Rotary Club of Omaha Whirl 07.28.25 (Jul. 28, 2025)

July 30, 2025 Field Club of Omaha, 3615 Woolworth Avenue, Omaha, NE 68105

Presiding Officer: President Gretchen Harvey

Secretary: Matthew Boulay

Sgt at Arms: Okley Gibbs
Digital Experience: Adam Leong

Invocation & Pledge: Vince Miscia

Navigator: Todd Chaney

Cashiers/Check-in: David Carrig & Aileen Warren

Admin Support: Need Volunteer

Greeters: Paul Cohen & Deb Skinner

Speaker Host: Tobi Mathouser

Speaker: Rotary Foundation Recipients Presentation

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

July 30, 2025 Rotary Speaker - Rotary Foundation Recipients Presentation

The purpose of the Omaha Downtown Rotary Club Foundation (ODRCF) is to carry out the community service projects of the Rotary Club of Omaha. It focuses on providing community grants, with an emphasis on education, veterans and seniors and funding projects to support community initiatives and organizations identified by Rotarians.

At the beginning of 2025 the Downtown Rotary Foundation awarded $30,000 in community grants to 13 local non-profits and $9000 towards our Club’s signature event, The Rotary Honor Roll Event. Today, we have the honor of hearing how your generous contributions towards the foundation impacted the following organizations and those they serve.

Immanuel
MADD
Midwest Women’s Entrepreneur
Respect

Welcome Candi Jacobs

Candi Jacobs
Omaha Marriott

Candi grew up in a beautiful farm town in Sonoma County, California and was a third generation Petaluma High School Graduate. (Same high school from which Wynona Rider graduated.)

She has two grown children, Richard, 25 who lives in Omaha, and Sabrina, 23 who moved back home to Petaluma, California. If the town sounds familiar to any of you, then you may just be a movie buff.

On the 4 th of July, she became engaged to Randy Dubas, an Omaha native who understands her California side after spending 4 and a half years at Camp Pendleton in the early 2000s.

After moving to Nebraska in 2016, she went to work as the Membership Engagement Manager for the Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce. It is there that she realized the importance of networking and helping others make the right business connections. She worked there for a few years (pre-COVID) and since October of 2021 has been the Senior Sales Manager at the Omaha Marriott in Regency. After winning the Pinnacle award for Sales Excellence twice, she is now working to improve individual business travel in addition to the corporate groups that have always relied on her for expertise in meeting and event planning.

Candi has been a Rotarian at the Omaha West Rotary and is transferring her membership to THE Rotary Club of Omaha. Welcome to your new Rotary home, Candi!

Welcome Newest Rotarian Ryan Lemmon

Ryan Lemmon
Schooley Mitchell

Ryan has spent the past 15 years in leadership roles across a variety of industries, with a focus on improving operations, building strong client relationships, and helping teams perform at a high level. Today, he works as a Strategic Partner with Schooley Mitchell, where he helps businesses find savings in areas like telecom, shipping, and waste, often in places they wouldn’t think to look.

Before that, he was Vice President of Account Management at Jet Linx, a private aviation company headquartered here in Omaha, where he led a national client services team. He’s also held leadership roles in the financial services and title industries, guiding teams through system overhauls, client onboarding, and continuous process improvement.

Ryan lives downtown and loves the walkable lifestyle. On weekends, you can usually find him trying a new restaurant in the Old Market and appreciating the fact that he hasn’t had to see his car in days. He’s happiest when he’s outside, whether that’s walking around Omaha or hiking in the mountains of Colorado, which he considers his favorite place to be.

He’s excited to be part of Rotary and looks forward to getting to know the group. Welcome to Rotary, Ryan!

