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ALERT: Senior Recognition Day is April 27th

62nd Annual Senior Recognition Day, April 27th

Omaha West Rotary has a rich tradition of honoring the achievers in our community. We are now on our 62nd year of recognizing the best seniors from our area high schools. This year we are honoring 31 seniors from 31 high schools. This is by far the most inspirational meeting of all the inspirational meetings you have attended this year. So DO NOT MISS IT, ATTEND. The place, time and lunch price are the same as our regular meeting, but the meeting content is a hundred times better. It is fine dining so please reserve your seat now by clicking here. There will also be a paper sign up this Friday.
 
Our Senior Recognition Day Committee, led by Bob Fell, has been working hard to make this a successful event. Our committee members, working with Bob Fell this year are: Martie Cordaro, Vice Chair; Stacy Auman, Laura Iliff, Michelle Kaufmann, Dick Lerner, Nuzhat Mahmood, Deb Neary, Ron Niederhaus, Rana Scarlett-Johnson, and Jill Slupe.
 
The meeting will feature two speakers, namely; Barbara Barrientos from Omaha South High School and Todd Simon, Senior Vice President at Omaha Steaks International.
 
It's going to be a great event! Sign up here.
This Friday at Rotary
Presiding Officer: Nuzhat Mahmood
Secretary: Matt McKeever
Chair of the Day: Bev Karrer
Invocator: Kim Kuhle
Cashier: Don Otis
Sgt. at Arms: Rodge Bickerstaff
Greeters: Jim Gerner & Ray Kurowski
 
Speaker: Kate Dodge                                              
 
BIO: Kate Dodge is Chairman of NEI Global Relocation, a full-service relocation management company established in 1985.  NEI is a nationally certified Women’s Business Enterprise and a subsidiary of the NP Dodge Company. With corporate headquarters in Omaha, NE, its regional offices are located in Switzerland and Singapore
 
In 2017 NEI was contracted to provide global mobility services to 17,821 transferring families; its 199 clients worldwide include seven Global 500, 23 Fortune 500 and 47 Fortune 1000 corporations.
 
 Kate has been a member of the Worldwide Employee Relocation Council (WERC) since 1986, earning its SCRP designation and Meritorious Service Award.  She has served on its Industry Advisory Council and has presented and been a panelist at both domestic and global industry conferences.
 
Prior to joining NEI at its inception, Kate practiced as a school psychologist for 17 years.   She earned her undergraduate degree at Trinity University, and master’s and specialist degrees at the University of Nebraska, Omaha.
 
In November 2014, Kate was awarded the “Lifetime Achievement Gold Stevie”; the Stevie Awards for Women in Business are the world’s top business awards for female entrepreneurs, executive, employees, and the organizations they run.  She was previously inducted into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame, received the YWCA Women of Distinction Entrepreneur Award, University at Omaha Citation for Alumni Achievement, and the Woman of Distinction award by the Midlands Business Journal.
 
Kate currently serves on the College of St. Mary Board of Directors and its Executive Committee, the Nebraska Cultural Endowment Board, the Methodist Health Systems Board, the Nebraska Methodist College and Foundation Boards, the Boys Town National Board of Trustees, and the University of Nebraska’s Chancellor’s Advisory Committee.

 

Last Week at Rotary
Last week, President Nuzhat Mahmood presided the meeting. Manny Paz gave the Invocation. Greg Key and Gretchen Radler served as greeters, while Rodge Bickerstaff was Sgt. at Arms. Mark Ellsworth was Cashier. Bev Karrer, our powerhouse 85-year old member, served as Chair of the Day. Bev introduced our speaker, Former NFL Quarterback Sage Rosenfels. Sage shared life lessons from his time playing in the NFL. 
 
Also last week, Andy Shim gave his vocational talk. He shared with us what he does at the Department of Kinesiology & Exercise Science at College of St. Mary. To pre-empt Matt McKeever with his ruthless fine assessments and because Andy has been in the news lately about a Kinesiology study he's conducting, he made sure to report to the club all his media coverage. You can find some of the media coverage here
 
 Former NFL Quarterback Sage Rosenfels shared several life lessons during his life as NFL Quarterback. Among those lessons was when he was playing with Brett Farve. If you want Sage to speak at your event, please contact Bev Karrer.
 
L to R: Matt McKeever, Bev Karrer, Sage Rosenfels, and Nuzhat Mahmood
Nick Rosenberry Received his Blue Badge
After completing the rigorous Red Badge requirements, Nick Rosenberry received his Blue Badge from Nuzhat. Congratulations, Nick!
 
Watch out Nick is our Club Secretary by July 1st. However, gauging from this picture, he does look more merciful than Matt McKeever in assessing fines.
 
Matt McKeever's Secretary Report
Omaha West Rotary Club Secretary Report for April 13, 2018.
 
We had a great number of guests again this week.  Guests of Rotarians and their hosts included Lori Benton (Jill Slupe), Graham Nabity (Greg Key), Dr. Bill Karrer (Bev Karrer), Dan Lassek (Martie Cordero) and Starla Waite (Yolanda Hoffman).  Gail Veitzer introduced her husband, Irv Veitzer, as guest for what must be the fifth consecutive week.  We also recognized the Red Badge Members in attendance.
 
For good news, Laura Thomas told us about her new business.  Jim Meier announced the birth of his seventh grandchild.  John Philo shared his gratitude that his daughter earned a scholarship and his father, Carl Philo, agreed.    Matt shared good news about his law partner, Kathleen Rockey, becoming AV-rated.
 
Matt admonished the club for not getting him fined over the front-page World Herald article about Bitcoin that appeared this past week.  Matt then fined himself for the article.  Matt levied another fine on Martie Cordero for an article about the 50th anniversary of the Omaha Royals/Storm Chasers and the online link to a series of articles about the team that appeared in the World Herald over the years that can be found here:  Matt fined Bruce Cramer, who told everyone at last week’s Board meeting that his son, Dr. Jonathan Cramer, was on the front page of the Omaha World Herald.  Conveniently, Matt was sitting next to Bruce at the Board meeting, and brought a copy of the article to the club meeting for Bruce’s fine. Bruce objected to the fine.  Matt, establishing that the photo in the article was a true and accurate depiction of his son, overruled the objection and also denied Bruce’s appeal.  Dick Sturgeon appeared to support the denial of Bruce’s motion and appeal.  Matt then fined President Nuzhat Mahmood for the announcement about the Tri-Faith Initiative’s “Dinner in Abraham’s Tent” event on Sunday, April 22, 2018. 
 
On a Tri-Faith note, Matt then told the story about how the first person to use tablets to access the Cloud was Moses.  Matt’s attempt at humor understandably drew jeers from the club assembly.
 
World Herald article on the 50th Anniversary of the Storm Chasers, please click/tap here
Meet Newest Member Laura Thomas
Recently, Bill Sutton introduced our newest member, Laura Thomas. Laura, an active Rotarian and already a Paul Harris Fellow, comes to us from the eClub of the Carolinas. Laura is launching her first international social entrepreneurial business called La Mancha Ventures, LLC. She is already finalizing her first partnerships in all sectors with locations around the world. Laura who graduated summa cum laude in college and graduate schools, is currently finalizing her doctoral aspirations with an EdD in Leadership from Creighton. She is a proud mother to 3-year-old son Grayson Edward Thomas. Please make sure to welcome Laura when you see her at our Friday meeting.
 
