Stories

Speaker - September 1, 2026 - Mark Langan, 26yr Omaha Police Veteran

Mark Langan
26-Year Omaha Police Veteran • Award-Winning Author • National Speaker

Our speaker has spent over 40 years on the front lines of law enforcement, crime prevention, and public
safety. Mark Langan built a decorated twenty-six-year career with the Omaha Police Department, where
he worked the seamier side of crime — infiltrating high-level narcotics operations undercover, posing as
both a drug user and a drug dealer, and supervising hundreds of high-risk investigations. His work earned
him the department's two highest honors: the Distinguished Service Medal and the Medal of Valor.

After retiring from the force, Mark launched a second career as Vice-President of Field Operations with
the Nebraska Humane Society, where he became a leading voice on animal cruelty investigations. He
now serves on the Nebraska Board of Parole.

Along the way, Mark has given hundreds of media interviews and is a certified instructor in workplace
safety and active killer training. He is also an award-winning author of the Busting Bad Guys series — his
book More Busting Bad Guys was awarded the Gold Medal by Indie Book Publishers in 2023 for best true
crime book in the country.

Mark is a nationally recognized speaker on crime, public safety, and animal cruelty, known for regaling
audiences with stories straight from his career and his books.

Distinguished Service Medal & Medal of Valor | Gold Medal, Indie Book Publishers (2023) | Nebraska Board of Parole

August After-Hours - Tuesday, August 25 at 4:30pm

🎉 Save the Date: After Hours Networking Event! 🎉

Join us for an After Hours networking event hosted by Mike Murphy of Nelson Murphy Insurance & Investments!

📍 Location: 9290 W Dodge Road, 4th Floor, Suite 402
🕐 Time: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
📅 Date: Tuesday, August 25th, 2026

Come celebrate our new office space and connect with fellow Rotarians, prospective members, and family in the community. Light snacks and drinks will be provided!

We'd love to see you there!

Financial Planning & Investment Management in Omaha, NE

No Meeting - 8/25/2026

We will not be meeting Tuesday morning, August 25th as we will instead be at Rotarian Mike Murphy's company office for an after-hours social event open to all Rotarians, Rotary guests, and family. See after-hours post for details

Speaker - LeAnn Kassube & Pam Beall-Hill, Habitat for Humanity - August 18th, 2026

Pam Beall-Hill
Pam Beall-Hill joined Habitat for Humanity of Omaha in July 2026 as Senior Development Officer for Individual Giving. Prior to joining Habitat, she served with the Council Bluffs Schools Foundation, where she built strong relationships across the education community and developed a passion for helping families thrive. Pam works closely with donors, community members, and supporters to connect them with Habitat's mission and impact. She is especially passionate about the connection between stable housing and educational success, helping others understand how affordable homeownership creates stronger outcomes for children, families, and neighborhoods. In her role, she develops meaningful relationships with individuals who want to invest in expanding access to homeownership and strengthening our community.

LeAnn Kassube
LeAnn Kassube has been with Habitat for Humanity of Omaha for four years and serves as the organization's Development Systems Manager. She leads the systems, data, and reporting that power Habitat's fundraising and donor engagement efforts, helping ensure the organization builds and maintains strong relationships with thousands of supporters. Beyond her work with the development team, LeAnn partners across the organization to strengthen how Habitat uses data, technology, and business systems to operate efficiently, make informed decisions, and remain responsive to the many donors, volunteers, homeowners, partners, and community stakeholders it serves. Through her role, she has a unique front-row seat to Habitat's growth and impact, translating data into insights that help drive strategy, stewardship, and organizational effectiveness.

Presentation Overview

Pam and LeAnn will provide an overview of Habitat for Humanity of Omaha and its work to increase and sustain access to homeownership throughout our community. As a Habitat homeowner herself, LeAnn will share her personal journey to homeownership and how her experience as both a homeowner and a staff member gives her a unique perspective on every stage of the Habitat Omaha journey. Together, they will highlight the organization's new five-year strategic plan, including Habitat's ambitious goal to serve 10,000 families and engage 100,000 community members through homeownership, home preservation, education, advocacy, and community partnerships. Attendees will learn about areas of recent growth, Habitat's evolving impact across the Omaha metro area and five counties we serve, and meaningful ways to get involved through volunteering, advocacy, and philanthropic support.

June 30, 2026 - Bill Schenk Earns Prestigious Founders Award

Congratulations to long time Omaha Morning Rotarian, Bill Schenk who was recently recognized as only the fifth recipient since 2001 of the club’s Founders Award. A group of founding members of Omaha Morning Rotary established this award, the highest honor to be bestowed on a member of the club, in recognition of an individual who exemplifies Rotary’s Four-Way Test.

Bill has maintained perfect attendance for 37 years, served as Club President, Foundation President, and Secretary. He is a regular participant in both local and international service projects, and mentored countless members who have stepped into club leadership roles.

Congratulations, Bill. You are a most deserving recipient of this honor and recognition.

