Stories

In recognition of Arbor Day and the value trees bring to the community, the public is invited to participate in a tree planting event on Saturday, April 25, at 9 a.m. Interested volunteers should meet at the intersection of Welbeck Drive and Harrison Road.

The Rotary District 6000 Prevent Human Trafficking Action Team includes representatives from 15 Rotary Clubs. Four years ago, this action team was founded by Ames Rotary Club member George Belitsos. Since then, hundreds of community education and prevention programs have been implemented by the 15 clubs, creating a powerful advocacy network across the region.

One of the more recent projects has been to educate local governments that human trafficking is taking place in their own communities. A Rotary proclamation was written and submitted to local city councils and county boards of supervisors, asking them to recognize Human Trafficking Prevention Month officially and requesting that local citizens join the fight. The response has been overwhelming: so far this year, nearly 30 proclamations have been issued across the district.
 

Volunteer to help at the Special Olympics Iowa - Summer Games - Opening Ceremony! Thursday, May 21 - 5 pm
This wonderful tradition has been going on for over 30 years, with members of the Rotary Club of Ames proudly volunteering to warmly welcome athletes and help them find their seats at Hilton Coliseum. It's a joyful event where high-fives are definitely in order!

Sign-up sheets will be on the tables at our April 20th meeting, or email Lisa Heddens at heddenslisa@gmail.com. Full name and Date of Birth are required to volunteer.

The community is invited to the Spring of Ames 2026 Benefit Concert at Ames City Auditorium on Saturday, April 18, at 6:30 pm. Now in its second year, the concert features award-winning young classical musicians from Iowa. Ticket proceeds benefit KHOI Community Radio, supporting community programming. General admission tickets are available at khoifm.org or https://www.tickettailor.com/events/aps2/2107850. 
 

Through a partnership between the City of Ames, ISU Office of Sustainability, and KHOI Community Radio, the seventh “Earth Day on the Airwaves” event will be broadcast from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 18. 

The public is invited to attend a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus (R3C) at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, at the project site, 220 Freel Drive. The new facility represents a transformational step forward in how Ames and participating Story County communities handle waste disposal and recycling.

On Friday, May 15, 2026, we invite you to join us for An Evening of High Stakes and Higher Purpose as we recognize the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates' 15th Anniversary.

Our evening of celebration will begin with an exclusive VIP cocktail reception featuring a hosted bar, passed hors d’oeuvres, and lively entertainment. As the celebration continues, guests will enjoy curated cuisine, try their luck at casino tables, bid in a spirited silent auction, and dance the night away—all in support of preserving and protecting this treasured landmark.

Tickets and tables are available HERE. 

Every dollar raised during this extraordinary evening stays right here in Des Moines, helping ensure that the Hall of Laureates continues to inspire future generations. For 15 years, the Hall of Laureates has stood at the heart of downtown Des Moines as a proud symbol of Iowa’s leadership in agriculture and global engagement. Built in 1900 and thoughtfully restored as the permanent home of the World Food Prize Foundation, the Hall reflects the spirit of our state: resilient, visionary, and deeply rooted in the land.

Thank you for being part of an unforgettable evening in support of the historic Hall of Laureates. We look forward to seeing you there.

The Rotary Club of Nevada is excited to host a Master's Golf Watch Party on Sunday, April 12, 2- 6 PM. Join us for an afternoon filled with food, games, and fun.

The event will feature golf-related games, prizes, and an indoor golf simulator. Additionally, we will have several silent-auction prizes, including a pin flag from the 2025 PGA Championship, signed by all the finalists. You might just find the signature of your favorite golfer on that flag!

Tickets for the event are $50 each, and food will be provided along with a cash bar. 

We hope to see you there for a great time!

The Ames Rotary Foundation is now accepting applications for its annual scholarship, which supports young scholars who embody the Rotary motto of "Service Above Self."

All Rotarians are invited to join the Iowa Space Grant Consortium for an exciting evening celebrating space exploration and innovation.

NASA ISGC Artemis II Innovation Showcase

• When: March 31 | 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
• Where: Howe Hall, 537 Bissell Road, Ames, Iowa 50011

Come for the rockets, stay for the snacks, and prepare to have a blast! This is a great opportunity to learn more about the Artemis II mission and the cutting-edge work happening in the aerospace community.

We hope to see you there!

Phyllis Elaine (Fordyce) Crouse, 92, of Ames, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2026, at Northcrest Community. 

Phyllis was deeply involved in her community. She was an active member of the Rotary Club of Ames for 34 years (1988 - 2022) and was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Friends and family are invited to gather prior to the service beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa. Burial will follow at Ames Municipal Cemetery.

An obituary can be found at: https://www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com/obituary/668065/Phyllis-Elaine--Crouse/

Applications now open for The Rotary Club of Ames Community Grants for 2026-27. Applications are available for download on our homepage (Download Forms Section on the left)

The Rotarians Doing Good in the World District Conference is only a few months away! Registration is open! Don't wait any longer to register!

On January 29th, the ISU Rotaract Club held a special dinner meeting attended by 15 dedicated members to focus on a critical issue: the fight against human trafficking. 

We are thrilled to celebrate the remarkable achievement of Ada McKilligan (pronounced Odd-a), the first-place winner of this year's MLK Day Essay Contest. As a proud sponsor of this event, the Rotary Club of Ames is honored to highlight such incredible young talent within our community.

Friendship Ark's Tropical Sangria Escape is coming right up on April 18th. 

