It feels a little strange to say it, but my District Governor club visits are complete, Fusion 5650 is in the books, and we've made it to November!
After spending the past several months visiting clubs throughout District 5650, I continue to be amazed by the work our Rotarians are doing. And that's especially appropriate as we celebrate The Rotary Foundation Month and think about one of our priorities this year: Create Lasting Impact.
The Rotary Foundation allows us to take our ideas and our generosity and turn them into action. Our gifts support Rotary's work around the world, including our commitment to eradicate polio, but they also come back to our District to help fund District Grants. That means Foundation giving helps our own clubs create lasting impact right here in our communities.
Please join us in welcoming Sarah Clark as our new District Administrator! Sarah officially begins her new role on November 1 and can be reached at executive@RotaryDistrict5650.org.
Sarah is already familiar with Rotary and the important work that happens behind the scenes to support our clubs and members. She is an Honorary member of Omaha West Rotary and serves as the club’s Executive Director. A graduate of UNO with a degree in Business Management, Sarah brings an extensive background in office administration and nonprofit work to her new role.
As District Administrator, Sarah will become an important resource for our clubs and District leaders, helping keep the many moving pieces of District 5650 organized and connected.
Every year Clubs nominate Rotarians for the Cadwallader Award which is presented during the District Conference. This year, the recipient was Bill Harvey of Rotary Club of Omaha. Click here for the flyer outlining his accomplishments and some of the nomination information.
I'm not sure I'm quite ready to stop talking about Fusion 5650! After months of planning, it was wonderful to see it all come together October 23–24 at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum. We promised an opportunity to Connect. Learn. Celebrate., and District 5650 certainly delivered.
But my favorite part wasn't any one speaker, session or activity. It was looking around the room and seeing Rotarians from across our District talking, laughing, learning and enjoying being together. That's what I hoped Fusion would be, and you are the ones who made it happen.
If you regularly visit the Members Only area of the District 5650 website, get ready for a new look!
District 5650 will soon be upgrading to ClubRunner Nova, ClubRunner's next-generation platform for clubs and districts. The good news is that our public-facing District website will remain the same (but changes are coming!). For now, the big changes will happen behind the scenes, in the Members Only area where many of us manage member information, access District resources, communicate with members, and handle other Rotary business.
Rotary Clubs are reminded of the IRS' annual filing requirement. Club officers received an email from Rotary International October 28 with additional information (copied in below). NOTE: This letter has changed from previous years.
Reminder: File your annual information return by 15 November
We are excited to announce that the next session for Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) Parts I and II will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2026. It will be at Project Harmony, 11949 Q Street in Omaha. Cost is $50
Why do some Rotary clubs seem to have a special spark? People know who they are. Their projects get noticed. Members are excited to invite friends, and the community understands the difference Rotary is making.
There may just be a Secret Sauce, and on Saturday, December 5, we’re going to learn how to use it.
Join Patrick Harrison, Region 36 Public Image Coordinator, for a lively, practical day focused on helping us tell Rotary’s story better. From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Patrick will help us look at Public Image not simply as publicity, but as an important part of how we strengthen our clubs, attract people to Rotary, and make our impact visible in our communities.
Let's start with the basics: Rotary clubs that set goals grow, and Rotary clubs that don't set goals shrink. It really is that simple. And it's why I want to talk with you about two things every club in District 5650 can do this year: set a membership goal, and write a strategic plan. Neither one costs a dime. Both of them work. These are two of the sic priorty goals for every club established by Rotary International
Who introduced you to Rotary? Chances are, someone saw something special in you and extended an invitation that changed your life. Now it's our turn to do the same!
As members of the Greatest Rotary District in the Universe, we know firsthand the rewards of Rotary: meaningful friendships, inspiring service projects, personal growth, professional connections, and the incredible feeling of making a lasting impact. Rotary gives us the opportunity to serve above self while having fun, learning, and building relationships that last a lifetime!!
Are you looking to take your leadership skills to the next level? I am asking you to consider taking on the role of leading the clubs in our Rotary district. In order to become a District Governor, you only need to meet a few pre-qualification requirements:
Club officers, watch for your 2026-27 District Dues invoice this month. You may notice that the amount is less than you’ve seen on past annual invoices, and that’s because District 5650 is changing the way dues are billed this year.
Become a “ShelterBox Hero” by Helping Displaced Families in Nepal
On the morning of August 26, a glacial collapse on the Nepal-Tibet border of the Himalayas triggered a chain reaction of mass flooding, decimating villages for more than 40 miles along the Trishuli River. Nearly 1500 persons have died. More than 6000 are still missing.
It has been estimated that more than 80,000 people have been displaced, almost half of them children. These displaced families are in desperate need of shelter.
Be sure and join thousands of your fellow Rotarians in this beautiful European destination to celebrate Rotary and learn more about the good Rotary is doing all over the globe.
This is the month where Rotary puts a focus on giving to the Rotary Foundation Annual Fund. Philanthropy is a personal choice. So why give to the Rotary Foundation?
The home page is designed to provide information about Rotary that is good for, not only Rotarians, but also the public. The links will take you to My District Home which includes stories primarily written for Rotarians.
