Greetings from DG Dick
Rotary District 5650
Governor’s Newsletter
Richard “Dick” Galusha
District Governor
May, 2013
Inside this issue: AG Training ....................... 9 Area 11 Update ................ 5 Assistant Govenors ........... 1 BRAN ................................. 15 Club Presidents ................. 5 Columbus Loup d’ Loup .... 13 DG Greetings .................... 1 DG Greetings Past ............. 6 District Chairs ................... 3 District Officers ................. 2 Family of Rotary ............... 3 GSE Brazil Inbound ........... 7 GSE Brazil Outbound ........ 11 Lincoln South Golf ............ 14 MNHS Interact .................. 4 Obituary ............................ 3 Peace Forum ..................... 2 Peru State Rotaract .......... 3 Plattsmouth Farmers Day . 9 PR Effort ............................ 9 Rotary Impact on YE ......... 8 Rotary Safari Invite ........... 12 Saddlebrook EarlyAct ....... 4 Suburban @ Playhouse .... 10 SW Omaha Night Golf ...... 10 York Updates .................... 10 Zambia .............................. 2 Zimba Hospital .................. 5 The Four-Way Test 1. Is it the TRUTH? 2. Is it FAIR to all con-
cerned? 3. Will it build GOODWILL
and BETTER FRIEND-SHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Here we are in the last
months of my term as
your Governor and rep-
resentative at many fes-
tive activities. We have
moved together toward
the District Conference on May 17-18.
We were told last year that if we ever
wanted to be part of a reasonable cost
International Rotary Convention we
should go to Bangkok. We did and it
was reasonable, educational and fun. I
am now saying that we listened to you
and if you ever wanted to attend a rea-
sonable, educational and fun District
Conference this is the time!
The District Conference will be held at
the Scott Conference Center, 6450
Pine Street, Omaha, NE. Look at the
registration information on the web
site listing the excellent, relevant
speakers and educational breakout
sessions to help you and your club be-
come more knowledgeable about your
District Activities. See how our New
Generation groups are growing and
learn how your club can become in-
volved. Donate $100 to the Foundation
in your name and take the chance to
win a $1000 Paul Harris. Tour the
Mammell Hall UNO School of Business.
See the projects that clubs are proud
of and will be displaying in the Friend-
ship House. Buy something at the Si-
lent Auction, like a glider ride, a Mas-
ter’s Golf souvenir, a piece of pottery
or a beautiful basket that have been
donated. The fund will be used for the
Foundation to assist in the Eradication
of Polio and a special New Generation
scholarship. There will be time to talk
with student exchange visitors and
Brazilian GSE Team members to learn
about the world. Take a trip on the
Missouri River Star and see who wins
district awards.
It takes all of us to make a great Con-
ference and many of you are bringing
an example of an activity from your
club to share and thus are helping to
lead moments of fellowship and learn-
ing. Mary Beth Growney-Selene, your
RI President representative, has a
great idea that will support the Eradi-
cation of Polio. You give $10 in the
name of your club speaker. That would
give 100% of our District Clubs contrib-
uting to the Eradication of Polio pro-
ject. It will be a great conference for all
who attend. We look forward to seeing
you there May 17-18.
~ DG Dick
Lincoln South Rotary Club and Norfolk Noon Rotary co-sponsored a Global Peace Forum March 14 at The Knolls. The forum was con-ducted in response to Rota-ry International 2012-2013 President, Sakuji Tanaka's worldwide challenge to all Rotary Clubs to conduct a peace forum or service project focused on peace. Tanaka’s theme of his presidency is "Peace Through Service." The forum featured a panel discussion on how service projects can contribute to world peace. The discussion was led by Nebraska Wesleyan students Alex Langley, Becca Brune and Chel-sea Johnson. The students are participating in Nebraska Wesleyan's Global Service Learning Program, which coordinates and participates in local, national, and international service pro-jects.
