About Rotary Club of Jackson

One can credit the Lions Club of Jackson with the formation of the Rotary Club of Jackson. Pete Cassinelli, a grocer, had moved through the chairs in the Lions Club on the way to the Presidency. For some reason he was not elected to the position.

Pete was so angered he resigned from the Club. He convinced his friend, Charlie Gorman, to resign at the same time.

Charlie, a Ford dealer, had a wide circle of friends including a prominent Rotarian, Frank Judy. So Charlie got the idea of starting a Rotary Club in Jackson.

Charlie went to his friends in the Placerville Rotary Club and asked for support of his idea. They agreed to sponsor the new club if he could get members. Charlie and Pete put their minds to work.

Hoffman Siebe, the local pharmacist, was recruited in a strange way. Hoffman took his truck to Charlie to have the mechanic repair it. When he offered to pay for the work, Charlie said, "No charge. Just join Rotary".

The three went about to find 18 other men from the Jackson area to become charter members with the Placerville Rotary Club as the sponsor. The charter festivities were held on May 10, 1952 with Charles Gorman as President. The actual charter date is April 14.

Charlie's good friend, District Governor Frank Judy, presented the charter and gifts from other clubs. The bell and a special gavel made by Frank Ellis, a blind man, were used to start the weekly meetings at the National Hotel on Main Street in Jackson.