Digital Rotary Magazine, Podcast and Newsletters
Are you interested in receiving the Rotary magazine in digital format rather than paper? Do you want to learn more about Young Leaders in Action or the End Polio Now efforts?
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Rotary District 5650 2024-25 Global Grants Scholar
Anna Singharath (far left in photo), the 2024-25 Global Grants Scholar from Rotary District 5650, arrived to begin her studies at Sciences Po Bordeaux (University of Bordeaux, site of Pessac).
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Applications Due September 13 for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) events take place all over the country - and now we have one of these life-changing events right here in Eastern Nebraska! Get this information to interested high school students - application deadline is September 13. |
Governor Tom's September Message
September is Basic Education and Literacy Month for Rotary. As I am visiting clubs in our district, it is fantastic to see the number of clubs that are recognizing students for academic achievement, giving out dictionaries to grade schoolers and awarding scholarships to high school seniors to help support our next generation of leaders. |
September is Basic Education and Literacy Month
To see the article on the District Website about the Monthly Focus for Rotary, including some resources, click here.
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We Are People of Action |
2025 Rotary International Convention - Calgary Calling all District 5650 Rotarians, spouses and families. Please join me next June 21-25,2025 at Stampede Park, in Calgary, Canada located in the Canadian Rockies for Rotary's 116th convention. |
New Interact Club at Lincoln East High School The new Lincoln East High School Interact Club, sponsored by Lincoln South Rotary, held their first meeting on August 21 with a number of students and support personnel in attendance. |
Rotary Youth Exchange Update District 5630 and 5650 Rotary Youth Exchange again held a joint orientation for the incoming students at the Nebraska Youth Camp in Kearney August 23-25.
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Rotary Fusion 5650 District Conference Get ready to ignite your enthusiasm and amplify your impact! We are thrilled to invite you to our highly anticipated Fusion 5650 District Conference, where incredible opportunities await to connect, collaborate, and contribute to our shared vision of making a difference. |
Rotary Leadership Institute Graduates Eight At Rotary Leadership Institute in District 5650 on August 10, 2024, eight participants graduated, having completed all three parts of the program. They are pictured left to right: Michael Manga – Lincoln 14, Rob Simmon – Glenwood, Carol Horner, Facilitator – Council Bluffs Noon, Mark Wortman – Western Douglas County, Karalee Picard – Omaha Night, Stephanie Olson – Omaha West, Tim Fridolph – Red Oak, Emily Martin – Red Oak, Gretchen Bren, Facilitator – Omaha Night, Michael Eckelkamp – Lincoln 14.
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RYLA – Powered by Launch Leadership!
“RYLA – Powered by Launch Leadership!!” will be October 11-13, 2024, at Camp Sonshine in Roca, Nebraska. |
2024-25 District Grants Awarded For the 2024-25 Rotary Year, there were 21 District Grant Projects. Total grant funds paid to the clubs = $49,399 for projects valued at a total of $84,731. With some grants involving multiple clubs, there are 23 clubs involved in the projects.
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Pay Your Club's RI Invoice Now - Stay In Good Standing
Rotary International sent semi-annual invoices to club officers July 19. Please process and keep your club in good standing.
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Insurance Program For 2024-25 Rotary Year
Active U.S. Rotary clubs and districts and Rotaract clubs are provided with general liability ("GL") and directors & officers/employment practices liability ("D&O/EPL") insurance through the U.S. Rotary Club and District Liability Insurance Program ("Program").
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August is Membership and New Club Development Month
To see the article on the District Website about the Monthly Focus for Rotary, including some resources, click here.
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Time To Change To The New Theme Logo It is a new Rotary Year - and time to use the new theme logo. There are other versions available at Rotary.org (click here). And for those that have a ClubRunner subscription, the image is in your image library.
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Governor Tom's July Message
It is an honor to serve our district in support of our clubs. I look forward to visiting all of the clubs soon. The district leadership is here to support you in your Rotary journey. Please feel free to reach out to your Assistant Governors or myself with any questions or concerns as we begin this new Rotary year to celebrate "The Magic of Rotary". |
Rotary International Service Above Self Nominations Due September 15
Rotary's Service Above Self Award honors members who help others by volunteering their time and talents. The District Governor will submit one nomination to Rotary International after receiving initial nominations from the Clubs. |
Youth Exchange Update
District 5650 Rotary Youth Exchange is sending one student overseas this year and hosting three students from other countries. |
Club Officer Access to ClubRunner
Does your Club have a subscription to ClubRunner for your Club Data Management? Access to additional aspects of the system do not automatically change when you define your Officers.
