Club Information
Omaha Downtown

Established Leaders, Emerging Leaders, Developing Leaders

We meet In Person
Wednesdays at 12:00 PM
Field Club of Omaha
3615 Woolworth Avenue
Omaha, NE 68105
United States of America
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September 18, 2024 Field Club of Omaha, 3615 Woolworth Avenue, Omaha, NE 68105
Presiding Officer: Heather Legge
Secretary: James Mackiewicz
Invocation & Pledge: Amy Tritsch
Sgt at Arms: Okley Gibbs
Digital Experience: Adam Leong
Navigator: Need Volunteer
Cashiers/Check-in: Liesel Kittlitz & Rebecca Rens
Admin Support: Christopher Nwafor
Greeters: Need Volunteers
Speaker Host: Lisa Tonjes Moritz
Speaker: Preston Love
 
Buffet Lunch is $18 for members and $20 for visiting Rotarians and guests.
Lunch ticket is back. Please collect your lunch ticket after check-in and put it in the jar at the beginning of the buffet line
September 18, 2024 , Rotary Speakers Preston Love

PRESTON LOVE
US Senatorial Candidate
 
Preston Love, Jr., brings the wisdom derived from his life experiences, his crusade and community activism for economic inclusion to his work. Preston, who is the Sunday School teacher in his church, Holy Ghost Temple COGIC, gives all honor to Jesus Christ. Married to Martha, his spiritual leader, best supporter and love.
 
EDUCATION:
 Bachelor of Science, Economics, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
 Master’s Degree from Bellevue University, Omaha, Nebraska, in Professional Studies, M.P.S.
 
CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
  •  Former UNL (Husker) Football Player and Detroit Lions Draftee
  •  IBM pioneer marketing executive (1966-1980)
  •  Microcomputer historic innovator (opened Atlanta’s first retail computer store—1980)
  •  Groundbreaking political mogul (incl. organized and ran Jesse Jackson’s presidential candidacy—1984)
  •  Playwriter (wrote and performs: “Adam Clayton Powell,” a one-man performance)
  •  Award-winning newspaper columnist (Omaha Star column Black Votes Matter)
  •  Editorial page Columnist. Omaha World Heald
  •  Contributor: The Fine Lines Journal. a national, quarterly, non-profit publication, which is devoted to networking with creative writers from around the world.
  • National Lecturer: Incl. the Nashville film festival regarding urban voting and the documentary film,
  • One Vote; Jefferson Educational Society, Erie, PA), AAACE (American Association for Adult and
  • Continuing Education) at the Annual Conference in St Louis, Mo., October 9, 2019, Frequent panelist, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, annual Black Leadership Symposium
  • UNO Adjunct Professor (Black Studies & Political Science)
  • Author: Economic Cataracts, (sold in over 30 states and Thailand.) The Jackson Papers. two children’s book, Bridge to Your History”. (June 17 th , 2019) Bilingual Edition; Awards (2020 NEX GEN finalist, 2020 Nebraska Book Award), “A Clear Vision (2020)
  • Serves as the 1 st Vice President NAACP Omaha
  • Board member, Kids Can, Inc
  • Created and produces an highly acclaimed, annual trip of 40+ high school students: Black History tour (BVM Tour) to Tulsa, Memphis, Jackson, MS, Birmingham, Tuskegee, Montgomery, Selma and Atlanta (all expenses paid). Documentary of the tour released October 2018. 2020 Virtual Tour (released Sept/2020, watched by over 5000 nationally)
  • Creator of the highly acclaimed BVM Virtual Tour (1hour 10 minutes), 2020
  • Serves as a consultant with, The Minnesota Humanities Center. (A National Education Organization)
  • Founder, Director: Black Votes Matter Institute of Community Engagement (BVM), LLC 501 c (3)
  • Founder, Director: Institute for Urban Development (4Urban.org) 2020
NOTABLE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
  • Nebraska Black Sports Hall of Fame inductee 2016 (University of Nebraska at Lincoln, football player)
  • Commendation for Excellence (2017) Nebraska Secretary of State for Omaha Star Newspaper column.
  • 2008 Douglas County Dem Party Chair Award For leadership (winning the CD2 historic electoral vote)
  • NAACP Presidents Award (2018), Vice President Nebraska/Iowa Chapter NAACP
  • Preston Love, Jr. was presented the Distinguished Citizen Award by the West Point Society of Nebraska and Western Iowa on March 30, 2019 during its annual West Point Founders Day in Omaha, Nebraska
  • National Assoc. of Social Workers-NE 2020 Public Citizen of the Year award
  • Nebraska Democratic Party: recipient of having the annual volunteer awards after his name: CD1, CD2 & CD3 NDP Volunteer of the year
  • Northeast Community College: Alumni Hall of Fame, 2022
  • North Omaha Area Health; Community Advocacy Award 2022
  • Omaha Public School Athletic Hall of Fame, 2022
  • Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame inductee October, 2023
  • Featured on Nebraska Education Television: Nebraska Stories 2023
  • Special invitee/attendee to White House, 2023: Presidential Policy Briefing
  • 2024 Douglas County Dem Party Chair Award(Blue Dot Award) For leadership
  • Nebraska democrats nominee IUS SENATE- 2024
President's Pen
President's Pen
President Heather Legge
September 13, 2024, Omaha, NE
 
