Member Login
Ames logo
  • Home
  • Stories
  • Calendar
  • Speakers

Our mission is to connect people, inspire service, and enhance the lives of those we serve.

Club Information

Welcome to Our Club!
Ames

Service Above Self

We meet In Person
Mondays at 12:00 p.m.
The Plex Community Center
5501 George Washington Carver
Ames, IA 50010
United States of America
Phone:
(515) 231-7349
Email:
rotaryclubofames@gmail.com
Club Luncheons are held at noon on the first and third Mondays of each month and are live-streamed via the Rotary Club of Ames YouTube Channel. Online club meetings are held monthly on the second and fourth Mondays via a Zoom meeting link.
District Site
Venue Map

Our Upcoming Programs

Upcoming Speakers
Off-site Meeting ~ Andrew Allen
Aug 31, 2026 11:30 AM
Tour Ember Recovery Campus
Tour Ember Recovery Campus

Ember Recovery is part of YSS, one of Iowa's oldest and largest youth-serving nonprofit organizations. Addiction recovery has been an integral part of YSS since its early days and continues to be a focus for the organization today. More than 5,000 youth have come through Ember's doors seeking help and hope.

Ember Recovery Campus, 32385 580th Ave, Cambridge, IA 50046. Lunch at 11:30; program and tour starting at 12:15.

PLEASE RSVP at this Link: https://forms.gle/Tby8j5tXgnZf47ZX8

Please review the following directions and arrival instructions, as there is a road closure near the campus:

Road Closure & Driving Directions: 580th Avenue is currently closed at Highway 210. Please plan to approach the campus from the north using one of the following two routes from Ames:

  • Route 1 (via Huxley): Drive south through Huxley, take East 1st Street (W 4th St) east to 580th Avenue, then turn south toward Ember.

  • Route 2 (via Hwy 30): Take Highway 30 east to 580th Avenue, then head south toward Ember.

Parking & Entrance

  • Parking: Located on your left as you drive onto the campus.

  • Meeting Room: We will be meeting in the gym inside the lodge (the largest building on campus).

  • Entrance: Look for signage and/or balloons at the designated entrance door, which leads directly into the gym.

No Meeting
Sep 07, 2026
Labor Day
Past Speakers
Recording on YouTube ~ Traci Schermerhorn
Aug 24, 2026 12:00 PM
Standing in the Gap: The Heart Behind Foster SQUAD
View entire list...

The Latest Updates

Action Needed - Please RSVP by Thursday 8/27!
Action Needed - Please RSVP by Thursday 8/27!
August 31 Meeting: RSVP for our lunch meeting (pizza and cookies provided!) at the Ember Recovery Campus (32385 580th Ave, Cambridge, IA) using this link: https://forms.gle/odhzmpkrRmtt5w8v9
 
Please take a few moments to complete our Fall Planning Survey. Your input is essential as we organize our upcoming meetings, volunteer events, and fundraising initiatives.
Here is a quick overview of what the form covers:
 
  • Miracle League Volunteers: Sign up to be a buddy for games at Innis Grove Miracle League Field (Saturdays in August and September).
  • ISU Home Football Concession Stand: Volunteer to help raise funds for our Tanzania Water Projects and Community Grant Program at ISU home football games.
  • United Way Day of Caring (Sept 11): RSVP for the lunch and large-scale kit-building project at the ISU Alumni Center.
  • Rotary Committees: Select the committee(s) you would like to serve on for this Rotary year.

Please complete the form using this link: Fall Planning Survey
Thank you for your dedication and commitment to "Service Above Self"!
Volunteer! Fall Miracle League
Volunteer! Fall Miracle League

The Fall 2026 Miracle League season is here, and the Rotary Club of Ames needs your help to make it a home run for our players.

We are looking for "buddies" to assist players on the field, cheer from the sidelines, and ensure everyone has a blast. Whether you're a seasoned volunteer or a first-timer, your energy makes all the difference.

How to Get Involved

  • Who: Rotarians, friends, and family are all welcome! It's a great way to spend a Saturday morning giving back.

  • Where: Join us at the Miracle League Field in Inis Grove Park.

  • Game Dates: August 22 - September 26 (no games on Saturday, Sept. 5)

  • Action: To commit to a date (or three!), please email rotaryclubofames@gmail.com.

  • Impact: You aren't just helping with a game; you're helping provide an organized league experience for children and adults with disabilities.

Let's show our community what "People of Action" look like in the dugout. See you at the park!

Volunteer! United Way of Story County's Day of Caring 
Volunteer! United Way of Story County's Day of Caring 

Ready to be People of Action in our community? โš™๏ธ๐Ÿค

Join Rotarians and fellow community members for the United Way of Story County's Day of Caring on Friday, September 11!

This impactful day of service offers multiple ways to get involved:

  • ๐Ÿฅช Afternoon: Head over to the ISU Alumni Center for lunch and join fellow Rotarians in a collaborative, large-scale kit-building project.

  • ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘งโ€๐Ÿ‘ฆ Family Engagement: Bring the family for kid-friendly afternoon activities, including packing snack kits and planting flowers for our homebound neighbors.

