Secretary: James Mackiewicz Sgt at Arms: Okley Gibbs Digital Experience: Bill Harvey
Invocation & Pledge: Shayne Fili
Navigator: Charlie Peters
Cashiers/Check-in: Scott Buchholz & Need Volunteer
Admin Support: Matt Boulay
Greeters: Natalie Junk & Sandy Lemke
Speaker Host: Todd Chaney
Speaker: Carla Rizzo
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
Carla Rizzo holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Social Work from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She has taught as an adjunct professor at both UNO and Creighton University, co-founded the Nebraska Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and serves on the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands Public Policy Committee. With Completely KIDS since 1998, Carla is now CEO. Recognized with several awards, including the TOYO, 2022 UNO Alumni Award for Community Service, and 2023 MYLPA Ally Award, she is also a graduate of Leadership Omaha. Carla is married with four young sons. She loves to watch those boys play baseball!
Wow, it’s so cool to be part of a vibrant and growing club! This past week we had several visitors including DG Tom Kerfoot and newest member David who accepted a $100 bet from James on inviting other new members to join as part of our May Membership drive. Invite prospective members and for each who joins our club, receive a 200-point Paul Harris boost! Thank you also to Dawn Gonzales of Centris Federal Credit Union for being our Business Sponsor of the month. We had lots of Good News including several shout-outs for Jeremy Bowen with RISE. Our featured Program Speaker, Farrah Grant, geologist and spreader of hope gave us lots of data and things to think about in keeping with our April theme on sustainability. Coming up, we have a focus on Youth Services in May, kicking off with Carla Rizzo. May 7 we have a club social at Brickway for Happy Hour where the first beer is on Zac Triemert (thank you!). Also, this coming week is the District Annual Meeting (for those interested in attending, it’s 7pm on May 8); our club will be represented by delegates Heather Legge, Larry Guenther, Gretchen Harvey, and James Mackiewicz. Also coming up SOON is our annual Eighth Grade Honor Roll event on May 14 which will replace our regular weekly meeting. I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday for lunch at the Field Club. Bring a guest!
We proudly celebrate Sandy Lemke as a Paul Harris Fellow, an honor presented during our recent Rotary meeting by Regional Rotary Foundation Endowment Advisor Bill Harvey. This recognition reflects both Sandy’s generous support of The Rotary Foundation and her unwavering commitment to Rotary’s mission.
Sandy has been a dedicated Rotarian for over seven years. She has actively supported our club’s service initiatives, including our cherished legacy project—the 8th Grade Honor Roll, which uplifts youth achievement and character. She also recently concluded her valued service on our Rotary Board, where her leadership helped guide our club forward.
The Paul Harris Fellow recognition is more than a personal milestone—it’s a testament to the life-changing work enabled by The Rotary Foundation. Through contributions like Sandy’s, The Rotary Foundation funds projects that provide clean water, fight disease, support education, promote peace, and grow local economies around the world.
Congratulations, Sandy, and thank you for making a difference—locally and globally.
🍻 May Rotary Business Networking / Rotary After Hours 🍻 Cheers to Connections!
📍 Where: Brickway Brewery & Distillery 1116 Jackson St, Omaha, NE 68102 📅 When: Wednesday, May 7 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM 🎤 Hosted by: Rotarian Zac Triemert
🎉 First drink is on Brickway! Bring your business cards and your best cheers—this is your chance to connect with fellow Rotarians, meet prospective members, and bring a friend or two who might be Rotary-curious.
Relax, sip, and mingle in one of Omaha’s favorite spots for locally crafted brews and spirits.
All Rotarians, future Rotarians, and friends welcome. Let’s make it a happy hour to remember! Click here to sign-up.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our 98th Rotary Honor Roll Sponsors and Donors
We extend our deepest appreciation to all the generous sponsors and donors who made this year’s 98th Rotary Honor Roll celebration a truly unforgettable event. Your contributions help honor exceptional 8th-grade students across the metro and continue a legacy that has shaped community leaders for nearly a century.
Major Sponsors: First National Bank of Omaha, Chase Bank, UNO College of Business Administration, Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation, Omaha Public Schools Foundation, EHPV Management Group, Centris Federal Credit Union, DA Davidson, CFO Systems, Ollie the Trolley, Hal Daub, Fr. Lloyd Gnirk, John Ewing, Viv Ewing, John Marburger, Jim Suttle, George Davis & Deb Skinner, Todd & Sandy Lemke, Bob & Kathleen Keefer
Contributing Sponsors and Donors: Adam Leong, Amy Tritsch, Bill & 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, and the Westside Foundation
🌟 Be Part of History — Host a Table at the 98th Annual 8th Grade Honor Roll! 🌟
We are just one month away from Rotary’s signature event—now in its remarkable 98th year—the Rotary 8th Grade Honor Roll on May 14, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, an extraordinary celebration honoring the brightest young leaders from schools across the metro.
This is not just an event—it's a legacy. Over nearly a century, our 8th Grade Honor Roll has recognized students who would go on to become Congressmen, Mayors, elected officials, award-winning Hollywood directors, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. It’s a shining example of Rotary’s commitment to Leadership, Character, Scholarship, and Service.
✨ This is your once-a-year opportunity to dine with the future leaders of our city, our state, and our country.
We still need 40 more Rotarian Table Hosts to make this year’s celebration truly unforgettable.
Thank you for your commitment as Rotarians to our future! Please read more to see the exciting things happening in your District.
As we step into May with graduation celebrations, spring sports and new beginnings, I am reminded that May is Youth Service Month when Rotary clubs focus on youth services, including: Rotaract, Interact, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) and Rotary Youth Exchange.
It is also the time of year when many clubs are awarding scholarships to graduating seniors. It is great to celebrate our commitment to empowering young leaders who will be our future leaders to carry the Rotary torch forward.
I would also like to highlight some of the achievements of our district. I was honored to attend the Lincoln South meeting this past month to present Rotary’s prestigious “Service Above Self” Award to Jenny Cardwell. This award is given to only 150 recipients annually worldwide to recognize members who fully embody our primary motto. Jenny, who served as club President in 2014-15 is so deserving of this award for her service to her club, the district and Rotary International. Way to go Jenny!
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.
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 for Goodwill!
Rotarians at HETRA event L to R: Brett Frevert, Shelly Ruwe, and James Mackiewicz
Rotarians at the Downtown Omaha Clean-up April 26 L to R: Yolanda Hoffman, Dan Esch, and Lynn McCromack (Millard Rotary)
Rotarians gathered on Apr 22 at Corkscrew! L to R: PDG Carol Horner, Puja Kandel (Millard Rotary), Sandy Lemke, Cella Quinn, Rebecca Rens, and President Heather Legge
Rotarians at the Omaha Chamber Board meeting. James Mackiewicz' company was one of the Omaha Chamber businesses of the month. L to R: James Mackiewicz, Tobi Mathouser, and Aileen Warren
Rotarians at ACG L to R: Larry Guenther, Susan Koesters, and Brett Frevert
Rotarians at the CBMC 60th Annual Good Friday Breakfast L to R: Hal Daub, Heidi McGinness, John Ewing, and Viv Ewing
Networking Meeting Meet-up L to R: Fundraising Committee Chair Todd Chaney, James Mackiewicz, West Rotarian Lydia Johnson and Our newest member Dallin Despain.
Rotarians at Downtown Omaha, Inc Supernovas presentation by President Diane Mendenhall who specially invited Rotarians to attend L to R: Mike Benck (Morning), Mike Mancuso, John Ewing, Viv Ewing, Dan Esch, Yolanda Hoffman, Sachi Verma (Morning) Shelly Ruwe, Lynne McCormack (Millard), Brett Frevert, DGE Robert Rapp (Morning), Michael Kosalka, Bill Harvey, Scott Stevens (Morning), PDG Bob Perrin (Suburban), John Maxell (Suburban), and the incoming General Secretary of Scottish Rite.
June 26, 2024. Outgoing President Larry Guenther recognized our members who achieved perfect attendance. Perfect Rotary attendance(aka Perfect Rotarians) is attained through consistent participation in weekly meetings, service projects, committee work, weekly club service, Rotary socials, visiting other clubs, Rotary online makeups, Zoom attendance, attendance at club board meetings, and attendance at club foundation board meetings. Below is the list of our perfect attendance Rotarians.
July is the perfect time to start your journey towards becoming a Perfect Rotarian!
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.
Carla Rizzo
President's Pen
We proudly celebrate Sandy Lemke as a Paul Harris Fellow, an honor presented during our recent Rotary meeting by Regional Rotary Foundation Endowment Advisor Bill Harvey. This recognition reflects both Sandy’s generous support of The Rotary Foundation and her unwavering commitment to Rotary’s mission.
Thank you for your commitment as Rotarians to our future! Please read more to see the exciting things happening in your District.
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