Sgt at Arms: Chris Rath Digital Experience: Adam Leong
Invocation & Pledge: Sandy Lemke
Navigator: Lisa Schiele
Cashiers/Check-in: John Marburger & Katelyn Sethi
Admin Support: Kevin Baitey
Greeters: Deb Skinner & Bill Thoms
New Member Host: Need Volunteer
Speaker Host: Hal Daub
Speaker: Sean Mulhall
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
Sean has spent nearly his entire life working with plants. He grew up in a family business that his parents ran out of their Midtown garage, where he began helping at a young age by mowing lawns and later taking the city bus to Creighton University to assist with maintaining the campus grounds. Early in his career, Sean managed large grading projects for the construction of the company’s store and landscaping facilities, developing a rare skill in the industry: the ability to visualize how land can be improved through re-contouring and then successfully carry out that vision. After seeing the results of thousands of landscapes over the years, he developed a design philosophy that emphasizes simple, flowing masses of plants in well-drained spaces. Sean holds a degree in Applied Mathematics from the University of Notre Dame and is a Nebraska Certified Nurseryman. He has been part of the team for more than 40 years.
March 11 is Rotary Membership Drive Day, a special opportunity for each of us to introduce Rotary to the people in our lives who would benefit from the fellowship, leadership, and service that define our club. If you have been thinking about inviting a colleague, friend, or community leader to experience Rotary, this is the perfect meeting to do it. Lunch for your prospective member guest will be on the house, and we will feature a dynamic panel of Rotarians who will share why Rotary continues to be one of the most meaningful professional and service networks in the world. Please send your guest’s name, email address, and phone number to Membership Chair Sarah Robak at sarah.robakcfa@gmail.com so she can prepare their lunch ticket in advance. Membership Committee members will be available to answer questions and provide membership applications, and as we all know, every Rotarian is part of the Membership Committee by sharing the Rotary experience with family, friends, and colleagues. Let’s make March 11 a memorable day by welcoming prospective members and showing them the power of Rotary.
Get ready for one of the most lighthearted and fun traditions of the year. At our upcoming Rotary meeting we will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Rotary style with a costume contest that always brings out the creativity and humor of our members.
Wear something green, something Irish, or something outrageously festive. Think shamrocks, leprechaun hats, green ties, lucky socks, or full St. Paddy’s flair. The more creative the better.
And remember the friendly Rotary warning… if you are not wearing green, you may get pinched. Hard. 😄
Come ready to laugh, take photos, and enjoy a little extra fellowship as we celebrate together. Let’s see which Rotarian earns the title of Best St. Patrick’s Day Spirit. 🍀
In keeping with our club’s bylaws, the Nominations Committee has submitted its official report presenting the proposed leadership slate for the upcoming terms. This notice will be posted on our website and included in the newsletter as required.
🔹 Officers (2026–2027)
President James Mackiewicz
Secretary Shelly Ruwe
Treasurer Bill Thoms
Club Board Kevin Baitey Amie Konwinski
Foundation Board Gretchen Harvey Hannah Patterson
Sergeant-at-Arms Okley Gibbs Assisting: Ryan Lemmon
🔹 Future Presidents
2027–2028 President Deb Skinner
2028–2029 President Tobi Mathouser
We sincerely thank the Nominations Committee led by Immediate President Heather Legge for their dedication and thoughtful service. Members are encouraged to review the proposed slate in preparation for upcoming club action.
Rotary District 5650 Rotarians—Welcome to March! The question always is? Did the weather come in like a lion or lamb? Well, I think the sunshine answers that question.
Click here for photo album. Select slide show to see the photo descriptions.
This newsletter is special for me as I attended the annual Rotary International Mexico Leadership Conference (RIMEX), in beautiful sunny, San Miguel de Allende, MX. (See airline trip photo) North of Mexico City. San Miguel de Allende is famous for its Cathedral and sunset views.