Laura with son Grayson
 
L to R: Laura, Nuzhat, and Bill
Bob Fell, Senior Recognition Day Chair
Mark your calendars for the most inspiring meeting of the year, the 62nd Annual Senior Recognition Day on April 27, 2018. You will have the rare opportunity of meeting and greeting the creme of the crop among our young people in the area. There will be 31 topnotch seniors who will be recognized for overall achievement and service to their class, school and community. We will hear a speech from one of the seniors and the committee is currently voting on that particular senior. Our guest speaker will be Todd Simon, Senior Vice President of Steaks International. In addition to this rare opportunity, you will get two attendance credits. It will be fine-dining that day so please reserve your seat here and plan to arrive 15 minutes earlier than usual as the meeting will begin promptly at 12:00 noon.
Suzan Rohrig, Rotary Information Chair
The Rotary Information Committee is now in its final stages of saving the rich history of Omaha West Rotary. The committee is in need of volunteers to finish scanning and saving electronically West Rotary's documents from the storage. John Morey volunteered but he needs help. Yes, you can help! Please contact Suzan at skrohrig@skr-aia.com or John at John.Morey@RaymondJames.com.
 
 
 
Manny Paz Ecology Committee Chair

Join us to plant trees and sustain the urban forest in Miller Park/Minne Lusa Neighborhood and Boulevard on April 28, 2018 at 08:30 AM - 12:00 PM. Sign up here.

We will be planting shade trees along the Minne Lusa Boulevard and Florence neighborhood right-of-way parkland.  

Meet at the Minne Lusa Elementary School located at 2728 Ida Street (East side of school).

  • We will plant shade trees and lay mulch.
  • Although shovels will be provided, volunteers are encouraged to bring their own shovel and gloves.
  • Tree holes will be pre-dug to ease volunteer labor.
  • Water and snacks provided.
 
 
Kim Kuhle, Chair of Family of Rotary
Kim Kuhle's Family of Rotary is inviting you to a backyard cookout. We will have hotdogs, burgers, fruits and vegetables, and lots of games.
 
Club Fellowship hosted by Vaughn & Donna Wiebusch
May 10, 2018, Thursday, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
2720 Mary St., Omaha 68112
BYOB
Vaughn's cellphone number: (402) 708-7108
 
Read more...
Jill Slupe, Membership Committee Chair
Spread the News!  It's a great time to join Omaha West Rotary!
 
Please spread the news, the fee for joining West Omaha Rotary has been discounted from $540 ($340 plus $200 application fee) to $113 from now till June 30th.  Because of the generous “new member” contributions from Nizar Mamdani, Dwayne Brown and John Morey, the application fee has been waived and the membership fee has been supplemented for all new members.  This is a great opportunity to encourage prospects to test out our club and join at a reduced rate.  For more information please reach out to Jill Slupe at Jslupe@verdemartin.com or 917-416-7498.     
April Birthdays

     

April Birthdays
Randy Kathol 06  Richard Diamond 07  Martie Cordaro 08   
Brad Rohrig 09   Rodge Bickerstaff  11   
Ron Niderhaus 17 Bob Walker 21

 
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Let's go to Toronto for the RI Convention!
Let's go to Toronto in June 23-27, 2018 for the Rotary International (RI) Convention!
 
There is no experience for a Rotarian quite like an International Convention.  Meet old friends and make new ones from around the world.  Hear great speakers and enjoy fabulous entertainment. Participate in the many breakout sessions on topics of interest to you.  Stroll through the House of Friendship. Enjoy the many restaurants and tourism opportunities that Toronto has to offer. The next several RI Conventions will be outside of North America, so it's a good time to go this year. You will not believe it, but it's really not expensive to fly to Toronto. We did a random search online and the round trip ticket ranges from as low as $220 to $400. Of course, it could go higher if you fly business class, but the general fares are pretty good.
 
To register for the RI Convention, please click here. If you need help with your registration, please contact Jill or Yolanda.
 
Watch this promotional video: 
 
 
 
Check Out Other Rotary Club's Weekly Speakers
To find out about speakers at other Rotary Clubs in the area,  you can conveniently see the list of Club websites here. Then click on the home icon to the left of the club name. The list of speakers are listed on their Homepage.
 
Club Vision Statement
We are a service organization with projects that support education and building understanding locally, nationally and globally.
Rotary Leadership Institute - Get More Out Of Rotary
How to engage members . . .
Making our projects more successful . . .
Understanding the value of The Rotary Foundation . . .

When asked what participants want to get out of Rotary training and meetings, we hear things like the statements above.
Meeting all of those needs is a challenge - but there is an answer – the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI).
 
