Erick Carrillo serves as the Director of the Nebraska Department of Labor’s Reemployment Services Division. He works across several workforce programs that help connect job seekers and employers, with a focus on helping Nebraskans overcome barriers to employment while assisting employers in finding and retaining qualified workers.
Our BookLoop volunteer opportunity will be taking place September 24th from 4:30-6:30 at the BookLoop offices at 801 N. 96th St.
Our grant funded the purchase of new books for the book swap. Teachers will bring a gently used book from their BookLoop classroom library and exchange it for a new book to add to their collection.
Volunteer opportunities will be in the following areas:
Welcoming and greeting teachers
Food and refreshments
Assisting with book retiring and the book swap
Helping with the art kit and our Little Free Library book giveaways
Please let Angela Chaney know if you'll be able to come help out and support this new partner of Suburban Rotary!
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.
To get to know Yearlings better, they were asked what might they might tell their 16 year-old self today to prepare for the future. Answers ranged from investing more, relaxing, practicing more patience, and not changing a thing...because it all works out in the end.
Our speaker Erick Carrillo discussed talked about the services his department offers. He reminded the club that there are many services offered by the Department of Labor. For example Nebraska ReEmployment Services where veterans are given priority. His emphasis today was on Registered Apprenticeships. This program provides businesses and opportunity to get employees who might have the right skills the right training for the job. His group helps identify the business needs, finds an educational partner to provide training, like a community college, and even has funding options to help pay for employee salaries while going through training. The businesses the group works with is varied from manufacturing, IT, health care, and more. Close to 100 occupations are currently part of the program, 223 employers and the amount of apprenticeships is growing with over 5,000. A bill was also passed last April to make the agency independent from the federal government.
September is Rotary's Basic Education and Literacy Month, a reminder that one of the most lasting gifts we can give is the opportunity to learn. Whether supporting local schools, promoting literacy, mentoring students, or investing in youth leadership programs, Rotarians help open doors and create opportunities every day.
This month also gives us an opportunity to remember and celebrate a person who dedicated her life to helping others. On September 20, Rotarians from across the district will gather to honor the life and legacy of Nicki Klein. Nicki was often the person behind the scenes who helped district leaders, clubs, and events succeed. Her commitment to Rotary and to the people of District 5650 left an impact that will be felt for many years.
As we honor Nicki's legacy, we are also working to ensure the district has the support structure needed for the future. District leadership has completed a draft job description for a new District Administrator position, and we expect to begin advertising for the role soon. The goal is not to replace Nicki, because no one can, but rather to build on the strong foundation she helped create and provide continuity for future district leaders and clubs.
Serving as your District Governor continues to be one of the highlights of my Rotary journey. So far, I have visited 29 clubs, with nine visits remaining. Those remaining visits include the opportunity to speak with two of our Rotaract clubs. Everywhere I go, I see clubs finding ways to strengthen belonging, serve their communities, and create meaningful impact.
I hope many of you will join me at Fusion 5650, our District Conference, October 23-24 at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland. District Conference is our opportunity to connect, learn from one another, celebrate our successes, and be inspired by the incredible work happening throughout our district. If you have not yet registered, I encourage you to do so and be part of the experience.
Thank you for all you do to strengthen Rotary, support your communities, and help create opportunities for others. I look forward to seeing many of you on the road, at Nicki's memorial, and at Fusion 5650 this fall.
Yours in Rotary, Gretchen Bren District Governor, 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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