Deb Neary seeks re-election to represent District 8 on the Nebraska Board of Education. Her policy topics include teacher shortages, school safety, and education standards. She believes parent voice and ongoing parent support are crucial to a child’s educational success.
Well respected by her colleagues, she serves on the Board’s Executive Committee and has served on five other board committees in the past three years.
Deb is accessible to her constituents; her town halls are popular and well attended. She’s discussed health education, teacher shortages, statewide math readiness, shifting population trends, and school accreditation.
Her Master’s degree is in history and public administration. She’s spent twenty years working to support educational opportunities for youth; she was executive director at MENTOR Nebraska; education director at the Durham Museum. She taught catechism at Christ the King Church and served on the board of Madonna Schools.
The highest example of her dedication to youth is that she and her husband, Joe, were foster parents for eight years.
Deb is a fifteen-year member and former officer of Rotary West
Recently, Omaha Downtown Rotary Foundation President Sean Olson presided the grant awards to several of Rotary's community partners: Assistance League, Boys and Girls Club, Children's Square, Kids Can, Learning for All, Merrymakers, Partnership for Kids, Pear Tree, Performing Arts, Project Houseworks, Respect, and The Set Me Free Project.
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.
Hardworking Rotarians at Stephen Center L to R: Lisa Tonjes Moritz, Steve McCollister, and Lisa's son future Rotarian Anderson
Jennifer Jones, Rotary International’s first female president, is the perfect leader to spread the word about the good Rotary does in the world, and inspire its members to keep going. At a training seminar for Rotary club presidents-elect at a Dallas-area hotel in February, sergeants-at-arms wearing yellow vests and Stetsons lead participants, grouped by Rotary district, into a small room for a photo op with 2022-23 Rotary International President Jennifer Jones. As the groups enter, the club leaders mob Jones — the room a flurry of handshakes, fist bumps, hugs, and the occasional squeal. For each photo, the Stetson-clad Rotarians (nicknamed "Rangers") give instructions on who should stand where, then Jones, who is seated front-row center, stands up, turns around, and warms up the crowd. "Is this the best district?" she asks one. She challenges a district to dance, busting a groove on the tan and gray patterned hotel carpet. Another, she teases, is the best looking. And then there's the "party" district, whose members give a raucous cheer. Read more, click here.
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!
.png)
