Following his passion for community betterment, Vic founded Vic Gutman & Associates Consulting in 1978. Since that time, he has provided communications, organizational development, event management, and fundraising services for hundreds of nonprofit organizations in Nebraska, Iowa, and Michigan. Vic spearheaded and managed the revival of the Omaha Farmers Market in the Old Market in 1994 and in Aksarben in 2010 and first attempted to establish an indoor market on South 10th Street from 2013-2017. He currently serves on the Heritage Omaha-convened committee guiding development of The Riverfront Market, a year-round public market in Downtown Omaha, a decades-long dream of Vic’s that is projected to open in May 2028.
Vic has provided fundraising and organizational development services for nonprofit organizations including the Omaha Theater Company, in COMMON, Immigrant Legal Center, Latino Center of the Midlands, MENTOR Nebraska, The Tri-Faith Initiative of Omaha, Girls Inc. and Nebraska Journalism Trust. He has consulted to numerous urban districts in Detroit, Omaha, and Lincoln (NE), working on more than 100 events including the 300th anniversary celebration for the City of Detroit, Nebraska’s Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commemoration, Lincoln’s Flatwater Festival, and Omaha’s 150th birthday celebration. He led the effort to establish the Omaha Summer Arts Festival in 1975, managing the Festivalthrough its 50th anniversary in 2024. Vic also helped shape Omaha’s Millennium Lights Festival in 1999.
The next book club recommendation is "Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson. This is a #1 National Best Seller and a New York Times Bestseller based on the true tale of the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago and the cunning serial killer who used the magic and majesty of the fair to lure his victims to their death. This is also a Kirkus Review Best Nonfiction Book of the Century. The Rotary Book Club will be meeting again on Tuesday, June 9th, at 5:30 p.m. at Bonefish Grill in Regency.
Amid American flags, Rotarians gathered for their weekly meeting and to celebrate Memorial Day. First up were our Yearlings who were asked what their favorite Memorial Day memory is. Answers ranged from visiting grave sights, to picnics, the lake and attending a ball game.
During announcements, Patrick Combs reminded the group to spread the word about the Car Show on June 13 and consider a sponsorship.
Our speaker Lt. Col. Jonathan Sankey talked about how the military has a shared purpose with Rotary--service about self. He reminded the group the military is made from all walks of life of our community. He also shared that his father was a Rotarian in Iowa. The military continues to change and currently only about 1 percent of the population makes up the military and most recruits were born after 9/11. He talked about his recent tour in Operation Rough Rider out of England and how enemy engagement has changes. He stressed that security starts at home and the work of Rotary and others is critical to military success.
This message is going to Club Leadership in Rotary District 5650
We have postponed the Polio ride scheduled for next Saturday (5/23/26) to August 29th. We didn't have enough riders to justify the volunteer effort we put together. We'lll use the next three months to get registration to 60-80 riders. We have a spot for one more club to man an aid station. The next club that volunteers will be eligible for a $500 grant for the project of their choice.
As a reminder, the Ride is an opportunity for you to engage your members in support of Rotary's most significant International project. We need your help to get members and riders engaged. This event is open to the general public, families, and Rotarians. It features:
Family friendly 10 and 25 mile rides (all on trails)
A 42 mile ride for people looking for a little more challenge
Bike clinics hosted by the Bellevue Bicycle Club
Food trucks
Riders get a quality t-shirt, an entry into a raffle to win a $500 gift certificate to a local bike ship, and the registration includes a PolioPlus donation.
For information and registration for the ride, go to www.rotaryrides.org. All riders need to register in advance.
Rotary District 5650 Rotarians—Welcome to May! “April showers bring May flowers” … and all sorts of ways to serve our communities and the world to make an impact, create lasting change and “Unite for Good”!! Please read on.
Did you know that May 16th is Rotary’s Epic Day of Service? What is Rotary’s Epic Day of Service you might ask? PDG, Carol Horner, Council Bluffs Noon Rotary Club, Zone 29, Epic Day of Service Champion explains.
“The EPIC Day of Service isn’t just a date on the calendar — it is a unifying moment. When clubs across the world register their projects to create a powerful, collective story of Rotary’s impact. It’s visibility. It’s momentum. It’s inspiration. And it reminds our communities that Rotary is here, active, and committed!!”
Even though the published date is May 16th. Any day in May can be used.
Your Rotary Club doesn’t need to invent a new project if they already have one in May. Just register that one. An event happening in our Rotary District 5650 is the Bike Ride to End Polio on May 23rd coordinated by Polio Plus Chair, PDG, Gary Bren. The event starts at 7 am at the Marcus Twin Creek Cinema in Bellevue, NE. To find out more and register you can go to https://rotaryrides.org/event/. The whole idea is to engage our communities in service with us. (serves as a great membership recruitment activity too!)
Imagine the map lighting up with dozens of projects — each one a spark of Rotary spirit. That is the vision. And it starts with your clubs taking one simple step: registering their project.
This website also serves as a volunteer recruitment and organizing site, a fundraising site, etc. Tons of resources at your fingertips.
Let’s show the world what Rotary can do when we move together.”
That brings me to Rotary’s Area of Focus for May – Youth Programs
If you are a new member to Rotary, you may not know about our commitment to developing the next generation of leaders. Our programs help younger leaders build leadership skills, expand education and learn the value of service. There are three main Rotary Youth Programs:
Interact Clubs Interact clubs bring together young people ages (12-18) to develop leadership skills and learn about the world through service projects and activities.
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards RYLA is a leadership development program for young people who want to learn new skills, build their confidence, and have fun. Events range from one-day seminars to weeklong camps.
Rotary Youth Exchange Rotary Youth Exchange builds peace one young person at a time. Students learn a new language, discover another culture, and truly become global citizens. Exchanges for students ages 15-19 are sponsored by Rotary clubs in more than one hundred countries.
Enjoy this month of May. Focus on a way to engage and make an impact on our communities and the world through Youth Programs.
I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to each one of you and the Rotary Clubs in our District for your outstanding efforts throughout April to "Unite for Good" in your community and the world. It was my honor to be invited to be a part of three outstanding events, two of which supported youth: The Rotary Club of Omaha’s 99th Annual 8th Grade Honor Roll and 39th Scholarship Luncheon; Omaha Suburban Rotary Club’s 49th Scholarship Recognition Luncheon; and Rotary Club of Seward’s United States 250th Anniversary One Nation-Many Stories Awards Dinner. The students were amazing!!
Finally, remember to invite a guest to your Rotary Club meeting. Grow your membership. One meeting could change their life and yours as well.
Focus on your Rotary Club experience for your members and guests.
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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