Presiding Officer: Sean Connolly Secretary: Gretchen Harvey Invocation & Pledge: James Mackiewicz Music: Jim Scott-Miller
Digital Experience: Adam Leong Sgt at Arms: Okley Gibbs Navigator: Michelle Trawick
Registration/Cashier: Justin Dougherty & Harrison Abbott
Admin Support: Kevin Baitey
In-Person Greeters: Paul Cohen, Nash Mahupete, Camille Metoyer Moten
Speaker Host: Cella Quinn
Speaker: Tom Gouttierre
In-Person Meeting:
No need to pre-register, just show up
Field Club 3615 Woolworth Avenue Omaha, NE
4/19/23 menu: Lasagna with Roasted Potatoes, green mix salad, bread, vegetables, fruits, and cookies for dessert. Lunch price: $9 for members, $14 for visiting Rotarians and guests.
TOM GOUTTIERRE A Backward Look at Ukraine & Afghanistan
Thomas E. Gouttierre was the longtime Dean of International Studies & Programs at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Director of the Center for Afghanistan Studies, serving from 1974 until his retirement in 2015. He was born in Maumee, OH. He received a B.A. and an M.A. from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, OH. In 1987, Professor Gouttierre received the UNO Chancellor's Medal.
"Mr. Gouttierre is widely regarded as one of the leading experts on Afghanistan and U.S.-Afghan relations in the Western Hemisphere. Prior to assuming his present position in 1974, Mr. Gouttierre lived and worked for nearly 10 years in Afghanistan, serving as a Peace Corps volunteer, a Fulbright fellow, Executive Director of the Fulbright Foundation, and Head Coach of the Afghan National Basketball Team. He was also seconded by the U.S. State Department to serve as Senior Political Affairs Officer on the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission to Afghanistan in 1996 and 1997. Mr. Gouttierre speaks, reads, and writes Dari, Farsi, and Tajikistani Persian. His publications include numerous articles about Afghanistan society, culture, and politics. He co-authored the two-volume language textbook Dari for Foreigners and a bibliography of Persian works in English. He also writes original Dari poetry and serves as an internationally recognized authority on Central Asia’s cultures and conflicts, appearing in news articles and broadcasts worldwide.
"Mr. Gouttierre also has decades of experience with the languages and cultures of other Central Asian countries, and he has long been involved in an ongoing dialogue about U.S.-Russia relations. In his role as Dean of International Studies & Programs, he has travelled widely and worked with students and faculty from all over the world.
"In addition to his leadership duties, Mr. Gouttierre continues to teach courses in international relations, and he personally advises many INST majors."
Our first Rotary Social is on April 19, 2023, Wednesday, 1:00 PM Field Club Bar
No agenda; it's just purely social! Right after the meeting, just head over to the bar and enjoy a drink with fellow Rotarians. No cost to attend, just pay your drink, and you get attendance credit!
Our Rotary meeting on April 26, 2023 is the Honor Roll program. There will be a modification on our meeting format as we honor and recognize our 8th Grade Honor Roll students. Please come early as the meeting will promptly start at 12 noon.
Here's how Rotarians welcome their fellow Rotarian who was recently the program speaker.
A rain of balls welcomed Sean Olson to the podium. Only at Rotary that you throw balls to welcome your speaker masterminded by John Mock. Those throwing the balls are certified to be Sean's friends including the two mayors.
Your Service Fund in Action! Recently, Omaha Downtown Rotary participated in a multi-club grant project of purchasing and packaging nutritious meals for the food insecure in our immediate community. Omaha Downtown Rotary, Omaha West Rotary, and Millard Rotary, with Rotarians, family, and friends, packaged 25,000 meals in partnership with Kids Against Hunger. Here's a video recap.
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 their 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.
Hard working Rotarians L to R: Jim Stewart, Todd McCollister (future Rotarian), Scott Kinnaird, Heidi McGinness, Josh Todd, & Project Chair Steve McCollister
Connecting with fellow Rotarians is made easy with club service. Plus, you get attendance credit. It's a great deal! If you are a new Rotarian, it counts toward your Red Badge requirements. You may sign up as Greeter, Virtual Greeter, Check-in/Registration, Navigator, and Invocator. Click hereto sign up.
Here's a sneak peek of a weekly meeting at Omaha Downtown Rotary. It starts with a live concert with Jim Scott-Miller on the piano with certified singers, the Omaha Downtown Rotarians! Watch this video. You can feel the energy!
TOM GOUTTIERRE
Our first Rotary Social is on April 19, 2023, Wednesday, 1:00 PM
Connecting with fellow Rotarians is made easy with club service. Plus, you get attendance credit. It's a great deal! If you are a new Rotarian, it counts toward your Red Badge requirements. You may sign up as Greeter, Virtual Greeter, Check-in/Registration, Navigator, and Invocator. .png)