🎶🧀 Mac, Mules & Music: Unite for Good! 🧀🎶

🎶🧀 Mac, Mules & Music: Unite for Good! 🧀🎶
A Rotary Club of Omaha Signature Fundraiser

Fellow Rotarians,

Join us for an unforgettable evening of macaroni & cheese, mules, music, and community impact! The Rotary Club of Omaha invites all clubs, in addition to Rotary friends & family across the metro, to support our newest fundraiser, Mac, Mules & Music, taking place:

📍 Lucky Bucket Brewing Co
📅 Friday, August 22
🕔 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📌 11941 Centennial Rd, LaVista, NE

We’re uniting for good with a casual, family-friendly event that features gourmet mac & cheese, refreshing mules, and music! Proceeds from this fun night out will benefit three long-standing Rotary initiatives:

The Eighth Grade Honor Roll
The 911 Memorial
The Outland Trophy Dinner

We encourage Rotarians across the district to show up in support - bring your club members, families, and friends. Let’s show the strength of Rotary’s network and make this a city-wide success.

🎟️ Sponsorships and tickets are now available from $40 single tickets to $10,000 Title Sponsorships; there’s a way for everyone to join in and contribute.

👉 Let’s Unite for Good—because when Rotarians gather with purpose, great things happen.
Visit https://square.link/u/ElDHVDJa to reserve your spot or sponsor today!

Celebrating Our Perfect Rotarians!

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.

🌟 New Member Orientation – Save the Dates!

Are you a new Rotarian or just looking to learn more about how to get the most out of your membership? Join us for one of our upcoming New Member Orientation sessions! These gatherings are a great way to connect with fellow members, learn about club opportunities, and discover how you can make a meaningful impact.

📅 Orientation Dates:

July 23 at 4:00 PM – Regency Area
August 20 at 7:30 AM
September 24 at 12:00 Noon

Each session is designed to fit different schedules and provide valuable insights into our club's mission, projects, and pathways to getting involved. Whether you're brand new or just need a refresher, you're warmly invited.

New members are encouraged to attend.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Governor Robert Rapp July 2025 Message

Rotary District 5650 Rotarians: This is my first newsletter of the new Rotary year. First, let me tell you what an honor and a privilege it is to be your 2025-26 District Governor. We have an exciting year ahead of us and I know we will all accomplish important things together serving our communities and the world as we “Unite For Good.”

Before I give you my message for July, I would like to thank PDG Tom Kerfoot, Omaha Suburban Rotary Club, for his great leadership over the past 2024-25 year in serving our Rotary District. Thank you, Tom!!

Tom, along with the rest of our District Leadership Team, did an excellent job, always thinking of others and how to best serve our Rotary Clubs. We are fortunate as Tom will continue to serve next year as Foundation Chair. Mick McKinley, PDG, Council Bluffs Noon Rotary Club, is stepping down after serving in this role for many years. A big thank you to Mick for his many years of dedicated service. Please thank him when you see him.

Hopefully, that won’t be long, as he and his bandmates from “Paul Harris and his Fellows” will be headlining at our Fall Rotary District Conference, October 17-18^th, 2025 at the Scott Conference Center, Aksarben Village, Omaha on Friday evening, October 17^th, 2025, for “Rotary Got Talent”.

Rotarians serving meals at Stephen Center

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.

July 2, 2025 Rotarian Volunteers at Stephen Center

Rotary Social is Business Networking

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 meet up on the green L to R; Shelly Ruwe, Angela Chaney, Todd Chaney, Josh Todd & James Mackiewicz

Rotarians at Christmas in July at Marriott L to R: Candi Jacobs, Zac Triemert, Jill Slupe

Rotarians at the Chamber of Commerce meeting L to R: Aspiring Rotarian Shannon Booth of WOWT, First Lady Viv Ewing, QLI CEO Nash Mahupete, and Mayor John Ewing

Rotarians Meet up at Stinson Park L to R: First Lady Viv Ewing, Deb Skinner, and Mayor John Ewing

Omaha Storm Chasers paid courtesy call to Mayor John Ewing. L to R: Alexis Boulos, Martie Cordaro, and Mayor John Ewing

