Happy spooky season! The weather is cooling down and the programs at Longmont Rotary are heating up. We have been treated to fantastic speakers, and we have many more to look forward to in the upcoming months.
Our Rotary year is still young, but it is already time to think about who will follow behind us. Neil Barker and Jim Britton are our co-presidents elect, but as of now we do not yet have anyone for a president elect nominee for the 2028-29 Rotary year. If you have ever considered taking a turn at leadership or serving as a board member, we would love to hear from you. Please come talk to one of us to see how you can help serve the club.
And finally, as promised when we had our discussion about the budget at the beginning of September, we are finding creative ways to reduce the costs of meetings. This year we will test out taking our meetings off-site once a quarter, to more of a happy hour style event or as our traditional day-out meetings. Neil suggested referring to these as "in the community" days, and that seems to fit in nicely with the third question on the 4-way test. Bringing Rotary into the community is a great way to build goodwill and better friendships. Let's hope this experiment succeeds, both in bringing our budget into perfect balance and bringing our Rotary mission out where the citizens of Longmont can learn about us and join in.
Yours in Rotary service,
Anne Reynolds-Smith and Clay Douglas
Co-Presidents 2026-27
đď¸ Save the Date for Our Flagship Fundraiser
Compassion in Motion Benefit Dinner & Silent Auction
The Rotary Club of Longmont invites the community to the Compassion in Motion Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction on Saturday, January 9, 2027, at the historic Shoup Homestead. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., for complimentary social hour, followed by a plated prime rib dinner at 6:00 p.m.
The event aims to raise $50,000 to purchase a Hocoma Armeo-Spring Pro robotic upper-limb rehabilitation system for Kalush Central District Hospital in southwestern Ukraine. This state-of-the-art technology will help wounded soldiers and civilians regain crucial arm and hand function following combat injuries, strokes, and spinal trauma.
In addition to fine dining, guests will enjoy local beer and wine, a keynote address, and a silent auction featuring over 40 items. Tickets are $75 per person. Business sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Andrew Lee at andrewulee@gmail.com. Mark your calendars for an inspiring evening supporting life-changing global service!
âąď¸THE ROTARY Minute
World Polio Day â October 24, 2026
World Polio Day provides an opportunity for Rotary members and global public health advocates to rally together, recognize our historical progress, and renew our commitment to global eradication. When wild poliovirus is fully eradicated, it will mark only the second human disease in history to be completely eliminated from the earth.
đ Learn more and download campaign resources at EndPolio.org.
District Governorâs September Message
Check out District Governor Cindy Chaseâs September message to District 5450 members for District news, inspiration, and updates on our collective impact across Colorado.
Our noon meetings are in-person and a buffet meal is provided. Lunch is served at 12pm. The actual meeting starts at 12:30 and ends at 1:30 pm.
We also have a Satellite group that meets in the evenings. See website for details.
This month, we are thrilled to feature new Rotarians Emily Chambers and Rainer Rothacker.
đ¤ Emily Chambers
What brought you to Longmont Rotary? I wanted to become more involved in the Longmont community and meet people outside of my normal day-to-day world. I loved that Rotary wasnât just about networkingâit was about people who genuinely wanted to contribute to the community and make a difference. The more I learned about local club initiatives, the more I wanted to be part of it.
What has been your favorite Rotary experience so far? Getting to know the people. Seeing so many different backgrounds, careers, and experiences represented in one roomâall united by a shared care for our communityâhas been inspiring. Getting involved with club communications has also been a fun way to learn the stories behind our projects.
How does the Four-Way Test resonate with you? "Will it build goodwill and better friendships?" resonates most. Working in operations for a growing company, I often navigate difficult decisions or conversations. You can be direct and make sound business decisions while still being mindful of how you communicate and treat people.
What is a hobby or passion fellow Rotarians might be surprised to learn? Outside of work, Iâm deeply interested in esthetics and skincare (Iâm currently in esthetics school!), and I love cooking. There is always something new to learn or try in both fields.
If you could invite three people to dinner, who would they be? Taylor Swift (for her business acumen and poise in the public eye), Anthony Bourdain (for his fascinating travel and culinary stories), and Princess Diana (for her humanitarian legacy and personal perspective).
How would you show a visitor the best of Longmont in three hours? Iâd focus on local character over typical tourist stops: a walk along downtown Main Street, grabbing coffee or food at a local spot, enjoying our mountain views, and visiting community spaces where Longmont's personality shines.
đ¤ Rainer Rothacker
Following a recent move from the East Coast, Rainer joined Rotary alongside his active volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity (where he serves 20â24 hours weekly at the local ReStore) and moderates a weekly German conversation group at the public library. His involvement stems from three core goals:
Fostering rich social connections in his new home.
Engaging with organizations that share his values.
Deriving personal satisfaction from applying his skills to benefit others.
What do you enjoy most about Rotary so far? I really enjoy the guest presentations at our Tuesday lunches. The topics cover a wide and informative range of community topics.
How do you view the Four-Way Test today? The principles behind the Four-Way Test are more critical today than ever. In an era dominated by noise and polarization, Rotaryâs commitment to truth and building goodwill provides an essential foundation for community strength.
What are your primary hobbies and passions? I enjoy organic vegetable gardening, home renovation projects, and hiking. I am also deeply passionate about sustainability, recycling, and climate actionâpracticing what I preach and staying informed on technologies that help protect our environment.
If you could host dinner for historical figures, who would be on the guest list? As a believer that music is one of the greatest legacies a person can leave behind, I would host iconic musical masters across eras: Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Sebastian Bach, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
What makes Longmont standout to local visitors? Longmont has a fantastic local music scene (best experienced Thursday through Sunday). Beyond that, our civic accessibilityâmodest traffic, extensive bike lanes, free parking, and robust city servicesâmakes Longmont exceptional compared to similar cities nationwide.
âď¸THE ENGINE ROOM
Unity in the Community
What a night at Unity in the Community! Longmont Rotary was proud to connect with hundreds of residents throughout the evening in celebration of our local community spirit. Our booth was bustling from start to finish, with our talented face painter drawing an endless line of smiling children and families while our Rotarians shared who we are and how we serve locally and globally.
A major highlight was our life-size display featuring Dolly Parton, highlighting our sponsorship of Dolly Partonâs Imagination Library to deliver free books to area children. Following Dollyâs recent passing, the display held special emotional resonance as many stopped to share memories, honor her philanthropic legacy, and pose for photos. Thank you to every Rotarian who helped make the night such a success!
đď¸ROTARY FAMILY
In Memoriam: Rodney J. Ahlberg
(June 14, 1949 â August 20, 2026)
We honor the memory and service of long-time community member Rodney J. Ahlberg, who passed away on August 20, 2026. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones.
đ View the complete memorial tribute and family obituary via Dignity Memorial.
đ THE HORIZON: Save the Date
Date
Event / Activity
Details
October 17, 2026
Rotary Halloween Social
Starts at 3:00 PM
October 24, 2026
World Polio Day
Global Awareness Campaign
November 24, 2026
Rotary in the Community
(Formerly Non-Profit Day Out)
Community site visits to:
⢠Happy Day Plants
⢠BRITE Collaborate
⢠ReEntry Initiative
January 9, 2027
Compassion in Motion Fundraiser
Benefit Dinner & Silent Auction at Shoup Homestead
