As the weather warms up and the days get longer, it’s the perfect time to re-energize our commitment to Rotary. There’s many opportunities coming up to get involved in community service, reach out to potential new members, or help lead the club in the 25–26 Rotary year. Here’s just a few coming up in the next few weeks.
Wednesday April 23, we’ll be cleaning up the PEEC Treehouse at 5:30 in preparation for their Earth Day Festival. Bring your work gloves, a rake, and let’s get it done! April 24-26 is the District 5520 Conference. You can still sign up if you want to see what’s going on around the district and help me start getting buy-in for the Navajo Water Project. Sunday May 4, we have our Pancake Breakfast at Sheriff’s Posse Lodge. We could use volunteers from 7 AM – 10 AM and 9 AM – 12 PM, but if you don’t have time for that, at least spread the word!
Today’s Speaker
District 5520 North Asst. Governor Laura Gonzales will speak about collaborative projects between District 5520 and District 4110. These initiatives, including recent wheelchair distributions in Juárez and Chihuahua, Mexico, exemplify Rotary’s commitment to service across borders.
Don’t Forget About Our April Contest!
We’re collecting plastic bottle caps to build benches. Bring your bottle caps on Tuesday April 29 to enter a drawing to win a prize!
In accordance with Rotary International’s guidance for Action Groups, the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group, ESRAG, gathers individuals, experts and partners whose goal is to provide awareness, dialogue, resources, and best practices for the environment. ESRAG, assists the Rotary familyto plan, run, and evaluate projects, programs, and practices that support actions in the Environment Area of Focus and address the triple planetary crisis.
Fifty years ago, the first Earth Day was held on 22 April, 1970, launching a wave of action to protect our environment, including the passage of landmark environmental laws in the United States. Other countries soon followed suit. Every year since, the day has been set aside to focus on mobilizing for action to protect our planet.
As people of action, Rotarians have been shaping the conversation on the environment for years, from addressing climate change that threatens entire food systems to fighting pollution that clogs our air and water. Rotarians are well-suited for the challenge. They use their connections to find creative solutions and take action to safeguard our vital resources.
The Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG) assists Rotary clubs, districts and multi-districts in building awareness, inspiring action, and planning service projects that focus on environmental sustainability, awareness of climate change, and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Don’t forget we’re having a friendly competition to see who can collect the most bottle caps for benches this month. Bring your caps for counting to the April 29 meeting.
No Speaker This Week
We are having a general assembly this week. Here’s a recording of last week’s meeting with County Emergency Manager Beverley Simpson in case you missed it.
Governor’s Project Delivers Wheelchairs To Chihuahua
This past weekend, Laura Gonzales joined other Rotarians from District 5520 and 4110 to deliver wheelchairs to people in Chihuahua, Mexico.
Apr 23: PEEC Treehouse Cleanup
Let’s clean up the treehouse on April 23 at 5:30 PM to make it look good for PEEC’s Earth Day Festival on April 26. Please brink work gloves, a rake, and trash bags.
Apr 24-26: District Conference
Registration is still open for the annual District Conference in El Paso, TX April 24-26. This year’s District Conference celebrates The Magic of Rotary—the power we have when we come together to serve, lead, and connect. Join in for a blend of Rotary updates, hands-on service, youth program showcases, and evening festivities.
May 4: Pancake Breakfast
May the Fourth be with you this year as we serve pancakes at the Sheriff’s Posse. The event starts at 6:00 AM and goes until 12:00 PM and we need people to cook, serve, bus tables, and promote the event. Contact Linda Bullock to sign up for volunteer duties.
May 17: Rotary Epic Day Of Service
On Saturday, May 17, 2025, more than 800 Rotary clubs and 30,000 Rotarians across the world will volunteer in their communities for an Epic Day of Service, collecting clothes for homeless, refurbishing parks, and more. Save the date and roll up your sleeves for a day dedicated to service, community, and connection.
