Originally from Dunlap, Iowa, Nicole Juranek now lives in Council Bluffs, guided by a few simple goals: loving her family, helping community college students at Iowa Western become confident public speakers, and supporting those who are incarcerated.
Nicole is married to a high school teacher and football coach, is raising two teenage boys (ages 17 and 14), and volunteers weekly behind bars. While many people don’t know the difference between jail and prison, Nicole has been volunteering in both for more than 20 years. Her work with inmates has taken many forms, including teaching anti-violence classes, leading yoga, training a group to run a half marathon, and serving as the sole volunteer in the Pottawattamie County Jail library.
Bringing literacy to incarcerated individuals remains a top priority for Nicole. Together with her family, she has donated more than 30,000 books to jails and prisons across Iowa and Nebraska.
Rotary District 5650 Rotarians—February is here, and Groundhog Day is tomorrow. If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, we will have six more weeks of winter; if not, spring comes early. I am hoping for an early spring so we can get outside and continue our Rotary projects in our communities!
This leads me to reflect on the importance of connection. By participating in our community and embracing the idea of “Unite for Good,” we help bring people together and open the door to membership opportunities. A significant group seeking connection is the Baby Boom Generation—those born between 1946 and 1964, now aged 61 to 80. Many are entering retirement and searching for meaning and relationships, sometimes experiencing feelings of isolation or loneliness. Rotary can play a key role in addressing these needs. Studies show that individuals who find purpose and connection tend to enjoy longer, more fulfilling lives. The song “You’ve Got a Friend” by Carole King, famously covered by James Taylor in 1971, comes to mind as a reminder of friendship. Our regular Rotary meetings offer a space for belonging, friendship, and enduring purpose—locally and globally. So, whenever you notice someone who feels isolated or in search of meaning, consider sharing with them how Rotary can enrich their life through service and community.
I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to each Rotary Club in our District for your outstanding efforts throughout January to "Unite for Good" and serve both local communities and the global community. Thank you for your dedication and commitment.
Also, remember that February is Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Month on our Rotary calendar.
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!
Nicole Juranek