Speaker - Dr. Maurtice Ivy, Founder & CEO Ivy League Youth Sports

Dr. Maurtice A. Ivy is the Founder and CEO of Ivy League Youth Sports Academy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preparing young people to succeed in sports and in life through leadership, mentorship, and athletic development. A former University of Nebraska women's basketball player, Dr. Ivy has spent more than two decades serving youth, families, and communities through education, nonprofit leadership, and sports.

She holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and is passionate about using sports as a vehicle to teach life skills that extend far beyond the game. Through her signature framework, The Ivy 5—Prepared, Highly Skilled, High IQ, Competitive, and Village-Minded, Dr. Ivy equips young people with the mindset and habits needed to lead, serve, and succeed.

Her mission is to change the landscape of youth sports by developing confident leaders, strengthening families, and building healthier communities, one athlete at a time.

Recap of Rotary After-Hours July 2026

A big thank you to Corwin Keller, owner of Ideal Heating & Air Conditioning, for graciously welcoming our Rotary club into his office for a wonderful evening. Corwin and his team went above and beyond, treating us and our significant others to delicious drinks and appetizers in a warm, inviting setting. We're so grateful for his generosity and hospitality, and for giving us a great space to connect and enjoy each other's company!

Speaker - DG Gretchen Bren - 7/14/2026

Gretchen Bren

Omaha Night Rotary District Governor 2026-27

Gretchen Bren’s life has been profoundly impacted by her Rotary journey. Through her experiences she has seen how much power each of us has through Rotary to impact our world.

She joined The Rotary Club of Omaha (aka Omaha Downtown) in 2007 and served as Executive Director there for 10 years. In 2019, she joined Omaha Night Rotary Club and is a past club president (2020-2022). At the District level, she has been the End Polio Now chair and an Assistant Governor. Gretchen has been a past District Trainer and is a facilitator for the Rotary Leadership Institute and for RI Club Visioning. Outside the District, Gretchen is the secretary for the Rotary Wine Appreciation Fellowship.

Gretchen is a Paul Harris Fellow+8, a Level 1 Bequest Society member and Major Donor Level 2 and spearheaded the Polio Plus Society in District 5650. Her spouse—Gary Bren—is a former District Governor for District 5650 (2016-17) and is also a facilitator for Rotary Leadership Institute and Visioning, and took over as the End Polio Now chair for District 5650.

Gretchen received the Citation for Meritorious Service from the Rotary Foundation and the International Service Award for a Polio-Free World. In 2019, Gretchen was honored with the District 5650 Cadwallader Award – the District’s highest honor for someone who has made monumental contribution in one or more areas of service with Rotary.

Outside of Rotary, Gretchen has worked in the computer industry doing training, programing and web design. She is a Microsoft Certified Application Specialist Master Instructor and Microsoft Certified Professional. Since 2016, she has been at Turner Technology as the Director of Special Projects. Gretchen has been married to Gary since 1989, and is the proud mom of two cats, Artemis and Shadow. In her free time, she loves to read, drink fine wines and travel, and recently started stand up paddleboarding.

2026-2027 Chair of the Day Schedule

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.

Recap - Changing of the Guard

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.

Here's to a fantastic year ahead!

Speaker - Terri Smieja, itex - July 7, 2026

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. Itex YouTube

Contact:
Barter America – A Franchisee of ITEX Corp
7631 Main St, Ralston, NE 68127-3856
Phone: (402) 592-2918
Email: terri.smieja@itex.net

SAVE THE DATE - June 30, 5pm-7pm - Changing of the Guard Hosted by Alvine (Mike Benck)

SAVE THE DATE: June 30th from 5pm-7pm at Alvine, Downtown Omaha.

***We will NOT be meeting for breakfast the Tuesday Morning of June 30th. Instead we will be all at this after-hours event.

What

Food, drinks, pop, socializing and awards for Rotarians
This will be a major event for our club to really showcase all the great work we have done this past year and commemorate Rotarians who have been apart of it all

Where

Alvine (1201 Cass St, Omaha, NE 68102)

Who

Leaders from the community (invite only)
Leaders from District 5650 (invite only)
Omaha Morning Rotarians & Family
Community Leaders who we have sponsored and donated our time and money to support over the past year

Speaker - Tanya Patzner - June 23, 2026

Tanya Patzner has spent more than 33 years with State Farm Insurance, but her connection to the insurance industry began long before that. As an “Agent’s Kid” AK, she grew up around the business, giving her more than 45 years of experience and exposure to the insurance and financial services industry.

A graduate of the University of Iowa, Tanya has earned her LUTCF, FSS, RICP, and LACP professional designations. She is also fully securities licensed as both a Registered Representative and an Investment Advisor Representative. As Tanya likes to say, all those letters simply mean she’s supposed to know a thing or two about insurance and investing!

Although she grew up in Iowa—and remains a loyal Hawkeye fan—Tanya has called Nebraska home for more than 30 years. She owns and operates the Tanya Patzner State Farm Agency in Omaha, serving customers throughout Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas. She leads a team of six fully licensed professionals whom she considers the true heroes of the business. In fact, if you happen to reach Tanya directly, you may hear her joke, “You’ve reached the JV Squad—our Varsity Team is helping other customers. How can we help?”