April is National Donate Life Month. This month, we honor those who have given the gift of life, celebrate the renewed lives of recipients, and encourage others to consider registering as donors. Across the United States, more than 100,000 people are awaiting transplants, with a new person added to the transplant waiting list every 8 minutes. Each donor has the potential to save up to eight lives through organ donation and enhance the lives of over 75 individuals through tissue and cornea donation.
Engaging in donation not only benefits recipients but also offers health advantages to donors. Regular blood donation, for instance, has been linked to lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart attacks, blood clots, and strokes. Additionally, frequent blood donors have shown beneficial genetic changes in their blood stem cells, potentially reducing the risk of certain blood cancers and enhancing resilience to stress.
Living organ donors also tend to lead healthier, more active lives post-donation than their non-donor counterparts, in addition to the fulfillment of contributing to another person’s well-being. The human liver’s ability to regenerate, for example, allows living donors to donate a portion of their liver, which then regrows to near its original size, underscoring the resilience inherent in our biology.
I encourage you to consider registering as a donor. By registering and discussing our decisions with loved ones, we can be a more compassionate community dedicated to saving and healing lives.
This Week’s Speaker
Los Alamos County Emergency Management Director Beverley Simpson has over two decades of experience in emergency response and homeland security. Beverley has been instrumental in enhancing our community’s preparedness for various emergencies, including natural disasters and potential wildfires. Under her leadership, the county has secured significant grants to bolster our emergency readiness and is in the process of establishing a dedicated Emergency Operations Center to improve disaster coordination. Beyond her professional commitments, Beverley is deeply invested in our community, having lived in Los Alamos for over 13 years with her husband, Robert, and their two sons.
In case you missed our last speaker, Los Alamos County Manager Anne Laurent, check it out on our YouTube channel!
Save Your Bottle Caps For Benches
Remember to save your bottlecaps for the Bottle Caps To Benches program, which transforms recycled plastic caps into durable benches for our community, promoting environmental sustainability and community engagement. To make this endeavor more engaging, we are introducing a friendly competition: the member who donates the most bottle caps by weight by our last meeting in April will win a special prize. Please ensure that all caps are clean and free from any paper or foil inserts. Acceptable caps include those from water bottles, soda bottles, milk jugs, and similar items. For a detailed list of acceptable caps and lids, please refer to the guidelines provided by Green Tree Plastics.
Governor’s Wheelchair Project
On our way back from vacation last weekend, my family had the opportunity to meet with fellow Rotarians including District 5520 & 4110 Governors Yasser Murga and Sergio Tejeda Navarrete for dinner at Restaurante Viva Mexico in Juarez. The show was amazing showcasing the many cultures of Mexico. Rotary Club of El Paso President-Elect Joe Gudenrath even got to be part of the show!
The reason they were down there was to distribute wheelchairs to people in need in Juarez. Next week, they’ll be traveling to Chihuahua to distribute more. Only $100 provides a wheelchair, but any amount helps. If you’re interested in learning more, email YasserRotary@gmail.com.
Rotary Leadership Institute April 4-5 in Ruidoso
If you haven’t been to RLI before, this weekend is a great opportunity to do so. The Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) offers quality education in Rotary knowledge and leadership skills to Rotarians seeking to enhance their participation or prepare for club leadership. The program equips members with valuable skills for both their personal lives and volunteer service.
Last weekend, I attended the President-Elect Training Seminar (PETS). One of the activities was to share your reason for joining Rotary in front of the class so here it goes:
In 2017, my wife Alejandra was diagnosed with kidney failure. It was the first time in my life that I felt powerless. All of my knowledge, skill, and determination couldn’t change the reality we faced. Today, Alejandra is healthy thanks to the support of our neighbors and a complete stranger—a former heroin addict who one day felt guilty for not stopping to help someone stranded on the side of the road, and decided to walk into a hospital and donate a kidney. Not to a friend, not to a family member—just to anyone in need. That was the moment I understood what Rotary’s motto “Service Above Self” means.
From that point on, I made it my mission to pay it forward—to use my talents to help others in whatever way I could. But I quickly realized that alone, my impact was limited. No matter how much I gave, I was just one person.