The students shared their experience, goals and dreams.
Alex’s primary focus is understanding diversity and promoting justice. Alex commented that through Nebraska Wesleyan is not currently a very diverse campus, they continually work to make the campus a safe and welcoming place.
When asked what she feels is a big challenge to peace in the future, Becca shared that she felt defeated when working with a homeless shelter in Chicago. It was hard to see if they were making any difference - the volume of people was overwhelming – would they be able improve their lives?.
Chelsea shared her International experiences and her desire is to see more equality between genders after experiencing the male-dominted family in Africa.
Those attending the Peace Forum were encouraged by the drive of the students and left feel-ing hopeful for a more peaceful world.
Lincoln South & Norfolk Rotary Peace Forum
Page 2 Rotary District 5650
2012-13
District Officers
District Governor (DG) -
Richard “Dick” Galusha
DG-elect—Jim Griesen
DG-nominee—Brian Moon
Secretary—Larry McNichols
Treasurer—Jim Mastera
Trainer—Wes Galusha
2012-13 Asst Governors
Area 1—John Fuelberth
(Wayne) Norfolk, Wayne
Area 2—Paul Canaday
(Columbus Morning) Columbus, Columbus Morning,
David City, Schuyler
Area 3—Dorothy Zimmerman
(Beatrice)
Beatrice, Crete, Fairbury, Hebron
Area 4—Elaine Hanson
(Auburn) Auburn, Falls City, Humboldt, Ne-
braska City, Pawnee City
Area 5—Bob Keefer (Clarinda) Avoca, Clarinda, Glen-
wood, Red Oak, Shenan-
doah
Area 6—Brian Moon
(Council Bluffs Centennial) Bellevue, Council Bluffs, Council
Bluffs Centennial, Omaha
Downtown
Area 7—Chris Klingenberg
(Lincoln East)
Lincoln, Lincoln East, Lincoln
South, Lincoln Sunrise
Area 8—Mark Schulze (Blair)
Blair, Fremont, Omaha North,
Western Douglas County
Area 9—Jeff Elliott
(Omaha Suburban) Ashland, Omaha Morning, Omaha
Suburban, Plattsmouth
Area10—David Langner (York)
Aurora, Friend, Geneva, Seward,
York
Area 11—Ginger Hiscock
(Omaha Northwest) Omaha Millard, Omaha North,
Zambia Project Needs Business Person
The District Zambia Committee is seeking a business
person who would come to Zambia this summer to
help a group of entrepreneurial students from UNL.
The task at hand is to develop a business plan and
provide instruction for the Lumemba Cooperative,
the marketing organization that provides an outlet
for produce raised by rural farmers. The Cooperative
is an integral component of District 5650’s work in
Zambia. If you or someone you know are interested,
please contact Dr. Charles Erickson, cerick-
[email protected], 402-420-3088.
District 5650 Mourns the Passing of two Great PDGs
Page 3 Rotary District 5650
2012-13 District Chairs
Awards—Terry Kucera
(Omaha Suburban)
Community Service—
Susan Thomas (Omaha West)
District Conference—
Jim Murphy (Omaha Northwest)
Energy Development—
Frank Reida (Omaha Downtown)
Extension—Sharon Wherry (Lincoln #14)
Family of Rotary—
Madeline Madden (Omaha North)
Finance—Rich Rowland (Omaha Suburban)
Future Generations—
Matt Darling (Omaha Suburban)
Future Visions—Dick Galusha (Omaha Northwest)
Health and Hunger—Aaron
Prokopec (Columbus Noon)
History—Jim Murphy
(Omaha Downtown)
Literacy Co-Chair—Ed Walsh (Omaha Suburban)
Literacy Co-Chair—Dan Hanson
(NE City)
Membership Development—
Kathryn Schubert
(Omaha Suburban)
Nominating—Bob Perrin
(Omaha Suburban)
On-to-Lisbon—Jim Griesen
(Lincoln #14)
Public Relations—Susan Stibal
(Lincoln #14)
Resolutions—Alan Schenck (Clarinda)
Rotaract/Interact—
Yolanda Hoffman (Om Suburban)
The Rotary Foundation (TRF) -
Joe Roberts
(Lincoln South)
TRF Annual Giving—
Rick Stone (Council Bluffs Centennial)
Doris Jean Heineman
November 13, 2012
Doris joined Rotary in
September 1989 – a
member for 23 years.
