The status of the pandemic in Nebraska and Iowa has led your board to the conclusion that Downtown Rotary will meet via ZOOM for the balance of 2020. We review that status at our monthly board meetings and we meet again on December 11, 2020 as a board.
I would like to publicly acknowledge the fine efforts of DeBoer & Associates, PC, Certified Public Accountants, and Rotarian Gene DeBoer and his team for their review of your club’s financial statements which has been completed for our fiscal year ending June 30, 2020. Gene has been a member of our club since 1988! Thank you, Gene for your long term membership and professional services to the club.
Thank you also to Past-President Camille Metoyer-Moten and Social Chair Deb Skinner for hosting a social wine tasting this past Thursday evening. It was a well-attended social and we look forward to more.
Numerous service opportunities have been identified by Lindy Hoyer and Sandy Lemke is recruiting bell ringers for our Salvation Army support efforts. Please see those efforts noted below in the Whirl.
Another opportunity to invite members of your professional circle to Rotary is ahead of us on November 18th as we welcome Nate Kauffman who leads the Omaha Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Bring a guest! As the saying goes, “you can’t fight the Fed…” See you on Wednesday on our digital platform ZOOM…
Fresh from his Creighton classroom discussion of the election results, Dr. Richard Witmer asked Rotarians an interesting question:
Does the time it took to declare a presidential winner mask the reality of the results?
He answered by comparing close races in several states to closer races in 2016. Joe Biden beat Donald Trump in both Pennsylvania and Michigan by greater margins than Trump beat Hillary Clinton.
For example, Biden took Michigan by 148,000 votes this year while Trump won by under 11,000 votes in 2016. When all the counting is complete, the political science professor predicted, Biden's popular majority of over 5 million votes will give him a 306 to 232 lead in electoral votes and about a 51% to 47% margin in popular votes, compared to Trump's win with less than 50% in 2016.
He reminded that the electoral college votes Dec. 14 and that the President has until noon on Jan. 20 to vacate the White House. Either one or both Senate seats in Georgia will be decided in special elections on Jan. 7.
The record turnout of voters gives the President-elect a strong mandate, Dr. Witmer suggested. He expects Biden to govern as a centrist with input from all factions of the Democratic Party.
Asked about alleged voter fraud, he said there was no evidence yet. Asked if Trump will face legal issues after leaving office, he called it unlikely that a former president will be convicted in criminal court, but noted that neither Trump nor Vice-President Pence could pardon him for state crimes.
A query about voter suppression resulted in Dr. Witmer both voicing concerns about such efforts and reminding that the record turnout was a healthy sign for democracy. Of course the enormous turnout and the huge numbers of mail-in ballots contributed to the long wait for results.
Stephen Center Food Service 2723 Q St, Omaha, NE 68107 3-5 volunteers per shift Suitable for families, as long as children are over age of 10. Volunteers will be serving meals, no food preparation. Masks required.
We have two locations to ring bells at the Nebraska Furniture Mart this year. East Doors of the Electronics Building (next to Subway) and the Main Furniture Building Entrance.
This is our national bell ringing video. We are encouraging all volunteers to watch this as it may answer some questions about safety and wellness related to Covid-19.
This year we are implementing safety protocols to ensure the health and safety of bell ringers, customers and associates.
General Guidelines:
Before reporting for a shift, you need to review the national bell ringing video (see below) that shows best bell ringing practices during COVID.
Follow current CDC and local guidelines related to exposure. If you are exhibiting symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days, please reschedule your shift.
You are required to wear a mask for the entirety of your shift. If you do not wear a mask, the manager for location may ask you to leave.
As an individual approaches the kettle, please step back to maintain social distancing.
Bell ringers will not have any physical contact with donations or individuals. Please allow donors to put the money into the kettle – do not assist them.
Kettles will be equipped with Google Pay/Apple Pay to allow for a contactless donation option.
Omaha Community Playhouse Ushers - Christmas in My Heart - Camille Metoyer Moten
Five ushers for each performance will be needed. Four will work the main floor and one will work the Gallery. Call time is one hour prior to performance time. Everyone will need to sign the COVID-19 Waiver and bring it with them the night of the show OR scan it and email it to Amanda aseuss@omahaplayhouse.com. Everyone is required to wear a mask at all times, including staff, ushers, patrons and crew. Minimum required age is 16 years old. Each Volunteer will receive one free ticket to stay and watch the show. 6915 Cass St, Omaha, NE 68132
Lindy Hoyer has been in touch with the Salvation Army in regards to their winter watch food distribution program. She has signed our club up to serve on 4 nights beginning in December through February. Each shift will require up to 3 club members to sign up, two will be serving food and one will be the jump (person who organizes crowd outside and hands out clothing). At this time no drivers are needed. The shifts start at 5:45 p.m. at the SA Western Divisional Headquarters, 10755 Burt Street. If new to volunteering for SA, need to arrive a bit early to fill out paperwork. The shifts each night are from 5:45-8 p.m. Volunteers must bring and wear a mask, wear warm clothes.
Ertz, Dan Nov 01 Diesing, Jack Nov 04 Johansen, Larry Nov 07 Keefer, Bob Nov 10 Logan, Cheryl Nov 12 Thompson, Shelley Nov 12 Guenther, Larry Nov 18 Secor, Spencer Nov 18 Sittenauer, Leigh Nov 19
Password protected just like your website, the ClubRunner Mobile app allows you to to view your member directory, contact your members and executives, read the latest articles posted to your website and even learn more about your upcoming events and speakers, right from your smartphone or tablet.
Member Directory
Immediately view the most up to date member directory, upon login. You can browse your member profiles which give you the necessary contact information you need to connect with just one click. Make a call to any of their phone numbers, email them directly from your device, or even add them to your contacts list.
Executives and Directors
View and contact your club executives for the current, past and future years.
View posts on your website
View the latest feed of home page stories that are on your website, directly on your phone, so you never miss any information!
Learn more about upcoming events and speakers
Access all of your upcoming events and calendar items and view event details, including associated links, download files and venue map. View who the latest speakers are and learn more about their presentation topic.
Download the app on your phone or tablet
To download the app from the Apple App Store or from Google Play, simply type in 'ClubRunner' in the search bar. Our mobile app is compatible with all versions of the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch sets that have iOS 8.0 or later and with versions of Anrdoids that are 2.3.3 or better.
