Upcoming Events

Updates on Programs and Community Events 

Convergence Project 

Suzanne Ghais, a member of the Arvada Rotary Club, discussed the work of the Convergence Center for Policy Resolution, which is an international organization whose mission is to build trust and bridge divides. Simple words with huge responsibilities and opportunities. Suzanne explained that their work solves problems and sparks hope by working across differences. She explained that division and distrust make their work difficult, but not impossible. The Convergence Center transforms conflict into collaboration. The Center is very selective about these projects, choosing those that: 1. serve the public interest; 2. where an issue is stuck; 3. where progress requires multi-stakeholder alignment; and 4. where there are credible champions and implementation pathways. She described several projects underway in Alaska, Kentucky, Virginia, and Texas. 

Simple Acts Can Change the World

2026 Chamber Day of Service

On October 9, 2026, volunteers from the Arvada Rotary Club, Sunrise Club, Kiwanis, and other service organizations and the broader community joined the Arvada Chamber of Commerce for a day of service. Our members registered for projects at Family Tree Marshall Street Landing and Justice Necessary. Family Tree helps people affected by child abuse, domestic violence, and homelessness by providing integrated services that promote safety, healing, and stability in a supportive environment.  Our volunteers completed three projects: organizing the clothing and household items in the donation room, sorting the pantry, and clearing out the “heat” room.

Justice Necessary expands access to basic hygiene products not covered by assistance programs such as WIC and SNAP, including toilet paper, oral care items, period products, diapers, wipes, and laundry detergent. Volunteers packaged thousands of supplies for distribution through hundreds of schools and facilities serving students. During their shift, the team packed 42 cases, each containing 50 bags, for a total of 42,000 items. Everyone had a great day and enjoyed the camaraderie and the chance to learn more about these incredible programs. We hope to continue building on these relationships. 

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Events 

Community

October 20 (Tuesday)- Former Attorney General, US Senator, Secretary of Interior and US Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, will be doing a book talk and signing at the Arvada Center from 5:30-7 pm.  Ambassador Salazar's book, Borderlands: My Fight for an Inclusive America, draws on his family's centuries-deep roots in the San Luis Valley and his lifetime of public service.  The event is FREE, but you need to register, https://arvadacenter.org/events/fireside-chat-with-ken-salazar

October 22nd through October 25th.  Friends of Jefferson County Library Foundation Fall Whale of a Used Book Sale, Jefferson County Fairgrounds.  Admission.  $12 per adult per day (under 18 and SNAP recipients FREE).  Bring Your Own Bag!

October 24 (Saturday) - World Polio Day event hosted by District 5450’s Polio Plus Committee.  Please spread the word to other Rotarians and to anyone who loves a good corn hole tournament or a Saturday afternoon with music, food, and beer and other adult beverages. Note that the $40 general admission charge will include tickets/vouchers for $20 worth of food or drink and $20 will be donated to Polio Plus! (flyer attached to bulletin)

October 30 - Get ready for Halloween!  Trick or Treat Street 2026, 5 – 7 pm; Olde Town Arvada; information at www.OldeTownArvada.org/events 

Support Holiday Events. Lots of opportunities to support holiday events with other clubs - For example, Santa House at Altitude Church (December 1-5). Contact Paula at 303-907-9466 or Cheryl at 720-940-1156.  Also, the Stocking Project 2026 through Community of Grace Church.  Contact Kathleen McCubbin at kathleenm@cogarvada.org or 303-422-3656. 

Presidents Message 

Kudos to Dan Hershberger (Justice Necessary) and Lorraine Doo (Family Tree) for representing the Arvada Rotary Club during the Arvada Chamber's Day of Service. Also seen with Dan were Marilyn Hershberger and Sally Ross (with their PEO ET group). 

Polio cases data – To support our joint meeting to address Rotary’s vital polio eradication and post-polio health/mobility efforts, Marny Eulberg, Polio Plus Committee chair, has provided information about the current status of polio, as follows: The numbers of people being paralyzed by either the wild poliovirus or one of the variants (also called circulating vaccine-derived) polioviruses are slightly above the numbers for the same time last year, although the wild poliovirus-caused cases of paralysis in calendar year 2025 were mostly in Pakistan and Afghanistan. This year it is the opposite, with the majority of the children paralyzed by wild poliovirus Type 1 occurring in Afghanistan. Pakistan is working hard to reduce its case count, and it appears to be working. Afghanistan has also gotten more serious about fighting polio.  (see ‘cases’ attachment to bulletin) 

 

 

 

Club Executives & Directors

President
Linda Nedved
Treasurer
James Gracey
Secretary
Dennis Hein
Membership
Linda Nedved
Rotary Foundation
Dennis Hein
Service & Youth Programs
Arvada Wheatridge Service Ambassadors (AWRSAY)
 
Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE)  
 
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)  
For inquiries about the Arvada Rotary Club please write to us at: