Presiding Officer: Heather Legge

Secretary: James Mackiewicz

Invocation & Pledge: Michelle Trawick

Sgt at Arms: Okley Gibbs

Digital Experience: Adam Leong

Navigator: Need Volunteer

Cashiers/Check-in: Need Volunteer

Admin Support: Matt Boulay

Greeters: Paul Cohen & Need Volunteer

Speaker Host: PDG Roxy Orr

Speaker: DG Tom Kerfoot

 

TOM KERFOOT
District Governor

 

Tom Kerfoot joined Children’s Nebraska in January of 2016 as a Director of Development for Philanthropy. Tom attended Bellevue University for Marketing Management and has thirteen years of experience in healthcare fundraising, working previously for the CHI Health Foundation. Tom has a long record of successfully working with private donors, foundations and corporate sponsors to secure funding for projects and programs. He has extensive experience in event planning and management, and collaborated with a team to develop the planned giving program at CHI Health Foundation.

 

Tom completed the Certificate in Fundraising Management through the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He is currently the Vice President – Marketing & Sponsorships for the Charitable Gift Planners of Nebraska and is a member of the Omaha Estate Planning Council. Tom earned the designation of Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy in 2016 through a year-long program with The American College of Financial Services and the Omaha Community Foundation.

 

Tom has served in leadership roles for a number of area organizations, and is Past-President for the Suburban Rotary Club of Omaha and Past-Chairman of the Suburban Rotary Board of Trustees. Tom served on the Board of Directors for the Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce and was the Chairman of the Board in 2019. Tom has served on the Board of Directors for the La Vista Community Foundation for the past twenty years, serving as Chairman of the Board twice and is currently the Board Secretary.

 

Tom has received numerous awards and recognition for his volunteer work in the community. He was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year in 2007, 2013 and 2014 for the Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce. He received the highest honor of Chamber Excellence Award in 2016 for the Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce. He was honored as the Volunteer of the Year in 2009 for the La Vista Chamber of Commerce. He was recognized as the Friend of La Vista in 2011 for his work with the foundation and volunteer work in the community.

It was another great week for The Rotary Club of Omaha! We had lots of guests- way to go! Congrats to Cella Quinn for 25 years of perfect attendance, and to many other recognized June 26 and this past week for Perfect Attendance! (I’m not sure if I’ll ever be allowed in that exalted inner circle, but something to shoot for!)  Congratulations to Dakotah Smith and Breanna Burklund for being awarded their permanent badges! 
 
As our Featured Speaker, we had Shonna Dorsey in the house sharing about the Aksarben Foundation and the Nebraska Tech Collaborative, emphasis on COLLAB. Their partnership model is creating a network of impact across the state. It’s upsetting to realize we still have a tech talent shortage, plus we are losing system engineers and particularly women in tech to other states.  Since many of us have left and come back, it’s not difficult to see the allure of other places, but when we come back home we are reminded about the uniqueness of Nebraska. It’s great to see the impact that Shonna and her team, and their partners are creating.  We can do this! 
 
Also this past week, I attended my first Club Foundation board meeting; I’m excited to see what Chris Tooker and the Foundation Board can achieve this year.  Did you know our Rotary Club of Omaha Foundation is separate from The Rotary Foundation?  If you find that confusing, you are not alone.  Stay tuned, because one of the things I’m passionate about this year is “donation clarity” - providing a clear summary of donation opportunities for each member of our club, in addition to ease of making contributions whether they are one-time, regular, or of the estate-planning variety. More to come!  A HUGE thank you to Hal and Mary Daub for hosting a fantastic party at their home in appreciation for our many Paul Harris Fellows and Society members.  It was a lot of fun!   
 
There is much to look forward to in the next few weeks...  I’ll see you at the Field Club on Wednesday for lunch. Bring a guest!

 

Click here for President Heather Legge video message or copy/paste this link to your browser: https://youtu.be/FNR7zmn7BOc?si=MkIQqptIGSd2TeLE

Here is the video message from Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick. Here is the link: https://youtu.be/9z0ynpWz6pQ?si=k7CRuBkMBASs_-XX

Or click on the YouTube below.

 

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.

 

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 the July 2024 volunteers L to R: Steve McCollister, Colleen Brennan, Christopher Nwafor, Fletcher Reel, and Julie Sanford

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.