Terri Smieja Franchisee, ITEX in Omaha (Barter America)
Terri Smieja is the franchisee behind ITEX in Omaha, operating as Barter America, an independently owned and operated franchise of ITEX Corporation based in Ralston, Nebraska. Through ITEX, Terri helps local businesses grow by connecting them to a barter/trade exchange network, allowing members to buy and sell goods and services using trade dollars instead of cash.
Terri was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and has lived all over the world. She and her husband, Gerard, have been married since 1996 and have five children. She enjoys quilting. Terri is active in the Omaha business community, including as a sponsor and VIP participant with the Omaha Empowerment Breakfast. ItexYouTube
Contact: Barter America – A Franchisee of ITEX Corp 7631 Main St, Ralston, NE 68127-3856 Phone: (402) 592-2918 Email: terri.smieja@itex.net
We are looking for volunteers to host the upcoming after-hours for our club in the month of July (on Tuesday, July 28). We are also looking for a member to host August's after-hours (Tuesday, August 25)
Please email Aaron Tomita or Lisa Hatterman if you would like to host
Rotary Club Changing of the Guard: A Celebration of Leadership and Community
What a wonderful evening it was as our Rotary club gathered to celebrate the annual Changing of the Guard, graciously hosted by Alvine and Mike Benck. Their hospitality set the perfect tone for an evening filled with reflection, gratitude, and excitement for the year ahead.
It was truly special to see so many familiar faces come together — community leaders, cherished friends, and family members all sharing in the celebration. Also joining us were representatives from several of the community partners our club has been proud to support through our donations this past year. Having them there was a meaningful reminder of why we do this work: to make a real difference in the lives of those around us.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to Aaron Tomita for his outstanding leadership this past year as president. Under his guidance, our club continued to grow, serve, and strengthen its ties to the community, and his dedication did not go unnoticed. Aaron, we are so grateful for your service and everything you poured into this club.
As we look ahead, we are thrilled to welcome Lisa Hatterman as our incoming president. Lisa's passion for service and her vision for the club have already generated so much excitement, and we can't wait to see what this next year holds under her leadership. Here's to new ideas, continued community impact, and another year of Service Above Self.
Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate — and a special thanks again to Alvine and Mike Benck for opening their doors and hearts to make this transition such a memorable one.
We are sharing the Chair of the Day schedule for our weekly Omaha Morning Rotary meetings. This role includes welcoming the speaker, making introductions, and helping the meeting flow smoothly. Please review the schedule and note your assigned date. If you are not able to serve on your date, please arrange a swap with another member and notify the Program Committee.
Thank you for helping us keep our meetings organized, engaging, and a reflection of the strong fellowship in our club.
We are proud to recognize our dedicated Rotarians who have achieved perfect attendance for the 2024–2025 year! Your commitment to showing up, participating, and contributing strengthens the vibrancy of our Rotary community.
Perfect attendance reflects not just consistency, but also dedication to the values and mission of Rotary — service, fellowship, and making a positive impact in our community and beyond.
👏 Let’s give a big round of applause to all our members who reached this milestone — your reliability and engagement are truly inspiring!
Good morning, and welcome to the Omaha Morning Rotary Club.
We are a community of professionals united by one simple belief — that we can do more together than apart. Each week we gather not just to share a meal, but to share ideas, build friendships, and take action on behalf of our community here in Omaha.
Service is at the core of everything we do. Whether through local projects or global initiatives, our members show up ready to make a difference. But just as important is the fellowship — the relationships built here last a lifetime.
If you're considering joining us, we'd love to have you at our table.