Hello Rotarians and friends of the Rotary Club of Omaha!  It’s another great week to be a Rotarian!
 
Thank you to the many guests who visited in person and especially to those who have already applied for membership. Woo-hoo! Our club is vibrant and growing, and we’re happy to welcome more new members!  For all (new and seasoned) members, we have some incredible opportunities to connect with other Rotarians, serve various communities, and always to continue learning. Most notably right now, our Engagement Committee is seeking several members to kick off the much-anticipated Rotary Buddy Program! Please let me or Yolanda know if you’d like to be a part of this exciting group!   
 
Thank you again to Dan Esch and everyone who assisted in making our club’s annual 9/11 memorial happen. 
 
As a reminder, let’s meet Vanessa Clark’s challenge to get to $500 toward Polio Plus in support of immunizations happening in Gaza!  Go to https://my.rotary.org/en/donate. Sign in for your Paul Harris points, choose Polio Plus, and let me, Yolanda, or Vanessa know that you donated.
 
Our Business Sponsor of the month is Zac Triemert with Brickway Brewery and Distillery. In this season of Oktoberfest, you may consider celebrating with one of their brews!
 
We had a memorable program this week. Thank you to David Brown for an informative and inspiring vision of a bold and ambitious future for our cities, and for teaching us about “Schismogenesis!”  There were many takeaways, but I especially noted the call for cooperation since divided we fall, and united we rise. 
 
Our upcoming featured speaker is Preston Love! He is followed by Greg McDermott, Creighton Men’s Basketball, and we have many other anticipated programs (including a new date for Tony Vargas- stay tuned)!
 
I’ll see you at the Field Club this Wednesday for lunch. Bring a guest!
 
President Heather Legge
The Rotary Club of Omaha
 
President Heather's weekly video message, watch it in YouTube or copy/paste this link to your browser: https://youtu.be/YTdtn-AqAws
 
Congratulations to our Perfect Rotarians
June 26, 2024. Outgoing President Larry Guenther recognized our members who achieved perfect attendance. Perfect Rotary attendance(aka Perfect Rotarians) is attained through consistent participation in weekly meetings, service projects, committee work, weekly club service, Rotary socials, visiting other clubs, Rotary online makeups, Zoom attendance, attendance at club board meetings, and attendance at club foundation board meetings. Below is the list of our perfect attendance Rotarians.
July is the perfect time to start your journey towards becoming a Perfect Rotarian!
 
Special Thanks to Honor Roll Sponsors and Donors
 
HONOR ROLL MAJOR SPONSORS
 
 
Honor Roll Donors:
 
Adam Leong, Bill Harvey, Bob Keefer, Brad Burklund, Brett Frevert, Camille Metoyer Moten, Carlson West Povondra Architects, Centris, CFO Systems, Charlie Peters, Chase Bank, DA Davidson, Dawn Gonzales, Deb Skinner, Dianne Desler, EHPV Management Group, Elkhorn Athletic Association, Elkhorn Schools Foundation, Fletcher Reel, Fr. Lloyd Gnirk, Gene DeBoer, Goodwill Industries, Gretchen Harvey, Hal Daub, Larry Johansen, Heather Legge, Heidi McGinness, James Mackiewicz, Jim Murphy, Jim Stewart, Jim Suttle, John Ewing, John Marburger, John Marburger, John Mock, Josh Todd, Kathryn Weitz, Kevin Baitey, Larry Guenther, LeRoy Swedlund, Lisa Tonjes Moritz, Michelle Trawick, Huntrex.com, Okley Gibbs, Ollie the Trolley,  Omaha Downtown Rotary Foundation, Omaha Massage Therapy, Omaha Public Schools Foundation, Paul Cohen, Sandy Lemke, Steve Carper, Steve McCollister, Susan Koesters, Tobi Mathouser, Todd Johnson, Tom Gouttierre, UNO College of Business Administration, Viv Ewing, Yolanda Hoffman, Jennifer Trebil, Roxy Orr, Barbara Hayman
2024 Rotary Scholars
The Rotary Scholarship Committee led by Sean Connolly is proud to announce the 2024 Rotary Scholarship Recipients:
 
