Rotary Club of Los Alamos

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.

Mar 3: LAFD Chief Hughes

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

This Week’s Speaker

Los Alamos Fire Department Chief Troy Hughes

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.

Watch Us On YouTube

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.

Bowl For Kids’ Sake March 29

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.

Crab For Sale

We still have around 30 pounds of frozen crab for sale. Talk to Club President Greg Viola for more info.

Feb 25: Dropinski on Working Man’s Work in the Construction Industry

Greetings Rotarians and Friends,

Thank you to everyone who helped make this weekend’s Crab Fest such a tremendous success. From our dedicated Interact volunteers and generous sponsors to our hardworking organizers and everyone who attended, this event would not have been possible without your support.

It was truly wonderful to see so many members of our community come together—not just to enjoy great food and company, but to help make a difference in the world. Your generosity and enthusiasm give us those opportunities to make a positive impact. Thank you again for being a part of this event, and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish next!

Yours in Rotary,

James Wernicke, President-Elect

This Week’s Speaker

Today’s speaker is David Dropinski, a person who understands the grit, skill, and dedication required in the construction industry—an industry that quite literally builds the foundations of our communities. David has spent years in the trenches of the working man’s world, tackling the challenges of construction, from early-morning job sites to the precision and teamwork required to turn blueprints into reality. Whether it’s laying the groundwork for a new development, ensuring safety on-site, or keeping up with the evolving demands of modern infrastructure, this work is not just about hard labor—it’s about craftsmanship, resilience, and pride.

Last Week’s Speaker

In case you missed it, here’s Martin Cooper on Tanzania. Please subscribe to our YouTube channel. If we get 50 subscribers, we can start posting live videos!

Please Save Your Bottle Caps

The Rotary Club of Santa Fe Centro is partnering with Tierra Nueva Counseling Center and Green Tree Plastics LLC on an upcycling project. The Rotary Club of Los Alamos, who is jointly collaborating on the Peace Project with Rotary Club of Santa Fe Centro, is supporting them with these efforts described below.

The Rotary Club of Santa Fe Centro’s District Grant this year is to continue supporting Tierra Nueva and the development of their surrounding area, creating much-needed benches for the walking path currently under construction

For this year’s project, their focus is on recycling plastic bottle caps that Green Tree Plastic will transform into benches. We invite you to participate by saving your plastic bottle caps—this includes caps from water bottles, yogurt containers, prescription bottles, detergent bottles, and any other plastic container caps and lids listed below with recycling codes #2, #4, or #5. By upcycling these items, we can keep them out of our Santa Fe landfills and turn them into benches that will serve our therapists, clients, and the entire community. Every cap counts!

Drop-off is available at Tierra Nueva Counseling Center, or feel free to contact Claudia Gerst directly for pick-up at 505-231-2240, or give them to Alison.

Tierra Nueva Counseling Center address: 3952 San Felipe Road, Santa Fe

Thank you for helping us create something lasting for our community while helping to take the trash out of our landfills!

Feel free to share the information at your workplace, Neighbours and everyone

Get Your Tickets For Crab Fest This Weekend!

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

Or purchase tickets online.

Santa Fe Peace Conference Update

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.

Feb 4: Wernicke on Bolivia, Crab Fest Feb 22, Pancake Breakfast May 4

This week, I’ll be sharing about my recent trip to Bolivia. I’m not sure I can condense two weeks of adventure and exploration into 30 minutes, but I’ll try! If you can’t make it in person, you can also join on Zoom.

Crab Fest Feb 22

Crab Fest tickets are now available. Join us at Cottonwood on the Greens on February 22. Doors open at 5:30. Crab legs are served at 7:00. There is also an auction if you’d like to donate something. There are only 150 seats so get yours before they’re gone!

Pancake Breakfast May 4

Our club will be hosting a pancake breakfast at the Los Alamos Sheriff’s Posse Lodge on May 4 from 7a-11p. We’re still looking for about six volunteers so if you can help, please talk to Linda Bullock!

You can find all of our upcoming events on the calendar.

Jan 21: District Governor Yasser Visits, RYLA 2025 Kicks Off

Greetings Rotarians and Friends,

This week, we honor the life and legacy of civil rights activist, Dr. Martin Luther King. King believed life’s most persistent and urgent question is, “What are you doing for others?” As Rotarians, we have the opportunity and duty to carry forward his vision by addressing the pressing needs in our communities and promoting peace, equality, and justice. Whether it’s through local service projects, global humanitarian efforts, or mentoring future leaders, our actions should reflect that shared belief in the dignity and worth of every individual. Let’s take inspiration from Dr. King’s dream of a more unified world and continue his legacy by recommitting ourselves to building bridges of understanding, empowering those in need, and leading with purpose.

Yours in Rotary,

James Wernicke

This Week’s Speaker: District Governor Yasser Murga

Join us this week as District Governor Yasser Murga visits us in Los Alamos. Yasser was first introduced to Rotary through RYLA in 1996. He is currently working with District 4110 to provide wheelchairs to individuals in Juarez, Mexico, promoting RYLA 2025, and focusing on membership growth.

He also mentioned our next District Conference wiil be in April, in El Paso TX.

Email yasserrotary@gmail.com to get in touch!

District 5520 Podcast

Did you know District 5520 now has a podcast? Check out the most recent episode with Yasser to learn more about his priorities before his visit!

RYLA 2025 Registration Now Open!

