Recently, long-time Rotarian LeRoy Swedlund introduced her daughter Elizabeth Swedlund as the newest Rotarian at the Rotary Club of Omaha. Elizabeth is a native of Omaha, and attended the University of Nebraska- Lincoln where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Business Education and a Master’s in Educational Administration. After serving as a classroom teacher for 8 years, she moved into program administration. Elizabeth joined the University of Nebraska Medical Center in December of 2021, where she is the Administrator for the Division of Hematology and Oncology.
In her role as Administrator, Elizabeth is responsible for the fiscal and administrative oversight of the Division. She coordinates the division’s business affairs, manages its faculty and non-faculty personnel, and works with UNMC and Nebraska Medicine regarding the division’s finances. She also works with multiple partner organizations (UNMC, Nebraska Medicine, University of Nebraska Foundation, and the VA) to accomplish the educational, research, and clinical goals of the department and division and works on long-range planning and development of the division and the Cancer Center.
Outside of the office, Elizabeth is an avid sports fan and enjoys time with friends and family at various sporting events throughout the year. She also enjoys golf, traveling, reading, and baking, and being active in the community.
She believes that volunteering and giving back to the community is important, as volunteers can make a tangible difference in their communities by addressing social, environmental, or humanitarian issues, and can help address the unmet needs of others.
Elizabeth Swedlund with her sponsor LeRoy Swedlund and President Larry Guenther
The current three-month cycle of friendly competition of Rotary Engagement Extravaganza will end on November 30, 2023. The winning team will receive a grand prize of a fully paid Happy Hour, courtesy of President Larry Guenther. The Mavericks Team, led by Susan Koesters of DA Davidson, is currently leading the contest as of November 20. However, the leaderboard could change drastically with the addition of Rotary Social points. A Rotary Social is when three or more Rotarians gather, and each member will earn four points, including attendance and engagement points. These engagement points could make a significant difference in the final standings of the competition. The best part is that Rotarians gathering for a social do not have to belong to the same team or even the same club. For example, if Bill and Gretchen Harvey invite one Rotarian for coffee, that counts as a Rotary Social. Bill and Gretchen do not belong to the same team. To earn the engagement points, you must snap a photo of the gathering and send it to Yolanda at director@omaharotary.org. In case you can't take a photo, emailing about the gathering will earn you attendance credit. Below are some photos of Rotary Socials as examples.
Brad Burklund, James Mackiewicz, Chris Tooker, Jill Slupe, Ben Washburn, and Tom Kerfoot were on the move at the Deaf Child Hope International fundraiser at Hot Shops.
Brett Frevert, Larry Guenther, Sean Olson were at the JP Morgan Chase pre-game before Creighton / Iowa game
Lisa Tonjes Moritz, Nash Mahupete, and Todd Johnson at the recent Gratitude Summit
The Engagement Leaderboard as of November 20, 2023
The Honor Roll Committee is currently busy with preparations and fundraising for the 97th Honor Roll, which is scheduled for April 30, 2024. As the event was conducted virtually for the last three years, the preparations required are massive. The middle schools that participate in the annual Honor Roll had a popular request that it be held in person again. Many Rotarians have already pledged to support the 97th Honor Roll event, and their pledges are listed below in the order they were received:
Hal Daub, John and Viv Ewing, Bill and Gretchen Harvey, Den Skinner, Larry Guenther, John Mock, John Marburger, Todd Johnson, Heather Legge, Tobi Mathouser, Dawn Gonzalez, Michelle Trawick, Susan Koesters, Jim Suttle, Tom Gouttierre, Brad Burklund, Jim Stewart, Dianne Desler, Lisa Tonjes Moritz, Brett Frevert, Fr. Lloyd Gnirk, Paul Cohen, LeRoy Swedlund, Fletcher Reel, Jim Murphy, Omaha Downtown Rotary Foundation, Okley Gibbs, and Bob Keefer
If you have not yet submitted your pledge, please email Yolanda at director@omaharotary.org or click the amount to donate: $125$250$500$1,000. Your donation is fully tax-deductible.
In the spotlight at Rotary last week, President Larry Guenther took the helm for the Permanent Badge Ceremony. Joining in this significant step were Todd Johnson, Mike Mancuso, and the remotely connected Mike Schlickbernd, zooming in all the way from Florida. A hearty congratulations goes out to these newest Rotarians, and a big round of appreciation to their sponsors: Tom Gouttierre, Jim Murphy, and James Mackiewicz.
