Secretary: James Mackiewicz Sgt at Arms: Okley Gibbs Digital Experience: Adam Leong
Invocation & Pledge: John Marburger
Navigator: Christopher Rath
Cashiers/Check-in: Shelly Ruwe & Richard Sampson
Admin Support: Rebecca Niemeyer Rens
Greeters: Paul Cohen & Need Volunteer
Speaker Host: Tobi Mathouser
Speaker: Mehreen Chowdhury
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
Topic: Material Recycling - Catalyzing Nebraska's Future in Sustainability
Mehreen Chowdhury is a dedicated professional with experience in sustainability and business development. As Sustainability Manager at Goodwill Omaha, she leverages her expertise in ESG, Recycling and multiple projects on sustainable initiatives. Previously, she held leadership roles at Citigroup (worked on projects on microfinance with NGOS, USAID, UN, IFC) and another chemical company before joining Goodwill, focusing on CSR, business development and sustainable practices. Mehreen holds a Master's in Wealth Management from Columbia University and an MBA from Kellogg School of Management, with a focus on management science, fintech and sustainability. She is passionate about ESG, DEI, and philanthropy, and has advised senior management on sustainable growth strategies and developing brands that align with environmental goals. Mehreen looks forward to sharing insights on material recycling Catalyzing Nebraska's Future in Sustainability, hoping to inspire and inform her audience.
The Rotary Club of Omaha is having another great week! Congratulations to John Ewing for moving forward in the race for Omaha Mayor! As part of our Rotary Environmental theme this month, our featured speaker Cliff Fleener shared OPPD’s approach to sustainability, strategies for meeting increasing demand and lowering carbon emissions toward Net Zero, including some impressive data, and answering many questions from our audience. Thank you Cliff for joining us, and for recognizing Adam Leong as our resident problem solver!
Thank you sincerely to our April Business Sponsor of the month Dawn Gonzales of Centris Federal Credit Union. Thank you to all those who stood up and pledged additional support in response to the challenge offered by John and Viv Ewing with a match offer to help us close the gap in our Honor Roll fundraising. Wow, that was a cool part of the meeting! Thank you for your leadership along with Viv in prompting the pledges and match for the Honor Roll support! with the Douglas County Treasurer! If you haven’t already, please register to be a Table Host at the May 14th luncheon.
Let’s keep our club vibrant and growing! This month and next, our Membership Committee is asking us each to think of 3 prospective members we can invite to join us for lunch! As incentive, Bill and Gretchen Harvey offered to award 200 Paul Harris points when you sponsor a new member by end of May (Wow, thank you!).
I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday for lunch at the Field Club. Bring a guest!
L to R: Honor Roll Chair Deb Skinner, President Heather Legge, Honor Roll Co-Chairs Hal Daub and John Ewing
The 98th Honor Roll Committee recently concluded a successful fundraising field trip, connecting with the community and showcasing the achievements of its outstanding students. The funds raised will be instrumental in supporting the Honor Roll program and ensuring its continued excellence.
The trip's success reflects the committee's diligent planning and outreach efforts, resulting in significant funds raised for the Honor Roll program. The committee expresses its sincere gratitude to all who contributed to this important initiative.
We're looking for a few Rotarians to join our newly formed Finance Committee, which will assist our Treasurer with managing the club's finances. This is a great opportunity to get more involved with the club, learn about its financial operations, and share your expertise to help guide us moving forward.
We're seeking 2 or 3 members to serve on the committee. If you have a background in finance, or just want to be part of an important initiative for the club, we'd love to hear from you!
If you're interested, or want more information, please reach out to one of the following:
Jim Stewart, Current Treasurer: jstew1489@yahoo.com
Gretchen Harvey, 25/26 Club President: Nebraskamayflower@gmail.com
Yolanda Hoffman, Club Executive Director: director@omaharotary.org
We look forward to hearing from you and appreciate your willingness to volunteer your time and expertise!
Although it was hard to tell with our weather last week, Spring is finally here. As we get back out and start planning those spring yard projects, think about what we do as Rotarians to protect the environment worldwide.
