Presiding Officer: Sean Connolly Secretary: Gretchen Harvey Invocation & Pledge: John Marburger Music: Jim Scott-Miller
Digital Experience: Adam Leong Sgt at Arms: Okley Gibbs Navigator: Steve McCollister
Registration/Cashier: Sandy Lemke & Mike Mancuso
Admin Support: Franco Gentile
In-Person Greeters: Heidi McGinness, LeRoy Swedlund & Paul Cohen
Speaker Host: Cella Quinn
Speaker: John Cougher
In-Person Meeting:
No need to pre-register, just show up
Field Club 3615 Woolworth Avenue Omaha, NE
4/5/23 menu: Beef Stroganoff, green mix salad, bread, vegetables, fruits, and cookies for dessert. Lunch price: $9 for members, $14 for visiting Rotarians and guests.
John Cougher is the State Director for The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska.
He attended the University of Kansas, earning a B.A. in German Languages and Linguistics. He completed graduate studies in Germanic Linguistics in Bonn, Germany, and Public Administration at the University of Oklahoma. Most recently, John was awarded his M.S. in Global Environmental, Health, and Development Challenges from the University of Edinburgh.
John chose careers that honed his abilities to connect people to missions. He got his start in the nonprofit world doing interfaith work. He helped restructure a non-profit mental health crisis counseling group to better serve their clients. John created dozens of new endowed educational and medical school scholarships at the University of Oklahoma.
John’s love of the Great Plains is in his DNA, so in July of 2011, he began his career at The Nature Conservancy, first fundraising for the Oklahoma chapter, and then for the Kansas chapter, where he led all aspects of planning and executing a comprehensive $30 million, five-year campaign. In addition, John led the charge to install solar panels on all TNC-owned buildings in Kansas, and led much of the program’s climate and energy work.
John became the State Director for Nebraska in October of 2021, where he continues to build partnerships, raise money, lead staff and volunteers, communicate about climate change, and share his contagious love for grasslands and rivers. He lives in Omaha with daughter Sadie, 16, and son Oliver, 13.
This presentation will offer an overview of the mission of The Nature Conservancy, where they work in Nebraska, and how they are protecting land, tackling climate change and working to feed a growing world sustainably.
Several Rotarians attended the recent ribbon cutting of Goodwill store in South Omaha to support fellow Rotarian Goodwill CEO Tobi Mathouser. L to R: Larry Guenther, Mitch Hunt, Kevin Baitey, James Mackiewicz, Steve McCollister, and the pack leader Sandy Lemke. Not in photo are Jesse Moore and Todd Murphy. Someone else is not in the photo, he was in bed :)
Todd Murphy was surprised to also see John Mock at Goodwill ribbon cutting in South Omaha. But it looks like John Mock opted to come not in business attire.
The home of Tom and Marylu Gouttierre near Elmwood Park was recently featured in the Omaha World Herald. Since nothing would escape Secretary Gretchen Harvey's attention about Rotarians in the news, Tom was assessed a fine. But the fine did not stop with Tom. Tom called on fellow Rotarians who also live in his neighborhood and assessed them fines - Clark Rosenlof and Jim Cavanaugh. We can see a trend that Secretary Gretchen will keep finding ways to fine Tom every week.
Here's how Rotarians welcome their fellow Rotarian who was recently the program speaker.
A rain of balls welcomed Sean Olson to the podium. Only at Rotary that you throw balls to welcome your speaker masterminded by John Mock. Those throwing the balls are certified to be Sean's friends including the two mayors.
Your Service Fund in Action! Recently, Omaha Downtown Rotary participated in a multi-club grant project of purchasing and packaging nutritious meals for the food insecure in our immediate community. Omaha Downtown Rotary, Omaha West Rotary, and Millard Rotary, with Rotarians, family, and friends, packaged 25,000 meals in partnership with Kids Against Hunger. Here's a video recap.
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 their 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.
Hard working Rotarians L to R: Jim Stewart, Todd McCollister (future Rotarian), Scott Kinnaird, Heidi McGinness, Josh Todd, & Project Chair Steve McCollister
Connecting with fellow Rotarians is made easy with club service. Plus, you get attendance credit. It's a great deal! 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 hereto sign up.
Pictured here are Treasurer Jim Stewart and Harrison Abbott of Kiewit Corporation.
Here's a sneak peek of a weekly meeting at Omaha Downtown Rotary. It starts with a live concert with Jim Scott-Miller on the piano with certified singers, the Omaha Downtown Rotarians! Watch this video. You can feel the energy!
JOHN COUGHER
Connecting with fellow Rotarians is made easy with club service. Plus, you get attendance credit. It's a great deal! 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. .png)
