Our speaker tomorrow is Alan Weiss, owner of Papio Valley Nursery.
Papio Valley Nursery is a trusted supplier for landscapers across Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa, offering high-quality landscape plants and products, including annuals, tropicals, perennials, shrubs, roses, trees, mulch, topsoil, boulders, and more.
Alan will share insights on the Nebraska Reforestation Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to planting and advocating for trees across the state. Since its founding five years ago, the initiative has planted over 3,000 sizable trees throughout Nebraska and has ambitious plans to continue reforesting the region for years to come.
Join us to learn more about this impactful program and how it's shaping Nebraska’s green future!
Together, the Rotary Club of Omaha, West Rotary, Millard Rotary, Suburban Rotary, Morning Rotary, and a District Rotary matching grant will make an incredible impact by packaging nearly 45,000 meals! These meals will stay in our community, supporting local non-profits like Heart Ministry Center, Heartland Hope Mission, and Together Inc. in their fight against food insecurity.
We Need Your Help! 140 volunteers are needed to make this event a success! This is a fantastic opportunity for Rotarians, families, and friends of all ages to come together for a great cause.
Event Details 📅 Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025 📍 Location: 4418 S 180th Street, Omaha (Enter at the “Love Church” sign on 180th & J Street. Stay to the right, follow the drive to the large garage, and park in front of the garage.)
Shifts:
Shift 1: 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM (40 volunteers needed)
Shift 2: 9:45 AM – 11:15 AM (40 volunteers needed)
Shift 3: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM (40 volunteers needed)
What to Expect Volunteers will work in an assembly line format at one of four tables to package meals. This is a fun, hands-on activity for all ages (at least 5 years old) and a great way to introduce younger children to community service!
What to Bring/Wear:
Hair should be tied back. Please wear a baseball cap or a provided hairnet.
Comfortable clothes and shoes, as you’ll be standing throughout your shift.
By volunteering, you’ll help bring nearly 45,000 meals to local food banks, making a meaningful difference for those experiencing food insecurity. Let’s show how Rotary serves our community with Service Above Self!
I heard a story at my club meeting this week about Paul Harris and the origins of Rotary. Paul Harris received his law degree from the University of Iowa in 1891 and later moved to Chicago to open his law practice in 1896. Paul felt that there were many, like him, that had come to Chicago from farms and small villages to establish themselves in this great city.
He decided to bring some men together for fellowship. They met at his house, then they would take turns and meet at another's house or business, then rotate to another, hence the word Rotary. On February 23, 1905, four of them gathered in downtown Chicago for what would become known as the first Rotary meeting.
As we move into the second half of this Rotary year, I challenge you, as Rotarians, to keep this spirit of fellowship and service alive by inviting a prospective member to attend your meetings. Don't just invite them to a lunch, breakfast or evening get together. Share your story of why you joined Rotary, and better yet, why you have stayed in Rotary! We are the number one service organization in the world! We need to share that with others.
February is also Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Month. As a humanitarian organization, peace is a cornerstone of our mission. We believe when people work to create peace in their communities, that change can have a global effect. Rotary President Stephanie Urchick will host a Presidential Peace Conference in Istanbul, Turkey February 20-22 to bring Rotary and our partners together to build on Rotary's work in promoting peace and to recognize the opening of the Otto and Fran Walter Rotary Peace Center in partnership with Bahcesehir University.
A few reminders as we move into February. Please make sure that you have your leadership team in place and that you register your President-elect for PETS on March 22nd. Now is also a good time to review the goals that you set for this Rotary year and assess what your club needs to do in this second half of the year to achieve the Club Excellence Award.
Our district board of directors will be meeting on February 1st to discuss the state of the district, help to develop our three year rolling strategic plan that will assist club leaders in developing one for their clubs and to interview candidates to become District Governor Nominee.
I will share this information with club presidents on our zoom call on Wednesday, February 5th.
One last note: The District Annual Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 8th. Please go to the district calendar for information on this meeting and other club and district events.
The Rotary Club of Omaha Morning, led by Jonathan Johnson during the 2023-2024 Rotary Year, was honored with the Rotary International Citation Award at the recent Rotary District Conference. This recognition highlights the club's commitment to enhancing member engagement, expanding Rotary's impact through community-focused projects, and fostering growth within the club. Additionally, it acknowledges the club's adaptability and the generosity of its members toward The Rotary Foundation.
Immediate Past President Jonathan Johnson receiving the Rotary Citation from District Governor Tom Kerfoot
Together, the Rotary Club of Omaha, West Rotary, Millard Rotary, Suburban Rotary, Morning Rotary, and a District Rotary matching grant will make an incredible impact by packaging nearly 45,000 meals! These meals will stay in our community, supporting local non-profits like Heart Ministry Center, Heartland Hope Mission, and Together Inc. in their fight against food insecurity.
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