We are currently seeking support through auction items, cash donations, trips, and unique experiences for our auction. The funds we raise will support Friendship Ark, a nonprofit that provides homes and community supports for adults with intellectual disabilities. 

You can find donation ideas and sign-up details here:👉 TSE26DonationLink.

🎟️ Tickets go on sale around March 6th—watch social media and your mailbox for details. 

Questions? Want to get on our mailing list? Planning to donate? Email Beth Lucht at bethl@friendshipark.org.

Bidding is now open for the BGC Gala silent and featured auction! 

Here's the link to share with Rotary, family, and friends!

Silent Auction closes at 7:00 PM on 2/14
Featured Auction closes at 8:30 PM on 2/14

Virtual winners will be contacted the week of 2/16 to coordinate delivery.

Grateful for all your support!

Ryan, Judge & Sarina 

President, Jamie Courtney, and Foundation Committee Chair, Karin Sevde, surprised President-Elect Tammy Koolbeck with her Paul Harris Fellow pin and certificate during the Martin Luther King Day social.

The Board Meeting Minutes for the 2025-2026 Rotary Year are available in this folder: RCoAmes BOD Minutes

Today we had our first meeting. Thank you to those who came. For those that didn't, here's what we discussed. Let's have an exciting spring semester! As mentioned, our meetings have been moved to Tuesdays in Carver 004, 5:30-6:30 pm

On January 29th, from 2:15 pm to 3:15 pm, there will be an online seminar on human trafficking prevention hosted by the Iowa Secretary of State's Office. That evening, Rotaract will host a dinner and meeting to discuss the seminar and update the executive team on current developments in the state. Dr. George Belitsos will join the event so everyone can ask him questions and gain insight from his expertise.

Mayor John Haila is seeking Ames residents interested in volunteering to serve on a City board or commission. Applications are due by Friday, Jan 30.

The League of Women Voters of Ames and Story County invites you to the State of the Community, where you can hear from a panel of community leaders. 
Friday, January 23 at CityChurch Ames
Please RSVP at  https://www.uwstory.org/form/state-of-the-community https://www.uwstory.org/form/state-of-the-community

 If you have difficulty with the link, please contact prez.lwvasc@gmail.com
 

The Boys & Girls Clubs Gala is an annual event where we are always looking for support through auction items or unique experiences for people to bid on throughout the year—sports memorabilia, exceptional experiences, or creative packages—that will excite bidders and help raise funds for the local youth in Story County. If you have an idea or something to donate, please get in touch with Judge Johnston. 

Stay tuned in February—we'll send out the Silent Auction link so you can see what items we've gathered and even place a bid if you'd like!
 

United Way of Story County, in partnership with the Story County Community Foundation, is launching a new Board Leadership Training (BLT) program. BLT is intended for community members not currently serving on nonprofit boards, but interested in growing their skills and serving on local boards in the future. 

The National Civics Bee® is a nonpartisan civics competition that invites 6th, 7th, and 8th graders to share ideas for improving their communities. Hosted locally by the Ames Regional Economic Alliance in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competition encourages students to engage in civics while showcasing their knowledge and creativity.

Join us for an unforgettable day of basketball and giving back at the Iowa Wolves Rotary Polio Plus Night at Casey's Center on February 22nd at 3:00 PM.

Embrace the excitement of State Fair Day, complete with a delightful petting zoo featuring goats, cows, and a charming donkey. Dive into the fun of carnival games and showcase your creativity with butter sculpting! 

The Club YouTube Channel has meeting recordings posted every week. If you've missed a meeting, please visit https://www.youtube.com/@rotaryclubofames to watch the recording. You may also subscribe to the channel to be notified when the recording is posted. 

What does being a Paul Harris Fellow mean?

A Paul Harris Fellow is someone recognized for making a significant impact on others. The Foundation awards this recognition to those who contribute $ 1,000, which is used for humanitarian efforts worldwide. A club honors individuals for service to the club or community. 

The Ames-Story County MLK Day Celebration Committee is hosting its 6th Annual Essay Writing Contest to commemorate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Contest topic: How has Dr. King, Jr.'s advocacy impacted your life, which helps motivate and inspire you to continue his legacy?

2026 MLK Essay Contest winners: 

• Ada McKilligan, a freshman at Gilbert High School, received first place and will be awarded $500 for the essay titled "A Generation of Hope.”
• Glory Nlebedim, a junior at Ames High School, received second place and will be awarded $300 for the essay titled, “Keep Moving Forward: Turning Struggle into Purpose."

Please remember to bring your Potential Member nominations to our weekly meetings or email the name and contact information to RotaryClubofAmes@gmail.com.

We are forming a Membership Committee. If you are willing to get involved, please let Randy Olson know, or email RotaryClubofAmes@gmail.com

Thank you for keeping our club strong so we can continue to make a big impact on our community and the world!

The second of four Rotary Foundation Receptions, hosted by DG Norlan Hinke, was a great success in Ames on November 3rd! The evening at Della Viti Wine Bar, hosted by the Rotary Club of Ames and Ames Morning Rotary, brought together around 30 Rotarians from across the district for excellent fellowship and, of course, a little wine.

Gage Haines, founder of the current Iowa State University Rotaract Club, received a Paul Harris Recognition at the November 3rd Club Meeting.

Rotary is more than just a club—it’s a family. We know that every member, even those dedicated to service, sometimes faces personal struggles, injuries, or illnesses. To ensure we can genuinely care for one another, the Board of Directors has enthusiastically approved the creation of The Rotary Cares Committee.