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Use Rotary's Fellowships To Attract Members
Here's an idea -- use Rotary's Fellowships as a way to enhance Rotary's Public Image and recruit members for your club. Take a look at the list of Rotary Fellowships and chances are you have friends interested in one or more of those areas.
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Governor Kathryn's June Message
THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! This is my last newsletter message and I am using it to thank all of you for making this the BEST ROTARY DISTRICT IN THE UNIVERSE!! |
Set 2024-25 Club Goals In All Areas Set all of your club goals for the 2024-25 Rotary Year using Rotary Club Central at Rotary.org / My Rotary.
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Insurance Program Covering Clubs - Finding Informtaion
Active U.S. Rotary clubs and districts and Rotaract clubs are provided with general liability ("GL") and directors & officers/employment practices liability ("D&O/EPL") insurance through the U.S. Rotary Club and District Liability Insurance Program ("Program").
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Tom thanked for his cadre service
The Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisers is a network of Rotary members who work to strengthen the impact of Rotary Foundation global grants and projects.
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Arbor Day Storms - District Support Efforts
I wanted to make sure everyone saw the update on what we are doing to help those impacted by the recent storms. (Photo is of the tornado after it left Minden, Iowa and headed toward Harlan, Iowa.)
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Night at the Ballpark - District Fundraiser for The Rotary Foundation
Come join us for a night at the Ballpark. On Thursday June 20 the Omaha Stormchasers will host the Louisville Bats. There is a special Rotary ticket option that will raise funds for The Rotary Foundation.
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Identify All 2024-25 Club Officers Fill your Club Officer Roster and identify them on ClubRunner (your Club or the District website). |
The Rotary Citation Award is the most important award for Rotary Clubs! |
Governor Kathryn's May Message
May is Youth Service Month when Rotary Clubs around the world focus on youth services: Rotaract, Interact, RYLA, Youth Exchange.This seems fitting because for a lot of the families of Rotary, May also means graduation and matriculation. |
Top Ten Clubs in District 5650 For Rotary Year 2023-24, we are going to recognize the Top Ten Clubs in three categories: Membership Growth; Foundation Giving; End Polio Now. |
Rotarians Across the Globe Help Youth Prepare for Tomorrow Whether it’s Rotary Youth Exchange, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards or the Rotary Peace Fellowships, there are loads of ways Rotary is involved in youth to help make this a better world. |
Governor Kathryn's April Message
April showers bring May flowers!! At least they do when we have a strong ecosystem in place. |
India’s Rotary Polio National Immunization Day
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Rotary District 5650 Public Image Webinar What’s the image that people in your city have of Rotary? Do they think you’re mostly a group that meets for breakfast or lunch each week? Are they aware of what you do in your community? Do they have any idea of the international impact we have as Rotarians?
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Introducing the 2024-25 Rotary District 5650 Club Presidents After a day of President-elect training, your Rotary Clubs are in good hands with this year's class of Presidents. |
District 5650 Fellowship event - Omaha Supernovas!
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Governor Kathryn's March Message
Seventy degrees in February?? In the mid-west?? Makes you want to reach for a tall glass of cool water. Aren’t we lucky that all we have to do is turn on the tap to quench our thirst! |
Rotary Peace Fellowship News Do you know someone who may be able to put a master's degree or certificate program in peace studies to good use? Applications for the 2025-26 cycle are now being received! The application is available until May 15, 2024. |
Rotary Connecting With and Helping Youth
What do table tennis, melon ice cream, a game of chess and a shelter for vulnerable girls have in common? They’re all projects of Rotary clubs around the world. That’s what you get when you look outside the walls of your club meetings.
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How does Rotary thrive if our leaders change every year? From the Rotary blog site - Rotary Voices - posted by Tom Gump. It starts with our Vision Statement: TOGETHER WE see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change across the globe in our communities and in ourselves. |
Insurance Program Covering Clubs - Fireworks
Active U.S. Rotary clubs and districts and Rotaract clubs are provided with general liability ("GL") and directors & officers/employment practices liability ("D&O/EPL") insurance through the U.S. Rotary Club and District Liability Insurance Program ("Program").