Arjun Anugole, Millard South  High School     
Rachel Fernandes, Duchesne High School
Lexie Hatch, Millard West High School
Hannah Kubiak, Omaha South High School
Jeremiah Mohring, Elkhorn South  High School
Tanner Post, Roncalli Catholic High School
 
Congratulations!
Rotary Club of Omaha Received the Prestigious Rotary International Citation
The Rotary Club of Omaha has been honored with the esteemed Rotary International Citation for the Rotary Year 2022-2023, during the tenure of President Sean Connolly. This recognition was presented at the culminating Rotary District 5650 Conference. Our club surpassed the expectations set by RI, particularly in the domains of Developing and implementing sustainable service projects, Contributions to The Rotary Foundation, Membership Engagement initiatives, and Raising awareness of Rotary within the community. Congratulations to all our dedicated Rotarians!
Meet Rotary International President Gordon McInally
R. Gordon R. McInally is president of Rotary International. He was educated at the Royal High School in Edinburgh and at the University of Dundee, where he earned his graduate degree in dental surgery. He operated his own dental practice in Edinburgh until 2016. Gordon was chair of the East of Scotland branch of the British Paedodontic Society and has held various academic positions. He has also served as a presbytery elder, chair of the Queensferry parish congregational board, and commissioner to the general assembly of the Church of Scotland. Read President McInally's biography.
 
Watch the video below of President McInally's address to the Rotary International Assembly:
 
Attendance Make-Ups
If you attend another club's meeting in person or virtual, please email Yolanda for attendance credit
Thank you!
President's Message

Heather Legge

member photo
It's an honor to serve as President of the Omaha Downtown Rotary Club, the oldest service organization of the city.  Our mission is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.
 
We are part of a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
 
I invite you to learn more about what we do by visiting us at the Field Club of Omaha on Wednesdays at 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM and be my guest.
 
President, 2024-2025
Club Executives & Directors
Club President
Heather Legge
Immediate Past Club President
Larry Guenther
Club Administration Director
Yolanda Hoffman
Club Secretary
James Mackiewicz
Club Treasurer
Jim Stewart
Club Foundation Chair - TRF
Gretchen Harvey
Club Membership Chair
Franco Gentile
Club Polio Chair
Gretchen Harvey
Club Program Chair
Wallace Johnson
Club Public Image
Lisa Tonjes Moritz
Club Service Projects
Steve McCollister
Club Foundation Chair - Club Foundation
Chris Tooker
Board Member - 2022-2025
Mitch Hunt
Board Member - 2022-2025
Michelle Trawick
Board Member - 2023-2026
Franco Gentile
Board Member - 2023-2026
Josh Todd
Board Member - 2024-2027
Susan Koesters
Board Member - 2024-2027
Lisa Tonjes Moritz
Home Page Download Files
Make Up Opportuntites
Monday: Omaha Millard Rotary, 12:00 pm, German American Society, 3717 South 120th St.
Tuesday: Omaha Morning 7:00 am, 88 Tactical, 15350 Shepard St., Omaha, NE 68138
Tuesday: Omaha Northwest, 12:00 pm, First Responders Foundation, 10605 Burt Circle, Omaha, NE 68114
Wednesday: Omaha Downtown, 12:00 pm, Field Club of Omaha, 3615 Woolworth Ave.
Thursday: West Douglas County, 7:00 am, Elkhorn Common Ground Community Center, 1701 Veterans Drive
Thursday: Omaha Suburban, Noon, Legends Patio Grill, 6920 Pacific St., Suite 100
Thursday: Council Bluffs, 12:00 pm, The Center, 714 Main Street
Friday: Omaha West, 12:00 pm, Biaggi's, 13655 California St.

 

Rotary Honor Roll
Upcoming Speakers
Preston Love
Sep 18, 2024
US Senatorial Candidate
US Senatorial Candidate
Greg McDermott
Sep 25, 2024
Creighton Men's Basketball
Yvette Burkes
Oct 02, 2024
Speaker from Belize Rotary
Rev. Daniel S. Hendrickson, SJ, PhD
Oct 09, 2024
Creighton University
Erica Wassinger & Kelly Mann
Oct 16, 2024
NE VC and Start ups
Terry Fisher
Oct 23, 2024
Scott Scholars
Congressman Don Bacon
Oct 30, 2024
Vision for Nebraska
Matt Walsh
Nov 13, 2024
Mayor of Council Bluffs
View entire list...
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2024 Rotary Scholarship
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September 2024
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