Rotary Club of Los Alamos

Jan 14: Los Alamos Police Chief Sgambellone

Greetings Rotarians and Friends,

I hope the new year is off to a good start and everybody is still sticking to their new year resolutions! As a club, I hope we can commit to recruiting new members, collaborating on new projects, and making more of an impact in our local communities and abroad. I’m currently recharging my soul in Bolivia, mountain biking the world’s deadliest road, watching the pink flamingos of the altiplano, hiking to new heights, exploring ancient Incan temples, and embracing the colorful traditions. Meanwhile, I’m also keeping an eye out for opportunities to collaborate with the local Rotary clubs. See below for a Rotary sighting from Uyuni, home of the world’s largest salt flat.

Yours in Rotary,
James Wernicke

This Week’s Speaker: LAPD Chief Sgambellone

We are honored to welcome Los Alamos Police Chief Dino Sgambellone as this week’s guest speaker. With a distinguished career in law enforcement and a commitment to community safety, Chief Sgambellone has been a vital leader in ensuring Los Alamos remains a safe and thriving place to live and work.

As Chief of Police, he has implemented innovative programs and fostered strong community partnerships to address local challenges. Today, he will share insights on the current state of public safety, the department’s ongoing initiatives, and how we can all play a role in fostering a safe and connected community.

Santa Fe Peace Conference in October

The Santa Fe El Centro Rotary club is hoping to hold a peace conference in October of this year as well as erecting a peace pole in one of the Santa Fe parks. La Fonda has generously offered to host the luncheon and the club is busy recruiting speakers. They also hope to have an art show of work done by local school students that to auction off to raise funds. The club has already committed $500 towards this expense. It would be much appreciated if our club could add a donation to our budget.

Nov 26: Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear Rotarians and Friends,

As we enjoy delicious meals and cherished company this holiday, let’s take some time to reflect on all we have to be thankful for, and extend our gratitude to the community that supports us, the partners who join us in our efforts, and each one of you who dedicates your time and talents to making an positive impact in our community and beyond. Thank you for being an integral part of this Rotary family. May your Thanksgiving be filled with warmth, joy, and food comas.

Yours in Rotary,
James Wernicke

LAHS Interact Club Raises $1334 To Combat Human Trafficking

Dear Rotarians,

Bob and I attended the Interact fundraiser last night in support of Vos Tambien, a non-profit in Argentina that works to prevent human trafficking. A representative from the organization gave a very informative presentation about Vos Tambien’s work and the heart-breaking circumstances they try to alleviate, especially among women and children. A sobering comment: “Drugs can only be sold once; a child can be sold over and over and over.”

With donations, a bake sale, and silent auction, Interactors raised $1342. They are to be congratulated for their hard work, attentive planning, and enthusiasm. We are so fortunate to have them representing Rotary!

See you on December 3rd. In the meantime, best wishes for a healthy and abundant Thanksgiving!

– Linda H.

Flowers For Linda

Dear Rotarians,

On behalf of our Club, I ordered this arrangement from Flowers by Gillian
for Linda Bullock as she recovers from her recent fall. She assured me the
flowers are beautiful and lifting her spirits!

– Linda H.

RYE Student Annabelle Rosette On Spain

Last week, Annabelle Rosette presented on her experience with Rotary Youth Exchange last year in Spain. During her time abroad, she fully embraced the culture, immersing herself in the language, traditions, and daily life of her host community and international friends. In addition to Spanish, she took Latin and Greek classes, walked the Camino de Santiago, and hiked the Pyrenees.

2025 Zone Institute Early Registration Ends Nov 30!

After an absence of 15 years, the Zone 26/27 Institute will be held in Albuquerque next October 23-25, 2025. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience Rotary beyond our communities and our District. Every Rotarian is welcome to attend the Institute but, based on my experience as a Club President and Governor, Club and District leaders will especially benefit from the Zone Institute experience!

You’ll meet Zone leadership as well as Rotary International and Rotary Foundation leaders. You’ll meet Rotarians from our Zones with lots of programs and ideas. Rotarians from West Texas to Hawaii, from New Mexico to the northern border (and even Vancouver, BC) will be there!

Experience peer-to-peer sessions, presentations on topics as diverse as AI, experiences of our Peace Fellow, a Polio Day project, dedicating a Peace Pole and, of course, presentation of District 5520 Governor-Elect Jeff Weinrach and Clare.

Early registration at considerable savings is available now through the end of November. Register now HERE or using the link on the attached flyer! See you there!

Tom Walker
District 5520 Zone Institute Support Co-Chair

Tonight: County Proclamation For Los Alamos Gives, Support Your Favorite Non-Profits For A Surprise $1000 Grant

At tonight’s meeting, the County Council will recognize community organizations and Los Alamos Gives. Show your support by wearing your community organization shirt and nominating them for a chance at a $1000 grant. Visit https://losalamosgives.org for more info on how you can support location community organizations.

Today is World Polio Day

What is polio?

Polio (poliomyelitis) is a crippling and potentially deadly infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. It mainly affects children under the age of 5. Polio can cause permanent paralysis and even death.

How is Rotary making a difference?

Collaborating with global partners to organize mass immunization drives, reaching millions of children, even in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
Raising awareness about the importance of polio vaccines, helping dispel myths and encouraging participation in vaccination campaigns.
Advocating to governments to ensure sustained political and financial support for eradication efforts.
Building infrastructure such as healthcare systems, laboratories, and rapid-response teams to detect and contain outbreaks.
Innovating solutions like traveling by boat, camel, or foot to ensure no child is left unvaccinated.

Our work has already made a significant impact, reducing polio cases by 99.9% since 1988.

Why do we need your help?

Even with only a few cases left, we must continue our efforts until the world is polio-free. As long as one child remains infected, children everywhere are at risk. Your donations and volunteer efforts are crucial in delivering vaccines, supporting surveillance, and providing life-saving resources.

Protecting a child from polio for life only costs $3.

How can you get involved?

Donate to help fund vaccines, healthcare workers, and community education.
Volunteer to join a local Rotary chapter and participate in vaccination efforts.
Raise awareness about polio eradication efforts on social media.

Together, we can make history by ending polio for good. Be part of the solution – join Rotary today! For more information, visit EndPolio.org.

A class of students who received their purple pinkies.
Service Chair James Wernicke poses with a student who received their purple pinky.
Club President Tim Bullock and Service Chair James Wernicke pose for a photo in between student groups.
Club President Tim Bullock applies purple ink to indicate a vaccinated a child.

Homecoming Parade Today

The LAHS Interact Club out together an entertaining float for this year’s homecoming parade. Please come out and cheer them on at 2:30 along Central Ave. If you’d like to participate in the parade with us, please wear your Rotary shirt and meet us at Canyon Complex at 2:00. If you need a Rotary shirt, we have a couple XL and XXL available. If you’d like to chip in $20 to help with the entry fee, decorations, or candy, you can Venmo James.

Clean Up Los Alamos Day Today

Please join us today at 9:00 AM at LAHS Memorial Garden to help us clean brush, debris, and make it all pretty looking for the school and the students we remember.

Join Us For A Movie Night!

Please join us this Thursday, August 22 6:00 – 7:30 PM at SALA Event Center to watch the documentary “First We Bombed New Mexico”. It is a documentary about the New Mexico Downwinders who were exposed to radiation during the Trinity Site test. It follows their journey to seek justice from the US government for the injuries they suffered and continue to suffer, nearly 80 years later.

If you cannot make it to this showing, there are showings every day 6:00 – 7:30. Proceeds help the New Mexico Downwinders as well as local and women-owned small businesses. Tickets can be purchased here.