She was an avid Rotari-
an having served as
Club President (the first
female Club President of the Rotary Club of
Council Bluffs), Assistant District Governor,
District Governor (the first female District
Governor of District 5650), District and
Zone Foundation Chairs, Polio Plus Chair
and PETS trainer.
Even before all of this she had a connection
to the work of Rotary. When her husband
was Program Director for the YMCA, she
formed the first ever handicapped swim
program for polio victims. Doris made sev-
eral and significant contributions to Rotary
and she is missed by all who had the privi-
lege to know her.
Dr. Cheryl F. Blue
April 16, 2013
A member of the
Plattsmouth Rotary
Club since 1995, Cheryl
served as Club Presi-
dent in 2000-2001. In
Plattsmouth she
chaired the Scholarship Committee, served
on the HAPPY Camp Committee, and coor-
dinated other service and fundraising pro-
jects. At the district level, she chaired the
District Awards Committee, served as chair
of the Public Relations Committee and as a
member of the GSE Selection team. Cheryl
was an Assistant Governor in 2003-2004,
chaired the District 5650 Centennial Confer-
ence and served as District Governor in
2007-08. Cheryl was a multiple Paul Harris
Fellow, a Foundation Sustaining Member, a
Foundation Benefactor, and a member of
the Paul Harris Society. She and her hus-
band Jim were Level 4 members of the Be-
quest Society.
Follow the Peru State Rotaract Club
The Peru State Rotaractors have
been super busy! They have went
over goal on a fundraiser they held
for the BAWA Health Initiative.
You can follow them on their blog
page, but good luck keeping up!
http://aroundperu.blogspot.com/2013/03/pw.html
Family of Rotary
Madeline Madden, Chair of the Family of Rotary Com-
mittee is asking that the names and address of all Rotari-
ans who may be ill, need cheer or who have lost a loved
one be sent to her, [email protected].
Page 4 Rotary District 5650
2012-13 District Chairs
(continued)
TRF Grants—Marilyn Hoskins
(Shenandoah)
TRF GSE Inbound—Jill Orton
(Council Bluffs)
TRF GSE Outbound—
Robert Rapp (Omaha West)
TRF Information—
Doris Heineman (Council Bluffs)
TRF Permanent Fund—
Ward Peters (Omaha Suburban)
TRF Polio—Gretchen Bren
(Omaha Downtown)
TRF Scholars-Inbound—
Stu Spero (Lincoln #14)
TRF Scholars-Outbound—
Jim Griesen (Lincoln #14)
Rotary Leadership Institute—
Nicki Klein (Lincoln South)
Rules and Procedures—
Merle Jansen (Lincoln #14)
RYLA—Tom Cardwell
(Lincoln South)
Speakers Bureau—Dan Rose (Wayne)
Vocational Services—
Ken Backman
(Omaha Northwest)
Water Resources—
Ozzie Gilbertson (Lincoln East)
Webmaster—Erin Oberhauser
(Southwest Omaha Night)
World Community Services—
Chuck Erickson (Lincoln East)
Youth Exchange—Steve Gerdes
(Omaha Downtown)
Youth Exchange Compliance
Officer—Jeff Bakewell (Omaha Suburban)
SW Omaha Rotary Night Club Sponsors Omaha’s First Interact Club
The first Interact Club in Omaha, Nebraska was created at Millard North High School this year (2012-2013).