Tanya and her husband, Marty, have been married for 29 years and are proud parents of three adult children—Jack, Nick, and Brooke—all of whom live in Omaha. These days, they are thoroughly enjoying life as empty nesters.

Today, Tanya will share insights on “Insurance in 2026: What You Need to Know, How Often You Should Review Things and Why You Should Care.”

Speaker - John Bruckner, McFarland Group - June 16, 2026

John S. Bruckner, J.D.
Partner

John leads The McFarland Group's M&A advisory work. He helps owners prepare for and navigate external sales by focusing on readiness, positioning, and disciplined execution before a transaction begins.

John brings legal training and deep transactional experience to complex ownership decisions, helping owners structure outcomes that protect value and align with long-term goals.

He attended St Joseph's University from 2006-2010 to obtain his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. He then went on to Creighton University School of Law focusing on Business Law from 2011 - 2014. And Joined The MCFarland Group in 2012.

Speaker - Lisa Volenec - May 5, 2026

Lisa Volenec is a former television executive and career journalist dedicated to amplifying the voices of those living with Parkinson’s disease.

Diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s in 2014, Lisa kept her diagnosis private for more than a decade while continuing to lead at a high level professionally, most recently serving as General Manager of KMTV, the CBS affiliate in Omaha.

She publicly revealed her diagnosis for the first time in 2024 at The Michael J. Fox Foundation Gala, alongside Stevie Nicks, a close friend who has been a meaningful source of support throughout her journey. A year later, Lisa made the decision to step away from her executive role to focus on advocacy.

Drawing on her background in storytelling, Lisa founded the This Is Parkinson’s nonprofit to elevate authentic patient voices and highlight the diverse, deeply personal experiences of living with the disease.

Today, Lisa is committed to turning her voice into a platform for others, ensuring that every person living with Parkinson’s is not only heard, but impossible to ignore.

No Meeting - Tuesday, April 28, 2026

There will be no morning Rotary meeting this week Tuesday, instead members and guests are invited to join us at our After-Hours Event hosted by Rotarian, Sarah Wedebrand at her lovely home.

We will be back with our normal morning meeting Tuesday, May 5th.

Speaker - Siddhant "Sid" Dhoot - April 21, 2026

"Sid", a Junior at Creighton University (Class of 2027), will be speaking and presenting on a global Rotary grant that he is helping to coordinate along with his father who is also a Rotarian in India. Below is a blurb of the grant project they are putting together through Rotary. They are seeking help from Omaha Rotary clubs to be international Rotary Club Partners.

Copied is their grant's objective: "To support heart surgeries for 18 children from socio-economically challenged background at the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Centre for Child Health Care in Navi Mumbai, India."

I am an incoming Global Markets Summer Analyst at Nomura in New York City (Class of 2026).

The blend of quantitative rigor, strategic logic, and human interaction in this fast-paced environment greatly appeals to me. I am motivated by continuous self-development, collaborating with diverse teams, and the unique problem-solving inherent in complex market structures. My goal is to excel in navigating financial mechanics, managing risk, and strategizing for optimal execution. I see Global Markets as a structured path to redefining how capital is allocated efficiently and sustainably. I am particularly drawn to sustainable finance solutions, aligning with the growing emphasis on ESG, and I am motivated by the ongoing digitalization and AI revolution in trading systems—an area where I plan to leverage my concentrations in Mathematics and Computer Science.

My strategy involves building a robust theoretical foundation at the Heider School of Business, coupled with online learning to stay current with technical practices. I am committed to continuously refining my skills through hands-on experience like portfolio investments and trading, and I am actively seeking experiential learning to gain a comprehensive understanding of the global financial landscape. Maintaining a connection to the community through social work is also important for my integrated growth.

Ultimately, I hope to generate positive impact in my community through my actions both professionally and personally.

Email: SiddhantDhoot@creighton.edu

Speaker - John Winkler - April 14, 2026

John has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Papio Missouri River NRD since December 2006.

Prior to becoming the District’s Chief Executive, he worked as the City Administrator for the City of Plattsmouth and as the Economic Development Director for Cass County for six years.

He completed his undergraduate coursework in Political Science and International Relations at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and holds a master’s degree in public administration. John has also served in several local and county elected offices and is a graduate of both the U.S. Air War College National Security Forum and the FBI Citizens Academy.

In addition, John is the Vice President of the Offutt Advisory Council Board, where he serves in three roles: Civilian Co-Commander of the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron, Deputy Co-Commander of the 55th Wing at Offutt AFB, and representative to the Air Combat Command’s Commanders Group.

