Growing up in Northeast Omaha, Justin Solomon’s path was paved by Omaha Public Schools—attending Benson West, Hartman, King Science Center, and Northwest High.
For Justin, the decision to attend college was made possible by Nebraska’s commitment to its students. He attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on a Pell Grant and a Regents Scholarship. Having lived the "Nebraska Promise" himself, Justin is running for the Board of Regents to ensure that the same affordable, high-quality experience is protected for the next generation of students.
Justin’s deep understanding of the University of Nebraska system began in 2010 when he was elected UNL Student Body President and Student Regent. Serving on the Board of Regents gave him firsthand experience in university-wide leadership and higher education governance. During his time on campus, he was a member of the Nebraska Human Resources Institute (NHRI), Phi Delta Theta, and the Innocents Society. He later returned to his alma mater to earn his MBA, further grounding his leadership skills in fiscal responsibility and strategic growth.
Professionally, as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Integrated Life Choices, a human services company headquartered in Lincoln, Justin manages the complex financial and operational health of an organization that supports people with disabilities across Nebraska, Colorado, and California.
Whether he is managing budgets for a multi-state company or serving as Treasurer for local nonprofits, Justin’s leadership is defined by three core principles: Accountability. Accessibility. Advocacy.
The next Rotary Book Club book recommendation is "River Town" (Two Years on the Yangtze) by Peter Hessler. This is a New York Times bestseller by a journalist who lived in a small town in China, and is a vivid and touching tribute to a place and it's people.
The Book Club will meet again on Tuesday, October 13, at Bonefish Grill in Regency at 5:30 p.m.
We had a packed house for this meeting with 10 visitors.
Several Rotarians received tabs for perfect attendance in August and September.
Our speaker Lynne Walz talked about growing up in a small town in Nebraska. When she was 18 she decided to work instead of going to college. She worked with an organization with individuals with disabilities. She gained profound personal insight there.
Later she got married and had children but went to college, and had several other jobs including real estate and working in education.
She was in the Nebraska legislature for eight years and even chaired the Education Committee, worked on Health and Human Resources and Natural Resources Committees. Her various jobs, understanding of the communities and people of Nebraska, gives her a unique perspective as she runs for Governor.
October is going to be a special month in District 5650, and I hope one of the highlights will be seeing many of you at Fusion 5650, our District Conference, October 23-24 in Ashland!
Our District Conference is more than an event on the calendar. It’s a chance to reconnect with Rotary friends, meet new ones, share ideas, celebrate what our clubs are accomplishing, and return home energized about what comes next. After spending the past several months visiting clubs throughout our District, I can tell you there is a lot worth celebrating!
As I write this, I’ve completed all but one of my official club visits. What an experience it has been! I’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand the incredible things happening throughout our District, to hear your stories, meet your members, and learn more about the communities you serve.
And one message has come through loud and clear: Rotary creates impact when we see a need and decide to do something about it.
That fits perfectly with October’s Rotary focus on Economic and Community Development. Across our District, Rotarians are strengthening communities in ways large and small. Sometimes that means a major project. Sometimes it means supporting a local organization, creating opportunities for young people, helping a neighbor, or simply bringing the right people together to solve a problem.
October also brings us one of Rotary’s greatest examples of sustained impact: our commitment to ending polio. World Polio Day is October 24, right in the middle of our District Conference. It’s a wonderful opportunity to remember what Rotarians can accomplish when we commit ourselves to a goal and keep going.
Throughout my club visits, I’ve talked a lot about the difference between change and impact. Change is what we do. Impact is what happens because we did it.
As I near the end of my club visits, I’m even more convinced that District 5650 is filled with Rotarians who are making an impact every single day.
So this October, let’s celebrate that impact. Let’s celebrate our communities, renew our commitment to ending polio, and bring all of that Rotary energy together at Fusion 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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