Millard North High School has a student pop-ulation of about 2,500 with around 30 clubs. Starting a new club in a largely populated high school did not prove to be as easy as it was thought to be. Spreading the word, add-ing members, and getting administrative ap-proval for projects in such a large school like Millard North proved to be a tad difficult for this new club.
The Millard North Interact Club may be small, with about fifteen members, but it has slowly begun to grow recognition in Millard North High School’s big halls. The Interact Club held a Teens for Jeans drive, collecting 36 jeans which were donated to homeless teens in the span of about two weeks.
The president of the club also came into con-tact with an Interact Club president in Mare-chal Cândido Rondon, Brazil. The two Interact Club presidents collaborated through Face-book and decided that pen pals would be a great idea. So far the Millard North Interact Club has sent one batch of pen pal letters, and the letters were recently received by the Interacters in Brazil. The two clubs plan on having one correspondence before the Inter-acters may add each other on Facebook. By having pen pals in Marechal Cândido Rondon, Brazil Millard North High School’s Interact Club is increasing understanding between young adults of different cultures.
Millard North High School Interact Club runs a traditional meeting with the Pledge of Alle-giance and the Four-Way-Test. The club is working on growing their membership far-ther, and in the first week of April they will be raising money for the eradication of Polio. Millard North High School Interact Club has taken the first steps and has paved the way for other Interact Clubs in Omaha, Nebraska, such as the Interact Club at Omaha South High School.
You can find them on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/#!/InteractClubOfMillardNorth
Saddlebrook Elementary—Omaha EarlyAct Club Early Act is a new club at Saddlebrook. It is a club that meets at lunchtime about twice a month. It is based off what the Rotary Club says and does. We are the only school with a club like this in the state. We have jobs and help our community, our school, and the world. In the club are nine fifth and sixth graders. Each officer was chosen by their classroom teacher because they have leader-ship ability. Students of the Month also attend the meetings.
At the beginning of all our meeting we have our president start us off. The vice president leads us inthe four-way test and the inspira-tional quote. Then we read our last minutes and hear the treasurer's report and the cor-responding secretary report. Then we hear the committee chair's reports. Rightnow we are busy with projects.
One of our projects that are going on right now is our sock and stuffed animal drive for
the community. The donations that we have are going to be donated to the Open Door Mission. Right now we have a lot of dona-tions that the boxes we wrapped are over-flowing. We also have plans forthe school too. We are planning to make videos to teach the students the school expectations.
Some of our plans for international are to do Pennies for Patients.
One of our most interesting meetings was when Dr. Galusha came and talked to us. He told us about what he does in the Rotary Club. He also gave all the officers a special pin. Some things he talked to us about was service to others.
We always end our meetings with our presi-dent dismissing us. One thing kids can learn from this is that it is important to help oth-ers. Written by the Club’s Student Correspond-ence Secretary
Page 5 Rotary District 5650
2012-13
Club Presidents Ashland—Tim Welling Auburn—Joe Casey Aurora—Steve Gustafson Avoca—David McCain Beatrice—Gus Gustafson Bellevue—Fred Simon Blair—Denise Dein Clarinda—Bill Francis Columbus Morning— Dan Pabian Columbus Noon— Pat Heimes Council Bluffs—Mick McKinley CB Centennial—Amber Hawk Crete—Geoffrey Easton David City—Tori Lavicky Fairbury—Tony Likens Falls City—Merle Veigel Fremont—Todd Hansen Friend—David McCracken Geneva—Paul Utemark Glenwood—Philip Warren Hebron—Drew Harris Humboldt—Todd Dierberger Lincoln #14—Mike Wortman Lin East— Chuck Erickson Lincoln South—Patrick Grewe Lincoln Sunrise— Minnie Stephens Nebraska City—David Partsch Norfolk—John Witherspoon Omaha Downtown— Todd Murphy Omaha Millard—Jeff Wageman Omaha Morning—Scott Bradley Om North— Madeline Madden Omaha NW—Michael Wilson Om Suburban—Julie Livingston Omaha West—Dan Ferris Pawnee City—Carol Sisco Plattsmouth—David Steinkruger Red Oak - David Hammer Schuyler—Paul Ehrenberger Seward—Jonathan Metschke Shenandoah—Patrick Leece Southwest Omaha Night— Gail Petersen Wayne—Elise Hepworth Western Douglas County— Tod Ringenberg York—Benjamin Royal
FUTURE ROTARIANS
Northwest Rotary and Southwest Omaha Rotary Night Club have made strides in devel-
oping future Rotarians. Northwest Rotary sponsors an Early Act club at Saddlebrook
Elementary. Fifth and sixth grade leaders meet at lunch twice a month. The President
presides at the meetings and the Vice President leads the group in the four way test and
provides an inspirational message. Reports are presented by committee chairs and
officers. Projects have been identified that serve community, school and international
needs. Their community project is a sock and stuffed animal drive for Open Door Mis-
sion children. In production is a school video that will center on school expectations and
their world service project is Pennies for Patients. District Governor, Dick Galusha, visit-
ed and presented club officers with Rotary pins.
