Sgt at Arms: Okley Gibbs Digital Experience: Adam Leong
Invocation & Pledge: John Sullivan
Navigator: Camille Metoyer Moten
Cashiers/Check-in: Kris Pojar & Need Volunteer
Admin Support: Need Volunteer
Greeters: Brett Frevert & Lisa Tonjes Moritz
Speaker Host: Hal Daub
Speaker: Matthew Ray
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
From student teacher to superintendent, Matthew Ray’s career in education has been dedicated to supporting Omaha Public Schools students and staff.
Ray began with our district at Ashland Park-Robbins Elementary as a student teacher before serving as a district-wide substitute. He returned to Ashland Park-Robbins Elementary as a fifth grade teacher, then moved into Student and Community Services roles. In 2010, he became executive director of the department.
He served as board secretary from 2013 to 2018, when he became chief of staff, a position that later transitioned to deputy superintendent. He was named interim superintendent for the 2023-24 school year and became superintendent in July 2024.
In the 2024-25 school year, Ray shared our district’s Moonshot with staff and our community: All Omaha Public Schools students reading on grade level by 2030.
"Literacy connects everything. It's the throughline to everything we do," he said. "Everyone in the organization will be and is working towards this goal."
As Ray leads the work, he is committed to engaging with staff, students, families and our community.
Ray holds bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and elementary education from the University of Nebraska Omaha. He earned a Master of Science in educational administration from UNO in 2000 and his Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 2020.
Ray and his wife are the parents of three Omaha Public Schools graduates.
"Omaha Public Schools offers unmatched opportunities for students. I’ve seen it as a career-long staff member and parent,” said Ray. “I am incredibly excited by what we are accomplishing together."
reprint from RI: https://www.rotary.org/en/nigerian-become-second-african-lead-rotary-international
Olayinka Hakeem Babalola will serve as president of the global membership organization in 2026-27
EVANSTON, Ill., USA (4 September 2025) — Olayinka Hakeem Babalola, a member of the Rotary Club of Trans Amadi, Nigeria, has been elected to serve as president of Rotary International for the 2026-27 term. He will take office on 1 July 2026.
Babalola, a Rotary member for more than 30 years, will become the second African to lead Rotary International, following Jonathan B. Majiyagbe of the Rotary Club of Kano, Nigeria, who served in 2003-04.
“Rotary transforms lives – not only through the projects we deliver, but through the hope we share, the meaningful relationships we build, and the shared purpose we inspire,” said Babalola. “In a world that urgently needs dialogue and understanding, I’m committed to helping Rotary advance peace, expand opportunity, and support communities – and each of us – to grow and thrive.”
reprint from RI: https://www.rotary.org/en/more-30000-set-gather-taipei-rotarys-international-convention-june-2026
Rotary members from 120 countries will be welcomed to Taipei for the second time since the city hosted the event in 1994
TAIPEI (17 Sept. 2025) – While in Taipei this week, Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo announced that more than 30,000 Rotary members and participants from over 120 countries will gather in Taipei, Taiwan 13-17 June 2026 for the membership service organization’s annual international convention.
The Rotary convention is expected to inject US$50-55 million into the local economy, and drive significant business for Taipei’s hotels, restaurants, retailers, and tourism attractions. Taipei was selected as the site of the 2021 Rotary convention, but the event was cancelled because of the COVID pandemic.
Held in a different city each year, Rotary’s international conventions serve as a hub for members and participants to connect and learn from each other and a range of experts on how to take action to address issues in their communities and promote health, peace, and prosperity in communities across the globe.
Rotary projects around the globe https://www.rotary.org/en/rotary-projects-around-globe-september-2025 September 2025 By Brad Webber
Peru
In the western Amazon, Rotary clubs in the city of Iquitos participated in a seminar in January to learn about the state of the area’s schools. Two District 4465 leaders, Doris Alván and Fernando Del Aguila, enlisted a well-known educator in the area, Josefa Ríos Gil, to share with Rotarians what they can do to assist educators. In May, the Rotary Club of Iquitos Amazonas finished one related initiative, a district grant-supported teen empowerment project that taught young people to make earrings sold at eco-lodges near Lake Zungarococha. The club also provided school supplies to primary schools in the area.
United States
Prom is an expensive rite of passage, with purchases of gowns, tuxedos, flowers, meals, and transportation. In New York City, the Rotary Club of North Shore (Staten Island) is helping students through its “Cinderella/Cinderfella” project. The entire 25-member club solicits new and gently used formal attire, some of which is purchased new by Rotarians. In April, students from across the borough are invited to choose from about 200 free dresses and suits, as well as shoes and accessories, so they’re ready for prom season. The project was started in 2024 by then-President Suzanne Demetrio and is led by members Stephanie Accardo and Regina Boukhvalova. “We believe no student should miss out due to financial hardship,” says Demetrio. “We are giving young people the chance to feel special and confident on one of the biggest nights of their lives.”
Omaha Downtown Rotary Foundation: Grant Applications Open October 1
The Omaha Downtown Rotary Foundation will begin accepting grant proposals on October 1, 2025. The electronic application will remain open through November 30, 2025. Applications will be reviewed in December 2025, and grant recipients will be announced in January 2026.
Rotarians, Local nonprofits, schools, and community groups advancing Rotary’s mission of Service Above Self are encouraged to apply.
The electronic grant application will go live on October 1, 2025.
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.
September 2, 2025 Rotarian Volunteers at Stephen Center L to R: President Gretchen Harvey, Project Chair Steve McCollister, Kris Pojar, Scott Kinnaird, Heidi McGinness, Colleen Brennan, Back: Bill Harvey, 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.
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.
Rotary members at the B2B After Hours, Future of Oak View Mall.
Todd Murphy in Dusseldorf, Germany with future Rotarians
Rotary at Apiary L-R: Nash Mahupete, Shelly Ruwe and Brett Frevert
Rotarians enjoying Husker volleyball: Brett Frevert, Tobi Mathouser, James Mackiewicz, and Shelly Ruwe
CFO Systems annual meeting L-R: Brett Frevert, Leslie Volk & Steve McCollister
Three Rotarians enjoying St Pat's fundraiser L to R: Bill Harvey, President Gretchen Harvey, Susan Koesters
First Lady Viv Ewing, Mayor John Ewing, Boxing Champion Terence Bud Crawford, Rotary Past Pres Aileen Warren, Mayor Chief of Staff Tom Warren
At the Sister Cities Banquet on September 12 (L–R): Mayor John Ewing, Viv Ewing, and Bob Keefer. Also in attendance: Steve Gerdes.
Rotarian‘s at the prayer tribute to Charlie Kirk L to R: Yolanda Hoffman, Steve McCollister, Pat McCollister, Colleen Brennan, Fletcher Reel, and Chris Nwafor
Women Power! A Gathering of Rotarians L to R: Puja Kandel (Millard Rotary), Heather Legge, Jill Slupe, Seated L to R: Cella Quinn, Karalee Picard (Omaha Night Rotary), PDG Carol Horner (Council Bluffs Rotary)
Rotarians at Downtown Omaha Inc Breakfast Meeting recently at Peregrine Hotel: Former Rotarian Bill Seidler, PDG Bob Perrin, Dan Esch, Yolanda Hoffman, Lynn McCormack (Millard Rotary), David Greenberg (Suburban Rotary), and future Rotarian John Haverkamp of Kiewit Luminarium
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
Matthew Ray
Peru
United States
