants if you can help solicit.  The Rotarian who comes up with the most $100 certificates wins a free raffle ticket! 

Farm Parties and Envisioning our Painted Pumpkins

Work party alert ~ many Saturdays morning at 7:30am at Bakbraken Acres! Check with Tom Ryan or Cathy to confirm you are coming to join the fun and enjoy special harvest treats from the farm! Ladybugs are being released to protect our pumpkins. 

Pumpkins are on the vine! Harvest at BakBraken Acres and the Haunted Pumpkin Patch then painting begins in mid-September.  All hands on deck for Pumpkin

Watch this space and expanding 2026 Pumpkins Album as details unfold!

Read more...
Create Lasting Impact

2026-27 RI President Olayinka “Yinka” Babalola

Introduced at the 2026 International Assembly in Orlando, Florida, Create Lasting Impact builds on the connections forged under 2025–26’s Unite for Good. President Babalola’s call to action is rooted in a simple but profound distinction: outcomes show what we did—impact reveals whether it endured. “We must focus not only on outcomes, but on impact,” he said. “Change is only the beginning. Impact is what endures.”

Click for video of RIP Yinka or printable Message 

RI President Babalola traces this conviction to his own story: as a Rotaractor in Nigeria, a literacy project changed how he saw his responsibilities. “Rotary has changed us,” he told district governors elect. “It has shaped who we are and made us better people.” Transformation is not just something Rotary creates in communities—it begins in each of us.

Learn more about what this means for Nevada City Rotary ~

Read more...
Los Barriles Project 2026

District 5190 Project of the Year!

Nevada City Rotary crew returned from our 11th trip partnering with the Rotary Club of Los Barriles Cabo Este, Baja CA Sur. 
 
The team on the first day at San Bartolo included John and Sandra, Paul, Kelly and Dave, Cathy, Syd Brown, Dr Sarah Woerner, Frank, a dentist from Reno, members of Los Barriles Rotary, and East Cape Clinic staff. A second team including Chris and her friend Fran were in Los Barriles along with Jon and Martha Greene plus Dave Sundstrom from Reno Central.
 
Once again the teams partnered with East Cape Health Clinic to host multiple wellness clinics in the Los Barriles area. Students were screened for diabetes, eye sight, dental, respiratory, and skeletal issues along with overall wellness checks.
 
The kids were thrilled with their goodie bags of new toothbrushes and the toothpaste (along with the other surprises.) One little girl was very proud to show off how to use dental floss! It’s been a rewarding experience again.😁🦷 
 
We extend a special shout out to Char Wenger, one of our coordinating partners and CEO of the East Cape Clinic for well deserved recognition as Global Woman Leader.
 
Check out special photos in the Los Barriles 2026 Photo Album!
 
A big thank you to the team!  We look forward to hearing all about the clinics and your trip.  

August 2026

S
M
T
W
T
F
S
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
NCRotary Facebook

Newsletter Subscribe 

Click logo to subscribe to our Newsletter and stay up to date on the latest news and events.

The gift of learning!

Business Directory

 2024 Edition

District 5190, Area 4

Speakers
Field Trip Social
Sep 03, 2026 5:30 PM
Community Roots (Nev Co School Food Services)
Hilary Hodge
Sep 10, 2026 12:15 PM
Update on Foothills Compassionate Care
NC Rotary Board
Sep 14, 2026 5:30 PM
Regular Monthly Meeting
Nevada City Rotary
Sep 17, 2026 5:30 PM
Armando Salud-Ambriz
Patrick Mason
Sep 24, 2026 12:15 PM
Nevada County Consolidate Fire District
Safari Davis
Oct 01, 2026 5:30 PM
RYLA camper
Pumpkins Palooza Final Details
Oct 08, 2026 12:15 PM
Final Club Planning
NC Rotary Board
Oct 12, 2026 5:30 PM
Pumpkins Palooza Celebration
Oct 15, 2026 5:30 PM
Community Celebration
Caleb Dardick, Author
Oct 22, 2026 12:15 PM
The Adventures of Superfreak: My Childhood on the Hippie Trail
5th Thursday - DARK
Oct 29, 2026
No meeting
Lisa Drageset
Nov 05, 2026 5:30 PM
Craft Talk
District 5190
Nov 07, 2026 8:30 AM
Rotary Clubs In Action
NC Rotary Board
Nov 09, 2026 5:30 PM
Regular Monthly Meeting
DG Kurt Raffeletto
Nov 12, 2026 12:15 PM
Aim High with Rotary ~ Create Lasting Impact
Dark - No Meeting
Nov 26, 2026
Happy Thanksgiving
View entire list...