Matt Mason served as the Nebraska State Poet from 2019-2024 and has run poetry workshops in Botswana, Romania, Nepal, and Belarus for the U.S. State Department. His poetry has appeared in The New York Times and Matt has received a Pushcart Prize as well as fellowships from the Academy of American Poets and the Nebraska Arts Council. His work can be found in Rattle, Poet Lore, Prairie Schooner, and in hundreds of other publications. He's published five books of poetry and has performed around the country and around the world. Mason's 5th book, Rock Stars, was published by Button Poetry in 2023. Find more at: https://matt.midverse.com/
As we look forward to another exciting year of service, fellowship, and community impact, we are thrilled to announce the recommended slate of officers and board members who will lead our Rotary Club and Foundation in the coming year. These individuals have demonstrated exceptional dedication and leadership, and we are confident in their ability to guide us toward achieving our goals and continuing our mission.
Officers for the Rotary Club:
President: Jennifer Green
President Elect: Dan Hosford
Secretary: Chris Barone (chosen by President elect Jennifer Green)
Rotarian David Kutler will be hosting an after-hours at his place of business, Body Basics in Rockbrook Village on Jan. 16 The event begins with appetizers and drinks at 4:30 p.m. with music by Rotarian Mark "Sharky" Sanford.
We learned this past week of the passing of Connie Kay Adams, wife of Paul Adams, on Nov. 24, 2024. We wish to appreciate our deepest sympathy to Paul and his family. A sympathy card will be available for signature at the desk on Jan. 16. Paul’s address is 8209 N. 127th Ave. Omaha, Neb. 68142.
Two members have finished their Yearling requirements . Chad McKown will receive his Blue Badge from his sponsor Chris Barone at the Jan. 16 weekly meeting. Patrick Combs will receive his badge from sponsor James Reed that same day.
Dan Witt, is Director of Financial Planning at First National Bank of Omaha. He is sponsored by Andy Bock. His membership was approved by both the Membership Committee and the Board. He specializes in providing comprehensive and personalized financial planning that incorporates investment, retirement, tax, protection and estate planning strategies. Dan earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, Master in Business Administration and Master in Financial Planning and Financial Psychology from Creighton University. He enjoys Creighton sports and is very involved in service activities such as Knights of Columbus, Junior Achievement, DKMS Bone Marrow Drives and Volunteers Assisting Seniors.
Our second business membership is One Million Cups, an entepreneuerial group that meets weekly that connects, educates, and empowers local entrepreneurs within a nationwide movement to support and enhance businesses. Representing them will be Jessica Queen, the CEO of Omedus, LLC. They are sponsored by Ward Peters, Roxy Orr, Kathryn Schubert, Kevin Welsh and Scott Keep. Other associates who will participate in communication and other Rotarian activities are Glen Lambert, Marc Johnson and Dillion De Rozairo.
Happy New Year! As the calendar changes to 2025, It is a good time to reflect on some of the bright moments and cherished memories of the past year, learn from our past experiences and look forward with great anticipation and greet the New Year with hope and enthusiasm.
January is Vocational Service Month. It is a good time to look at the Object of Rotary, which is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise.
You can read more about this on the My Rotary website. This is a philosophical statement of Rotary's purpose and the responsibility of all Rotarians. As we look at the Concept of Vocational Service, we are called on, as Rotarians, to encourage and foster:
High ethical standards in business and professions
The recognition of worthiness of all useful occupations
The dignifying of each Rotarians occupation as an opportunity to serve society
How can we put these ideals into action in our communities and clubs? Please consider these suggestions:
Talk about your professions in your club meetings and take the time to learn about your fellow member's occupations
Use your skills and expertise to serve in our communities
Practice your profession with integrity, and inspire others to behave ethically through your words and actions
Help our young leaders achieve their career goals through mentorship
Guide and encourage others in their professional development
By choosing to undertake these activities, we can bring vocational service to life. I urge you to find examples of ways to take action through vocational service.
Another opportunity I would like to highlight is our alliance with Toastmasters and the opportunity for Rotarians and Toastmaster members to grow our networks, our leadership and communication skills and increase our impact in our communities.
We welcomed leaders from Toastmasters District 24 to our District Conference in October. They have also visited a few of our clubs in Omaha and they would like the opportunity to visit more clubs. If you are looking for speakers at your meetings, please consider inviting them in as your program. They have invited our members to attend their Toastmasters District Conference on April 26th. For more information, you can visit their district website at www.d24tm.org
Thanks for all you do to make a difference in your communities!
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.
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