Our guest speaker this week will be Jessica Martinez, Director of Policy and Coalition Building at the New Mexico Immigration Center. Jessica works to shape state-level immigration policy, strengthen community coalitions, and advocate for the rights and well-being of immigrant families. Her talk will explore current immigration challenges in New Mexico, how policy impacts local communities, and the role of coalition-building in driving meaningful change.
Exchange Student Welcome BBQ This Saturday Aug 9
Join us at the Metcalfs this Saturday at 2:00 PM to welcome our 25-26 exchange student Marlies. For directions, contact info@rotarylosalamos.org.
Afterwards, some of us will be attending Tokyo Nights at SALA at 7:30 PM to watch an anime movie.
Hal Davis Memorial This Sunday Aug 10
There will be a celebration of life for Hal Davis at Fuller Lodge this Sunday at 2:00 PM. Hal gave several presentations to our Club about his travels abroad, featuring selections from his vast collection of acclaimed photographs. You may remember him most often being in the company of his wife, Anne (Rotary, 2008-2016), and his daughter, Laura Loy (Rotary, 2012-2022).
Join us at Rufina Taproom this Sunday at 4:00 PM for the kickoff of the International Peace Conference in Santa Fe! This social event is to enjoy great conversation, a welcoming atmosphere, and the opportunity to meet others who are passionate about creating a more peaceful world.
Since we’re talking about peacebuilding, there’s a movie at SALA this Tuesday at 7:00 PM about the ongoing crisis in Gaza. Rotary International has published a statement on the war between Israel and Hamas and supports peace in the region. Here’s an interesting article about the Rotary Club of Jerusalem, which was chartered in 1929 and continues to provide humanitarian aid in both Israel and Palestine.
We have no speaker this week, but we do have some club matters to discuss. First, I attended the District Assembly last Saturday where I learned a few things about club management. I spent some time this weekend reviewing our bylaws and would like to discuss some proposed updates. I also want to remind members to please pay their dues in a timely manner. In my breakout session, I heard about a club that had to dissolve because nobody enforced dues and their cash reserves were quickly depleted. Only about half of our membership has paid dues, so if you haven’t already, please bring a check to Vince. The due date was July 1 for the first half and January 1 for the second half.
Another takeaway was to get creative in inviting members of the community to Rotary and don’t forget to listen to your existing members. To that end, I’d like to pursue Brian Newnam’s suggestion of bringing back lunches. If you would like to participate, please email or text me with your Ruby K’s order before 11 AM. Also, congrats to Chuck Tallman who is featured on this newsletter’s cover photo with his NINTH Paul Harris Fellow pin!
We also need to be more visible in the community if we want to recruit more members, which we can do through more service projects and community-oriented events like the summer concerts. Please consider wearing your Rotary t-shirt when you’re out and about. You never know who might ask you about it.
We don’t have much planned for events in August, but if you have any back-to-school ideas, please let me know. There’s a Peace Conference Kickoff at Second Street Brewery on Aug 10 4:30 PM. In September, we have two events: BBBQ at Bathtub Row on September 7 (time TBD) and an opportunity to partner with Citizens Climate Lobby to screen the documentary Purple Mountains at SALA on Sep 27 12-3 PM.
This week, the Los Alamos Local Business Coalition is hosting their fifth and final forum on local business this Thursday 5:30 PM at SALA. If you’re a local business owner or just want to be support local businesses, it would be a great event to attend.
On a somber note, former Rotarian Hal Davis passed away recently. A Celebration of Life will be held August 10 at 2:00pm at Fuller Lodge. All who knew Hal and his family are invited to come and share a story about him. Donations may be made to the Los Alamos Historical Society’s Oppenheimer House Preservation fund at https://losalamoshistory.networkforgood.com/projects/22122-everyday-giving.
Last but not least, last week’s speaker Adam White asked for donations to the non-profit Waves4All, which helps teach people with disabilities to surf, sail, and experience the ocean.
If you missed last week’s meeting, you can view Adam’s presentation on New Mexico summits on our YouTube channel.
Thanks to everyone who came out to our year-end party last week! To everyone who couldn’t make it, we missed you. I hope you’re enjoying your summer! Here’s the Year-End Report and here’s the 24-25 Rotary Photo Album.
Adam was born and raised in southern Louisiana. From an early age, his fascination with mountains and remote places took hold of his imagination and he would spend hours upon hours reading National Geographic and consuming books about explorers. In college, he often skipped his Monday classes and opted instead for long weekend excursions to westward destinations. He seized an opportunity to permanently leave Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina and relocated his family to northern New Mexico.
