COLUSA, CA (MPG) – Rotary District 5160 Gov. Woody Fridae visited the Rotary Club of Colusa on Tuesday, Oct. 20, recognizing three members for their service and sharing his goals for strengthening Rotary through community involvement, membership growth and international projects.
During the meeting, Fridae presented lapel pins to Antonio Ortiz, Matt Beauchamp and Doug McGeoghegan.
Ortiz received the district governor’s “Quiet Leader” recognition, an honor Fridae established to acknowledge Rotarians who contribute to their clubs without seeking attention.
“This is somebody who’s always there. Maybe not up at the front of the room all the time, but somebody who you can rely on to get the work done and they’re working in the background all the time,” Fridae said.
Fridae also presented Paul Harris Fellow lapel pins to Beauchamp and McGeoghegan, acknowledging their support of The Rotary Foundation and its humanitarian programs.
Fridae, a retired educator with 38 years of service, has belonged to Rotary for more than 20 years. He previously served on the Winters City Council, including as mayor, and as president of the Winters Rotary Club.
He recalled joining Rotary while campaigning for city council and discovering that the organization offered opportunities to serve his community.
“Rotary is like everything that I believed in packaged together,” Fridae said. “And on top of that, you do good things for your community, and you have fun doing it. What could be better?”
Fridae discussed the district’s membership challenges, noting that membership has declined from approximately 3,200 in 2000 to about 2,800 today. District 5160 includes 66 Rotary clubs.
He said Rotary’s emphasis on service rather than politics or religion creates opportunities to attract new members, particularly at a time when political divisions have become more pronounced.
Fridae also encouraged members to support The Rotary Foundation, which funds projects involving clean water, disease prevention, education, maternal and child health, economic development and environmental protection.
Among his district priorities is a prosthetic hand program that provides devices to people who have lost hands. Fridae said the program can provide and fit a prosthetic hand for approximately $50.
He described traveling to Cambodia, where he helped fit a man with a prosthetic hand. The recipient, who had lived without his right hand for 40 years, was able to pick up a pen and write again.
During his visit, Fridae praised the Colusa club for its contributions to the community, including tree planting, public benches, flagpoles, improvements at Riverfront Park, scholarships and its annual fundraising event, “A Nite at the Races.”
The club’s next “A Nite at the Races” fundraiser will take place Saturday, Jan. 16, 2027, at the Colusa County Fairgrounds Main Exhibit Hall.
The event begins with cocktails at 5 p.m., followed by dinner and video horse racing at 6 p.m. Activities include a Derby hat contest, silent and live auctions and door prizes. Proceeds support Rotary’s community programs.
Tickets cost $75 per person, with reserved tables available for $600. Reservations require advance payment. For tickets, contact Jillian Rohleder at 530-751-6662 or Nic Weber at 530-682-3515.
“I’m very impressed with all the things that you guys do,” Fridae said. “I really appreciate the opportunity to talk to you.”