Digital Experience: Adam Leong Sgt at Arms: Okley Gibbs Navigator: Michelle Trawick
Registration/Cashier: Need Volunteers
Admin Support: James Mackiewicz
In-Person Greeters: Bill Harvey & Sandy Lemke
Program Host: President Sean Connolly
Program: YearEnd Awards & Changing of the Guard
No need to pre-register, just show up
Field Club 3615 Woolworth Avenue Omaha, NE
6/28/23 menu: Filet Tips, green mix salad, bread, vegetables, fruits, and cookies for dessert. Lunch price: $9 for members, $14 for visiting Rotarians and guests. Best Rotary lunch price in all of Metro Omaha
L to R: President Sean Connolly and incoming President Larry Guenther
On June 28, 2023, the Omaha Downtown Rotary will have its Year-End Awards and Changing of the Guard ceremony, a time to reflect on the remarkable efforts and achievements of the original Rotary Club in Omaha over the past year. We have witnessed incredible dedication and compassion from our members, who have selflessly served our community through various projects and initiatives.
Throughout President Sean Connolly's term, we have undertaken several impactful projects that have made a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve. One notable project was our extension of support to people with disabilities in order to create a more inclusive and accessible environment for them. Our commitment to this cause has not only improved their quality of life but also fostered a more inclusive society.
Additionally, our Kids Against Hunger meal packaging project was a resounding success. Through the combined efforts of our dedicated Rotarians, we packaged thousands of nutritious meals that were distributed to families in need in our immediate community. This project not only addressed immediate hunger but also provided sustenance and hope for a brighter future.
As a tribute to the resilience and unity of our nation, we organized a powerful 9/11 Memorial Flag Display, honoring the lives lost and the heroes who emerged in the face of tragedy. This heartfelt display allowed us to come together as a community, fostering remembrance, healing, and a commitment to never forget.
In our commitment to environmental sustainability, several Rotarians joined in our Christmas tree recycling annual project, promoting responsible disposal methods and encouraging a greener approach to the holiday season. By collecting and recycling Christmas trees, we helped protect our natural resources and promote a cleaner, healthier environment.
Furthermore, our partnership with the Stephen Center enabled us to provide meal services to those experiencing homelessness, offering nourishment, warmth, and a sense of community to individuals in need.
We have successfully honored our brilliant 8th Grade Honor Roll students at our 96th Honor Roll Program and we have continued our annual scholarship program.
Through the generous support of Rotarians, we have proudly sponsored two Operation Hippocrates medical missions in Belize. These impactful endeavors brought together a dedicated team of Rotarians and medical professionals from Omaha, working tirelessly to save lives through clinics and heart surgeries.
These projects are just a glimpse of the incredible work accomplished by our Rotary members throughout the year. We are immensely grateful for the dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment displayed by each and every Rotarian.
During the Year-End Awards and Changing of the Guard ceremony, President Sean Connolly will personally recognize and honor those individuals who have gone above and beyond in their service to Rotary. It will be a moment of celebration and appreciation for the remarkable impact we have made collectively.
We extend our deepest gratitude to President Connolly for his leadership and commendable efforts during his term. We also extend a warm welcome to President Larry Guenther as he prepares to assume the role of President and lead us into the next Rotary year.
Planning for Rotary District 5650’s RYLA camp is well underway. Here are five need-to-knows for clubs!
#1. Who, Where and When: We will hold RYLA at Camp Kitaki from November 3-5, 2023. RYLA is designed to help high school sophomores and juniors improve their communication skills, work on problem-solving, and build community.
#2.Identifying and Supporting Student Participants: We are asking clubs to identify student participants. Our goal is to serve 40 students during our RYLA camp in 2023. If your club is unable to identify a student but would still like to provide financial or volunteer support, see #4 and #5.
#3: Student Sign-Ups: Although clubs will identify and select students, all students must complete their own individual registration form with a parent or guardian. We will be circulating that form to clubs soon.
#4: Financial Support: We understand that not every club will be able to select student participants. Your club can still help the RYLA students with financial support. The cost per student participant in 2023 is $300. Club sponsorships also will take place via an online form this year. In addition to indicating your club’s willingness to support student participants, the club sponsorship form will include an option for clubs to help offset specific costs related to running the camp, such as supplies, meals, etc. Keep a look out for that form in the coming weeks.
#5: Volunteer: RYLA depends on Rotary members to help the camp run! This ranges from working with small groups and providing on-site assistance to chaperoning and providing rides to participants to/from camp. If you have club members interested in volunteering, please email us and/or indicate your interest on the club sponsorship form.
Your Service Fund in Action! Recently, Omaha Downtown Rotary participated in a multi-club grant project of purchasing and packaging nutritious meals for the food insecure in our immediate community. Omaha Downtown Rotary, Omaha West Rotary, and Millard Rotary, with Rotarians, family, and friends, packaged 25,000 meals in partnership with Kids Against Hunger. Here's a video recap.
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 their 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 hard working Rotarians L to R: Matt Boulay, Project Chair Steve McCollister, Franco Gentile, Scott Kinnaird, and Heidi McGinness
Connecting with fellow Rotarians is made easy with club service. Plus, you get attendance credit. It's a great deal! If you are a new Rotarian, it counts toward your Red Badge requirements. You may sign up as Greeter, Virtual Greeter, Check-in/Registration, Navigator, and Invocator. Click hereto sign up.
Pictured here are recent greeters Treasurer Jim Stewart and Mike Schlickbernd of Dreamvesting greeting Spencer Secor of Lund Company.
Here's a sneak peek of a weekly meeting at Omaha Downtown Rotary. It starts with a live concert with Jim Scott-Miller on the piano with certified singers, the Omaha Downtown Rotarians! Watch this video. You can feel the energy!
Jim Cavanaugh
Paul Cohen Sean Connolly
Hal Daub
Gene DeBoer Dianne Desler
John Ewing
Viv Ewing
Brett Frevert
Dawn Gonzales
Okley Gibbs
Larry Guenther
Dee Haj Bill Harvey
Gretchen Harvey
Yolanda Hoffman
Bob Keefer
Susan Koesters
John Marburger
Steve McCollister
Camille Metoyer-Moten
Lloyd Meyer
Jim Murphy
Jim Scott-Miller
Mike Schlickbernd
Jim Stewart
Michelle Trawick
Aileen Warren
Rotarians are making a difference at Stephen Center. 
Connecting with fellow Rotarians is made easy with club service. Plus, you get attendance credit. It's a great deal! If you are a new Rotarian, it counts toward your Red Badge requirements. You may sign up as Greeter, Virtual Greeter, Check-in/Registration, Navigator, and Invocator. 
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