Sgt at Arms: Okley Gibbs Digital Experience: Bill Harvey
Invocation & Pledge: Okley Gibbs
Navigator: Steve McCollister
Cashiers/Check-in: Ryan Lemmon & Lisa Tonjes Moritz
Admin Support: Kevin Baitey
Greeters: Eugene Kowel & Shelly Ruwe
New Member Host: Jim Suttle
Speaker Host: Tobi Mathousery/Okley Gibbs
Speakers: Larry Dwyer
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
Lawrence A. (Larry) Dwyer is an attorney, author, and historian with deep roots in Nebraska’s legal and cultural community. He earned his B.A. in American and British History from the University of Nebraska–Omaha and his law degree from Creighton University. A proud member of the Nebraska Bar Association, Larry has practiced law for more than 50 years.
In addition to his legal career, Larry has written seven books on estate planning, covering topics such as wills, trusts, probate, elder law, and estate taxes. His work reflects a lifelong commitment to helping individuals and families plan wisely for the future.
Larry’s passion for history has also shaped much of his community involvement. He served six years on the Board of Directors of the Douglas County Historical Society, where he founded its Foundation and served as its first President. He has been a keynote speaker at the Society’s major anniversary celebrations of the historic Trial of Standing Bear.
His most recent book, Standing Bear’s Quest for Freedom, published by the University of Nebraska Press, was named Nebraska’s Best History Book for 2023. Larry also serves on the board of a new national nonprofit dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacy of Ponca Chief Standing Bear.
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!
At a recent meeting, President Gretchen Harvey presented Ben Washburn with his permanent Rotary badge, marking his commitment to Rotary’s mission of service and community leadership. President Harvey congratulated Ben on reaching this milestone and thanked Hal Daub for introducing him to Rotary and championing his engagement with the club.
Ben Washburn with President Gretchen Harvey and Steve McCollister (standing in for Hal Daub)
The Rotary Club of Omaha was well represented at the Rotary District 5650 Conference at the Scott Conference Center in Omaha. Omaha Rotarian James Mackiewicz served as Conference Chair, supporting District Governor Robert Rapp of Omaha Morning Rotary. The conference was a powerhouse, featuring inspiring speakers, great food, and outstanding Rotary value, and a terrific chance to connect with Rotarians from 39 clubs across the district. See photos of our attendees below.
L to R: Lisa Tonjes Moritz, James Mackiewicz, Aileen Warren, Christopher Nwafor, Mitch Hunt, and Bill Harvey
L to R: Aileen Warren, Bill Harvey, Camille Metoyer Moten, James Mackiewicz, Gretchen Harvey, Christopher Nwafor, Kim Stewart, Larry Guenther, and Tobi Mathouser.
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
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.
Oct 7, 2025 Rotarians at Stephen Center L to R: Uniikye Washington, Colleen Brennan, Ryan Lemmon, Steve McCollister, Yvonne Dooley, Luke Drazic, and Fletcher Reel.
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: Welcome to October! This is one of my favorite times of year! Warm days and cool temperatures at night are upon us with fall colors soon to be on display! Harvest is well under way in the countryside, and pumpkins will be looking to find a porch to sit upon.
I wanted to give a big thank you to the ten Rotary Clubs that I spoke to in September! Wayne, Red Oak, Crete, Columbus Noon, Council Bluffs Centennial, Glenwood, Fremont, Lincoln Giving Spirits Evening, Ashland, & Pawnee City. Thank you for making me feel so welcome and letting me share the Rotary International message for this 2025-26 year, “Unite for Good”!!!
I have now spoken to all 37 Rotary Clubs in our District. It has been an honor and a privilege to meet with all of you! You are all community builders!!
I also participated in a few special club events:
Seward Rotary Club’s Centennial Project - “Shades for the Seward Bandshell” dedication program held the evening of September 21st. The event was free to all. The evening included a special dedication concert, several short comments, musical solos, door prizes and free birthday cake and ice cream! The new “Shades at the Bandshell” project is the official Centennial Project of the Seward Rotary Club - 1925-2025 - donated by Seward Rotarians and the community!
Ashland Rotary Club’s sidewalks/improvements dedication ceremony groundbreaking around the children’s park the morning of Wednesday, September 24th, 2025.
Geneva Rotary Club’s Annual Octoberfest, held on Saturday, September 27th, 2025, afternoon/evening to complete the final fundraising for their bandshell project in the Geneva Rotary Park.
I also had the honor to speak to the 41 RYLA students at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA-Powered by Launch) program, held September 26-28th, 2025 at Camp Calvin Crest located near Fremont, Nebraska, about Rotary and our peace essay contest with the 3 top winners coming to speak at the District Conference. I helped hand out the student’s certificates of completion with Kathryn Schubert, PDG, RYLA District Chair. Kathryn has done an amazing job of organizing RYLA and bringing the program back stronger than ever to the clubs. A big thank you to the Rotary Clubs that supported this year’s RYLA Camp!
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 Opera matinee L to R: Bishop Vanessa Clark, Mayor John Ewing, and First Lady Viv Ewing
Rotarians at ACG L to R" Larry Guenther, Brad Burklund, and Brett Frevert
Rotarians at MWE She Means Business L to R: Karalee Picard (Omaha Night), Amie Konwinski, Shayne Fili, Lisa Tonjes Moritz, Heather Legge, and Leslie Volk.
Rotarians at Dakotah Smith's campaign kick off L to R: Lisa Tonjes Moritz, President Gretchen Harvey, Dakotah Smith, Bill Harvey, Jim Suttle, Scott Kinnaird
Rotarians at the Heartland Women's Network L to R: Lisa Tonjes Moritz, Amie Konwinski, and Lisa Hatterman (Omaha Morning)
At the Sienna Francis House 50th anniversary luncheon L to R: Cella Quinn, Tobi Mathouser, First Lady Viv Ewing, Mayor John Ewing, and Aileen Warren
Honor Roll Committee hard at work L to R: Deb Skinner, Susan Koesters, Lisa Schiele, Larry Guenther, Jim Stewart, Bill Harvey, Hal Daub, Charlie Peters, Steve McCollister, Camille Metoyer Moten, and the one who took the picture, Yolanda Hoffman
Rotarians at James Wright retirement party L to R: Dakotah Smith, Brett Frevert, and Shelly Ruwe
Rotarians at Pheasants Forever L to R: Brett Frevert, Zac Triemert, and Shelly Ruwe
Rotarians Meet Up at the Omaha Community Foundation event L to R: Sandy Lemke, John Marburger, and Susan Koesters
Pachyderm lunch meeting at the German American Society L to R: Ben Washburn, Colleen Brennan, Fletcher Reel, and Steve McCollister
Omaha Chamber Power Conference — L to R: Steve McCollister, Aileen Warren, and Nash Mahupete. Not pictured: Mayor John Ewing.
At the Arthritis Foundation Gala L to R: First Lady Viv Ewing, Mayor John Ewing, and Boy Scouts CEO Chris Mehaffey
PDG Bob Perrin, Yolanda Hoffman, and Zac Triemert at the Downtown Omaha Inc Breakfast Meeting
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
Larry Dwyer
Rotary District 5650 Rotarians: Welcome to October! This is one of my favorite times of year! Warm days and cool temperatures at night are upon us with fall colors soon to be on display! Harvest is well under way in the countryside, and pumpkins will be looking to find a porch to sit upon.