Every project completed and kit assembled builds momentum for Bright Futures, Financial Empowerment, and Collective Well-Being in Story County.

Let's show up, make meaningful connections, and serve our community together!

๐Ÿ‘‰ Sign up to volunteer today and make a difference on September 11! 

 

Ada Hayden Golf Cart Tours
Ada Hayden Golf Cart Tours

Volunteer Opportunity: Golf Cart Drivers Needed for 2026 Ada Hayden Golf Car Tours! We are looking for experienced golf cart drivers to assist with the upcoming 2026 Ada Hayden Golf Car Tours! These 90-minute tours are free for participants and designed specifically for the mobility-impaired, featuring commentary and Q&A from local experts via a system.

Dates & Shifts Available
* Dates: Wednesday, September 16th and Thursday, September 17th
* Shift Times: 9:00 AM โ€“ 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM โ€“ 3:00 PM

How to Sign Up: To register as a driver or ask questions, please contact Jim Patton at 712-830-3736.

Welcoming Our Newest Members!
Welcoming Our Newest Members!

On July 20th, President Tammy Koolbeck and Past President Kent Frankenfeld officially welcomed four outstanding new members to the Ames Rotary family. Please take a moment to greet them at our next meeting and learn more about the incredible experience and dedication they bring to our club:

Tom Snyder
Tom was born and raised in Spencer, Iowa, and earned his Civil Engineering degree from Iowa State University in 1978. He spent the majority of his career serving as a county engineer in Osceola County and was an active member of the Sibley Rotary Club for 25 years. Tom and his wife, Jan, moved to Ames two years ago to be closer to their children and grandchildren. In his free time, Tom enjoys reading, coin collecting, running, biking, traveling, cheering on ISU Athletics, and tending to his lawn and garden.

Steven Lawrence
A lifelong Ames resident, Steven serves as the Marketing Director at the Ames Regional Economic Alliance (AREA). He holds degrees in Marketing and Sports Management from Wartburg College, where he played baseball for the Knights. Deeply committed to community leadership, Steven serves on the boards of Friendship Ark, the Story County Community Foundation, and the Gilbert Tiger Gridiron Club, and is a graduate of Leadership Ames Class 36 (as well as a 2023 AREA "4 Under 40" honoree). In his free time, Steven enjoys golfing, traveling, commentating for Gilbert High School football, cheering on the Chiefs, Royals, and Cyclones, and spending time with his wife, Alissa, and daughter, Brooklyn.

Jennifer Hanson
Jennifer is the new Development and Communications Director at Food at First. A former Boone Rotarian, she previously served as the Executive Director of the Boone County Chamber of Commerce and has a rich background in nonprofit leadership and children/family ministry. Jennifer is a proud mom of four girls and is passionate about building community connections that make a lasting impact. We are thrilled to welcome her to the Ames Rotary family!

Amy Lang
Amy moved to Ames in 2023 to serve as Vice President of Business Services for MEMBERS1st Community Credit Union, helping empower local businesses with strategic financial guidance. Active in civic service, Amy is the Board President of Advanced Cap Access, Board Treasurer for The Ames Foundation, and a dedicated financial literacy advocate who frequently volunteers in elementary classrooms. Outside of her professional and community work, Amy is an accomplished runner (having completed 5 marathons), an avid biker, and loves spending time with her family and two cats.

See Yourself in Rotary

Previous
Next

Club Executives & Directors

President
Tammy Koolbeck
President Elect
Randy Olson
President Elect Designee
Lisa Heddens
Past President
Jamie Courtney
Executive Secretary/Treasurer
Allyson Walter
Treasurer
Allyson Walter
Board of Directors 2025-27
Kris Eastman
Board of Directors 2025-27
Kristin Pates
Board of Directors 2025-27
Kate Reynolds
Board of Directors 2025-27
Selden Spencer
Board of Directors 2026-28
Diane Bjorklund
Board of Directors 2026-28
Maynard Hogberg
Board of Directors 2025-28
Glen Rippke
Board of Directors 2026-28
Sheila Schofer
Membership Chair
Randy Olson
Public Image
Tammy Koolbeck
Program Chair
Lisa Heddens
Foundation Chair
Karin Sevde
Global Grants Chair
Glen Rippke
International Service
Dave Fox
Literacy Committee Chair
Lynne Carey
RYLA Coordinator
Park Woodle
Sergeant-at-Arms
Kent Frankenfeld
Past District Governor
Don Goering
Past District Governor
James Patton

Learn More

    Enter your email address and the message you want to send.
    fields are required
    Please confirm you are not a robot.
    Download Forms
    2026-27 Membership Fees
    2026-27 Membership Application
    Vision Mission and Values
    2023 Club Constitution
    2023 Club ByLaws
    Club Policies and Procedures

    Subscribe

    Subscribe to our eBulletin and stay up to date on the latest news and events.

    Click here to sign up!
     

    Rotary Links

    Rotary International
    RI President Home
    Rotary Global Rewards
    Joining Rotary
    Rotary History
    Rotary Foundation
    For New Members
    Edit this page
    Powered by ClubRunner © 2002–2026  All rights reserved.
    Privacy Statement | Cookie Policy | Online Help | System Requirements