The Eye Opener July 04, 2025 (Jul. 04, 2025)

July 8, 2025 Weekly Rotary Meeting - BREAKFAST at First Watch Aksarben

Presiding: Aaron Tomita

Secretary: Bill Schenk

Invocation & Pledge: Bill Schenk

Sgt At Arms: Need Volunteer

Greeter: Lisa Hatterman
Cashier: Sarah Wedebrand

Chair of the Day: PDG Roxy Orr

Speaker: DG Robert Rapp

In-Person Meeting location:

Omaha Morning Rotary meeting venue: First Watch Aksarben 1222 S 71st St B, Omaha, NE 68106

Doors open at 6:45 AM.

July 8, 2025 - Rotary Speaker DG Robert Rapp

Robert Rapp

District Governor 2025-26

Robert grew up on a farm/ranch in South Central Nebraska. He became a Rotarian in 1994 after serving as Rotary District’s 5650’s Ambassadorial Scholar to the University of Edinburgh Law School, Edinburgh, Scotland in 1988-89. He was President of his Omaha Morning Rotary Club in 2020-21.

Robert earned his undergraduate degree in Business/Finance from Doane University and MBA from the University of Nebraska Omaha.

Robert’s professional background includes his work in economic/community development, international business consulting, and insurance and financial services.

He enjoys spending time working and relaxing at the family farm/nature reserve located near Johnson Lake in the Platte River Valley. His son, Alex and wife Allie live in Mesa, AZ. He and his partner, Pam, live in Elkhorn, NE. His hobbies include music, photography, and history.

DISTRICT GOVERNOR FOCUS

Club Strategic Planning; Building Stronger Rotary Clubs; Membership Retention & Growth; Rotary Club Innovation, Community & International Projects; Rotary International Foundation Giving; Peace & Conflict Resolution.

ROTARY AWARDS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

● Ambassadorial Scholar, District 1020, Univ. Edinburgh Law School, Scotland 1988-89

● Group Study Exchange Team Leader, District 4370, Venezuela, 2006

● Outstanding District Chair 2010 – Rotary Group Study Exchange Team

● Group Study Exchange Team District Chair 2010 – 2013

● Vocational Training Team Chair 2013 – Present

● Presidential Citation 2016-17

● Paul Harris Fellow, 2011, 2012, 2021

● Benefactor/Bequest Society Level 1 2020-21

DG Rotary Leadership Transition Honored at June 24 Meeting

At the June 24, 2025 meeting, District Governor Tom Kerfoot recognized outgoing Omaha Morning Rotary President Greg Key for his outstanding leadership during the 2024–2025 Rotary year. The club extends its heartfelt thanks to Greg for his dedicated service and commitment to Rotary values.

During the same meeting, DG Kerfoot officially welcomed incoming President Aaron Tomita, presenting him with the President’s badge and gavel. As Aaron begins his term leading Omaha Morning Rotary, the club looks forward to another year of impactful service and continued growth under his guidance.

Happy Birthday Rotarians!

Governor Robert's July 2025 Message

Rotary District 5650 Rotarians: This is my first newsletter of the new Rotary year. First, let me tell you what an honor and a privilege it is to be your 2025-26 District Governor. We have an exciting year ahead of us and I know we will all accomplish important things together serving our communities and the world as we “Unite For Good.”

Before I give you my message for July, I would like to thank PDG Tom Kerfoot, Omaha Suburban Rotary Club, for his great leadership over the past 2024-25 year in serving our Rotary District. Thank you, Tom!!

Tom, along with the rest of our District Leadership Team, did an excellent job, always thinking of others and how to best serve our Rotary Clubs. We are fortunate as Tom will continue to serve next year as Foundation Chair. Mick McKinley, PDG, Council Bluffs Noon Rotary Club, is stepping down after serving in this role for many years. A big thank you to Mick for his many years of dedicated service. Please thank him when you see him.

Hopefully, that won’t be long, as he and his bandmates from “Paul Harris and his Fellows” will be headlining at our Fall Rotary District Conference, October 17-18^th, 2025 at the Scott Conference Center, Aksarben Village, Omaha on Friday evening, October 17^th, 2025, for “Rotary Got Talent”.

I am writing this message to you having just returned from the Rotary International Convention in Calgary, Alberta, Canada June 21-25^th, 2025. Including Rotarians and their family members, we had twenty-seven people in attendance from our Rotary District 5650. Thank you to everyone that attended. 15,000 Rotarians and their families from around the world attended.

The RI Convention was held at the Calgary Stampede Grounds & BMO Center where everyone did their best to make us feel welcome. The standard headgear was the Calgary white cowboy hat, and we all got into the spirit. There was even a Rotary Ferris wheel that you could ride. Outstanding speakers, breakouts, food, rodeo and music entertainment, tourism sites and networking were all part of the experience.

We heard from outgoing Rotary International President, Stephanie Urchick and incoming Rotary International President, Francesco Arezzo. I look forward to sharing his message of “Unite For Good” with all of you at my upcoming Rotary Club meetings over the next few months.

Rotary is not new to the idea of “Unite For Good.”