Rotary Club of Los Alamos

25.08 Jen Demas, Family Strengths Network

Greetings Rotarians & Friends,

August is almost over. The weather is starting to cool and the summer energy is waning, but there’s a great Latin band Severo y El Grupo Fuego playing at the summer concert this Friday Aug 29. Instead of just doing an outreach table, what if we break out the party tent and have a little club party? Let me know if you’re interested in joining because I don’t want to set up that huge tent by myself.

I had a great time attending the Rotary Club of Española’s breakfast meeting on Friday. Both our governor and vice-governor were in attendance as well. I learned about their upcoming blood drive on September 27, which coincides with our movie at SALA, Purple Mountains. We also talked about collaborating on future service projects and hosting a multi-club dinner at Gabriel’s sometime soon.

This Week’s Speaker

This week, we are pleased to welcome Jen Demas, representing the Los Alamos Family Strengths Network.

Family Strengths Network is a cornerstone in our community—providing education, support, and connection for families of all kinds. From parenting workshops and playgroups to teen programs and resource sharing, FSN helps strengthen the bonds that hold families and our community together.

Jen has been deeply involved in this important mission, working to ensure families in Los Alamos have the tools, networks, and encouragement they need to thrive. She brings not only professional expertise, but also a strong passion for supporting resilience, connection, and growth across all stages of family life.

Clean Up Los Alamos Day Sep 20

Don’t forget about our Clean Up Los Alamos Day projects. Starting at 9am, we’ll clean up LAHS Memorial Garden followed by the PEEC Treehouse at 10:30.

Rotary Leadership Institute Oct 3-4

Rotary Leadership Institute is Oct 3 & 4 in Truth or Consequences. Sign up by contacting secretary5520.gmail.com@clubrunner.email.

Rotary Peace Conference Oct 3

The Path to Peace Conference will take place on Friday, October 3, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe, NM. This full-day event invites participants to reflect, engage in dialogue, and take action as we explore the many ways peace is built—through history, reconciliation, and personal responsibility.

Featured speakers include Manuel Montoya, Ph.D., presenting an alternative perspective on economic diplomacy and nuclear nonproliferation; Eria Matsumae, sharing global lessons of peace and reconciliation from Hiroshima; and Denise Moore, LPCC, discussing how peace begins with each of us, even in times of conflict. Additional sessions will feature Rotary leaders, peacebuilders, and international partners.

The day will conclude with the unveiling of a Peace Pole at Thomas Macaione Park, led by Rotary District 5520 Governor Tom Simon. Registration is $50 per person (including lunch) or $25 for students (including lunch), with seating limited to 100 participants. Early registration is encouraged at this link. The conference is hosted by the Rotary Santa Fe Centro Passport Club and the Rotary Club of Los Alamos.

25.08 Jessica Martinez on Immigration

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).

Donations in his honor can be made to the Los Alamos Historical Society’s Oppenheimer House Preservation Fund.

Peace Conference Kickoff This Sunday

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.

25.07 Assembly Meeting

Greetings Rotarians & Friends,

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.

You can visit https://rotarylosalamos.org/calendar for the most up-to-date info.

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.

Yours in Rotary,

James Wernicke

25.07 Adam White on New Mexico Summits

Greetings Rotarians & Friends,

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.

This Week’s Speaker

Our speaker this week is Adam White, author of New Mexico Summits.

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.

25.07 Stratton on LAMC, Budget, & End Of Year Party

Happy Independence Day Rotarians and Friends!

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.

25.06 School’s Out!

Greetings Rotarians and Friends,

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.

Jun 21: Rotary International Conference

The 2025 Rotary International Convention will take place June 21–25, 2025, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

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.

Mar 11: LAHS NJROTC Chief Ayers

Greetings Rotarians and Friends,

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.

Follow Us On YouTube

https://youtube.com/@RotaryClubOfLosAlamos

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!

Check Our Calendar For Upcoming Events

https://rotarylosalamos.org/calendar

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.

This Week’s Speaker

Clean Up Los Alamos Day Sep 20

Rotary Leadership Institute Oct 3-4

Rotary Peace Conference Oct 3

Exchange Student Welcome BBQ This Saturday Aug 9

Hal Davis Memorial This Sunday Aug 10

Peace Conference Kickoff This Sunday

This Week’s Speaker

Upcoming Events

Coffee & Connections every Tuesday

Friday Night Concerts

District Assembly Jul 26

Should We Bring Back Weekly Meals?

No Lunch Meeting This Week

Accessibility Working Group Seeks Community Feedback

This Week’s Speaker

End Of Year Party July 15th At SALA

Membership Committee Members Needed!

This Week’s Speaker

Jun 21: Rotary International Conference

Jul 4: Pancakes On The Plaza

Oct 3: Santa Fe Peace Conference

Oct 23: Rotary Zone Institute

This Week’s Speaker

Local Rotarians Cross Paths In Chile

PETS 2025 Recap

Follow Us On YouTube

Check Our Calendar For Upcoming Events