Presiding Officer: Aileen Warren Secretary: Lisa Tonjes Moritz Invocation & Pledge: Bob Keefer Digital Experience: Adam Leong Sgt at Arms: Okley Gibbs Navigator: Lisa Tonjes Moritz
Registration: Chris Tooker & JZ Zuo
In-Person Greeters: John Marburger & Deb Skinner Speaker Host: Bev Carlson
Speakers: Erin Grace & Lisa Odvody
In-Person Meeting:
No need to register, just come and bring your awesome self
Field Club 3615 Woolworth Avenue Omaha, NE
Virtual Option:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86124407668
Meeting ID: 861 2440 7668
The virtual room opens at 11:45 AM
To watch the meeting, go to https://www.facebook.com/omaharotary
Lindsay Odvody Director of Operations National Counterterrorism, Innovation, Technology & Education (NCITE) Center
Prior to NCITE, Lindsay worked in Washington, DC in federal government relations, and she served on the staffs of two former United States Senators (Secretaries Chuck Hagel and Mike Johanns), acting in roles including Legislative Counsel, Senior Legislative Assistant, and Grants Administrator.
Erin Grace Strategic Communications Manager National Counterterrorism, Innovation, Technology & Education (NCITE) Center
Erin formerly worked at the Omaha World-Herald, winning awards for her work on juvenile justice, mental health, and poverty during her nearly 22 years there. She has responded to breaking news, conducted investigations, and covered disasters, including Nebraska's devastating 2019 floods, earthquake recovery in Haiti, and response to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.
Lindsay and Erin will speak about National Counterterrorism. To read more about our speakers, click here.
Downtown Rotary had a jam-packed meeting this past week. Unfortunately, our current President, Aileen Warren couldn’t attend, and I was asked to step in for a day. It was fun being behind the podium again although everyone will be very glad to have Aileen back! We got to hear from fellow Rotarian Brad Burklund on his recent trip to Haiti to do mission work and how they were caught up in the aftermath of the earthquake. Brad informed us that there is a need for shoes of all kinds and sizes (if they’re closed in shoes) in Haiti. Past president John Sullivan stepped up to the podium and challenged everyone to commit to $1,000 to provide shoes and in 38 seconds raised $1,200.00. There is still the opportunity to donate shoes by bringing them to the meeting next week. Go Rotary!
We also had a live zoom from Belize set up by Leroy Swedlund regarding the Operation Hippocrates program that Downtown Rotary has been involved with for years. It was very inspirational to hear from the people involved in the health side of the program in Belize. Thank you to Mr. Leroy for his dedication to this program.
We finished up with a presentation from Kent Grisham, President of NE trucking association. He has nearly 30 years of experience in public relations, marketing, public affairs, and organizational development in Nebraska. He informed us that nearly half of Nebraska’s communities rely on trucks to fill the grocery store shelves and deliver supplies for everyday living. His presentation explained so much about the future of trucking, the taxing situation, and how we as consumers are impacted by all of that.
We were also reminded help is needed regarding the 9/11 flag display tribute. Flags will be set up in Memorial Park on September 3rd beginning at 4:15 pm. They will be taken down on September 19th from noon-2 pm. Click here to sign up.
More reminders here:
Help us get to know each other better by providing Lisa with a few fun facts about yourself. Click Here. We need your information.
Sign up for a Service Before Self Project, click here. We need your involvement.
If you currently do not give to Rotary International, contribute your $25.00 to help us meet our club goal of having every single member as a donor to the Rotary International Foundation fund. Click here to donate. We need your financial support.
Recently, Scott Kinnaird was introduced by Past President Steve McCollister as the newest Rotarian. Scott manages the business, finance, technology, and marketing functions for the Omaha Kroc Center, a 140,000 square-foot community center which serves as a center of worship, performance, and special events venue, an aquatics center, fitness, and recreation center, and an arts and education center. Welcome to Rotary, Scott! Thank you to Phil Taylor for sponsoring Scott to Rotary.
Past President Brad Burklund shared his recent mission in Haiti. Inspired by Brad's report and the need for shoes for the children in Haiti, Past President John Sullivan, led Rotarians in raising $1,200 in 38 seconds to purchase shoes for the children in Haiti. You still have the opportunity to participate in this project. Details are in Service Above Self Chair Lindy Hoyer's August 30 email or click on Read More.
The Rotary Club of Omaha announces it will be setting up the 9/11 Tribute of Flags Omaha in Memorial Park once again this year. This year, the setup is on Friday, September 3, from 4:30 to 7:00 PM in Memorial park in front of the large WW II memorial. Members of the Rotary Club of Omaha will be volunteering to place these flags, joined by Boy Scouts and other members of the community. For those interested in participating in setting up the flags, please contact Dan Esch at desch402@yahoo.com or (402) 301-9290, or Click here to sign up.
We are glad to announce that our Executive Director Yolanda Hoffman will have a weekly "open office" via zoom and in person. Zoom is every Thursday, 11:00 AM - 12 noon, Meeting ID: 894 7560 9579 or use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89475609579.
Connecting with fellow Rotarians is made easy with club service. Plus you get attendance credit. It's a great deal! and 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 here to sign up.
Erin Grace
Recently, Scott Kinnaird was introduced by Past President Steve McCollister as the newest Rotarian. Scott manages the business, finance, technology, and marketing functions for the Omaha Kroc Center, a 140,000 square-foot community center which serves as a center of worship, performance, and special events venue, an aquatics center, fitness, and recreation center, and an arts and education center. Welcome to Rotary, Scott! Thank you to Phil Taylor for sponsoring Scott to Rotary.
We are glad to announce that our Executive Director Yolanda Hoffman will have a weekly "open office" via zoom and in person. Zoom is every Thursday, 11:00 AM - 12 noon, Meeting ID: 894 7560 9579 or use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89475609579. 
