Digital Experience: Adam Leong Sgt at Arms: Okley Gibbs Navigator: Sean Olson
Registration/Cashier: John Marburger & Need Volunteer
Admin Support: Need Volunteer
In-Person Greeters: Larry Johansen & Heather Legge Speaker Host: James Mackiewicz
Speaker: Bob Keefer
Weekly Meeting at:
Field Club 3615 Woolworth Avenue Omaha, NE
11/01/23 Menu: Main entree TBD, salad, bread, vegetables, fruits, and cookies for dessert. Lunch price: NEW PRICE $12 for members, $17 for visiting Rotarians and guests. Best Rotary lunch & best lunch price in all of Metro Omaha Rotary clubs
November is Foundation Month in Rotary; one of the projects supported by the Rotary International Foundation is the Peace Centers. In cooperation with leading universities, Rotary supports masters degrees and certificate programs in conflict resolution, community development, and related fields in peace studies.
Rotarian Bob Keefer will tell the story of Rotary’s Peace Centers and of some of its alumni. He will also help us understand how we as members of the Rotary Club of Omaha can support this amazing venture. Bob, a Rotarian since 1984, is currently Peace Fellowships Chair for District 5650.
Bob Keefer, a retired Presbyterian minister, has been an active Rotarian since 1984 and became a member of the Omaha Rotary Club in 2013. His extensive involvement with Rotary includes serving as the President of two different Rotary clubs, demonstrating his exceptional leadership skills within the organization. Notably, he also spearheaded the transformation of the Cincinnati Rotary Chorus from a men's chorus to a mixed chorus, fostering inclusivity and harmony within the group.
Furthermore, Bob Keefer has made a significant impact in the broader Rotary community, having served as a Former Assistant Governor under Rotary Governors Bob Perrin and Dick Galusha. Currently, he holds the position of Peace Fellowship Chair for District 5650, where he actively promotes peace and cooperation in line with Rotary's values, contributing to the organization's mission of fostering a more harmonious and equitable world.
The Rotary Trunk or Treat car, adorned with a "Krusty Krab" theme, was generously provided by Lisa Tonjes Moritz and her family. This marks the second year of the Annual Trunk or Treat at Stephen Center, and Rotary is proud to have taken part in it. We extend our gratitude to Project Chair Steve McCollister for coordinating the project and to Lisa Tonjes Moritz for her efforts in decorating her car. We would also like to thank all Rotarians who contributed to the candy treats.
What are the chances of three Omaha Rotarians finding each other at the same event in Des Moines? Here are Tobi Mathouser, Russell Vaughn, and Sandy Lemke in Des Moines at a Vistage event, and where there are three or more Rotarians gathered, there shall be attendance credits. And credit they deserve. The Editor will take a Rotarian's word in a quick email, but a picture of the meet-up will speak a thousand words and will land you in The Whirl.
The Rotary Club of Omaha has been honored with the esteemed Rotary International Citation for the Rotary Year 2022-2023, during the tenure of President Sean Connolly. This recognition was presented at the culminating Rotary District 5650 Conference. Our club surpassed the expectations set by RI, particularly in the domains of Developing and implementing sustainable service projects, Contributions to The Rotary Foundation, Membership Engagement initiatives, and Raising awareness of Rotary within the community. Congratulations to all our dedicated Rotarians!
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 hard-working Rotarians L to R: Franco Gentile, Steve McCollister, Scott Kinnaird, Hiedi McGinness, and a big turnout of Nash Mahupete and his family.
The Rotary International Convention: Unforgettable moments, enduring relationships
The Rotary International Convention is where you’ll find people of action from around the world brainstorming solutions to some of the most pressing challenges and celebrating our works of service that create lasting change.
The convention is where you’ll renew connections, discover fresh perspectives, and create unforgettable moments and enduring relationships.
At the convention, you’ll:
Participate in engaging breakout session discussions
Attend motivating general sessions
Network with fellow changemakers
Mingle with old and new friends
Browse exhibits and visit the House of Friendship
Explore an exciting host city
Enjoy live entertainment and enriching attractions
The convention is our largest event of the year, a chance for members to show the general public who we are and what we do. Join us at this year’s Rotary International Convention and show the world who you are and all that you do.
R. Gordon R. McInally is president of Rotary International. He was educated at the Royal High School in Edinburgh and at the University of Dundee, where he earned his graduate degree in dental surgery. He operated his own dental practice in Edinburgh until 2016. Gordon was chair of the East of Scotland branch of the British Paedodontic Society and has held various academic positions. He has also served as a presbytery elder, chair of the Queensferry parish congregational board, and commissioner to the general assembly of the Church of Scotland. Read President McInally's biography.
Watch the video below of President McInally's address to the Rotary International Assembly:
Mário César Martins de Camargo, a member of the Rotary Club of Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil, is the selection of the Nominating Committee for President to become Rotary International’s president for 2025-26. He will officially become the nominee on 15 September if no other candidates challenge him.
De Camargo plans to boost Rotary’s public image by working from the top down.
“Rotary today has strong competition for members and funds,” he says. “We need to rejuvenate the brand, especially in some zones. We should utilize post-pandemic meeting tools … to allow the president to address Rotarians all over the globe. We also need to develop more long-term partnerships with political, community, and business leaders. Let’s emphasize our greatest asset: 1.4 million volunteers.” He also hopes to improve Rotary’s process for appointments and governance.
“Rotary should adopt a more transparent system to appoint volunteers for positions, with clear criteria and data-based evaluation of results,” he says.
De Camargo was president of Gráfica Bandeirantes and has been a consultant to the print industry in Brazil. He has also served as president and chair of several printing and graphics trade associations, including the Brazilian Association of Graphic Technology and ABIGRAF, the Brazilian Printing Industry Association.
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 Jill Slupe with her niece Future Rotarian Ava.
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
BOB KEEFER
Mário César Martins de Camargo, a member of the Rotary Club of Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil, is the selection of the Nominating Committee for President to become Rotary International’s president for 2025-26. He will officially become the nominee on 15 September if no other candidates challenge him.
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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