Southwest Omaha Rotary Night Club sponsors an Interact Club at Millard North High
School. Mimi Rogers is the club liaison.
Millard Rotary provides reduced membership dues to members to encourage them to
bring in new members. West Rotary divides members into ten teams with prizes for
teams and lunch passes to individuals bringing in most members. There goal is ten new
members and their success rate is looking good with eight new Rotarians. West has
also developed small interest groups to increase retention. They are getting to know
each other through, walking, movie, local music/band, book discussions and dining
groups.
AG Ginger Hiscock’s Area 11 Update
Zimba Hospital in Zambia
These are photos of the hospital equipment sent to the Zimba Hospital from the old Beatrice
Hospital under the direction of Dorothy Zimmerman. This was accomplished by volunteers
including Brian Maydew of Omaha and Beatrice Rotarians as well as others with no cost to
Rotary.
Page 6 Rotary District 5650
Past District Newsletter Greetings Because your District Newsletter Editor has been behind sched-
ule, DG Dick has a few notes that you have not seen! My apolo-
gies for the late information, but I want you to know what DG
Dick had to say in the past few months, even if it is old infor-
mation.
There are so many exciting activities that have been going on in
the District it is hard to know where to start. First, a big Thank
You to all who made SOUPER BOWL Sunday such a huge success
for the District. Stacy Schultz, the coordinator did a fantastic job
in making people aware and getting a representative for each
club. She will address the success in her report.
What a wonderful “Nebraskan of the Year” presentation by Lin-
coln #14 club. I am sorry you missed the presentation by J. Paul
McIntosh, from Norfolk, the recipient. He told about he and his
wife’s sponsorship of young immigrants that have become very
successful Americans. Others told about the support they gave
to them and to their community and to Nebraska. We are proud
to honor such people as leaders, not only in Norfolk, but also
throughout the state.
A Peace Forum is being organized with the support of Schuyler
and Columbus clubs, chaired by Paul Ehernberger, Schuyler
President. His club embraced the concept of “Peace Through
Service” with immigrated citizens and their community contribu-
tions while working toward American citizenship. A Peace Forum
for the District clubs will be offered April 28th, so mark your
calendar. Paul is willing to present a remarkable program to
your club to show you what has happened in Schuyler as these
residents and their families become contributing members of
Rotary.
We cannot forget Gretchen Bren, District Polio Chair, and her
trip to Nigeria to assist in the inoculation of children. This exam-
ple of her commitment to eradicate polio around the world re-
minds us as individual Rotarians of our responsibility to help
meet this RI goal in the countries of Nigeria, Pakistan and Af-
ghanistan.