Then I found Rotary—a global network of people who shared my vision for service. Here was a community of diverse professionals, coming together, pooling their skills, and multiplying their impact to be more than just the sum of our talents. That’s why I joined Rotary.
Service is powerful, but service together? That can change the world.
This Week’s Speaker
Today’s distinguished speaker, Chief Aron Ayers, serves as the Senior Naval Science Instructor for the Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) at Los Alamos High School.
Chief Ayers enlisted in the United States Navy in 1997, embarking on a notable career that spanned over two decades. His service included assignments on the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), USS De Wert (FFG 45), and USS Dewey (DDG 105), as well as shore tours in Pearl Harbor and Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. He demonstrated exceptional commitment in a variety of roles throughout his tenure, earning personal decorations including the Navy Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and two Navy Achievement Medals. Chief Ayers earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Historical and Political Studies from Chaminade University.
In 2022, Chief Ayers transitioned to education, assuming the role of Senior Naval Science Instructor at Los Alamos High School. Under his leadership, the NJROTC program, known as Topper Company, has flourished. The program emphasizes discipline, respect, and self-determination, providing students with opportunities to engage in competitive teams and community service. Notably, Topper Company was named a Distinguished Unit with Academic Honors for two consecutive years, reflecting the program’s excellence. Chief Ayers is deeply committed to the personal growth of his cadets, focusing on leadership development and community involvement.
Local Rotarians Cross Paths In Chile
Barry Gerst is a member of the El Centro Club of Santa Fe – the club we are doing our peace project with. He is on a hiking trip & by amazing coincidence, bumped into our exchange student, Luke Creel when he was in Punta Arenas!
– Alison Pannell
PETS 2025 Recap
This past weekend, District 5520 held its President-Elect Training Seminar (PETS), bringing together leaders from across the district to prepare for the 2025-26 Rotary year. The seminar provided an opportunity for incoming presidents to connect and build friendships while equipping them with essential skills to lead their clubs with passion and purpose. The first day featured discussions on the expectations of a Club President, including breakout sessions on conducting effective meetings, strategic planning, inspiring fellow Rotarians, and impactful communication. The second day delved into topics such as The Rotary Foundation, enhancing public image, membership growth strategies, goal setting, and networking opportunities.
We are trying to get at least 50 followers on YouTube so we can unlock live streaming. Help us out and watch some interesting speakers at the same time!
Spring is coming and we’ll be starting our outdoor service projects soon. We also have fundraisers and other community events coming up. There’s an “Add to Calendar” link at the bottom that lets you subscribe to our calendar so you’ll always know when we’re doing something.
Though world leaders may falter, it is often the strength of community service organizations that upholds the values of compassion, generosity, and action. Rotary has always stood as a beacon of service above self, stepping in where others step back, ensuring that those in need are not forgotten. The greatest impact often comes not from those in positions of authority, but from individuals and groups willing to answer the call when others do not. Our work is a testament to the belief that even in the face of global challenges, hope and progress are possible.
March is Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Month, reminding us that clean water is one of the most fundamental needs that millions around the world still lack. Far too many communities suffer from waterborne illnesses, inadequate sanitation. Rotary has long been committed to changing this reality through sustainable water projects, sanitation efforts, and hygiene education. By ensuring access to clean water, we are not only improving health outcomes but also fostering stronger, more resilient communities.
I’d love to hear your ideas on how we can be better champions of Rotary’s causes, whether through supporting Santa Fe Centro’sPeace Pole Project, developing a Navajo Water Project, or however it is you are called to help. Please let me know either at a meeting or email me.
Yours in Rotary,
James Wernicke, President-Elect
This Week’s Speaker
Los Alamos Fire Department Chief Troy Hughes
WLos Alamos Fire Chief Troy Hughes has been a dedicated leader in ensuring the safety and preparedness of our community. This is an especially challenging responsibility in Los Alamos, where wildfire mitigation, hazardous material response, and emergency management play critical roles. Under his leadership, the Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD) has continued to uphold its reputation as one of the most highly trained and well-equipped fire departments in the region, protecting both residents and the surrounding national laboratory.