A Big Welcome to Our Newest Rotarians This Year - 2026

Justin Fazzari (Joined March 2026)

Realtor at The Gallery of Homes

Corwin Keller (Joined March 2026)

Owner of Ideal Heating & Air Conditioning

Ronald "Ron" Morss, LUTCF (Joined March 2026)

Insurance Advisor at HealthMarkets Insurance Agency

District Governor April Message - Robert Rapp

Rotary District 5650 Rotarians—Welcome to April! “No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn. April is a promise that May is bound to keep, and we know it.” Having grown up on a farm and ranch, I think this quote by Hal Borland, writer, journalist, and naturalist, born May 14th, 1900, in Sterling, Nebraska, speaks to the seasonal transition that spring represents for hope and renewal as we move toward May.

March 31, 2026 - After Hours

March After-Hours Hosted by Lisa Hatterman & Ron Morss with HealthMarkets Insurance Agency

Our members had a lovely time being hosted at the ExecuSuites office on March 31, 2026 for drinks, and appetizers. We played some games and had a great time socializing with each other, and significant others.

Thank you to Lisa & Ron!

Sara Wedebrand Earns Paul Harris

Sarah Wedebrand has earned her Paul Harris award. She follows in her late grandfather's footsteps as he too was a past Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow. Congratulations to Sarah and well done!

Omaha Morning Rotary Supports Heart Heroes at State Capitol Proclamation

Omaha Morning Rotary Supports Heart Heroes at State Capitol Proclamation

Heart Heroes was recognized at the Nebraska State Capitol with a formal proclamation declaring February 7 through 14 as Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week. The proclamation highlights the importance of raising awareness about congenital heart disease and supporting the families impacted by it across Nebraska.

Omaha Morning Rotary is a proud supporter of Heart Heroes through our Bummer Bear program. These bears are delivered to children and families facing congenital heart disease, offering comfort, encouragement, and a reminder that they are not alone. Each year, Heart Heroes supports approximately 400 families navigating the challenges of a CHD diagnosis.

The presence of a Heart Heroes Bummer Bear at the Capitol served as a powerful symbol of advocacy, resilience, and compassion. It also reflects the shared commitment of community partners, healthcare advocates, and service organizations working together to improve outcomes and awareness for children born with CHD.

Omaha Morning Rotary is honored to support Heart Heroes and their mission to bring hope, comfort, and visibility to congenital heart disease. We remain committed to service projects that make a meaningful difference in the lives of families in our community and across the state.

June 6, 2023 BREAKFAST Rotary Speaker Mark Dahir

Mark Dahir was named the chief executive officer of the Heart Ministry Center in December 2020. He leads a team of 50 employees and has helped grow the organization’s operating budget to $5 million. During his nine-year tenure at the Center, he has participated in roles including volunteer, relationship manager, operations director, Fresh Start director, associate executive director, and chief operations officer. Mark was previously a commercial banker of 15 years.

Heart Ministry Center’s mission is to provide food, healthcare, and a way forward to people severely affected by poverty in the Omaha area. Visit HeartMinistryCenter.org for more information.

Hug A hero

Omaha Morning Rotary Invites YOU to MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Approximately 400 pediatric heart surgeries are performed at Omaha Children's Hospital each year. Your tax-deductible donation makes sure each child receives a gift of comfort at a time they need it most.

Each bear has a mended heart beneath the zipper & a Heart Hero Cape. You can even personalize a note to the special Heart Hero receiving your gift. Don't wait, Hug a Hero now, click here.

Omaha Morning Rotary Presents $20k to Heart Heroes

Bill Schenck is Paul Harris Fellow +4

No Meeting on November 23, 2021

Last Week at Rotary in Photos

PDG Gary Bren visited our club and shared his participation in Tour de Tucson - End Polio Ride. Click here to support the End Polio campaign through PDG Gary

Visitors from Germany Justus and Cecily were hosted by Bob Nelson and Max Honaker

Speaker Mary Pat Coe shared her work at the Court Improvement Project of the Nebraska Judicial System

Heart Heroes, More Than Just a Cape

Rotary is proud to support Heart Heroes in providing assistance to children and families affected by Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) through the distribution of superhero capes, programs to offer hope, and awareness initiatives to increase funding for CHD research.

Here is a quick snapshot of Heart Heroes.

Name of Organization: HEART HEROES INC

Address: 6621 S 172 Ave.; Omaha, NE 68135

Contact Person: Kitty Burton Executive Director (402) 960-9287

kitty@heartheroes.org

Website: https://heartheroes.org/nebraska/

September Birthdays

March Birthdays

Welcome New Rotarian Chuck Sweeney

Chuck grew up in the Millard area and was born as the youngest of five boys. Chuck’s focus on supporting the community was built at a young age with his parents volunteering countless hours in supporting their church and youth sports. This included Chuck volunteering mowing and clearing sidewalks of snow at the church property as a youth.

Chuck’s professional development came from working for five Fortune 500 companies in his 39-year career; Mutual of Omaha, Aetna, Fidelity Investments, Pacific Life, and now State Farm.

Welcome to Rotary, Chuck!

February 16, 2021 Meeting is Hybrid

Presiding: Robert Rapp

Secretary: Mike Benck

Invocation & Pledge:

Sgt At Arms: Ron Ewasiuk
Virtual Greeter: Triston Zachary
Greeter/Cashier: Jim Sullivan

Chair of the Day: Ron Ewasiuk

Speaker: Amy Krause, Bags of Fun Omaha

Our program on February 16, 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM US Central time, is hybrid.

