Sgt at Arms: Chris Rath Digital Experience: Adam Leong
Invocation & Pledge: Need Volunteer
Navigator: Need Volunteer
Cashiers/Check-in: Brian Kruse & Need Volunteer
Admin Support: Kevin Baitey
Greeters: John Mock & Need Volunteer
Speaker host: Lisa Schiele
Guest Speaker: Mark Byars
Buffet Lunch is $20 for members, $22 for visiting Rotarians and guests, and $4 for beverage/attendance only. 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
Nebraska Society of the Sons of the American Revolution
Mark Byars, a proud fifth generation Nebraskan, serves as the President of the Omaha Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. A voracious reader and life-long history buff with more than 35 years of genealogical research experience, Mark lives near Bennington with his wife, Nicki. Professionally, Mark is the Chief Financial Officer for Adams Land & Cattle, a large cattle feeding operation in central Nebraska. He also serves as a board member for the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and previously served for eight years on the Bennington School Board. An active member of the Sons of the American Revolution at all levels, Mark is the Nebraska Society’s Registrar and America 250 Chairman, and he serves as Nebraska’s Trustee to the National Society's governing board and is Chairman of the National SAR Finance Committee. A member of several other lineage societies, including the Sons and Daughters of Officers of Colonial Militia, the General Society of Colonial Wars, and the National Society of Descendants of American Farmers, Mark enjoys helping others discover their connection to America's story.
After 20 years of dedicated service, Carmen Sirizzotti retired from the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in March 2026. During her tenure at UNMC, she served as Associate Director of Human Resources, where she provided leadership for the Compensation, Staffing, Records, HRIS, and Payroll teams. She also served as the Title IX Coordinator.
Prior to joining UNMC, Carmen held various Human Resources management positions with Omaha Steaks, ITI Marketing Services, Greyhound, First Data Resources (FDR) – Teleservices Division, and Iowa Beef Processors (IBP).
Since retiring, Carmen has enjoyed spending quality time with her three children, their spouses, four grandchildren, extended family, and friends. She enjoys reading, tending to her flower garden, working on home projects, and traveling. Most importantly, she treasures her time with family and friends and spending time with God.
We’re delighted to have Carmen as part of our Rotary family and look forward to getting to know her better.
Jonathan Cartner serves as the Deputy Scout Executive and Chief Operating Officer of Mid-America Council, Scouting America, where he helps lead one of the nation's largest geographic Scouting councils. Mid-America Council supports the delivery of Scouting programs across 102 counties in Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota, providing young people with opportunities for character development, leadership growth, outdoor adventure, and engaged citizenship.
Jonathan has dedicated more than two decades to professional Scouting service. He began his career as a District Executive in Columbia, Missouri, and has since served in leadership roles on council staffs in Peoria, Illinois; St. Louis, Missouri; Washington, D.C.; and Davenport, Iowa. Throughout his career, he has been committed to expanding access to high-quality youth programs, strengthening volunteer leadership, and advancing the mission of Scouting America.
A lifelong Scout, Jonathan earned the rank of Eagle Scout and is a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow, Scouting's National Honor Society. His personal Scouting journey continues to inform his passion for helping young people develop the skills and values needed to become successful leaders and citizens.
Outside of work, Jonathan enjoys camping, fishing, and building LEGO creations with his family. He and his wife, Briton, have been married for 19 years and are the proud parents of three children: Addilyn, Charles, and Margaret.
We’re thrilled to welcome Jonathan to Rotary and look forward to sharing fellowship, service, and meaningful moments together.
The Omaha Downtown Rotary Foundation is now accepting grant applications for 2026-2027 Rotary year, with nearly $40,000 available to support projects that make a meaningful impact in education, veteran services, and senior citizen programs.
📅 Application Deadline: October 31, 2026 – Late submissions will not be accepted!
We invite community organizations and individuals to apply, recommend, or submit proposals for initiatives that align with our mission.
🔹 How to Apply: ✔ Review the grant criteria ✔ Complete the application form ✔ Submit by the deadline
For more details about the Omaha Downtown Rotary Foundation, click here. If you have any questions, please contact Foundation President Tobi Mathouser at 402-231-1972 or tmathouser@goodwillomaha.org.
Tom Adams Enjoyed Quacking Labor Day in Vail, Colorado
Rotarian Tom Adams spent Labor Day weekend in Vail, Colorado, where he experienced the Vail Edwards Rotary Rubber Ducky Race. The annual event brings families, visitors and Rotarians together while raising significant funds for local charities and youth programs. It was a fun opportunity to enjoy Vail’s mountain setting and see another Rotary club serving its community in a memorable way.