Community involvement is also an important part of disaster preparedness and organizations like Rotary can collaborate with first responders to build a safer and more resilient community.
It’s time to dust off your bell-bottoms, break out the disco ball, and hit the lanes for Bowl for Kids’ Sake 2025 – Disco Edition! This year, we’re celebrating 55 years of changing lives for New Mexico youth with our biggest fundraising event of the year. Bowl for Kids’ Sake isn’t just about strikes and spares—it’s about creating brighter futures for kids in our community. As our largest annual fundraiser, this event directly supports Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission to ignite the potential in young people by providing them with caring, one-to-one mentorship.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this weekend’s Crab Fest such a tremendous success. From our dedicated Interact volunteers and generous sponsors to our hardworking organizers and everyone who attended, this event would not have been possible without your support.
It was truly wonderful to see so many members of our community come together—not just to enjoy great food and company, but to help make a difference in the world. Your generosity and enthusiasm give us those opportunities to make a positive impact. Thank you again for being a part of this event, and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish next!
Yours in Rotary,
James Wernicke, President-Elect
This Week’s Speaker
Today’s speaker is David Dropinski, a person who understands the grit, skill, and dedication required in the construction industry—an industry that quite literally builds the foundations of our communities. David has spent years in the trenches of the working man’s world, tackling the challenges of construction, from early-morning job sites to the precision and teamwork required to turn blueprints into reality. Whether it’s laying the groundwork for a new development, ensuring safety on-site, or keeping up with the evolving demands of modern infrastructure, this work is not just about hard labor—it’s about craftsmanship, resilience, and pride.
Last Week’s Speaker
In case you missed it, here’s Martin Cooper on Tanzania. Please subscribe to our YouTube channel. If we get 50 subscribers, we can start posting live videos!
The Rotary Club of Santa Fe Centro’s District Grant this year is to continue supporting Tierra Nueva and the development of their surrounding area, creating much-needed benches for the walking path currently under construction
For this year’s project, their focus is on recycling plastic bottle caps that Green Tree Plastic will transform into benches. We invite you to participate by saving your plastic bottle caps—this includes caps from water bottles, yogurt containers, prescription bottles, detergent bottles, and any other plastic container caps and lids listed below with recycling codes #2, #4, or #5. By upcycling these items, we can keep them out of our Santa Fe landfills and turn them into benches that will serve our therapists, clients, and the entire community. Every cap counts!
Drop-off is available at Tierra Nueva Counseling Center, or feel free to contact Claudia Gerst directly for pick-up at 505-231-2240, or give them to Alison.
Tierra Nueva Counseling Center address: 3952 San Felipe Road, Santa Fe
Thank you for helping us create something lasting for our community while helping to take the trash out of our landfills!
Feel free to share the information at your workplace, Neighbours and everyone
The Los Alamos Rotary 1312, Inc., Board of Directors cordially invite you to attend our 17th Annual Crabfest Fundraiser & Live Auction event on Saturday, Feb. 22. This year, our event will take place at the Cottonwood on the Greens venue. Please extend this invitation to your family, friends, neighbors and business associates. This event is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we need your support to help us provide the same level of local, regional, and international service programs, such as Meals of Hope, Local Scholarships, Youth Exchange, LAHS Memorial Garden, and more.
In response to several requests, take-out orders will be available this year! This year, in-shell crab will be served.
Please pay by check ($80/person) to:
Los Alamos Rotary 1312, Inc., PO Box 986, Los Alamos NM 87544
Rotary’s history reminds us that peace is not passive—it is built, nurtured, and sustained through intentional action. Rotary International with the Rotary Action Group for Peace continues this mission by:
Empowering communities with sustainable peace projects
Equipping future leaders through Rotary Peace Fellowships
Strengthening Peacebuilder Clubs to amplify local and global impact.
Our legacy is not just in what we have done—it is in what we continue to do. Every conversation, project, and partnership brings us closer to a world where peace is not just an ideal, but a reality.
So how is our Club recognizing February PeaceBuilding month?What steps are we taking now to promote peace worldwide?