In-Person Meeting:

Happy Hollow Golf Club
1701 S 105th St., Omaha, NE 68124

Breakfast $15, Coffee only $5

It is highly recommended to prepay for contactless check-in. Click here.

Zoom Meeting Details:

Event: Rotary Club of Omaha Morning Weekly Meeting
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87324837040

Meeting ID: 873 2483 7040

The meeting Room opens at 6:30 AM.
Important: Please identify yourself properly with your name upon checking in zoom.

Speaker February 16, 2021

With a background in pediatric nursing I have seen firsthand what a child and their family goes through when diagnosed with a life-threatening condition. This became a reality for our family when our niece Gabby was diagnosed with cancer at age 5. Her determination and kind, giving spirit spilled over into her wish to bring a Bag of Fun to every child fighting a battle. It is our wish to bring Bags of Fun to the Omaha area and continue spreading the joy and love that Gabby would have wanted. It is in her spirit that we bring happiness wrapped up in a backpack to those children going through a really tough time in a world where just being a kid and playing is their job! It is with great honor that we are able to bring this foundation to the Omaha area and are extremely grateful for the opportunity to provide joy to children living with a life-threatening illness.

New Member Proposal

February Birthdays

Recently at Rotary

Recently at Rotary, we heard from Secretary of State Bob Evnen. Secretary Evnen was elected on November 6, 2018, and took office on January 10, 2019, as Nebraska’s 27th Secretary of State. Evnen, a Republican, previously served for eight years on the Nebraska State Board of Education.

As Secretary of State, Evnen has emphasized voting security in his role as chief elections officer for the state. He has introduced new and more robust security systems in our state’s voting and vote counting processes.

Secretary Evnen is the chief protocol officer for the State of Nebraska for international relations and trade. As chief protocol officer, Secretary Evnen engages in a variety of diplomatic efforts to promote Nebraska agriculture, industries, and business, and to solicit foreign investment.

In addition, the Secretary of State oversees business services, licensing, rules and regulations, records management, youth services, keeper of the Great Seal, along with various other duties serving and chairing state boards.

Prior to becoming elected Secretary of State of Nebraska, Secretary Evnen was a notable labor attorney, practicing labor law for more than 40 years. He was a partner with Woods & Aitken LLP, a downtown Lincoln law firm, for 32 years.

Secretary Evnen resides in Lincoln. He and his wife Debra have three adult children and 3 grandchildren.

January 5, 2021 is Virtual

Presiding: Robert Rapp

Secretary: Mike Benck
Invocation & Pledge: Max Honaker
Virtual Greeter: Triston Zachary

Program: Club Assembly

Our program on January 5, 2021, 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM US Central time is Virtual-only.

Zoom Meeting Details:

Event: Rotary Club of Omaha Morning Weekly Meeting
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87324837040

Meeting ID: 873 2483 7040

Meeting Room opens at 6:30 AM
Important: Please identify yourself properly with your name upon checking in zoom. If you are a guest, please type in your name and your Rotarian host so that you are admitted to the meeting room.

Multi-District Virtual Food Drive

For more information and to donate, please visit the following link: Virtual Food Drive

No meeting next week!

Happy Thanksgiving! We will not be meeting next week due to the upcoming holiday on Thursday. The following Tuesday December 1st will be an after-hours evening meeting.

New Member Proposal

New Member Proposal:

Name: Sachi Verma

Classification: Public Health
Proposed by: Martha Goedert

Any questions or objections, please send a message to our Executive Director.

Happy Birthday Rotarians

Rotary District 5650 Inclusivity Workshops

Rotary values diversity and celebrates the contributions of people of all backgrounds, regardless of their age, ethnicity, race, color, abilities, religion, socioeconomic status, culture, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. District 5650 embraces this value and believes that it is through creating a sense of inclusion and belonging in our Clubs that we will increase our impact, expand our reach, enhance participant engagement, and increase our ability to adapt. This is imperative to our ability to meet our mission as Rotarians.

For these reasons, we invite you to join fellow Rotarians from District 5650 and beyond for (4) free virtual inclusivity workshops facilitated by Inclusive Communities (you can learn more about them at https://www.inclusive-communities.org/). We'll explore our own personal experiences with diversity, equity, and inclusion, examine our unconscious biases and uncover actionable ideas about how we can increase membership by making Rotary a place of belonging for all people and a better reflection of our communities. Plus, you'll build personal leadership skills and that promote respectful and inclusive behaviors.

You will receive the most value by attending all four workshops which are from 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm on these four consecutive Thursdays: 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12. So, please plan to attend all (or as many as you can) sessions while registering.

These workshops are free to Rotarians through a district grant submitted by Omaha Suburban Rotary. We thank them for their initiative and support.

To register, click here.

Please direct any questions to Rotary District 5650 Membership Chair, Jared Bakewell at (402) 312-6110 or jaredbakewell@gmail.com.

