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!
We’ll be in the Non Profit Row east of the stage.
Greeting Rotarians and Friends,
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 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.
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.
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!
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:
Please respond to abqlaura@gmail.com if you are able to help, which day, and which school.
Dear Rotarians and Friends,
On Saturday, Los Alamos hosted the annual Jemez Mountain Trail Run, an event that draws some of the world’s elite ultrarunners to run up to 50 miles from the Sheriff’s Posse Lodge to the top of Pajarito Mountain and back with a few scenic detours along the way. I was a volunteer at the Guaje Aid Station, 9 miles from the start. We had our first runner show up 1 hour 16 minutes into the race—an incredible pace. The event raises money for the Los Alamos cross country teams and other local organizations.
Once the first wave of runners had passed, I headed off to Tres Piedras for the Los Alamos Mountaineers Climbing School. I’m hoping to hone my skills well enough by next month to climb Es Pontas in Mallorca where my family will reconnect with our youth exchange student Joan Gurrera from last year. The day ended with the sold-out YIMBY Film Festival, an event to promote our natural world and community-driven projects to make Los Alamos an even better place to live. The event was organized by Kyle and Turin Dickman who lead Tuff Tykes events every Saturday.
We are looking for three people to serve as committee chairs for the 25-26 Rotary Year. This is a great way to be more involved in what I’m committed to making a productive year.
Tom McCrory’s extensive career has been dedicated to addressing environmental challenges, particularly in the realm of groundwater and soil remediation. His expertise encompasses a broad spectrum of remedial technologies for site cleanup and environmental restoration. He is currently serving as a Senior Geologist at S&K Mission Support, LLC, contributing to projects that safeguard our environment and public health. Tom is also affiliated with DeltaT2V LLC applying his geological expertise to advance geothermal energy solutions. His work in this area underscores the intersection of environmental stewardship and sustainable energy development.
Can’t make it in person? Join us on Zoom every Tuesday 12:00 – 1:00 PM.
If you missed last week’s meeting, you can view past meetings on our YouTube channel. Los Alamos Public Schools Superintendent Jennifer Guy gave us an update on what’s going on in LAPS and Climate Activist Sara Mason told us about Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL) and bipartisan climate solutions to Congress. Want to help send two Los Alamos CCL students to Washington this year? Donate here.
Pinon and Chamisa are ready to move to their new buildings. Teachers need to pack up their classroom materials. The school district will then move the boxes to the new buildings. Packing (not actual moving) help is needed at each school. Kiwanis, Rotary and the School Foundation Board will be helping. Volunteers are needed for:
If you can help any of these times, please email Cheryl Pongratz.
LAHS Interact Club put up a donation box for The Food Depot and LA Cares at Barranca Mesa Elementary and the community answered by donating 243 items!
The project started in mid 2020 as a small pilot programme. The Rotary Club of
Durban Umhlatuzana and the Umhlatuzana Education Fund NPC in collaboration with
approximately 30 university students from UKZN (University of KwaZulu-Natal) deliver
mathematics instruction on Saturday mornings during the school year, to learners at Mariannridge Senior Secondary School. Initially, the free tuition was provided to 12th graders preparing for the matric exam, and the pass rate increased from 66% in the previous year, to 87%.
Based on this success, it was decided to expand the programme, offering the free Saturday instruction to 8th grade learners. This has grown to serve over 200 students in grades 8 – 12. The result has been a 100% matric pass rate in Mathematics and Science for 2024 and 300 more learners registering at the Mariannridge Senior Secondary School in 2025 than the year
before. Mariannridge is a peri-urban township outside of Durban, originally established in the 1970s for the Coloured population. Presently the vast majority of the students are Zulu. Over 97% of the beneficiaries of this project are Black South Africans as per the B-BBEE Codes of
Good Practice.
This rewarding, cost effective project owes its success to the UKZN tutors who generously volunteer their time each Saturday. Refreshments and transportation to and from Mariannridge for the tutors is provided. Textbooks are provided for the learners. The members of the Durban Umhlatuzana Rotary Club (founded in 1978) donate their time to the management of this project and no Rotary Club member receive any remuneration. More project details can be found on the website (https://umhlatuzana-education-fund.org/)
The Umhlatuzana Education Fund, NPC is a registered South African Non-Profit Company (registration number 2022/383364/08). Donors are eligible for a Section 18a certificate for exemption from SARS (Tax reference number 9236978251 PBO reference number 930076439).
Your contribution will help to open up opportunities for these learners both in terms of accessing university and other post-high school career opportunities, as mathematics is the basis of modern science and technology, which is becoming increasingly central in all areas of society and economic life. For more information about the programme or more financial
details, please contact us.