We are joining with the Santa Fe Centro Rotary Club in a project to hold a Peace Conference and raise a Peace Pole in Santa Fe. The conference will be held at La Fonda on October 3rd, and the Peace Pole will be placed Mescaione Park on the corner of Paseo De Peralta & Hillside Ave just below the Cross of the Martyrs.
We will be inviting other NNM clubs & the public to attend and plan to invite speakers from LANL, our sister city in Japan, and Hiroshima as well as local speakers from UNM & Southwestern College who will guide us in ways to embrace peace in our lives & actively participate in peace building.
For over 100 years, Rotary International has been at the forefront of humanitarian efforts, championing international aid and peace initiatives across the globe. With over 46,000 clubs worldwide, Rotary’s commitment to “Service Above Self” transcends borders, cultures, and politics, allowing it to respond swiftly with the help of organizations like USAID to provide immediate and long-term aid to communities in need, particularly in response to natural disasters, poverty, and health crises. Relying solely on voluntary contributions through its Rotary Foundation, the organization funds projects that address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, such as disease prevention, clean water access, education, and economic development.
One of Rotary’s greatest international contributions is its role in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Since launching its PolioPlus program in 1985, Rotary has worked alongside partners like WHO and UNICEF to reduce polio cases by 99.9%, saving millions of children from paralysis and death. Rotary continues to fund vaccinations and surveillance efforts in regions where the disease remains a threat.
Rotary members from 21 districts, in partnership with UNICEF, are working with local governments to develop and implement immunization programs to protect 100,000 children from rotavirus, pneumococcal disease, and cervical cancer across nine South Pacific Island countries, including Kiribati and Fiji. The Give Every Child a Future project is committed to strengthening the immunization programs in each country so that these vaccines continue to be delivered to future generations of children. Tarawa, Kiribati. 28 March 2023.
Through partnerships with organizations like ShelterBox, Rotary has provided emergency shelter, food, and supplies to families affected by earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, and conflict. Beyond direct aid, Rotary actively promotes global peace by addressing the root causes of conflict—poverty, lack of education, and inequality. Rotary Peace Centers train peacebuilders and conflict resolution experts who work in diplomacy, law, and international relations. Each year, Rotary Peace Fellowships provide scholarships for professionals to study at leading universities, equipping them with the skills to mediate disputes and foster reconciliation in conflict zones. Additionally, Rotary supports grassroots peacebuilding efforts, from youth education programs to interfaith dialogue initiatives. Rotary members work in communities to reduce tensions, combat extremism, and promote understanding among diverse groups. As Dr. Martin Luther King said, peace is not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice and opportunity.
Rotary members and other volunteers pack supplies at a warehouse is Zamosc, Poland, approximately 60km (27 miles) from the border with Ukraine. Zamosc is a major hub for people displaced by the conflict and a centralized coordination location for aid from clubs in Europe. The Rotary Club of Zamosc Ordynacki rents a warehouse where daily shipments of food, water, clothing, blankets, and medical supplies are sorted and prepared for transport to all regions of Ukraine. 27 April 2022. Zamosc, Poland.
Rotary’s commitment goes beyond immediate relief to catalyzing self-sustaining projects in the following areas:
Ensuring communities have access to safe drinking water, reducing disease and improving health.
Funding schools, scholarships, and literacy programs to empower future generations to break the cycle of poverty.
Combating infant mortality, malnutrition, and maternal health for healthier families and stronger communities.
Providing microfinance programs and vocational training help people gain skills and financial independence.
Rotary’s hierarchical structure allows clubs to diffuse their efforts across international, regional, and local projects. By working with Rotary International, Rotary District 5520, and other Rotary clubs, Rotary Club of Los Alamos has been able to send an ambulance from White Rock to Ukraine through US Ambulances for Ukraine and build drinking water systems in Guatemala. We also organize Meals of Hope food packing events for The Food Depot which distributes food across northern New Mexico. Through the Purple Pinky campaign, we raise awareness and funds for PolioPlus which provides vaccinations to children in polio-endemic countries. The LAHS Interact Club supports these efforts, but also spearheads their own projects. For example, they raised money to combat human trafficking in South America through Vos Tambien, provide Shelterboxes for Syria and Turkey earthquake victims, and held a peace glow and fundraiser for Ukraine. In my upcoming presidential year, I hope to lead our club in funding a solar-powered well and greenhouse project for remote desert communities of the Navajo Nation and our endowment to support the many worthy humanitarian organizations facing crises around the world.