Welcome Newest Rotarian Jonathan Johnson

Last week at Rotary, Scott Stevens introduced our newest member Jonathan Johnson. Jonathan Johnson is a financial advisor with Edward Jones, a Fortune 500 financial services firm. His mission is to develop personalized strategies for his clients in order to help them achieve what is most important to them. Jonathan began his career at Edward Jones in April 2015 after moving from California with his wife and two boys.

Prior to relocating from Morgan Hill, California, he worked for a wholesale distribution company that his grandfather started in 1960 that became one of the largest distributors of countertop and flooring products in Northern California/Western Nevada. He worked at Butler-Johnson every summer since he was 17 and began his full-time career there in 2006. He spends most of his free time with his kids at baseball, cub scouts, and most likely dance, in the not so distant future. He also enjoys golf, snow skiing, and travel when he can. Read more about Jonathan, click here.

Welcome to Rotary, Jonathan! Thank you, Scott, for sponsoring Jonathan to Rotary.

Jonathan Johnson with his sponsor Scott Stevens & President Robert Rapp

September 29, 2020 Meeting is Hybrid

Presiding: Robert Rapp

Secretary: Mike Benck

Invocation & Pledge: Scott Stevens

Sgt At Arms: Ron Ewasiuk
Virtual Greeter: Triston Zachary
Greeter/Cashier: Jim Sullivan

Speaker: PDG Bharath Reddy, India

Our program on September 29, 2020, 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM US Central time is hybrid. We will have our club assembly. Our international speaker is PDG Bharath Reddy who will be joining us remotely from India.

In-Person Meeting:

Happy Hollow Golf Club
1701 S 105th St., Omaha, NE 68124

Breakfast $15, Coffee only $5

It is highly recommended to prepay for contactless check-in, click here.

Zoom Meeting Details:

Event: Rotary Club of Omaha Morning Weekly Meeting
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87324837040

Meeting ID: 873 2483 7040

PDG Bharath Reddy, India

Presentation: Updates from India

PDG Bharath Reddy is from India and joined Rotary Club-Nellore in 1983. He was District 3160 Governor during 1998-99, GSE Team Leader to Dist 6060 in April 2007, and represented Dist 3160 in Council on legislation held at Chicago-USA in May 2004. Bharath received Rotary’s Highest Award SERVICE ABOVE SELF in 2003, and also Received TRF Meritorious Service Award in 1999 & Distinguished Service Citation in 2004. He currently serves as the Currently End Polio Now Coordinator for Zone 7, has attended 7 RI Conventions and 20 Rotary Zone Institutes, and is a Paul Harris Society Member contributing to the Polioplus Program. Bharath & His spouse Anuradha are Major Donors to TRF. His son, daughter, daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters (on birth) are Paul Harris Fellows. Bharath is a member of Eye Bank Association of India & Management Committee Member of Red Cross Nellore Cancer Hospital. Bharath also has been growing rice on his rice farm for the last 60 years. He loves to travel and has visited 19 countries so far.

Transitional House Project

The Omaha Morning Rotary is supporting the Mission Church and Christ Community Church for its Transitional House Project. The two churches have organized and funded the renovation of a house as a transitional residence for six people who have served their time and are getting out of jail/prison. Omaha Morning Rotary has volunteered labor from Club Members to help with the demolition and general construction work. Thanks to all Rotarians who spent their Saturday on August 29 in Service Above Self as part of the demolition and general construction team: President Robert Rapp, Lisa Ahrens, James Goedert, Mary Donovan Martello, Max Honaker, and Rodney Brase. Special thanks to Service Chair James Goedert and Rodney Brase for leading this project. Here's a collage of the hard-working Rotarians.

August 25, 2020 Virtual Business After Hours

NO MORNING MEETING ON AUGUST 25, 2020

It's Virtual Business After Hours at 5:30 PM

Presiding: Robert Rapp

Program Chair: Mary Donovan Martello

Zoom Meeting Details:

Event: Rotary Club of Omaha Morning Virtual Business Hours
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87324837040

Meeting ID: 873 2483 7040

Meeting Room opens at 5:15 PM
Important: Please identify yourself properly with your name upon checking in zoom. If you are a guest, please type in your name and your Rotarian host so that you are admitted to the meeting room.

This coming Tuesday, August 25th we will be holding our first Virtual Business After Hours Zoom Meeting from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. for current and former Omaha Morning Rotary Club Members.

There are many exciting things happening in Omaha Morning Rotary Club this year and we would like to bring you up to date and also give you the opportunity to say hello to friends you may not have seen for a while and make new friends.

The Agenda is as follows -

5:30 p.m. Business After Hours Zoom Meeting Opens

5:30 - 5:40 p.m. Introductions

5:40 - 5:50 p.m. What's New with Omaha Morning Rotary

*New Hybrid Physical/Virtual Club Model

*Different Membership Opportunities

*Club Projects - Opportunities to Serve

5:50 - 6:25 p.m.