April is Environmental Month. As one of Rotary’s Seven Areas of Focus, we are committed to Protecting the Environment. We support the activities that strengthen the conservation and protection of natural resources, advance ecological sustainability and foster harmony between communities and the environment.
How do we help achieve this? We tackle these issues the way we always do: coming up with and supporting projects, using connections to change policy and planning for the future. We are empowering communities by providing access to grants and other available resources to embrace local solutions and encourage innovation to address the causes of climate change and environmental degradation.
Rotarians are making a difference at Stephen Center. CLICK HERE to sign up.
Stephen Center partners with the community, families, and individuals to overcome homelessness, addiction, and poverty. Stephen Center has served the homeless and low-income in Omaha since 1984 through its three programs: Emergency Shelter, HERO Program, and Transitional Living Program. The Omaha Downtown Rotary partners with Stephens Center in serving hot meals to its residents.
Where three or more Rotarians gather, it's called a Rotary Social, and you earn attendance credits. Rotarians may come from different clubs. Connect with Rotarians and enjoy the power of Rotary fellowship. Below are our recent Rotary Socials.
Rotarians at Downtown Omaha, Inc Supernovas presentation by President Diane Mendenhall who specially invited Rotarians to attend L to R: Mike Benck (Morning), Mike Mancuso, John Ewing, Viv Ewing, Dan Esch, Yolanda Hoffman, Sachi Verma (Morning) Shelly Ruwe, Lynne McCormack (Millard), Brett Frevert, DGE Robert Rapp (Morning), Michael Kosalka, Bill Harvey, Scott Stevens (Morning), PDG Bob Perrin (Suburban), John Maxell (Suburban), and the incoming General Secretary of Scottish Rite.
Rotarians at St Patricks Day celebration L to R: Dan Esch, Paul Cohen, Jim Cavanaugh
Rotarians at JBL L to R; Brett Frevert, Paul Cohen, Eugene Kowel
Rotary Connection Circle with Chris Mehaffey and Dan Sawka
Rotarian meet-up with a buffalo! L to R: Jill Slupe, Shelly Ruwe, and James Mackiewicz
Rotarians meet-up at German-American Society L to R: Hal Daub, Fletcher Reel, Brett Frevert, and Colleen Brennan
Rotary Connection Circle meeting L to R: Yolanda Hoffman, Chris Mehaffey, Circle Leader Cella Quinn, Fletcher Reel, and Colleen Brennan
Rotary Connection Circle meeting L to R:Scott Kinnaird, Circle Leader Michelle Trawick, and Chris Tooker
Merger Think-Tank L to R: President Heather Legge, Steve McCollister, Gretchen Harvey, and Tobi Mathouser
Mayoral event at the Press Club L to R: Russell Vaughn, Zac Triemert, Dakotah Smith, Steve McCollister, Fletcher Reel, Colleen Brennan, Viv Ewing, and mayoral candidate Rotary Past President John Ewing
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!
The Rotary Club of Omaha is now recruiting more members! It's your opportunity to join the Rotary Club of Omaha, click here to complete the membership application form. For questions, please contact Membership Chair Franco Gentile at FGentile@sbgtv.com.
Chase Bank
UNO College of Business
Centris
Ollie The Trolley
Carlson West Povondra Architects
DA Davidson
Elkhorn Athletics Association
Omaha Massage Therapy
Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha
Kevin Baitey
Brad Burklund
Paul Cohen Hal Daub
Gene DeBoer Dianne Desler
John Ewing
Viv Ewing
Brett Frevert
Dawn Gonzales
Okley Gibbs
Fr. Lloyd Gnirk
Tom Gouttierre
Larry Guenther Bill Harvey
Gretchen Harvey
Barbara Hayman
Yolanda Hoffman
Larry Johansen
Bob Keefer
Susan Koesters
Heather Legge
Sandy Lemke
Adam Leong
John Marburger
Steve McCollister
Heidi McGinness
Camille Metoyer-Moten
Lloyd Meyer
John Mock
Jim Murphy
Roxy Orr
Fletcher Reel
Jim Scott-Miller
Deb Skinner
Jim Stewart
Jim Suttle
LeRoy Swedlund
Lisa Tonjes Moritz
Michelle Trawick
Jennifer Trebill
Kathryn Weitz