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.
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.
We finally have a budget ready for your review. The dues are now $343, but I think it gives us the opportunity to increase our impact. If you approve of it, you don’t have to do anything. If you have any objections, please bring them up at the next meeting or send them to board@rotarylosalamos.org. If there are no objections, please pay your club dues as soon as possible by either bringing a check to the next meeting or mailing it to Rotary Club of Los Alamos, P.O. Box 988, Los Alamos, NM 87544. If you need to use a credit card, please email info@rotarylosalamos.org so we can accommodate. Thank you for your renewed support in our club.
Yours in Rotary,
James Wernicke, Club President
Pancakemonger Vince Chiravalle expressing how I’m feeling after finishing the budget.
This Week’s Speaker
This week’s speaker is Tracie Stratton who will be speaking about her role as a health care provider and, most recently, CEO of Los Alamos Medical Center. Come listen to how community hospitals like LAMC continue to deliver high-quality care, recruit crucial clinical staff, and meet the evolving health needs of our community.
Tracie has been a nurse since 1998 when she graduated with her associate degree in nursing from Casper College in Casper, Wyoming. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Nursing Administration in 2011 while simultaneously serving as Chief Nursing Officer of Mountain View Regional Hospital in Casper. Her family came to Los Alamos in 2012 to manage clinical operations at Los Alamos Medical Center. From 2015-2021, she served as Lifepoint’s VP of Clinical Operations for the Western Division. In 2022, she returned to Los Alamos Medical Center to serve as CEO.
End Of Year Party July 15th At SALA
You’re cordially invited to the Rotary Club of Los Alamos End of Year Party. It will be held at SALA Event Center on July 15, 2025. BYOD Social Hour starts at 5:30 PM and dinner will be served at 6:30 PM. Please bring a side dish or dessert and RSVP by emailing rsvp@rotarylosalamos.org or filling out this form. Also, please attach your Rotary in Action photos for the slideshow!
Membership Committee Members Needed!
I need at least two members to join me in brainstorming ideas for increasing membership. Our District Membership Chair Kathie Williams has generously offered to meet with us this Monday, July 7 to discuss recruitment ideas.
The Wernicke Family recently returned from a wonderful trip to Europe, where they had the chance to reconnect with last year’s exchange student, Joan Gurrera, and his family in Mallorca. If you ever have the opportunity to visit, Mallorca is one of Europe’s most naturally stunning destinations as well as rich in culture and history. Since we were already making the journey across the Atlantic, we also explored Iceland, southern Spain, and Paris. Experiencing new cultures and places was inspiring, but as always, it’s good to be back home.
This Week’s Speaker
At this week’s meeting, Club President-Elect James Wernicke will present the proposed 2025-26 Club Budget followed by discussion. Please attend and contribute your feedback. If you can’t attend in person, please join us virtually.
Upcoming Events
You can find the most up-to-date information on our calendar.
Pancakes On The Plaza Jul 4
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.
Club End of Year Party At SALA Jul 15
Our End-of-Year Party is tentatively planned for July 15 6:30-8:30 PM at SALA Event Center. We hope to have this confirmed this week. Please join us to celebrate the end of Club President Greg Viola’s term and the beginning of President-Elect James Wernicke’s year. If you have any dietary restrictions, please let Greg know so we can accomodate you.
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.
More details to come—mark your calendar and spread the word!
Blues, Brews, and BBQ in August
We are planning to revive BBBBQ tentatively in August. Stay tuned for more details.
Other News
How To Create A My Rotary Account
A My Rotary account not only helps us communicate with members, but gives members access to the vast library of Rotary knowledge including learning modules. Here’s a guide on how to set up an account. If you’ve already set up an account, please log in and make sure you information is up to date.
After your account is set up, here’s this month’s recommended learning modules:
This year’s Rotary magazine photo awards each feature a decisive moment. The winning photos and honorable mentions include a waterspout swirling above a red-roofed Adriatic town, a shower of sparks exploding over an antique tractor, and a white-tusked warthog leaping across a water-filled trench in Botswana. See all the winners and the honorable mentions in the June issue of the magazine.