Business Networking - Current & Former Members Opportunity to Catch Up & Meet each other - Zoom Rooms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

6-minute increments. We will assign everyone to stay in their room or move to a different room. Please network and talk about your experience with Omaha Morning Rotary and what you are currently doing.

6:25 - 30 p.m. Come back together in main Zoom Room and review

6:30 p.m. Adjourn

We hope that you all will participate and have the opportunity to renew friendships and make new friends! Of course, we would like to welcome you back to Omaha Morning Rotary Club as well. With our Virtual Membership, you can rejoin Omaha Morning Rotary Club even if you are no longer living in the area. Also, if you know of someone that would be a great fit please let them know. We have updated our Omaha Morning Rotary Club website to allow for online applications under Join Rotary.

In Rotary,

President Robert

August 11, 2020 Weekly Meeting is Hybrid

Presiding: Robert Rapp

Secretary: Mike Benck
Invocation: Mary Donovan Martello
Greeter/Cashier: Martha Goedert

Speaker: DG Roxy Orr

Our program on August 11, 2020, 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM US Central time is the annual District Governor visit by DG Roxy Orr. We are requesting all members to attend either in person or via zoom. Our international speaker is Ashot Karapetyan from Armenia, DG Elect of Dist. 2452 comprised of nine countries: Armenia, Georgia, Cyprus, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Bahrain, Sudan, & United Arab Emirates. Ashot will share both Rotary and COVID updates from these countries.

In-Person Meeting:

Happy Hollow Golf Club
1701 S 105th St., Omaha, NE 68124

Breakfast $15, Coffee only $5

It is highly recommended to prepay for contactless check-in, click here.

Zoom Meeting Details:

Event: Rotary Club of Omaha Morning Weekly Meeting
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87324837040

Meeting ID: 873 2483 7040

DISTRICT GOVERNOR ROXY ORR

Roxy has been a member of Omaha Suburban Rotary since 2004. She has taken on many roles in her club as well as the district over the past fourteen years. She had the privilege to serve as club president in 2014-15. Roxy has also served two terms as chair of Suburban Rotary Charitable Foundation, board of directors of club foundation, club board of directors, chair of club’s TRF committee, chair scholarship committee, chair community service committee and chair of Suburban’s 50th Anniversary Celebration.

Roxy was recognized as the Yearling of the Year, Suburban Rotarian of the Year and District Cadwallader Award recipient. She is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, bequest society member and a Patron of Suburban Rotary Foundation. Read more about DG Roxy, click here.

INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER ASHOT KAPAPETYAN FROM ARMENIA

Ashot Karapetyan is CEO of AB Communications, the largest advertising holding company in Armenia.

Ashot has been a Rotarian for 20 years and he is the District Governor Elect of District 2452 comprised of nine countries from three continents, Armenia, Georgia, Cyprus, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Bahrain, Sudan, & United Arab Emirates. Ashot will share with us how his country is coping with COVID. He will also share how the Rotary Clubs in his district are adapting to COVID.

Happy Birthday August Celebrants

President Robert Rapp's Message

This past Monday afternoon, July 13^th from 3 -5 p.m., Omaha Morning Rotarians, Martha Goedert, Mary Martello Donovan, Yolanda Hoffman and Robert Rapp helped distribute food for breakfast, lunch and dinner with Abide Omaha and other volunteers from local churches and businesses including ConAgra to the North Omaha community at the drive-through food distribution pick-up at the Better Together Campus, 3323 N 45^th St., Omaha, NE 68104. Distributions were made in partnership with Food Bank for the Heartland responding to the food insecurity caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Enough food was distributed to help up to 400 - 500 family members. Thank you to everyone that was able to help!! We are making a difference during the Covid-19 pandemic. Rotary and Rotarians in Action!!

Weekly Rotary Meeting July 21, 2020

Presiding: Robert Rapp

Program Chair: Mike Krause

Speaker: Jenika Florence

Jenika Florence

Presentation: Vision and Impact of the Colina Neighborhood Garden

Bio: Jenika Florence is a licensed landscape architect who has been practicing at Kinghorn Gardens for three years. She is a Nebraska native who grew up in Lincoln and received her Bachelor of Science in Horticulture degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She brings robust design experience and education from the Bay Area in California where she received her master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of California-Berkeley. Prior to returning to Nebraska, Jenika worked for Einwiller Kuehl, an Oakland based landscape architecture firm and significant emerging design voice in the region. She now lives in Omaha with her husband and newborn son and is continually inspired and renewed by off the beaten path travel and adventures outdoors.

Zoom meeting details, Weekly Rotary Meeting
Time: Jul 21, 2020 07:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88622932649

Meeting ID: 886 2293 2649

2019 - 2020 Report by President Mike Murphy

Please visit our brand new YouTube Channel, click here.

STATUS OF CLUB MEETINGS IN ROTARY DISTRICT 5650

We strongly encourage you to check club websites before planning to attend meetings.

The Omaha Morning Rotary Club will suspend attendance requirements during the time that our meetings are cancelled.

