Rotary Club of Raton

09/03/2026

08/31/2026

Rotary District Governor Elect Laura Gonzales visited the club last Tuesday. She shared how she accidentally heard about Rotary through her son who spent a year in Switzerland thanks to Rotary’s youth exchange. That is one way that Rotary promotes world peace. Friendships around the globe last for a lifetime!

Also her experiences of meeting other Rotarians from other parts of the world were very interesting! Those friendship exchanges can lead to so much satisfaction all through the foundation of Service Above Self.

We also heard what she saw in our club—through her eyes. That was like a friend sharing points of admiration. One thing she noted was how visible our club is in the community and all that we do.

Our gratitude to Laura for visiting Raton Rotary!

08/30/2026

Yes, many passers-by pretend they don’t see us working in a ditch or picking up trash along a street. No eye contact!! They think we are doing community service to work off a DUI!

That is not the truth. What is true is that we are demonstrating the Rotary motto: Service Above Self!

Wednesday morning some of us finished the job: six Rotarians picked up even more trash on Cedar St. morning at 7:30. That was another seven volunteer hours to add to last Saturday’s 17 hours that 10 people worked. Total: 24 hours of labor that benefited residents and the city of Raton.

New Mexico volunteer hours are currently worth $29.66. That is a value of $711.84 from Rotarians and friends just this week. NM volunteer hours are valued lower than many other states. Either way, it counts for a lot, especially here in our lovely town of Raton.

08/24/2026

What’s on a Rotarian’s mind goes to their feet and hands! It was a busy week last week in addition to the regular meeting. On Wednesday night at the Shuler prior to a showing of Bambi fleeing a fire, emergency preparedness information was distributed and presented. We are in a high fire risk area at the moment. So go bags and fire remediation could be very important.

A go bag worth $180 was given away as a door prize. Hot Tamales and Red Hots were given as treats to movie goers.

Many volunteers were present for that event and the trash clean up on Cedar St. on Saturday morning.

08/21/2026

Raton Rotary speakers in late July and August included Gina Ojeda of Milagro Wellness, Jim Whitfield of Prostate Cancer Support Association of NM (meeting held at MCMC), and Lt. Ryan Boone of NM State Police.

Raton Rotary Club is very active locally and our meetings are planned sometimes months in advance by the club co-presidents, other officers, and volunteers to assure that meetings start at 12:00 and end promptly at 1:00. Club business is covered in each meeting before guest speakers get the floor. Everything is planned down to the minute so all the moving parts flow smoothly.

We are a fun and lively group! Visitors are welcome to attend and find out about Rotary and to learn about Raton and the area thanks to our speakers/programs. Meetings are every Tuesday, 12-1:00, at K-Bob’s Steakhouse. Lunch is $9.50 plus tip.

08/11/2026

MCMC is ready for our Rotary meeting!! Visitors welcome! Today’s speaker will tell us about prostate cancer!

08/09/2026

This week’s meeting will be held at MCMC! Interesting program! See below. Lunch will be $10 per person. Cash only. Visitors welcome.

08/01/2026

Rotary volunteers this morning showed up to help with school supply distribution at Zia Youth. A line formed at the door while Linda Headley gave instructions to Rotary + friends. The event is from 10-4 today. Elementary through high school supplies are provided free of charge thanks to a small grant and many local donors.

It takes a village to educate our children, our future!