Rotary’s work is driven by volunteers and donors who believe in making a difference. Consider joining us a member, volunteer, or donor with our club or the Rotary Foundation and its global initiatives. As conflicts persist and humanitarian challenges evolve, Rotary International remains steadfast in its commitment to service. Even in the face of adversity, people united by a common purpose can create a more just and compassionate world.
We invite you to join us for Crabfest—our biggest fundraiser of the year—only a week away on Saturday, February 22 at 5:30pm at Cottonwood on the Greens. Please purchase tickets in advance. It will feature a delicious meal, an auction of unique and interesting items from around the world, and opportunities to learn more about our local and international projects. Email losalamosrotary1312@gmail.com for more info.
This week, I’ll be sharing about my recent trip to Bolivia. I’m not sure I can condense two weeks of adventure and exploration into 30 minutes, but I’ll try! If you can’t make it in person, you can also join on Zoom.
Crab Fest Feb 22
Crab Fest tickets are now available. Join us at Cottonwood on the Greens on February 22. Doors open at 5:30. Crab legs are served at 7:00. There is also an auction if you’d like to donate something. There are only 150 seats so get yours before they’re gone!
Pancake Breakfast May 4
Our club will be hosting a pancake breakfast at the Los Alamos Sheriff’s Posse Lodge on May 4 from 7a-11p. We’re still looking for about six volunteers so if you can help, please talk to Linda Bullock!
You can find all of our upcoming events on the calendar.
This week, we honor the life and legacy of civil rights activist, Dr. Martin Luther King. King believed life’s most persistent and urgent question is, “What are you doing for others?” As Rotarians, we have the opportunity and duty to carry forward his vision by addressing the pressing needs in our communities and promoting peace, equality, and justice. Whether it’s through local service projects, global humanitarian efforts, or mentoring future leaders, our actions should reflect that shared belief in the dignity and worth of every individual. Let’s take inspiration from Dr. King’s dream of a more unified world and continue his legacy by recommitting ourselves to building bridges of understanding, empowering those in need, and leading with purpose.
Yours in Rotary,
James Wernicke
This Week’s Speaker: District Governor Yasser Murga
Join us this week as District Governor Yasser Murga visits us in Los Alamos. Yasser was first introduced to Rotary through RYLA in 1996. He is currently working with District 4110 to provide wheelchairs to individuals in Juarez, Mexico, promoting RYLA 2025, and focusing on membership growth.
He also mentioned our next District Conference wiil be in April, in El Paso TX.
Did you know District 5520 now has a podcast? Check out the most recent episode with Yasser to learn more about his priorities before his visit!
RYLA 2025 Registration Now Open!
RYLA scholarships are now available for $950 per camper. The RYLA kickoff was on January 7, but there will be additional meetings throughout the year. The boys’ and girls’ camps are July 13-19 and 19-25 respectively.
RYLA aims to empower youth leaders entering their senior high school year through exposure to experts in a variety of fields at camp held at the Manzano Mountain Retreat. These include astronauts, judges, lawyers, physicians, and business owners who offer tools and support to help campers develop leadership skills they can rely upon for the rest of their lives. 7-10 campers will share a cabin with 2 Counselors for the entire week who will support and guide campers through the 4-Way Test in a fun way through games and physical activities.
Experience the “Magic of Rotary” with exciting events: a welcome at the new ”Children’s Museum at La Nube”, networking with fellow Rotarians, a night of baseball with the Chihuahuas, and hands-on service projects.
Don’t miss this magical celebration! 🌟
Rotary Club of Los Alamos
Empowering Community, Fostering Service, and Building Friendships
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