Mr. Lauritzen is the chairman and president of FNBO (First National Bank of Omaha), as well as FNBO’s holding company, First National of Nebraska (FNNI). He serves as chairman and president of the Lauritzen Corporation, a bank holding company managing several banks outside of FNBO, as well as an insurance business. FNNI has over 4,500 employees and represents one of the largest privately held banks in the United States, with over $31 billion in assets. Mr. Lauritzen represents the sixth generation of his family to lead the bank, which was founded in 1857.

Mr. Lauritzen is active in the community, serving as treasurer of the Nebraska Game & Parks Foundation, the STRATCOM Consultation Committee, a board member of the Westside Community Schools Foundation, a member of the Princeton Capital Campaign Committee, a director of the Robert B. Daugherty Foundation, a trustee of the Lauritzen Gardens, a Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Governor, and Honorary Consul of Denmark for the State of Nebraska. Mr. Lauritzen is a past chairman of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce and past chair of the United Way of the Midlands campaign.

Mr. Lauritzen was born in Omaha, Nebraska. He received his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and his B.A. from Princeton University.

Rotary fellowship was in full swing at our 4th Annual Rotary Pool Party, graciously hosted by Past President Larry Guenther and Traci Guenther at their lovely home on Thursday, August 13. What began four years ago has quickly become one of our Club’s favorite summer traditions, and this year’s gathering may have been our best one yet!

Rotarians, families, friends, and guests came together for an afternoon and evening filled with great food, swimming, laughter, conversation, and genuine fellowship. Some guests jumped right into the pool while others simply relaxed and enjoyed reconnecting with fellow Rotarians in a fun and casual setting. It was exactly what Rotary fellowship is all about: building friendships, welcoming guests, and creating meaningful connections beyond our regular Wednesday meetings.

We were especially honored to be joined by Omaha Mayor John Ewing and First Lady Viv Ewing, who added to the warmth and excitement of the evening. Their presence made an already memorable gathering even more special and gave our members and guests an opportunity to enjoy conversation and fellowship with two wonderful leaders in our community.

Adding an international flavor to the evening, we were delighted to welcome our Rotary Youth Exchange student, Eduard Lungu of Italy, along with four international students from Kuwait who are studying cybersecurity at the University of Nebraska at Omaha through a program sponsored by the Kuwaiti government. Their presence beautifully reflected Rotary’s commitment to international friendship, cultural exchange, and goodwill.

The gathering offered our international guests a wonderful opportunity to meet Rotarians and community leaders in a relaxed and welcoming setting while experiencing a classic Nebraska summer celebration. These informal moments of fellowship often create the connections and friendships that make Rotary so meaningful.

A heartfelt thank you to Larry and Traci Guenther for opening their home and making everyone feel so welcome. Hosting a gathering of this size takes tremendous generosity, preparation, and hospitality, and we are grateful for everything they did to make the evening such a success.

It was truly a blast, and the photos tell the story! Enjoy some highlights below, and be sure to visit our full photo album to relive the fun.

View the Full Pool Party Photo Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ja2GGuByTv5FnVfE9

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make our 4th Annual Rotary Pool Party another wonderful Rotary memory. We are already looking forward to number five!

Are you new to the Club or know someone who recently joined? Join us for one of our upcoming New Member Orientation sessions! These meetings are a great opportunity to learn about the Club, discover member benefits, meet fellow members, and ask any questions you may have.

Upcoming Orientations:

• Wednesday, August 5 at 11:00 a.m. – Field Club
• Friday, September 18 at 8:00 a.m. – 17007 Marcy Street

Whether you're just getting started or would like a refresher, we encourage you to attend one of these sessions. We look forward to welcoming you and helping you make the most of your membership!

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Yearling Chair Jill Slupe.

I'm excited to announce that registration is now open for the 2026 District 5650 Conference, taking place October 23-24 at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland, Nebraska.

This will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our clubs, learn from fellow Rotarians, strengthen friendships, and be inspired by the impact Rotary is making throughout our district. Register early, as conference rates will increase on September 24. I hope you'll make plans to join us!

August is also Membership and New Club Development Month, a perfect time to reflect on one of Rotary's greatest strengths: belonging.

Throughout my club visits, I've spoken about the connection between Belonging and Impact. People often join Rotary because they are inspired by our service. They stay because they find friendships, purpose, and a place where they feel valued.

Membership is about more than adding names to a roster. It's about creating a club experience where every member feels welcomed, included, and connected. When people feel they belong, they become engaged. When they are engaged, our service grows. And when our service grows, so does our impact.

This month, I encourage every club to think about how we can strengthen that sense of belonging for both current and prospective members. A simple invitation, a warm welcome, or an opportunity to serve can change someone's Rotary journey and ultimately strengthen our organization.

Thank you for all you do to make Rotary a place where people belong and where together we create lasting impact.

Yours in Rotary Service,

Gretchen Bren
District Governor 2026-2027
Rotary District 5650

P.S. Nicki Klein is currently out of the office and has been since July 28.  If you need help, please reach out to me instead!  Nicki will not be back until the end of the month.

Within hours of deadly floods and landslides that struck Mexico in October, Rotary members were responding. In hard-hit Poza Rica, Rotary and Rotaract members brought residents to safety, plowed mud-laden streets, and moved house to house to clean properties. The effort was supported by clubs throughout District 4185 and by neighboring districts and others abroad. The Rotary Club of Poza Rica joined the nonprofit Planet Water Foundation to install four water towers and a water block in the neediest area and deliver purified water elsewhere. The club also coordinated with World Central Kitchen to provide hot meals. Still, “we desperately need help to get back on our feet and return to our normal lives,” says club member Pepe Badillo. “The houses were a total loss. Everything was destroyed, from a single plate to the bedrooms on the second floor.”

India

The city of Thane, northeast of Mumbai, is recognized for its arts and culture scene. It’s home to drama troupes, an art expo, international film festivals, and comedy venues. What it was lacking, says Atul Bhide, of the Rotary Club of Thane Hills, was a large showcase for aficionados of the written word. To amend that, the club (which also sponsors a book-reading initiative for youth) launched the Thane Literature Festival. Over two days in November, bibliophiles toasted 22 authors and poets who read from their work and participated in panel discussions. The event honored journalist and writing coach Bachi Karkaria with the Thane Literature Festival lifetime achievement award, and judges critiqued entries in a short-story contest. “Encouraging reading habits and love for literature for Gen-Next is also our motive behind this literature festival,” says Bhide.

Source: https://www.rotary.org/en/rotary-projects-around-globe-april-2026