The presentation of the Rotary permanent badge symbolizes a successful onboarding journey into the Rotary family. It's more than just a badge; it's a testament to their commitment and enthusiasm as Rotarians. With anticipation, we look forward to the active engagement of Mike, Todd, and Mike in shaping the future of our Rotary community in the years ahead. Welcome to the journey, and here's to the vibrant contributions yet to come!
The Rotary Club of Omaha has been honored with the esteemed Rotary International Citation for the Rotary Year 2022-2023, during the tenure of President Sean Connolly. This recognition was presented at the culminating Rotary District 5650 Conference. Our club surpassed the expectations set by RI, particularly in the domains of Developing and implementing sustainable service projects, Contributions to The Rotary Foundation, Membership Engagement initiatives, and Raising awareness of Rotary within the community. Congratulations to all our dedicated 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 at L to R: Steve McCollister, Scott Kinnaird, Colleen Brennan, Mike Mancuso, and Fletcher Reel
The Rotary International Convention: Unforgettable moments, enduring relationships
The Rotary International Convention is where you’ll find people of action from around the world brainstorming solutions to some of the most pressing challenges and celebrating our works of service that create lasting change.
The convention is where you’ll renew connections, discover fresh perspectives, and create unforgettable moments and enduring relationships.
At the convention, you’ll:
Participate in engaging breakout session discussions
Attend motivating general sessions
Network with fellow changemakers
Mingle with old and new friends
Browse exhibits and visit the House of Friendship
Explore an exciting host city
Enjoy live entertainment and enriching attractions
The convention is our largest event of the year, a chance for members to show the general public who we are and what we do. Join us at this year’s Rotary International Convention and show the world who you are and all that you do.
R. Gordon R. McInally is president of Rotary International. He was educated at the Royal High School in Edinburgh and at the University of Dundee, where he earned his graduate degree in dental surgery. He operated his own dental practice in Edinburgh until 2016. Gordon was chair of the East of Scotland branch of the British Paedodontic Society and has held various academic positions. He has also served as a presbytery elder, chair of the Queensferry parish congregational board, and commissioner to the general assembly of the Church of Scotland. Read President McInally's biography.
Watch the video below of President McInally's address to the Rotary International Assembly:
Mário César Martins de Camargo, a member of the Rotary Club of Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil, is the selection of the Nominating Committee for President to become Rotary International’s president for 2025-26. He will officially become the nominee on 15 September if no other candidates challenge him.
De Camargo plans to boost Rotary’s public image by working from the top down.
“Rotary today has strong competition for members and funds,” he says. “We need to rejuvenate the brand, especially in some zones. We should utilize post-pandemic meeting tools … to allow the president to address Rotarians all over the globe. We also need to develop more long-term partnerships with political, community, and business leaders. Let’s emphasize our greatest asset: 1.4 million volunteers.” He also hopes to improve Rotary’s process for appointments and governance.
“Rotary should adopt a more transparent system to appoint volunteers for positions, with clear criteria and data-based evaluation of results,” he says.
De Camargo was president of Gráfica Bandeirantes and has been a consultant to the print industry in Brazil. He has also served as president and chair of several printing and graphics trade associations, including the Brazilian Association of Graphic Technology and ABIGRAF, the Brazilian Printing Industry Association.
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 recent greeters Jill Slupe with her niece Future Rotarian Ava.
Jim Cavanaugh
Paul Cohen Sean Connolly
Hal Daub
Gene DeBoer Dianne Desler
John Ewing
Viv Ewing
Brett Frevert
Dawn Gonzales
Okley Gibbs
Larry Guenther
Dee Haj Bill Harvey
Gretchen Harvey
Yolanda Hoffman
Bob Keefer
Susan Koesters
John Marburger
Steve McCollister
Camille Metoyer-Moten
Lloyd Meyer
Jim Murphy
Jim Scott-Miller
Mike Schlickbernd
Jim Stewart
Michelle Trawick
Aileen Warren
Mário César Martins de Camargo, a member of the Rotary Club of Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil, is the selection of the Nominating Committee for President to become Rotary International’s president for 2025-26. He will officially become the nominee on 15 September if no other candidates challenge him.
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. 
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