President and Executive Director, Descendants Media Group NFP, Inc.
Laurie Pasler is flying from Chicago to speak at Suburban Rotary. This is a huge deal. DON'T MISS THE MEETING. Thanks to Past President Howard Epstein for making the arrangements. Laurie is an award-winning creative director, producer, and entrepreneur who has driven measurable growth for Fortune 1000 companies across a spectrum of industries. She leads BluFish Team, a virtual unagency of thinkers, designers and content creators specializing in executive and brand communications.
Laurie Pasler's father’s untold story of working in Nuremberg, Germany at the Nazi War Crimes Tribunal inspired the creation of a non-profit called Descendants Media Group and its first digital project, Courtroom600.org – named after the room where these famous trials took place. A visually rich learning platform for the next generation of learners and history enthusiasts, Courtroom 600 will share human stories about the people, places, and events surrounding the Nuremberg Trials.
Laurie's father worked at the International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg, Germany after World War II, but never told his family about it. When he passed away in 2015, Laurie inherited a treasure trove of smuggled army documents, letters, badges and photos that were like breadcrumbs and puzzle pieces. These included hundreds of papers, including weekly progress reports documenting Nazi Herman Goering’s morphine down dosing, a 3-page interrogation of Dr. Karl Brandt about Dr. Morell, and much more. Her father very likely typed diaries, letters and memos for the tribunals. She wanted to know what her father did and why he kept it a secret.
As a layperson working in marketing and corporate communications, and with no prior knowledge about the Nazi war crimes trials in Nuremberg, Laurie started from square one and found it very difficult learning about Nuremberg online, past the facts and figures. She craved stories of the human experience, more than just the same six pictures used everywhere. So, she decided to make it a project—create the type of immersive, visually rich website she wished was available in 2015, name it after the trial room (Courtroom 600), and start a nonprofit to bring this vision to life.
Along her journey, she created a 300 image photo gallery for piloting at ASU Teachers College, and then met a USHMM Teacher Fellow who taught the Nuremberg trials for over 35 years in a private Chicago school. His ”Nazi Mind” class culminated in a trial simulation at the courthouse downtown. They partnered to create a curriculum for middle and high schools.
Module 1: Conspiracy is now available. It uses Nuremberg primary sources to teach the causes and effects of WWII. Bite-sized podcasts with companion photo galleries, and a suite of resources including teacher training podcasts.
This is your chance to have a direct impact on the future of Suburban Rotary! President Zach Ziler and President-Elect Jennifer Green are dedicated to creating the best possible opportunities for our club, and we need your invaluable input to make it happen.
By taking a few minutes to answer some key questions, you can help guide our Board Members and Committee Chairs in making meaningful changes that reflect the needs and desires of our members. Your feedback could truly shape the direction of our club for the better!
Prefer a paper version? We’ve got you covered! A PDF of the survey is attached if you'd rather print it and bring the completed form to our next weekly meeting.
As a special thank you for your time, an anonymous member has generously offered 2,000 Paul Harris points to be awarded to one lucky member who responds by the deadline of August 29th, 2024. The winner will be drawn from a Suburban Rotary hat—don’t miss your chance!
🎉 Big Congratulations to Faith Morrison! 🎉 President Zach Ziler proudly presented Faith with her Rotary blue badge, marking her official completion of the Yearlings requirements. Welcome to the club, Faith—your Rotary journey has just begun!
Faith Morrison with her Rotary sponsor Mary Bernier and President Zach Ziler.
Rotarian John Ryan, representing Jerry Ryan Clothing, proudly presented the Rotary President's jacket to Zach Ziler. This presentation marks nearly four decades of tradition, where Jerry Ryan Clothing has generously gifted the Rotary President with a meticulously crafted jacket. This gesture embodies the company's commitment to excellence and their enduring support for the Rotary community.. To learn more about Jerry Ryan Clothing, click here.
Stephanie A. Urchick Rotary International President
Stephanie A. Urchick, of the Rotary Club of McMurray, Pennsylvania, USA, is the selection of the Nominating Committee for President of Rotary International for 2024-25, a decision that would make her only the second woman to hold that position. She will be declared the president-nominee on 15 September if no challenging candidates have been suggested.
With the world facing incredible challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, disasters driven by climate change, and conflict in many regions, Urchick says Rotary’s leaders can offer a vision and a plan for overcoming these challenges.
“Measures taken by Rotary leadership to survive and end critical challenges often make our organization stronger and more resilient for future events,” Urchick says. “This kind of essential leadership also creates new levels of cooperation, even among rivals, when Rotarians pull together as people of action to serve and solve a crisis.”
Making regionalization a priority is crucial, says Urchick.
“Because Rotary operates in more than 200 countries and regions, it is vital to recognize that the organization has the potential to become more efficient and effective by understanding and reacting to how regional differences affect the way Rotarians work together to address providing service, promoting integrity, and advancing world understanding, goodwill, and peace,” Urchick says.
Urchick is partner and chief operating officer of Doctors at Work LLC, a consulting and training company. She holds a doctorate in leadership studies from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She is active on numerous community boards and committees, and has been honored by organizations including Zonta International and the Sons of the American Revolution.
A Rotary member since 1991, Urchick has traveled to Vietnam to help build a primary school and to the Dominican Republic to install water filters. She studies several Slavic languages, has mentored new Rotarians in Ukraine, and coordinated a Rotary Foundation grant project in Poland.
Urchick has served Rotary in many roles, including as a director, Foundation trustee, and chair of the RI Strategic Planning Committee and the Foundation’s Centennial Celebration Committee. She currently serves on the Election Review Committee and the Operations Review Committee. She is a Rotary Foundation Major Donor and a member of the Bequest Society.