June is Rotary Fellowships Month
Rotary Fellowships are independently organized international groups that connect people who share hobbies, professions, or identities. They advance Rotary’s vision of building a global community and creating meaningful connections across cultures.
New on the Learning Center: Service Project Essentials Learning Plan
Ready to increase your club’s impact? Enroll in the Service Project Essentials learning plan to explore tools and strategies that are available through your Rotary membership. You’ll learn how to: • Involve your local community in meaningful ways • Plan for greater impact and sustainability • Use project data to evaluate your progress and share your project outcomes
Los Alamos Arts Council Matching Donation Opportunity
Here’s a unique opportunity to strengthen partnership with another local nonprofit while supporting creativity right here in Los Alamos. The Los Alamos Arts Council has already raised $1,478 toward its June fundraising goal—and thanks to a generous matching donor, every dollar you give this month will be doubled, up to $5,000! Your donation helps fund scholarships for local kids, keeps beloved programs like Missoula Children’s Theatre accessible, supports world-class performances like SAFOS Dance Theatre, and provides supplies for summer camps. Even $10 makes a difference! Another way to help is to become a member.
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!
This past Saturday was the Epic Day of Service. I’d love for us to participate next year as a club. Check it out some of the events shared on Facebook for some ideas for next year! Although we didn’t have an organized club service event, I hope you still found ways to contribute to the community this weekend.
My son & I drove to Kansas this weekend to chase storms. It’s a field of study in which he’s become very interested and driving around for hours on end with some exciting moments makes for some quality family time. We use radar and real-time communication from fellow chasers to find interesting weather events. We weren’t having much luck on Sunday and were about to call it a day, but decided to check out one last developing system. It turned out to be massive.
Thankfully, the tornado we chased didn’t hit any towns directly, but it did flip some train cars and took out power in several communities. As you may have heard, Kentucky and Missouri experienced much more devastating tornadoes over the weekend. One organization that is providing disaster relief to the affected communities is District 6510 Charities. You can also follow them on Facebook.
This Week’s Speaker
This week’s speaker is Dr. Jennifer Herbold, Superintendent for the New Mexico School for the Deaf. Dr. Herbold holds a notable distinction of being the 10th and first Deaf woman to lead the school in its 140-year history. Born in Silver Spring, Maryland, Dr. Herbold was immersed in the Deaf community from an early age, growing up near Gallaudet University. She earned her bachelor’s degrees in English and Secondary Education, as well as a master’s in Deaf Education, from Gallaudet, and later completed her Ph.D. in Language, Reading, and Culture at the University of Arizona. She began her career at NMSD in 1999 as a middle school English teacher. Over the years, she has served in various roles, including literacy specialist, assistant principal, principal, and Director of Instruction, before being appointed Superintendent. Under her leadership, NMSD continues to provide comprehensive educational services to Deaf and Hard of Hearing students across New Mexico, from infancy through high school. The school emphasizes a bilingual approach, fostering proficiency in both American Sign Language and English.
May is Youth Service Month
More than 350,000 young people every year develop leadership skills and a desire for community service through Rotary youth programs. During Rotary Youth Service Month in May, Rotary members celebrate these future leaders’ impact on the world. Find ways to highlight youth programs and read this blog post from Ivan Vianna, who has more than 50 years’ experience in the Rotary Youth Exchange program. Ivan took part in his exchange from Brazil to the United States in 1968.
Summer Concerts Start This Friday May 23
The Los Alamos Summer Concert Series starts this Friday with Dzaki Sukarno. Join us at the Rotary table in the non-profit aisle from 5-7 PM and enjoy some New Mexican homegrown country!
Volunteers Needed To Help Pack Pinon & Chamisa Classrooms May 27-29
Pinon and Chamisa are ready to move to their new buildings. The teachers need to pack up their classrooms and they need help with packing (not moving – that will be done by the school). Kiwanis, Rotary, and the School Foundation Board would like to help the teachers. The available times are:
Tuesday, May 27 – 9 am – noon
Wednesday, May 28 9 am – noon
Thursday, May 29 9 am – noon
Please respond to abqlaura@gmail.com if you are able to help, which day, and which school.
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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.