 
RLI has been available in District 5650 since 2006. The curriculum and format were improved in 2009 and we expanded to partner with District 6000 in Iowa in 2012. There have been nearly 275 Rotarians participate in our local program.
 
Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) was designed to provide discussion and activity-based programs.  There is time to go into detail on many topics.  It is not focused on a particular Rotary position but allows an opportunity for participants to truly discover Rotary.
 
All Rotary members benefit from the RLI experience.  Rotary Club leadership can be more effective because of their expanded knowledge and connections made during RLI sessions.

RLI is a three-part program. Each RLI participant attends three one-day sessions. Our goal is to offer each Part with every meeting date (pending a sufficient number of registrations).
 
Upcoming session dates:
March 3, 2018 - Hosted by District 6000 in Iowa City
April 21, 2018 - Hosted by District 5650 likely in Omaha
October 6, 2018 - Hosted by District 5650 likely in Omaha
November 3, 2018 - Hosted by District 6000 likely in Des Moines
 
Registration and Details: rli-heartland.org
 
For brochures and photo albums, see the Rotary Leadership Institute page on this website - or click here.
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Speed Up Your Check-in, Get a Punch Card
We are now offering 10 punch lunch tickets ($160) and 10 punch meeting-only tickets ($70) for sale at the meetings. Get one and don't worry about having cash or getting out your credit card! For sale at check-in. 
Need a Make-up?

MONDAY
BELLEVUE 12:00 PM (DJ's Dugout, 10308 S. 23rd St.)
NORTH 12:00 PM (Omaha Eppley Airport Conference Room)  

MILLARD 12:00 PM (German American Society, 3717 South 120th Street) - NO MEETING on Oct 9  
 

TUESDAY
MORNING 7:00 AM (Happy Hollow Country Club, 1701 S. 105th St.)    

NORTHWEST 12:00 PM ( Effective August 15th Northwest Rotary will meet Tuesday's at noon at Jerico's, 11732 W Dodge Rd, Omaha, NE 68154.)

SOUTHWEST NIGHT 5:15 PM (DJ's Dugout at 17666 Welch Plaza, northeast corner of 180th & Q streets) 

WEDNESDAY
COUNCIL BLUFFS CENTENNIAL 1st Wed 7:00 AM; 3rd Wed floating event; no meeting other weeks (Hy-Vee in Mall of the Bluffs, I-80 Exit 5)
DOWNTOWN 12:00 PM (Field Club, 3615 Woolworth Ave.)

THURSDAY
COUNCIL BLUFFS NOON 12:00 PM (The Center, 714 S. Main St.)  

SUBURBAN  12:00 PM (Anthony's, 7220 F St.)   

WESTERN DOUGLAS COUNTY 7:00 AM (Elkhorn Common Ground Community Center, 1701 Veteran's Drive)

 
FRIDAY
WEST 12:00 PM (Champions Run, 13800 Eagle Run Drive)  
 
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Speakers
Apr 27, 2018
62nd Senior Recognition Day
May 04, 2018
ALS Clinics - from a Living Room to Telemedicine
May 11, 2018
Skinner SkyHawk Awards
May 18, 2018
Boy Scouts of America’s transition to programming for the Full Family
View entire list
Upcoming Events
West Rotary Luncheon
Apr 27, 2018
 
62nd Annual Senior Recognition Day
Champions Run Golf Club
Apr 27, 2018
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
 
Rotary Tree Planting
Minne Lusa Elementary School
Apr 28, 2018
8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
 
West Rotary Luncheon
May 04, 2018
 
Omaha West Rotary Board Meeting
May 09, 2018
 
Family of Rotary event
May 10, 2018
 
Skinner Skyhawk Awards
May 11, 2018
 
West Rotary Luncheon
May 11, 2018
 
West Rotary Luncheon
May 18, 2018
 
West Rotary Luncheon
May 25, 2018
 
Bulletin Editor
Yolanda Hoffman
Russell Hampton
National Awards Services Inc.
ClubRunner