Club President: Deon Delport, 082 571 3324 | deonhome2011@gmail.com
The Mariannridge Mathematics Tutoring & Enrichment Project
(https://umhlatuzana-education-fund.org/)
In case you missed our meeting this week, Dr. Sara Mason gave us an enlightening talk on Citizens Climate Lobby and the climate advocacy work they’re doing. If you are able, two Los Alamos students are raising money to attend the Citizens Climate Lobby. I’m sure they’d appreciate your support!
Greetings Rotarians,
Thanks to everyone who attended, volunteered, and spread the word about our Sheriff’s Posse Lodge Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser last Sunday. The event raised $1,887 for our future projects! We also handed out business cards and spread the word about Rotary’s impact and meeting times to the 300 or so attendees. Let’s keep that momentum going as the weather warms up and we spend more time outside and socializing. Please reach out to your friends and invite them to attend our Tuesday lunch meetings.
We are also looking for members who are interested in stepping up to be officers in the 25-26 year. It would be great to get some new people and their perspectives to try it out. We’re looking for secretary and treasurer as well as committee chairs: Club Administration, Membership, Public Image, Service Projects, Rotary Foundation, and Youth Services. If you’re interested, please email me! I promise to make it as smooth as possible for you!
Yours in Rotary,
James Wernicke, President-Elect
This week’s guest speaker is Dr. Sara Ann Mason. Dr. Mason is a climate advocate and the New Mexico State Coordinator for Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL), a nonpartisan, grassroots organization that empowers everyday citizens to build the political will for effective climate solutions. Her interest in climate advocacy was sparked by witnessing the devastating weather events in her home state of Texas and the persistent fire dangers in New Mexico. By engaging citizens in lobbying Congress, building media relations, conducting grassroots outreach, and organizing communities to support bipartisan climate solutions, CCL contributes to building a more livable world. Sara’s presentation can be found here.
Want to support Los Alamos students going to Washington, D.C., to lobby for climate action?
Know any student volunteers who like ice cream? Invite them to this special event in their honor at Los Alamos High School this Tuesday, May 6 during WIN time (2:00 PM) in the lobby of DSA or if the weather permits, just outside of it. This event is sponsored by Los Alamos Community Foundation.
National Bike to Work Day is May 16th this year, but Los Alamos County is celebrating National Bike to Work Day on May 15th this year. Join us for a community commute! The Bike Bus will start from three locations this year, Barranca Mesa Pool at 7:06 am, North Mesa Soccer Fields at 7:07 am, and the Canyon Complex at 7:17 am. All three groups will meet at the County Energizer Station at Canyon and Diamond (Lemon Lot) at 7:40 am.
Rotary’s Epic Day of Service is a coordinated, statewide or district-wide day of hands-on community service. Clubs across a region work simultaneously on separate service projects under a unified banner—raising Rotary’s visibility, impact, and energy in one concentrated effort. It originated in Rotary District 5450 (Colorado) but is spreading to other areas due to its success. The core idea is: “Imagine the power of thousands of Rotarians, family, and friends serving together on one single day.”
Is there anyone who is willing and able to champion a club activity for this event? Please email me or let me know at our lunch meeting.
Want to help spread the word at summer concerts this year? It’s easy and plus, you’re literally hanging out at a concert! Here’s a YouTube video of our first performance, southern New Mexico native Dzaki Sukarzo.
Dear Rotarians and Friends,
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 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.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Sandy is deeply involved in community initiatives. She is a founder and current president of the Los Alamos Film and Culture Festival and serves as Secretary of the Board for United Way of Northern New Mexico. Additionally, she contributes her expertise to the Los Alamos County Art in Public Places Board and plays a pivotal role in “Project Oppenheimer,” focusing on business and hospitality development.
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.
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.
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!
Know a youth volunteer? Invite them for ice cream at next Tuesday’s appreciation event!
Dear Rotarians and Friends,
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!
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.
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 family to plan, run, and evaluate projects, programs, and practices that support actions in the Environment Area of Focus and address the triple planetary crisis.
From https://www.rotary.org/en/rotary-and-earth-day
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.
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.
This past weekend, Laura Gonzales joined other Rotarians from District 5520 and 4110 to deliver wheelchairs to people in Chihuahua, Mexico.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
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.
Greetings Rotarians and Friends,
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’s Peace 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
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.
Missed a previous meeting or event? Now you can watch them on our YouTube channel. Please subscribe to our channel so we can unlock more features such as live streaming.
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.
Register your team at https://www.bbbs-cnm.org/events/bowl-kids-sake/
We still have around 30 pounds of frozen crab for sale. Talk to Club President Greg Viola for more info.
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