As we approach the joyful season of gratitude, we’d like to let all members know that there will be no meeting on November 26 in celebration of Thanksgiving.
This festive time of year reminds us to slow down, appreciate our blessings, and enjoy warm, meaningful moments with family, friends, and loved ones. Regular meetings will resume the following week.
Wishing everyone a bright, happy, and heart-warming Thanksgiving!
During the Rotary Club of Omaha’s weekly meeting on November 12, we paused to honor and recognize the veterans among our membership—individuals who have dedicated their lives to protecting our freedoms and serving our nation with courage and integrity.
A special photo was captured during the meeting, showcasing our Rotarian veterans standing together as the club expressed its gratitude. The moment reflected not only their personal sacrifices, but also the deep respect and appreciation felt throughout the organization.
The Rotary Club of Omaha extends heartfelt thanks to these remarkable men and women. Their service continues to inspire our commitment to leadership, community, and service above self.
Their bravery and commitment inspire us all, now and always.
Omaha Downtown Rotary Foundation: Grants Application Now Open
The Omaha Downtown Rotary Foundation is now accepting grant applications from October 1 to November 30, 2025. Eligible applicants include local nonprofits, schools, and community groups advancing Rotary’s mission of Service Above Self.
Timeline
Apply: Oct 1–Nov 30, 2025
Review: December 2025
Awards Announced: January 2026
How to apply: Submit the electronic application here Questions: Contact Service Above Self Chair Steve McCollister at stevemccollister@gmail.com
Celebrating excellence! The Rotary Club of Omaha has been honored with Rotary International’s prestigious Club Excellence Award for the 2024–2025 Rotary year, recognizing our outstanding achievements under President Heather Legge’s leadership. We also received Rotary International's recognition for our PolioPlus giving, among the highest per-capita contributions in the district, reflecting our club’s unwavering commitment to eradicating polio worldwide. President Gretchen Harvey proudly presented the awards to Immediate Past President Heather Legge on behalf of District Governor Robert Rapp.
Huge thanks to every member whose service, generosity, and Rotary spirit made this possible!
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.
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.
Rotary District 5650 Rotarians—Happy November!! I hope everyone remembers to set their clock back an hour this weekend for a well-earned extra hour of sleep!! When I was a little boy growing up on the farm I always appreciated the extra hour of sleep because I did not have to get up as early to do my chores, which included milking the Ayrshire cow. I am sure those of you who grew up on a farm, delivered the morning paper or had early morning jobs can identify with me.
I wanted to give a big shout out to every Rotary Club in our District for everything they did in October to “Unite for Good” and serve their communities and the world!! Here is a partial listing of the events including fundraisers:
October 1st, 2025, Omaha Millard Rotary Dave & Arlene Steier Memorial Golf Tournament, Tiburon Golf Club
Rotary Zones 25B & 29 Institute, October 1-4th, 2025, Prior Lake, Minnesota
October 9th, 2025, Red Oak Rotary Club Chili Cookoff, Annual PolioPlus Fundraiser held at Red Oak High School. I was a judge and deciding which were the top three chili’s was extremely hard. Lucky for me, I had two other judges to help me decide.
October 11th, 2025, Suburban Rotary Club – Annual Electronics Recycling Event Powered by Datashield. I participated in this event and A big thank you to Dan Hosford, President-elect & Suburban Rotarian volunteers including David Kutler, Owner of Body Basics where the event took place.
October 22nd, 2025, Seward Rotary Club PolioPlus Fundraiser Event
October 23rd, 2025, Omaha Night Rotary - Casino Night benefiting ENVY Volleyball, Champions Run
October 28th, 2025, Rotary Clubs of Lincoln Salute to Business 2025, Cornhusker Marriott, Lincoln. I spoke at this event. What an honor!!
October 29th, 2025, Fairbury Rotary Club Trash Pickup
A reminder to document your club service projects hours/volunteers in Rotary Club Central so they will show on District Governor-elect, Gretchen Bren’s Thermometer -https://rotarydistrict5650.org/Stories/district-goal-thermometer. We want to recognize all the fantastic work you are doing to serve your communities!!
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 “Live from Omaha” Outland Trophy Semi-Finalist Announcement. L to R: Former Mayor Jim Suttle, Mayor John Ewing, and Mike Mancuso. Not pictured: Omaha First Lady Viv Ewing.
Pachyderm Lunch.
Membership Committee Meeting L to R: Hannah Patterson, Sarah Robak, and Dakotah Smith
Rotarians hard at work brainstorming about Rotary engagement L to R: Chris Mehaffey, Liesel Kittlitz, Ryan Lemmon, Bill Harvey, and Vanessa Clark
Rotarians attending the MWEC event. From left to right: Amie Konwinski, Heather Legge, and Jill Slupe.
Lisa Palooza group with three Lisas from Rotary: Lisa Tonjes Moritz, Lisa Hatterman (Morning Rotary), and Lisa Schiele
Rotarians at the Building Owners and Managers meeting L to R: James Mackiewicz, Yolanda Hoffman, Gene Kowel
Rotarians at 100 Black Men Gala. L to R" Christopher Nwafor, Larry Guenther, First Lady Viv Ewing and Mayor John Ewing
Rotarians meet up at Midtown Crossing L to R: Heidi McGinness, Yvonne Dooley, John Sullivan
At the Fallen Giants film showing at the Holland arts Center L to R: First Lady Viv Ewing, Ben Washburn, Mayor John Ewing.
Rotarians at Rebecca Rens for Legislature District 10. L to R: Sarah Robak, Rebecca Rens, Chris Tooker, Yolanda Hoffman. Back L to R Fletcher Reel, Colleen Brennan, Todd Johnson, and Hal Daub
Rotarians supporting the Outlook Enrichment Journey Beyond Vision Gala.
Rotarians at the Stephen Center Trunk or Treat.
Rotarians at the Stephen Center Trunk or Treat.
Rotarians gathered at the Omaha Public Library Foundation Gala . Left to Right: Atty. Eugene Kowel, Susan Koesters, Sandy Lemke, and Dakotah Smith
Rotarians at The Arboretum Village for Tom Gouttierre’s presentation. Left to Right: Jim Suttle, Tom Gouttierre, and Val McPherson.
At the Inspire Women's Awards. Left to Right: Mayor John Ewing, Dr. Viv Ewing, and Kris Pojar. Dr. Ewing was nominated for awards in Excellence in Public Service and Woman of the Year.
Rotarians at Colleen Brennan for Douglas County Commissioner event. Left to right: Hal Daub, Rebecca Rens, Colleen Brennan, Doug Pedersen, Christopher Nwafor, Sandy Lemke, and John Sullivan. Not pictured: Fletcher Reel.
Rotarians at CFO Systems Tailgate L to R: Bill Harvey, Brett Frevert, Larry Guenther, and Brad Burklund
Rotary Social meet up L to R: Hal Daub, President Gretchen Harvey, and Bill Harvey
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.
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
Rotary District 5650 Rotarians—Happy November!! I hope everyone remembers to set their clock back an hour this weekend for a well-earned extra hour of sleep!! When I was a little boy growing up on the farm I always appreciated the extra hour of sleep because I did not have to get up as early to do my chores, which included milking the Ayrshire cow. I am sure those of you who grew up on a farm, delivered the morning paper or had early morning jobs can identify with me.