Let us thank people who are generous, such as they have found
in Omaha West Rotary. Vickie Backman wrote: Dan Ferris pre-
sented Carol Gendler with flowers at our February 8th Friday
meeting as a thank you for her generous contribution to The
Rotary Foundation and giving members the opportunity to
match funds with her $5,000.00 donation. Carol has been a gen-
erous supporter also of the club's Golf Fundraiser and the West
Omaha Rotary Foundation annual request for donations. I know
other clubs have members that also support their members and
we thank them all.
All of us need fun times too. If you have not seen the Past Dis-
trict Governors Judges perform their duty at Surburban on
Thursdays you have missed some great laughs that will last for
days to come as you think about their sentences on fellow Ro-
tarians.
As we look toward to the future, Jim Griesen has put an excel-
lent team together as he moves toward his year as Governor. He
and Joe Roberts have returned from San Diego training, which
included Grant Management training. Their Future Vision/Grant
Management Seminar is significant to the future of District 5650
and gives us more responsibility in how we function. Be sure you
attend one of their seminars because Grant Management will
necessitate how your club plans, coordinates and cooperates to
fulfill “Service Above Self,” and “Peace Though Service.”
District Conference May 17-18. Welcome! District Conference
will offer fun, education, networking and camaraderie for two
days at the Scott Conference Center, 6450 Pine Street, in Oma-
ha.
Friday A.M. Joe Roberts and his Grant Management team will
greet you for coffee and rolls starting at 9:00 AM. While this
training is going on, Rotarians will be decorating tables, setting
up the Friendship house, the examples of the projects you bring
to share of what your club is proud to have done in your com-
munity, district or internationally. Others will be organizing si-
lent auctions items that you bring for all to consider bidding on.
BRAN, Northwest Rotary Bicycle Ride Across Nebraska, will be
setting up their project. You will be given the opportunity to
donate $100 toward your Paul Harris fund for the eradication of
polio. You may have your picture taken dressed as a BRAN rider.
If your picture is selected you win a Paul Harris, worth $1000.
Conference will begin at 11:25 Friday. You will be greeted by
Rotarians who will seat you at designated tables with Rotarians
representing varied sized clubs and discussion leaders will guide
you in topics you all experience.
We ask all President Elect and their significant other to be pre-
sent at dinner Friday evening to be introduced and the same for
President and guest on Saturday night when we celebrate on
the bank of the Missouri River and a cruise on the River Star.
Don’t forget to bring your family Saturday night.
Additional information will follow in later newsletters. Thanks to
all for making this an exciting journey as we work together to
move District 5650 forward. Remember Albert Einstein said,
“Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance you must keep
moving.”
Page 7 Rotary District 5650
Inbound GSE Team from Brazil is Here!
When you come to the District
Conference, be sure to introduce
yourself to the visiting GSE Team
from Brazil.
They are a fun, friendly bunch of
folks who are enjoying their time
here in Iowa and Nebraska.
Team Leader, Dr. Lilian Wander-
ley leads a team of five including
Mr. Diogo Messias, Mr. Guil-
herme do Oliveira, Mr. Luis Souza
Santos and Mr. Thierry Prates.
Lilian is a Geographer and Profes-
sor of Environments, of Federal
University of Sirgipe. Diogo is a
Psychologist, Guilerme is an Ar
gonomist (Engineer of Agricul-
ture), Luis is a Computer Engineer
and Thierry is an Economist.
Left to Right: Guiherme (William), Diogo, Lilian, Thierry and Luis
GSE Inbound Team Brazil
April 21-May 20, 2013
Team Information pulled from
portion of bios not written in
Portuguese.