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2029 International Convention to be in Minneapolis
Minneapolis is set to host Rotary’s 120th international convention in 2029. Click here for the news release.
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Rotary District 5650 Governor 2024-25 Tom Kerfoot - Bio, Photo, Club Visit Schedule
Tom Kerfoot of the Omaha Suburban Rotary Club is Governor for 2024-25 for Rotary District 5650. His term begins July 1, 2024. Click here for a downloadable copy of Tom's Bio and Introduction Notes. Click here for Tom's Club Visit Schedule |
Upcoming Annual Meeting - Important Deadlines Save the Date: The annual meeting of Rotary District 5650 will be held May 9, 2024, at 7:00 PM by Zoom. Read more for details and deadlines.
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Governor Kathryn's February Message
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY ROTARY!! February is the month of Rotary’s anniversary. A time for us to celebrate our past and get excited for our future! |
Let’s Tell Our Story
A Public Image Challenge for District 5650 By Randy Bretz, Public Image Chair, District 5650 |
Governor Kathryn's January Message
HAPPY NEW YEAR!! As we enter the new calendar year, I will ask you to remember THE OBJECT OF ROTARY. |
Let’s Change Rotary’s Image When you explore Rotary and what we do around the world, it’s inspiring. We’re involved in encouraging peace, we’re feeding those who are hungry, we’re mentoring the next generation. Yet, for some reason, some clubs in our district are struggling to remain active and grow. |
Rotary creates environments of peace
By carrying out service projects and supporting peace fellowships and scholarships, our members take action to address the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, discrimination, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources.
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Rotary Started On February 23, 1905
"Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves." |
Rotary Focus By MonthRotary has created a calendar that includes a monthly focus. This provides a guide for Clubs to use to help members understand the programs of Rotary and the Areas of Focus for our causes.
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Rotary leads 28 sessions at United Nations climate conference Rotary experts are hosting more than two dozen sessions at the 28th United Nations climate conference, addressing how a changing climate intersects with health, poverty, and other factors. Rotary International President R. Gordon R. McInally will discuss the mental health effects of climate-linked disasters. For more on this story, click here.
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Governor Kathryn's December Message
The Holiday Season is upon us! Every year, I am caught off guard when Thanksgiving comes around and I think… How did another year go by so fast?! This year, for the first time in a while, I know exactly how that happened. TIME FLIES WHEN YOU ARE HAVING FUN!! |
Governor Kathryn's November Message
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! Thank you to all the Rotarians and guests that attended the District Conference! The excitement and enthusiasm you shared made the Fall Conference an amazing experience for all! |
Rotary . . . what’s that?
What do you say when people ask you what Rotary is all about? Do you have any idea what people in your community think of Rotary? Don’t you wish people knew more about Rotary than some folks who meet for a meal once a week? |
The Rotary Magazine
The Rotary magazine is a monthly publication that showcases the work and impact of Rotary clubs and members around the world. This is where you can read about Rotary's projects, programs, and people …
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Rotary District 5650 Honored Golden Wheel Awardees Selected by Clubs
On October 14, community leaders from across our district were recognized during the Rotary District 5650 conference. These folks include leaders of various groups and organizations doing good things in our communities. |
UNL Journalism Students Helping Rotary Image Campaign
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Rotary Foundation Citation For Meritorious Service Award to Bill Harvey
Rotary District 5650 is honored to present The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service to Bill Harvey of Omaha Downtown Rotary. This Citation for Meritorious Service recognizes individual Rotarians who have demonstrated outstanding service to the Foundation, such as through their involvement in Foundation committees, grants or programs, or by supporting Rotary Peace Fellows.
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2022-23 Rotary International Recognition of Clubs Presented at District Conference
Rotary International recognizes clubs with The Rotary Citation as well as other accomplishments. The following 2022-23 recognition items were received by Rotary International and presented during the District Conference on October 14. |
Cadwallader Award Presented to Klaus Hartmann
Every year Clubs nominate Rotarians for the Cadwallader Award which is presented during the District Conference. This year the recipient was Klaus Hartmann of the Lincoln #14 Rotary Club. Click here for the flyer outlining his accomplishments and some of the nomination information.