RYLA scholarships are now available for $950 per camper. The RYLA kickoff was on January 7, but there will be additional meetings throughout the year. The boys’ and girls’ camps are July 13-19 and 19-25 respectively.

RYLA aims to empower youth leaders entering their senior high school year through exposure to experts in a variety of fields at camp held at the Manzano Mountain Retreat. These include astronauts, judges, lawyers, physicians, and business owners who offer tools and support to help campers develop leadership skills they can rely upon for the rest of their lives. 7-10 campers will share a cabin with 2 Counselors for the entire week who will support and guide campers through the 4-Way Test in a fun way through games and physical activities.

District 5520 Conference April 24-26

Join us for the “District Celebration: Unveiling the Magic of Rotary at the El Paso Frontier,” April 24–26, 2025, in El Paso, Texas!

Experience the “Magic of Rotary” with exciting events: a welcome at the new ”Children’s Museum at La Nube”, networking with fellow Rotarians, a night of baseball with the Chihuahuas, and hands-on service projects.

Don’t miss this magical celebration!

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.

Holiday Cheer And A Happy New Year

You may have noticed there hasn’t been a newsletter in a while. That’s because between tying off loose ends on work projects before the long holiday break, planning family adventures for the break, and enjoying said adventures, I’ve been really busy! But I finally have some downtime, relaxing with family and friends in Mexico. I hope you all are relaxing, surrounded by those dear to you.

Tales from Mexico

Although our trip was primarily destined for Huasteca Potosina, we stopped to meet with members of the Rotary Club of Monclova whom I first met at the Bi-District Conference last month. They’re working on some interesting service projects including bringing clean water to schools and a mobile healthcare clinic to service rural areas.

We met with members of the Rotary Club of Monclova on the first night of our trip.
As you enter and leave Monclova, there are prominent Rotary signs showing their meeting times and locations.
Trey & I rappelled down a 164-foot cliff next to Cascadas de Minas Viejas, San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
After swimming behind a waterfall, diving through a submerged cave, climbing up through a hidden cavern, we popped out here for this family photo at Puente de Dios, San Luis Potosi, Mex.
Cuetlaxochitl (poinsettia) on display in Alejandra’s hometown of Durango, the colonial capital of Mexico.

Next Club Meeting January 7

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Our next club meeting will be January 7. LAHS Interact Club President Alyssa Sun will present what Interact has been doing this year. I won’t spoil it, but they’ve been doing a lot!

December Club Party Recap

Our club’s holiday party at Muy Salsas was a great chance to catch up with members and their families, reminisce on what was accomplished in 2024, and start looking forward to what’s to come in 2025. To those members who couldn’t make it, we missed you! Here’s some pictures shared by members.

2025 Crab Fest Coming Soon!

Club President Greg Viola is currently working out the logistics with Cottonwood on the Greens and Knights of Columbus to host our biggest fundraiser. We need all the help we can get with advertising, sponsorships, and serving meals. Have some ideas? Please share them at the next meeting or email board@rotarylosalamos.org.

Bagel & Bingo Breakfast January 10

The Los Alamos Community Foundation is a hosting a free community breakfast Friday, January 10 8:30-10 AM at the Betty Ehart Senior Center where you can learn more about what’s coming up (grants, programs, meetings, etc.) and share your ideas for creating a stronger community!

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

Nov 19: Youth Leadership, Interact Silent Auction Nov 23, Bi-District Conference Recap

This week’s speakers will be Malin Eidenbenz and Annabelle Rosette, who will share their experiences with Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) and Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE). If you can’t attend in person, please join us on Zoom.

Interact Silent Auction Nov 23

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The Los Alamos High School Rotary Interact Club is hosting a silent auction supporting a local anti-human trafficking program called Vos Tambien! The event will be on Saturday, November 23, 6:30PM to 8PM at Fuller Lodge! There will be a guest speaker, a live string quartet, baked goods, and hot chocolate! Many local businesses have donated coupons and products to auction off, so this is your chance to get lucky!

Bi-District Conference Recap

This past weekend, I attended our Bi-District Conference in Juarez, Mexico to see what’s new with our southern neighbors in District 4110.

Friday’s icebreaker was an opportunity to meet new members and reconnect with old acquaintances over glasses of sotol, Chihuahua’s agave-based social lubricant. The conference ceremonially opened with a warm welcome of the conference back to Mexico and exchange of gifts between District Governors Sergio Tejeda and Yasser Murga.

After the opening ceremonies, it was off to the dinner hall where members traded flags of their home countries and were treated to a mariachi performance.

I shared a dinner table with our District 5520 Immediate Past Governor Richard Haas, Truth or Consequences Club President Stephen Buckley, and members of the Monclova Club in Coahuila, Mexico.

At Saturday’s Project Fair, the Monclova club presented their work providing purified water to schools in their hometown. Many students in their community suffer from diabetes and other health effects due to drinking sugary drinks because there is no safe water available to drink in their schools.

Other Global Grant projects included the prevention of Rickettsial (tick-borne) disease, improving math education through gamification, a sensory chamber for children with neurological impairments, and cooling chambers to reduce the harm of oxygen deprivation in premature births. Other projects included providing cataract surgeries, meals for afterschool programs, orthopedic surgeries, wheelchairs, heart surgeries, and an ambulance to communities in need. More details about these projects can be found at 4110-5520.com.

There’s a big world of Rotary outside of our club. Here’s some links to learn more: