Secretary: James Mackiewicz Sgt at Arms: Okley Gibbs Digital Experience: Adam Leong
Invocation & Pledge: Ben Washburn
Navigator: Gene DeBoer
Cashiers/Check-in: Todd Chaney & Amy Tritsch
Admin Support: Mitch Hunt
Greeters: Amie Konwinski & Need Volunteer
Christmas/Holiday Party!
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
Our live music at our Wednesday party is provided by Cabaret Theater. Omaha’s Cabaret Theatre has been captivating audiences since 1991 with breathtaking vocal jazz harmonies and exceptional solo performances. Renowned for their artistry, both as individuals and as an ensemble, they have earned numerous awards at area theaters and local events. Nominated as "Best Cabaret," they are celebrated for their sophisticated arrangements of soulful ballads and high-energy dazzlers. From the Great American Songbook and Broadway classics to contemporary pop and cabaret, Cabaret Theatre’s versatility is only rivaled by their extraordinary ability to engage and connect with audiences.
Their profound understanding of music’s magic and storytelling has led to performances at over 50 arts councils across Nebraska and the region, as well as on national and international stages. Their impeccable blend and attention to detail shine through every genre they explore, from the timeless works of Cole Porter, Burt Bacharach, and Gershwin to the modern sounds of Billy Joel, Michael Bublé, and Manhattan Transfer.
Current productions include Songbirds, a tribute to the iconic female stars of the ’60s and ’70s, and It Don’t Mean A Thing, a celebration of the Great American Songbook. Additional shows feature the music of the Andrews Sisters, festive holiday performances, and more. With an ever-expanding repertoire, Omaha’s Cabaret Theatre continues to delight and inspire audiences of all ages.
Welcome to new member Jeff Grewe, CEO of Arbor Aesthetics Tree Service, and congratulations to Zac Triemert for receiving his permanent badge in our club! Thank you to Cordia for educating us about behind-the-meter energy provider. It was another great week for Rotary!
It’s time to celebrate the holidays at the Rotary Club of Omaha! Join us this week for a fun, festive gathering featuring music by PP Camille Metoyer-Moten and Cabaret Theatre, recognition of several members. Remember to dress for the holidays and participate in the Ugly Sweater contest if you like.
Also, congratulations to Fletcher Reel on his new book About Omaha and thank you for your generous support of our club as this month’s Business Sponsor!
Remember to register for the Jan 8 Business Networking version of our 1st meeting in 2025, and enjoy the next 2 weeks off! Happy Holidays to you and yours!
I’ll see you on Wednesday for lunch, bring a guest!
President Heather Legge The Rotary Club of Omaha
President Heather's weekly video: https://youtu.be/0EC2KwYI6aY
Ho, Ho, Ho! 🎄 Let's Recycle and Make a Difference!
Join us for the Rotary Club of Omaha’s Annual Christmas Tree Recycling Project, a fun and meaningful way to kick off the New Year! In partnership with the City Government and the Boy Scouts, we're turning holiday cheer into community impact. 🌟
We need 36 amazing volunteers to help us recycle Christmas trees and spread goodwill! This is a perfect opportunity for Rotarians AND their families to roll up their sleeves, work together, and make the season even brighter. Bonus? You’ll earn TWO Rotary attendance/makeup credits for your efforts! 🙌
💻 Click here to sign up and secure your spot in this festive tradition!
Let’s kick off 2025 the Rotary way—serving together and having fun. Don’t miss this chance to make a big difference with your small acts of service! 🎉
🌟 Save the Date! 🌟 Special Business Networking Event
When: Wednesday, January 8th, 2025 Where: Goodwill Industries Training Center (Located at 36th & L St in Stockyards Plaza) Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Gene DeBoer and Tobi Mathouser, members of the Downtown Rotary Club Foundation Board, will host a business networking event open to all members and guests. The event will highlight the inspiring history of the Downtown Rotary Club Foundation and its significant impact on the local community.
Lunch Details: Attendees will enjoy a Mexican cuisine lunch catered by Maria Bonita. Cost: $15 per person
RSVP Information: Guests are asked to confirm their attendance by January 3rd by emailing Tobi Mathouser at tmathouser@goodwillomaha.org. A sign-up sheet will also be circulated during the Rotary meetings on December 11th and 18th.
Note: Rotary will not meet on December 25th or January 1st due to the holidays. After the holiday break, this event will be an excellent opportunity to reconnect and network with fellow Rotarians and guests.
The Downtown Rotary Club Foundation Board wishes everyone a joyful holiday season and looks forward to welcoming attendees in the new year.
Contact Information: Tobi Mathouser President & CEO Goodwill Industries serving Eastern Nebraska and Southwest Iowa 4805 North 72nd Street, Omaha, NE 68134 Phone: 402-231-1972
The recent Rotary project, Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army, was a tremendous success! A heartfelt thank you to Susan Koesters for her exceptional coordination of this effort. We also extend our gratitude to all the Rotarians and their families who volunteered their time to fill a shift. Your dedication embodies the spirit of service.
Special recognition goes to the following Rotarian volunteers: Hal Daub, Mary Daub, Steve McCollister, Mike Mancuso, John Mock, Colleen Brennan, Fletcher Reel, Brett Frevert, Sandy Lemke, Dakotah Smith, Russell Vaughn, John Ewing, Viv Ewing, Jesse Moore, Rachel Moore, Gretchen Harvey, Michelle Trawick, Oklet Gibbs, John Marburger, Dan Sawka, Jim Stewart, LeRoy Swedlund, Bobbi Swedlund, Susan Koesters, and Amie Konwinski.
Thank you for your contributions to this meaningful initiative! Below are some snapshots capturing the moments of joy and service.
L to R: Colleen Brennan, Fletcher Reel, Hal Daub, Mary Daub, future Rotarian Hudson, and Steve McCollister
By Rotary International Source: https://www.rotary.org/en/rotary-foundation-receives-highest-rating-charity-navigator-16th-consecutive-year
For the 16th consecutive year, The Rotary Foundation has received the highest rating — four stars — from Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of charities in the U.S.
The Foundation earned the recognition for adhering to sector best practices and executing its mission in a financially efficient way, demonstrating both strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency.
“We are delighted to provide the Rotary Foundation with third-party accreditation that validates their operational excellence,” said Michael Thatcher, president and CEO of Charity Navigator. “The Four-Star Rating is the highest possible rating an organization can achieve. We are eager to see the good work that the Rotary Foundation is able to accomplish in the years ahead.”
Charity Navigator analyzes nonprofit performance based on four key indicators, referred to as beacons. Currently, nonprofits can earn scores for the impact and results, accountability and finance, culture and communities, and leadership and adaptability.
Charity Navigator is the largest and most utilized independent charity evaluator in the U.S. Since 2001, the organization has been an unbiased and trusted source of information for more than 11 million donors annually.
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.
Pictured here are the December 2024 volunteers L to R:Colleen Brennan, Steve McCollister, Tobi Mathouser, future Rotarian Paige Mathouser, Fletcher Reel, Rick Samson, and Todd Johnson (front)
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 supporting fellow Rotarian Boy Scouts CEO Chris Mehaffey and the Boy Scouts Annual Big Gives Event at the CHI Center L to R: John Sullivan, Hal Daub, Aileen Warren, Larry Guenther, Sean Kelly, and Chris Mehaffey
Rotarians at Christmas in the Village L to R: Viv Ewing, John Ewing, and Lisa Tonjes Moritz
Rotarians at the Omaha emPower Breakfast L to R: Brett Frevert, Lisa Tonjes Moritz, Todd Chaney, and James Mackiewicz
Rotarians at the Greater Omaha Chamber Holiday Party Brett Frevert and James Mackiewicz with Rotarians from other clubs in the area
Rotarians at the recent Commercial Real Estate Summit L to R: John Sullivan, Kevin Baitey, Adam Hoebelheinrich, and Larry Guenther.
Rotarians meeting at Lauritzen Gardens L to R: LeRoy Swedlund, John Mock, and Eli McNichols from Suburban Rotary
Rotarians at Jewish Business Leaders L to R: Brett Frevert, Gene Kowel, and Larry Guenther
Rotarians at the Association for Corporate Growth L to R: Michelle Trawick, Brett Frevert, and Jill Slupe
Merrymakers Toast to PJ Morgan. Pictured here are Rotarians L to R: Sandy Lemke, John Ewing, and Viv Ewing
The Rotaract Club of Belize City is renovating a rural school and a Rotary club-sponsored park as part of its youth-focused agenda. In April, club members met at the Hattieville Government Preschool to paint restrooms and complete other beautification work. A later phase will include new toilets. “We’ve been able to replace chalkboards in 10 classrooms with whiteboards and to donate a printer and other school and hygiene materials,” says Kristoff Nicholson, immediate past president. The club partnered with a telecom provider and raffled off smartphones to help pay for the project. It also received a District 4250 grant of $1,000. In March, club members replaced basketball and goal nets and painted benches and a playset at Love Park in Balama, another element of the project, Nicholson says.
Colombia
In January, the Rotary Club of Cúcuta-Ciudad de Arboles purchased about $600 of school supplies and delivered 100 sets of notebooks, pencils, pens, erasers, sharpeners, and more to students in the city. It’s about 350 miles northeast of Bogotá. Club members also visited with students in the neighborhood of Las Delicias, says Dora Patricia Lobo, a past president of the club. “The hustle and bustle and joy of these students when they receive their school package warms our souls and encourages us to continue,” Lobo says. More than 1,400 students have benefited since the project began.
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
President's Pen
Belize
Colombia
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