Our RI Board of Director, Salvador Rizzo, invited the District Governors and a few other guests from our Zones 29 & 29B from the United States to attend this amazing gathering here February 26-28th, 2026. That included PDG, Barg Bartle and her husband Bob from Lincoln #14 Rotary Club. It was so great to have them at the Conference!! A big thank you to them!!
The Conference included a Project Fair for all 7 Rotary Districts in Mexico featuring 41 Rotary Club international service projects representing 12,000 Rotarians. The service projects do not require Rotary Club to apply for a Global Grant. Rotary Clubs can participate directly. I will send more information by email to each of your Rotary Clubs and post the project page and links on our District website.
Where else but through Rotary, could I attend a 3-day Conference in Mexico to make so many new friends and connections to build bridges of peace and understanding.
There were three special highlights for me during the Conference.
First, was giving a peace pin to Rotarian, Jose de Anda, from the San Miguel de Allende Midday Rotary Club in front of the beautiful peace pole that his Rotary Club dedicated a few years ago.
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.
March 3, 2026 volunteers at Stephen Center L to R: Nonoka Kamada, Steve Gerdes, Steve McCollister, Pastor Heidi McGinness, Uniikye Washington, Fletcher Reel, & Matt Boulay.
At our July 16 meeting, Outgoing President Heather Legge proudly recognized an extraordinary group of members, our Perfect Attendance Rotarians!
Achieving perfect Rotary attendance is no small feat. It reflects dedication, service, and an unwavering commitment to our club’s mission. Whether it's showing up at weekly meetings (in person or via Zoom), joining service projects, attending committee meetings, helping with club operations, gathering with fellow Rotarians (3 or more), visiting other clubs, participating in online makeups, or engaging in board activities, these Rotarians show up, step up, and make a difference! Let's give a big round of applause to these role models of Rotary engagement!
See the full list of honorees below.
July is the perfect month to start your own journey to becoming a Perfect Rotarian! Join us, stay involved, and let’s make service and fellowship a way of life.
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 the Downtown Omaha Inc. St Patrick's Day Parade presentation. L to R: Kim Stewart (Suburban), Lynn McCormack (Millard), Yolanda Hoffman, Dan Esch, Bob Perrin (Suburban)
Past President Steve McCollister visiting the Rotary Club of Blair, though it looks like some Blair Rotarians weren’t quite ready for a photo 😊
Rotarians at the Gouttierre’s presentations at CHI Lakeside L to R: Chris Peters, Jim Stewart, and Tom Gouttierre
Go Big Forum featuring Larry Guenther, Mayor John Ewing, and a fellow Rotarian from another club.
Mayor meet up L to R: Larry Guenther, Bill Harvey, and Mayor John Ewing
Mayor John Ewing welcomed our two transfer Rotarians, Randy Wieseler and Tom Adams.
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 Sarah Robak at sarah.robakcfa@gmail.com.
Aileen Warren
Adam Leong
Amy Tritsch
Aileen Warren
Bill Harvey
Gretchen Harvey
Bob Keefer
Brad Burklund
Camille Metoyer Moten
Brett Frevert
Charlie Peters
Colleen Brennan
Deb Skinner
Elkhorn Athletics
Josh Todd
Fletcher Reel
Gene DeBoer
Goodwill Industries
Heather Legge
Heidi McGinness
Huntrex.com
Jim Murphy
Jim Stewart
John Mock
Larry Guenther
Larry Johansen
LeRoy Swedlund
Lisa Tonjes Moritz
Michelle Trawick
Nash Mahupete
Okley Gibbs
Omaha Downtown Rotary Foundation
Omaha School of Massage Therapy
Paul Cohen
PDG Bob Perrin
PDG Roxy Orr
Ralston Schools Foundation
Randy Wieseler
Rick Waxman
Sarah Robak
Scott Buchholz
Steve Carper
Steve McCollister
Susan Koesters
Tobi Mathouser
Todd Chaney
Todd Murphy
Tom Gouttierre
Westside Foundation
Sean Mulhall
Rotary District 5650 Rotarians—Welcome to March! The question always is? Did the weather come in like a lion or lamb? Well, I think the sunshine answers that question.