Adam now spends much of his free time hiking, biking, climbing, and photography in the alpine mountains and vast deserts of the Four Corner states. He enjoys sharing his knowledge of the area with visitors to New Mexico and will often take friends from out of state to some of his favorite places.
He is co-founder and CEO of “TruFit” – a workout app designed to guide users of all abilities in adaptive fitness exercises, empowering them to meet their health and fitness goals. He is also Executive Director of “Waves 4 All,” an adaptive surfing and sailing non-profit organization.
Upcoming Events
Coffee & Connections every Tuesday
Every Tuesday morning, the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce hosts Coffee & Connections for local businesses to meet with each other.
Friday Night Concerts
Join us at the summer concerts every Friday 5:30 – 7:30 to share with members of the community what Rotary does and has to offer. Please contact James Wernicke for more info.
District Assembly Jul 26
Join us for an enriching District Assembly on Saturday, July 26, from 9-11 AM (Mountain Time) on Zoom!
This engaging session will provide valuable insights into the function of a club board of directors and key roles, including Membership, Secretary, Treasurer, and Public Image. Whether you’re stepping into a leadership position or looking to deepen your understanding, this session is designed to empower and support you.
Should We Bring Back Weekly Meals?
Some members have expressed bringing back weekly meals. I’m willing to pick them up if there’s enough interest. Vote here.
Sorry for the short notice, but we’ll have a collection box for Ruidoso emergency supplies and bottle caps for benches at tonight’s year end dinner. It’s also not too late to submit photos for the slideshow!
The best way to support Ruidoso is to make a cash donation to Community Foundation of Lincoln County, but if you have any of the following items in your pantry or closet you’d like to donate, bring them tonight:
As people of action, we are called to support our fellow New Mexicans in their time of need.
Earlier this week, the village of Ruidoso was devastated by a sudden flash flood triggered by intense monsoon rains over recent wildfire burn scars. The Rio Ruidoso rose more than 20 feet in a matter of minutes, destroying homes, displacing families, and tragically claiming several lives. Over 200 homes have been damaged, and many residents are now without shelter, basic necessities, or access to clean water.
The Community Foundation of Lincoln County (CFLC) is on the ground, actively supporting recovery efforts through their Shelter Fund, which provides direct assistance to those affected — including emergency housing, cleanup supplies, and essential needs. Please consider making a cash donation at www.cfolc.org or by clicking the button below.
There’s no lunch meeting this week, but there is an end-of-year party. Don’t forget to bring a side or dessert, and more importantly, a friend! See you this Tuesday at SALA Event Center for socializing at 5:30 PM and dinner at 6:30 PM. Also, don’t forget to send your Rotary 24-25 photos to info@rotarylosalamos.org for the end-of-year slideshow.
Accessibility Working Group Seeks Community Feedback
The Los Alamos Accessibility Working Group has published a survey seeking feedback to get a better idea of what Los Alamos County is doing right and where it can improve on accessibility. This will help them make recommendations to County leadership on how to make things more accessible.
As the first week of summer vacation kicks off, there’s a renewed sense of energy in our community. School may be out, but Rotary is very much in session—and summer is a perfect time to reengage, recharge, and reconnect.
We’re currently looking for members to step up as committee chairs for the coming year. If that feels like too big a commitment, don’t worry—we also welcome anyone who’d like to take the lead on just one event, whether it’s a service project, a social gathering, or inviting a guest speaker to an upcoming meeting. Small contributions still make a big impact.
We’re also seeking volunteers for our table at the Friday night summer concerts. These events are a great way to meet neighbors, represent Rotary, and simply enjoy the spirit of Los Alamos in the summertime.
And of course, we’re always open to fresh ideas for what our club can do this summer—activities, partnerships, or new ways to serve. If you’ve got an idea, we’d love to hear it.
Let’s make the most of these long days and warm nights by staying active, connected, and committed to service above self.
Yours in Rotary,
James Wernicke, President-Elect
This Week’s Speaker
We’re excited to announce that Alyssa Sun, President of our Los Alamos High School Interact Club, will be joining us at our next meeting to present the Interact Club’s End-of-Year Report.
Alyssa will share highlights from this year’s service projects, leadership development, and the impact Interact has made both locally and beyond. Please join us in supporting our youth leaders and celebrating their accomplishments!
If you missed any previous speakers, check out past recordings on our YouTube channel.
This is Rotary’s biggest event of the year—a global celebration of fellowship, service, and impact. Join thousands of Rotarians from around the world for inspiring keynote speakers, engaging breakout sessions, cultural events, and unforgettable connections.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned convention-goer, this is your chance to experience the international spirit of Rotary, explore new service ideas, and bring that energy back to our club and community.