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Governor Kathryn's October Message
Hello my fellow Rotarians! I cannot believe the biggest celebration in District 5650 is less than 2 weeks away!! I am so excited we are coming together to Create Hope in the World! We have over 200 awesome Rotarians registered, and it is going to be fabulous! |
What is your legacy? Have you ever thought about your legacy? A loving/supportive parent, one who built up your community/place of worship with your time/talents … a member of the larger world community interacting with people on the far corners the globe. (Be sure to read more to learn of a special incentive.)
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Governor Kathryn's September Message
Hello my fellow Rotarians! I have just about finished my Club visits, only three more Clubs to go! I have had such fun sharing Rotary with all the Members around our District. Our Clubs and Members do really amazing stuff and I am so glad that I am learning all about it! If I have not been to your Club yet, please know I am really looking forward to it! |
How a family friendship impacted people on two continents |
Rotarians Like You are Helping Children in Disadvantaged Countries
Pictured: Rotarians working with the Adamawa Peace Initiative help run the Feed and Read program, which provides a hot meal along with lessons in English and math, and the Peace through Sports program. Here’s what you are helping make happen: |
We Need You - Input Sheet Open For Your Ideas
As mentioned in the August Newsletter, and my Club Visits, we are searching for qualified Rotarians to advance our District and make it the BEST ROTARY DISTRICT IN THE UNIVERSE!!
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How To Get Contact Information For Rotarians?
Any member in Rotary District 5650 can easily find contact information for another member in the District!
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Governor Kathryn's August Message
Hello my fellow Rotarians! I have been having a great time visiting Clubs during July, meeting new people, seeing old friends, and learning about all the great service our members do!! |
2023-24 Club Recognition Our new Rotary year is in full swing, and the Awards Committee has been working on streamlining awards and how we can help each club achieve those awards!
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Rotary Around The World
We periodically hear about events that may be of interest to Rotarians that are not coordinated by our District or a Club in our District. These could be from anywhere in the world. We will share their invitations and ideas here. Stories without specific dates are listed at the end of the article.
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Learn About Rotary Fellowships - Promote Fellowships At District Conference Rotary Fellowships are international groups that share a common passion or profession. Membership in a fellowship is open to any person who’s interested.
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Share Your Club Activities
Do you have an upcoming event - maybe a fundraiser? Share your information so that it appears on the District Website Events List and Calendar.
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Club to Club Communication
It is easy for clubs to connect. Any clubs within Rotary District 5650 can email any or all of the other clubs in Rotary District 5650.
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Club and District Information On ClubRunner App
See Club and District Information - right at your fingertips. Find the ClubRunner App in your app store. Use the same logon as with the ClubRunner websites (District and Club).
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Rotary District 5650 Membership Resources
Are you wanting some help with membership development and retention? Do you wonder how much is required for dues to Rotary International and the District?
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Have Your Club Do Something for the Environment It could be as simple as planting a tree. Another idea is to plan a campaign to encourage people in your city to recycle paper, glass, metal and plastic. Or you could invite someone from the UNL College of Agriculture to address your club about regenerative agriculture. |
Governors' July Message Hello District 5650!As we kick off another Rotary year, I want to take this opportunity to thank Barbara Bartle for her great leadership this past year. Her passion and commitment to Rotary is evident in everything she does. On behalf of all our members, thank you, Barbara! |
Dues Analysis - Rotary Required and Club Optional Items As clubs review dues for members, include the Rotary required items plus the Club costs supported with member assessment.
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Compliance With Copyright Laws
It is your Rotary club’s responsibility to comply with copyright laws. Over 40% of the claims under the U.S. Rotary Club & District Liability Insurance Program ("Program") now pertain to copyright infringement.
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Rotary Peace Fellows Serving Our World If you believe, as I do, that real change . . . that REAL change . . . begins when someone decides to do something that makes a difference, then get a load of this.
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Increasing Our Impact as Benefactors of The Rotary Foundation Did you know that, thanks to a few endowments our district grant committee has been able to increase funds for district and global grants and disaster relief for the past several years? You can designate as little as $1,000 in your will and become a Benefactor of The Rotary Foundation.
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See Club Activities on Facebook! |
District 5650 Clubs - Activities and News - Spotiight
Visit the Spotlight on Rotary Clubs page (click here) on the District Website to keep up with club activities and read news stories.
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Personal Data Use Policy
While serving in a Rotary leadership role, you are granted access to Personal Data that Rotary International and/or The Rotary Foundation considers confidential. When handling this Personal Data, you must abide Rotary's privacy policies. |