You can check the status of Rotary Club Meetings at the link below:

https://www.rotarydistrict5650.org/Stories/status-of-club-meetings-in-rotary-district-5650

To link to the website or contact of any club in Rotary District 5650, click here.

Abide Fundraiser

In a proactive effort to limit possible exposure to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Omaha Morning Rotary Club has decided to postpone the Abide Fundraiser planned for March 28.

Stay tuned for information on the new date.

New Member

Please welcome Alex Rapp as our newest member of Omaha Morning Rotary.

Alex does Digital Marketing for Gateway Auto Sales.

He is sponsored by his father, Robert Rapp.

New Zealand Make up

Ken Stevens happened upon a Rotary group function in Te Anau, New Zealand. "Ronda and I were enjoying a beverage at a City park on the waterfront this evening, Friday 2/21, and the local Rotary Club came to set up a cook out for a group of bicycle riders, passing through town."

Safe travels to Ken and Ronda!

February Birthdays

Posted by Leigh Sittenauer on Jan 27, 2020

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

James Goedert, February 13

Andy Cockle, February 14

Three Rotarians looking for a make up

Inclement Weather Policy

Posted by Leigh Sittenauer on Oct 30, 2019

In the event of inclement weather, Morning Rotary follows Omaha Public Schools. If OPS cancels school or delays the start of school due to inclement weather our Rotary meeting will be canceled that day as well. We have taken this policy for the safety of our members. We appreciate your understanding.

Make up Request

These guys earned a make up for being in the same place at the same time.

Do you recognize our former member on the right?

ABIDE Donation

ABIDE received their $15,000 check from the Omaha Morning Rotary Fundriaser.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS SIGN UP

OMAHA MORNING ROTARY BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

Promote your business or open your home to a social hour.

Typically once a month on a Thursday from 5pm -7pm

Please sign up if you are willing to host – Leigh will contact you for details.

Ernie Goss, Ph.D. Special Speaker Series

Ernie Goss - Each month, 100 newspapers and some 75 to 100 radio stations carry the Creighton University
Regional Economic Report, which is produced under the supervision of Ernie Goss. The report is a widely read
barometer of the economic prospects of the region.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019
7:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Happy Hollow Country Club (1701 S. 105th Street)

                Cost:      $15 for Rotarians             Free to Non-Rotarians
                BREAKFAST PROVIDED

            RSVP by September 9th on the OmahaMorningRotary.org website.

Ernest Goss is the Jack MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University and served as the initial director for Creighton’s Institute for Economic Inquiry. He is also principal of the Goss Institute in Denver, Colo. Goss received his Ph.D. in economics from The University of Tennessee in 1983 and is a former faculty research fellow at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. He was a visiting scholar with the Congressional Budget Office for 2003-2004, and has testified before the U.S. Congress, the Kansas Legislature, and the Nebraska Legislature. In the fall of 2005, the Nebraska Attorney General appointed Goss to head a task force examining gasoline pricing in the state.

He has published more than 100 research studies focusing primarily on economic forecasting and on the statistical analysis of business and economic data. His book Changing Attitudes Toward Economic Reform During the Yeltsin Era was published by Praeger Press in 2003, and his book Governing Fortune: Casino Gambling in America was published by the University of Michigan Press in March 2007.

He is editor of Economic Trends, an economics newsletter published monthly with more than 10,000 subscribers, produces a monthly business conditions index for the nine-state Mid-American region, and conducts a survey of bank CEOs in 10 U.S. states. Survey and index results are cited each month in approximately 100 newspapers; citations have included the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Investors Business Daily, The Christian Science Monitor, Chicago Sun Times, and other national and regional newspapers and magazines. Each month 75- 100 radio stations carry his Regional Economic Report.

LINK TO FLIER

YOU CAN SPONSOR OUR WEBSITE!

Posted by Leigh Sittenauer on May 28, 2019

You can be one of our website sponsors for just $60 per year.

Contact Leigh Sittenauer to get signed up and send your high resolution logo.

Local Make-up Opportunities

Posted by Leigh Sittenauer on Mar 27, 2019

Need a Make-up?

We have club flags available for visiting other clubs.

Rotary Grant in Naivasha impact

I just received this video below which was made by Kenya Fair Trade Flowers and the Flamingo Flower Farms, who are our partners with the GNEP Program. The short clip is very

meaningful as it shows the GNEP Nurses talking about the program and how it impacted them. At the end it clearly shows the confidence of the young Nurse to resuscitate a baby and that she feels she is "saving a life every day". This is of course due to the Helping Babies Breathe certification course offered through the last Rotary Grant in Naivasha. It also might be something you want to show at your Morning Rotary Meeting to show the impact of this HBB certification program, that is very comprehensive and allows Registered Nurses to feel confident in their skills as they go forward in their career.

We appreciate all you have done for us to roll this out to so many Nurses in Naivasha and hopefully we can do the same in Nakuru! See U Tube video

below.

Many Thanks,

Cindy Berkland

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ0F5JO_7PE

Thank you for supporting Rotary!

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!

Posted by Leigh Sittenauer on Feb 05, 2014