Past President John Sullivan in Portugal
Past President John Sullivan also found Rotary connections during his Labor Day travels in Portugal. Near Lisbon, he visited the Rotary 75th Anniversary Marker at the westernmost point of Europe. He also visited the Rotary-sponsored shrine honoring the three shepherd children of Fatima, another meaningful reminder of Rotary’s presence and history worldwide.
Are you new to the Club or know someone who recently joined? Join us for one of our upcoming New Member Orientation sessions! These meetings are a great opportunity to learn about the Club, discover member benefits, meet fellow members, and ask any questions you may have.
Upcoming Orientations:
Wednesday, August 5 at 11:00 a.m. – Field Club
Friday, September 18 at 8:00 a.m. – 17007 Marcy Street
Whether you're just getting started or would like a refresher, we encourage you to attend one of these sessions. We look forward to welcoming you and helping you make the most of your membership!
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Yearling Chair Jill Slupe.
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 1, 2026 volunteers at Stephen Center L to R: Brett Neely, Fletcher Reel, Scott Meyerson, Colin McArthur, Steve McCollister, Colleen Brennan, and Scott Kinnaird
Christopher “Chris” Frohardt serves as Chief Financial Officer of Stephen Center, an Omaha nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders, and poverty. With approximately 15 years of accounting and financial leadership experience—including a background in public accounting—Chris brings a wealth of expertise and a strong commitment to mission-driven work. His very first job experience, however, was working on the Iowa farm where he grew up.
In his role at Stephen Center, Chris oversees the organization’s financial operations and helps guide its long-term financial strategy, regulatory compliance, and major development initiatives. He is passionate about using his professional expertise to strengthen organizations and create a meaningful, positive impact in the community.
Chris and his wife are proud parents of three children. Outside of work, he enjoys coaching their YMCA sports teams and staying actively involved in their school community. In his free time, Chris enjoys reading, bass fishing, and rekindling his longtime hobby of collecting sports cards.
Please join us in giving Christopher a warm welcome! We’re thrilled to have you as part of our community and look forward to getting to know you.
Thank you to Past President Steve McCollister and Stephen Center CEO Chris Knauf for giving the gift of Rotary to Chris Frohardt!
Cheryl Murray serves as the Director of Development at QLI, bringing over two decades of executive leadership, strategic fundraising, and community advocacy to her work. An accomplished leader, speaker, and problem solver, Cheryl is a natural Maximizer—passionate about balancing big-picture vision with detailed execution to turn great ideas into transformative community impact.
Prior to joining QLI, she spent nearly a decade leading development efforts at Partnership 4 Kids, following key leadership roles at Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska and Adoption Links Worldwide. Throughout her career, Cheryl has specialized in scaling annual community initiatives and helping donors transition from simple passion to high-impact, meaningful investment.
Above all, Cheryl leads with a relationship-first ethos. She is dedicated to listening deeply, connecting individuals with fulfilling programs, and serving as a relentless advocate for the missions, teams, and communities she represents.
Please join us in giving Cheryl a warm welcome!
Thank you to Nash Mahupete for giving the gift of Rotary to Cheryl!
September is Rotary's Basic Education and Literacy Month, a reminder that one of the most lasting gifts we can give is the opportunity to learn. Whether supporting local schools, promoting literacy, mentoring students, or investing in youth leadership programs, Rotarians help open doors and create opportunities every day.
This month also gives us an opportunity to remember and celebrate a person who dedicated her life to helping others. On September 20, Rotarians from across the district will gather to honor the life and legacy of Nicki Klein. Nicki was often the person behind the scenes who helped district leaders, clubs, and events succeed. Her commitment to Rotary and to the people of District 5650 left an impact that will be felt for many years.As we honor Nicki's legacy, we are also working to ensure the district has the support structure needed for the future. District leadership has completed a draft job description for a new District Administrator position, and we expect to begin advertising for the role soon. The goal is not to replace Nicki, because no one can, but rather to build on the strong foundation she helped create and provide continuity for future district leaders and clubs.
Serving as your District Governor continues to be one of the highlights of my Rotary journey. So far, I have visited 29 clubs, with nine visits remaining. Those remaining visits include the opportunity to speak with two of our Rotaract clubs. Everywhere I go, I see clubs finding ways to strengthen belonging, serve their communities, and create meaningful impact.
I hope many of you will join me at Fusion 5650, our District Conference, October 23-24 at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland. District Conference is our opportunity to connect, learn from one another, celebrate our successes, and be inspired by the incredible work happening throughout our district. If you have not yet registered, I encourage you to do so and be part of the experience.