Rotarians at Empower Breakfast L to R: Lisa Tonjes Moritz, Brett Frevert, James Mackiewicz, Shelly Ruwe, Bill Harvey and President Gretchen Harvey

Rotary Social meeting with the new General Secretary of the Scottish Rite Lodge Omaha David Greenberg (Suburban Rotary) Micah Evans (Millard Rotary) and Yolanda Hoffman (Omaha)

Rotarians at Cavanaugh for Congress L to R: Lisa Tonjes Moritz, Tom Gouttierre, Jim Suttle. Not in photo is Jim Cavanaugh

Happy Birthday, Rotarians!

We are Rotary

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.

Aug 06, 2025

Colonel John Folsom

Service, Sacrifice & Support

Aug 13, 2025

Martie Cordero

Storm Chasers & Union Omaha Update

Aug 20, 2025

Dr. Reynold Henry

Whole Blood Initiative

Aug 27, 2025

Phil Taylor

Cybersecurity

Sep 03, 2025

Amy Tritsch

Education

Sep 10, 2025

Gene Kowel

9/11

Sep 17, 2025

Peter Sakaris

Cybersecurity

Sep 24, 2025

Ryan Pickett and Brad Ekwerekwu

Education

View entire list

Stephen Center 2723 Q St., Omaha, NE 68107
Stephen Center
Aug 05, 2025

*Club sings "GBA"

Aug 06, 2025

Annual Rotary Club of Omaha Pool Party!

Aug 07, 2025 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

New Member Orientation

Aug 20, 2025 7:30 AM

Rotary After Meeting Socials
Field Club Bar
Aug 27, 2025 1:00 PM

Stephen Center 2723 Q St., Omaha, NE 68107
Stephen Center
Sep 02, 2025

*Club sings "GBA"

Sep 03, 2025

New Member Orientation

Sep 24, 2025 12:00 PM

Rotary After Meeting Socials
Field Club Bar
Sep 24, 2025 1:00 PM

View entire list

Club President

Gretchen Harvey

Club President-elect

James Mackiewicz

Immediate Past Club President

Heather Legge

Club Administration Director

Yolanda Hoffman

Club Secretary

Matthew Boulay

Club Treasurer

Jim Stewart

Club Foundation Chair - TRF

Heather Legge

Sergeant-at-Arms

Okley Gibbs

Club Membership Chair

Russell Vaughn

Club Polio Chair

Bill Harvey

Club Program Chair

Tobi Mathouser

Club Public Image

Lisa Tonjes Moritz

Club Service Projects

Steve McCollister

Club Foundation Board Chair - Club Foundation

Tobi Mathouser

Board Member - 2025-2028

Tobi Mathouser

Club Foundation Board Member 2024-2027

Tobi Mathouser

Club Foundation Board Member 2023-2026

Aileen Warren

Club Foundation Board Member 2025-2028

Jill Slupe

Club Foundation Immediate Past President

Chris Tooker

Board Member - 2023-2026

Josh Todd

Board Member - 2024-2027

Lisa Tonjes Moritz

Club Foundation Board Member 2025-2028

Leslie Volk

Board Member - 2024-2027

Susan Koesters

Board Member - 2023-2026

Sue Kutschkau

Club Foundation Board Member 2023-2026

Sean Connolly

Board Member - 2025-2028

Gene DeBoer

Club Foundation Board Member 2024-2027

Gene DeBoer

Member Birthdays

Michael Mancuso

July 1

David Carrig

July 6

Theo Freye

July 9

Chris Mehaffey

July 11

Brad von Gillern

July 13

Benjamin Washburn

July 17

Randy Ferlic

July 17

Donald Swanson

July 20

Pastor Heidi McGinness

July 22

Paul Cohen

July 23

Dakotah Smith

July 24

LeRoy Swedlund

July 24

Jeremy Bouman

July 25

Tom Gouttierre

July 29

Amie Konwinski

July 30



















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