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.
My name is Mark Olson, and I am a Vice President and Relationship Manager with Security National Bank, where I've had the privilege of working for the past 17 years.
I primarily work with family-owned operating companies, with a particular focus on businesses in the manufacturing sector. Throughout my banking career, I've gained experience in commercial real estate, credit underwriting, and business analysis, which has helped me develop a well-rounded approach to advising clients and supporting their long-term growth objectives.
I am a proud graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where I earned degrees in Banking & Finance and Marketing. I enjoy working alongside business owners and leadership teams to understand their goals, identify opportunities, and help position their companies for continued success.
Outside of work, I'm married to my wife, Tiffany, who works for Nebraska Medicine, and together we have three children: Evelyn (13), Leo (11), and Willa (6). In my free time I enjoy hunting, fishing, and golfing, but the reality is that most of my free time is spent coaching youth sports or shuttling kids between practices and games.
I'm also committed to giving back to the community through my service on the Board of Directors for the Bennington Youth Football Club and through participation in several United Way Community Investment Review Teams.
I'm excited to be part of this group and look forward to building relationships, learning more about your businesses, and finding ways we can support one another's success.
Don't forget to sign up to me a greeter or invocator at our weekly meetings. You get make-up credit for volunteering to do this. See Executive Secretary Deborah Daley if you have questions.
Yearlings were asked what was their favorite summer memory. Answers ranged from watching a son pitch, to climbing the Matterhorn, to a trip to Ireland and the Offutt Air Show.
Global scholarship recipient Cecelia Schonlau talked about the impact Rotary has had on her long-term education goals and career.
Mark Olson was introduced by Jennifer Green as a new member of the club.
Club members received perfect attendance tabs for July.
Donors who have given more than $2500 to the Foundation were recognized as Friends with official pins.
Speaker Gretchen Bren, District Governor, talked about how she got involved in Rotary and highlighted the many polio trips she took overseas. Her personal theme for this year is "belonging," and the importance of keeping members engaged. She talked also about how Rotary is an instrument of change but more importantly as a group creating lasting impact. That is this year's Rotary slogan, that every moment of service or friendship Rotarians create can affect people long term.
I'm excited to announce that registration is now open for the 2026 District 5650 Conference, taking place October 23-24 at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland, Nebraska.
This will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our clubs, learn from fellow Rotarians, strengthen friendships, and be inspired by the impact Rotary is making throughout our district. Register early, as conference rates will increase on September 24. I hope you'll make plans to join us!
August is also Membership and New Club Development Month, a perfect time to reflect on one of Rotary's greatest strengths: belonging.
Throughout my club visits, I've spoken about the connection between Belonging and Impact. People often join Rotary because they are inspired by our service. They stay because they find friendships, purpose, and a place where they feel valued.
Membership is about more than adding names to a roster. It's about creating a club experience where every member feels welcomed, included, and connected. When people feel they belong, they become engaged. When they are engaged, our service grows. And when our service grows, so does our impact.
This month, I encourage every club to think about how we can strengthen that sense of belonging for both current and prospective members. A simple invitation, a warm welcome, or an opportunity to serve can change someone's Rotary journey and ultimately strengthen our organization.
Thank you for all you do to make Rotary a place where people belong and where together we create lasting impact.
Yours in Rotary Service,
Gretchen Bren District Governor 2026-2027 Rotary District 5650
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, First Watch Aksarben, 1222 S. 71st, Ste. B, Omaha. NE 68106
Tuesday: Omaha Night, 5:30 p.m. at La Voltaire, 569 N. 155th Plaza (first and third Tuesdays) Omaha, NE http://www.omaharotarynight.org/
Wednesday: Omaha Downtown, 12:00 pm, Field Club of Omaha, 3615 Woolworth Ave., Omaha, NE 68105
Wednesday: Council Bluffs Centennial: 7:00 am, Hy-Vee Community Room 1745 Madison Avenue
Thursday: Western Douglas County, 12:00 PM Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation 20272 Veterans Drive, Elkhorn, NE 68022
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 Deb for make-up/attendance credit to omahasuburbanrotary@gmail.com.
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