Rotary District 5650 Rotarians—Happy January 2026!! I hope everyone was able to ring in the New Year with family, friends and community and say “Auld Lang Syne” to 2025. It is so special that the ball has dropped in Times Square in New York and everyone is celebrating the New Year, but here in the Midwest we get an extra hour to enjoy 2025!!
I found a great phrase from a Facebook group called, “English Literature” that may help bring meaning to the New Year! Listed under the heading, New year is coming, it says:
“From winter’s hush a promise breathes, Soft as dawn through bare-limbed trees. The future hums in unseen-ways, A newborn light in unspent days.”
What a terrific way to think about the New Year! Rotarians are eternal optimists. We look to the New Year with the hopes and dreams that are just waiting for us to realize. While caught in winter’s grip it may seem that we are unable to move forward, but the truth is winter gives us the space for introspection and reflection.
Every day going forward is a little longer and the light grows stronger. We are resilient and know that spring is right around the corner and our pace quickens. We are People of Action!
I wanted to give a big shout out to every Rotary Club in our District for everything you did in December to “Unite for Good” and serve your communities and the world! Thank you!!
Also, remember that January is Vocational Service Month on our Rotary calendar.
“Vocational Service is one way that members and participants can serve at Rotary. It involves using our professional skills and expertise to serve the community, promote ethical practices, and inspire others. Vocational Service encourages us to:
• Adhere to high ethical standards in our professional and personal lives,
inspiring others through our words and actions
• Recognize the value of all skills and occupations
• Bring our ideal of Doing Good in the World to our jobs
• Use our occupations to improve and empower communities
• Help others develop skills and explore new career opportunities
and interests
inspiring others through our words and actions
• Recognize the value of all skills and occupations
• Bring our ideal of Doing Good in the World to our jobs
• Use our occupations to improve and empower communities
• Help others develop skills and explore new career opportunities
and interests
Vocational Service can also take place virtually through:
• Mentoring and sharing skills online
• Taking part in remote professional development
• Engaging in digital collaborations
• Sharing knowledge internationally”
• Taking part in remote professional development
• Engaging in digital collaborations
• Sharing knowledge internationally”
Enjoy this month of January. Focus on a way to engage and make an impact on our communities and the world through Vocational Service. 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. Take care of your family, friends, and community and Happy New Year 2026!
In Rotary,
Robert
Robert Rapp
District 5650 Governor 2025-26
Omaha Morning Rotary Club
rrapprotary@gmail.com
(308) 325-1704