Registration is still open at rotary.org/convention. Let us know if you’re planning to attend or are interested in coordinating travel with fellow members.
Jul 4: Pancakes On The Plaza
You’re invited to Santa Fe’s favorite local event, Pancakes on the Plaza, presented by the Rotary Club of Santa Fe. Each year, thousands of locals and visitors from around the globe gather for a day of music, art, classic cars, companionship, and, of course, pancakes. Individual and family tickets are now on sale at pancakesontheplaza.com and will also be available on July 4 at the Santa Fe Plaza.
Oct 3: Santa Fe Peace Conference
The Los Alamos Rotary Club is partnering with the Rotary Santa Fe Centro Passport Club to host the “Pathway to Peace: A Journey Through History, Healing, and Hope” Peace Conference on Friday, October 3, 2025, at La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe, followed by the unveiling of a Rotary Peace Pole at Thomas Macaione Park.
This event will explore peacebuilding from historical, international, and local perspectives—featuring speakers from Los Alamos, Japan, and our own communities, along with a student art auction during lunch.
We’re seeking sponsorships to support this event, including funding the Peace Pole (estimated at $1,200). The El Centro Club has generously pledged $500, but we still have a gap to fill. A contribution from our club would demonstrate our commitment to collaboration and peace.
If you’d like to help sponsor or have ideas for additional support, please reach out to rotarylosalamos.org/contact.
Oct 23: Rotary Zone Institute
Join fellow Rotarians and Rotaractors from across the western United States and Canada for the 2025 Rotary Zones 26 & 27 Institute, taking place October 23–25, 2025, at The Clyde Hotel in downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico.
This annual event offers a unique opportunity to engage in interactive discussions, attend inspirational presentations, and participate in service activities. It’s an excellent occasion to network with Rotary International and Rotary Foundation leaders, as well as peers from diverse districts. The Institute also celebrates the graduation of District Governors-Elect from their training program.
Don’t miss this chance to deepen your Rotary knowledge and connections. For more information and to register, visit zone2627.org.
Rotary Club of Los Alamos will have an outreach table set up tonight starting at 5:30 PM at the Los Alamos Summer Concert Series at Ashley Pond. Tonight’s artist is a New Mexico country musician Dzaki Sukarno. Please come share why you’re a Rotarian to other members of the community!
It’s easy to forget we owe our very lives to this planet. Let’s make sure we’re giving back. Whether it’s through planting a tree, cleaning up a trail, or supporting a clean water project, we can shape a healthier, greener future for everyone. By simply making everyday choices to consume less and more efficiently, we can easily make a difference. By joining and supporting groups like the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG)³, we can take a more active role in ensuring future generations have access to a beautiful and thriving planet.
This Week’s Speaker
This week’s speaker is Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce Director Sandy Jones. Since assuming this role in August 2024, Sandy has been a dynamic force in our community, leveraging her extensive experience to support local businesses. Before joining the Chamber, Sandy served as the Center Director for the Small Business Development Center at UNM-Los Alamos, where she provided invaluable guidance to entrepreneurs in Los Alamos, Cuba, Jemez Springs, and Española . Her diverse professional background spans R&D, utility emergency operations, accounting, e-commerce, and software engineering, reflecting her adaptability and commitment to excellence.
At last Tuesday’s meeting, Rotarians met to review applications for this year’s scholarships. We had at least a dozen applications, all extremely accomplished students. A recurring theme in many of their essays is a need for belonging and communities among teenagers. To that end, Los Alamos JJAB is hosting Teen Nights at SALA through May to provide teens with a community space.
Rotarians Clean Up PEEC Treehouse
Los Alamos Rotarians and LAHS Interact members cleaned up the Rotary Treehouse at PEEC last Wednesday in preparation for their Earth Day Festival.
The treehouse was our club’s 2018 service project under the guidance of Club President Laura Loy and Service Director Oliver Morris. At $30,000 it was our club’s most ambitious project, seeing over 40,000 visitors annually.
Pancake Breakfast May 4
Rotary Club of Los Alamos will be serving pancakes this Sunday May 4 for 7AM to 11AM at the Los Alamos Sheriff’s Posse Lodge. Come enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes in four flavors, eggs, bacon, and sausage for only $10! May the Fourth be with you!
Youth Volunteer Appreciation Ice Cream Social May 6
Know a youth volunteer? Invite them for ice cream at next Tuesday’s appreciation event!
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.
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.
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