Thank you for all you do to strengthen Rotary, support your communities, and help create opportunities for others. I look forward to seeing many of you on the road, at Nicki's memorial, and at Fusion 5650 this fall.
Yours in Rotary, Gretchen Bren District Governor, Rotary District 5650
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 at Tom Gouttierre’s Aksarben presentation - John Marburger, Tom Gouttierre, and Jim Stewart
Rotarians at Downtown Omaha Inc field trip at Millwork Commons L to R: PDG Bob Perrin (Suburban), Lynn McCormack (Millard), Dan Esch (Downtown), Yolanda Hoffman (Downtown)
At the recently concluded Polio Bike Ride DG Gretchen Bren, Bill Kutler, and Gene DeBoer
Rotarians at the Salvation Army Echelon Advisory Board Mixer. From left to right: Hal Daub, Mayor John Ewing, Colin McArthur, and First Lady Viv Ewing.
New Member orientation led by Jill Slupe with Craig Cope, Chris Frohardt, and Brett Neely
Rotarians Meet Up L to R: Russell Vaughn, Leslie Volk, and Colin McArthur
Rotary Club of Omaha Rotarians at the Polio Bike Ride: Governor-Elect Bill Harvey (he took this photo), Jesse Moore, and Colin McArthur. The rest in the photo are from the other clubs.
Rotarians at the Omaha Business Hall of Fame: Dele Davies, Anthony Flott (Suburban) and Sue Kutschkau
Within hours of deadly floods and landslides that struck Mexico in October, Rotary members were responding. In hard-hit Poza Rica, Rotary and Rotaract members brought residents to safety, plowed mud-laden streets, and moved house to house to clean properties. The effort was supported by clubs throughout District 4185 and by neighboring districts and others abroad. The Rotary Club of Poza Rica joined the nonprofit Planet Water Foundation to install four water towers and a water block in the neediest area and deliver purified water elsewhere. The club also coordinated with World Central Kitchen to provide hot meals. Still, “we desperately need help to get back on our feet and return to our normal lives,” says club member Pepe Badillo. “The houses were a total loss. Everything was destroyed, from a single plate to the bedrooms on the second floor.”
India
The city of Thane, northeast of Mumbai, is recognized for its arts and culture scene. It’s home to drama troupes, an art expo, international film festivals, and comedy venues. What it was lacking, says Atul Bhide, of the Rotary Club of Thane Hills, was a large showcase for aficionados of the written word. To amend that, the club (which also sponsors a book-reading initiative for youth) launched the Thane Literature Festival. Over two days in November, bibliophiles toasted 22 authors and poets who read from their work and participated in panel discussions. The event honored journalist and writing coach Bachi Karkaria with the Thane Literature Festival lifetime achievement award, and judges critiqued entries in a short-story contest. “Encouraging reading habits and love for literature for Gen-Next is also our motive behind this literature festival,” says Bhide.
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 Sarah Robak at sarah.robakcfa@gmail.com.
American Express Online Giving
Archdiocesan Schools
Bennington Schools Foundation
Centris
Chase Bank
Club Foundation
Club Service Fund
CFO Systems
Creighton University
DA Davidson
Elkhorn Schools Foundation
EHPV
FNBO
Goodwill Industries
Jungle Driving
Metro Community College
Millard Schools Foundation
Omaha Massage Therapy
Omaha Public Schools Foundation
Ralston Schools Foundation
UNO College of Business Administration
Union Omaha
Westside Foundation
Individuals:
Anonymous Donor
Bill Harvey
Brad Burklund
Brett Frevert
Chris Rath
Colleen Brennan
Deb Skinner
Fletcher Reel
Fr. Lloyd Gnirk
Gretchen Harvey
Heidi McGinness
Jim Stewart
Jim Suttle
John Ewing
John Marburger
John Mock
Larry Guenther
Larry Johansen
Lisa Tonjes Moritz
Mary Daub
Hal Daub
Paul Cohen
Randy Voorst
Randy Wieseler
Sandy Lemke
Todd Lemke
Scott Buchholz
Steve Carper
Steve McCollister
Tom Gouttierre
Viv Ewing
Mark Byars
Jonathan Cartner serves as the Deputy Scout Executive and Chief Operating Officer of Mid-America Council, Scouting America, where he helps lead one of the nation's largest geographic Scouting councils. Mid-America Council supports the delivery of Scouting programs across 102 counties in Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota, providing young people with opportunities for character development, leadership growth, outdoor adventure, and engaged citizenship.
Mexico