To learn more about Urchick, read her interview and vision statement, which outline her goals for Rotary.
The members of the Nominating Committee for the 2024-25 President of Rotary International are: Floyd A. Lancia (chair), Rotary Club of Anthony Wayne (Fort Wayne), Indiana, USA; Guiller E. Tumangan (secretary), Rotary Club of Makati West, Makati City, Philippines; Jeffry Cadorette, Rotary Club of Media, Pennsylvania, USA; Bradford R. Howard, Rotary Club of Oakland Uptown, California, USA; Per Høyen, Rotary Club of Aarup, Denmark; Peter Iblher, Rotary Club of Nürnberg-Reichswald, Zirndorf, Germany; John M. Lawrence, Rotary Club of Paddington, Queensland, Australia; Jan Lucas Ket, Rotary Club of Purmerend, Netherlands; Seiji Kita, Rotary Club of Urawa East, Saitama, Japan; Sam Okudzeto, Rotary Club of Accra, Accra, Ghana; Bharat S. Pandya, Rotary Club of Borivli, Maharashtra, India; Kamal Sanghvi, Rotary Club of Dhanbad, Jharkhand, India; José Ubiracy Silva, Rotary Club of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil; David D. Stovall, Rotary Club of Hall County, Georgia, USA; Bryn Styles, Rotary Club of Barrie-Huronia, Ontario, Canada; Giuseppe Viale, Rotary Club of Genova, Italy; and Chang-Gon Yim, Rotary Club of Daegu West, Korea.
Recently, Suburban Rotary, under the leadership of Trustees Chair John Hoich, celebrated and expressed heartfelt gratitude to our Endowed Scholarship Donors, Two-Year Scholarship Donors, and Annual Scholarship Donors. The event was filled with touching stories behind each donation, showcasing our fellow Rotarians' incredible generosity and commitment. Here are some photos of our donors' memorable moments with Trustees Chair Jon Hoich, President Katie Henry, and Program Chair Amanda Fink.
One-time donation of $50,000 and annual recurring donation of $3,000 by Judy Vann and Tom Vann
One-time donation of $50,000 by Don Goldstein
Annual recurring donation of $6,000 for two-year scholarship by Alan Stanek
Annual recurring donation of $3,000 by John Binderup and Patty Carrell
Annual recurring donation of $3,000.00 by John Hoich
Annual recurring donation of $3,000.00 by Herb Hartman
Annual recurring donation of $3,000.00 by Dick Kelley
Annual recurring donation of $3,000.00 by Eric Dawson
Annual recurring donation of $3,000.00 by Curt Peters
The Endowed Scholarship Donors are generous Rotarians who have each donated $50,000. They include The Rex Ekwall Memorial Scholarship, endowed by Loretta Ekwall; The Ann Kennedy Goldstein Memorial Scholarship, endowed by Ann Kennedy Goldstein; The Ron and Phyllis Pearson Scholarship, endowed by Ron Pearson; and The Howard D. Vann Memorial Scholarship, endowed by Judy Van and Tom Vann.
The Two-Year Scholarships, sponsored by Alan and Janette Stanek, give $6,000.00 as The Alan and Janette Stanek Scholarship in Honor of Metro Area Educators.
The One-Year Scholarship donors each donated $3,000.00. They include The John Binderup and Patty Carrell Scholarship, sponsored by John Binderup and Patty Carrell; The Michael Joseph Hoich Memorial Scholarship, sponsored by John Hoich; The Broadmoor Development Company Scholarship, sponsored by Larry Kelberg; The Robinson Memorial Scholarship, sponsored by Edward and Lida Robinson; The Hartman Family Scholarship, sponsored by Dr. Herbert A. Hartman, Jr. and Family; The Helen Kelley Memorial Scholarship, sponsored by Dick Kelley; The Shadow Lake Collision Center Scholarship, sponsored by Eric Dawson; The Roger and Barbara Lindsey Scholarship, sponsored by Roger and Barbara Lindsey; The Security National Bank Scholarship, sponsored by CL Landen; The Jasa Family Scholarship, sponsored by Nick Jasa; The Integrated Solutions Scholarship, sponsored by Curt Peters; and The Susan M. Vann Memorial Scholarship, sponsored by Judy Vann and Tom Vann.
Consider visiting another Rotary club for a make-up! Rotary.org has a club finder for locations around the world. Please see the District website at rotarydistrict5650.org for details on local clubs. Visit one of the following Metro-Area Clubs!
Monday: Omaha Millard Rotary, 12:00 pm, German American Society, 3717 South 120th St.
Tuesday: Omaha Morning 7:00 am, 88 Tactical, 15350 Shepard St., Suite 1, Omaha NE 68138
Tuesday: Omaha Northwest, 12:00 pm, Sand Point, New England Fare, 655 North 114th Street. Omaha, NE 68154
Wednesday: Omaha Downtown, 12:00 pm, Trinity 113 N 18th St., Omaha, NE 68124
Wednesday: Council Bluffs Centennial: 7:00 am, Hy-Vee Community Room 1745 Madison Avenue Thursday: West Douglas County, 12:00 PM Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation 20272 Veterans Drive
Thursday: Council Bluffs, 12:00 pm, Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center, 1001 South 6th Street
Friday: Omaha West, 12:00 pm, Charlie's on the Lake, 4151 S 144th St., Omaha, NE 68137
Email Yolanda for make-up/attendance credit at yolanda@suburbanrotary.org.
Laurie Pasler
Stephanie A. Urchick
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