Lilian Wanderly –
Team Leader
66 years old
PHD Federal University of Sergi-
pe
Lives in Sergipe Brazil
Daughter Francis
Enjoys travel, Latin America and
Europe
On Rotary Public Relations Com-
mittee
Diogo Baha Messias
24 years old
Traffic Psychologist, license driv-
ers, change category of license
or renew through psychometric
tests
Former Family Health Services
employee
Lives in Aracuju-Sergipe Brazil
Interested in other languages
and culture, including shopping
Thierry Molnar Prates
37 years old
Professor at Federal University
of Alagoay
Masters in Economy
Married to Julia and has 2 boys
ages 3 and 1
Studied music history and piano
Luis Eduardo
30 years old
Software Testing Architect/IT
Technician/Project Manager
Married
Mom, Maria and brothers
Public speaker and teacher
Interested in soccer, paintball,
movies, cooking and music
Guilherme (William) Oliveira
32 years old
Agricultural Engineer
(administration and sales
Married
Mom, Eliana
Interested in martial arts
Page 8 Rotary District 5650
Letter to Lincoln South from Past Rotary Youth Exchange Student
Rotary’s Core Statement:
Rotary is a worldwide network of inspired individuals who translate their passions into relevant social causes to change lives in communities.
We recently received this message from Steve through our Club Website.
Steve was a Youth Exchange Student to Lincoln, hosted by Lincoln South
Rotary Club, 9 years ago. His host families were Joe and Sheryl Roberts as
well as Terry and Mary Werner.
It is obvious that Lincoln South Rotary had an impact on this young man's
life! Please read on.
Hello dear Rotarians!
Lying in my bed, I was suddenly struck with a great feeling of gratification
for all your efforts and sacrifices you made for me, non the less for other
people. I guess it has taken until now to realize just how much it has
affected my life, in other words about 9 years. I cant believe how long it has been.
Sometimes you might wonder just how your efforts translate into other peoples lives. Therefore I want to tell you how the experi-
ence you made possible affected my life. When I was 11 years old I wanted to become a lawyer and live in Australia, and as I grew
older the aspirations were still there. Conveniently my cousin had been to Canada with Rotary 2 years before me. My mother
made the suggestion that I could go abroad as well. Shortly after I was finding myself right in the interview of 3 rotarians in a local
Rotary club. After that I had a few meetings with other exchange students in Sweden.
Before long, I found myself meeting a totally unknown family ( the Werner family) in a totally unknown city, in the other part of
the world. The rest is history!
Even though graduating from high school, running a successful business and many other things have given me a great foundation,
self confidence and happiness. Nothing to date has had greater impact of my life than the 10 months in the US.
Both the Werner and Robets familys really gave me great support, but they did not do it all alone. I remember Jenny Cardwell
helping me with papers, going on a road trip with Nicki Klein. I cannot name them all - other members helped me with golf clubs
and stay in their homes when the Roberts were away.
Probably there are many more things that I cant remember. Except for all those things, I have really great memories from your
weekly meetings. You treated me nicely and with great understanding. You seemed to treat each other no differently.
Overall you gave me a very positive feeling, that I personally have found in very few places.
Even though I was so young, so alone, in another part of the world. The South Lincoln club members really made me feel safe and
very loved. This has given me great self confidence, and a sense of anything being achievable. Simply a great foundation to succeed
in life.
For the last four years I have been working as a salesman part time, as well running a company which buys and lets condos. Within
a few months I am going to travel around the world and maybe work abroad. Where I end up will be interesting to see.
Besides being happy, alI I know is that I will be a Rotarian in the future.
Thank you for guiding me and making my exchange year possible! Special thanks to the Roberts and Werner family! I hope you
take the compliments to heart, and that my letter was not too hard to follow!
Sincerely,
Steve The Swede
Page 9 Rotary District 5650
Plattsmouth Rotary Club Farmers Day Recognition
The Plattsmouth Rotary Club held its an-
nual Farmers Day Recognition Luncheon
on Wed., Feb. 20th at the Plattsmouth
State Bank Community Room.
A traditionthat has continued for over 80
years, each Rotary member invited at
least one area farmer to be his or her spe-
cial guest to the annual luncheon held
yearly in mid February.
Special guests were Rotary District Gover-
nor Richard "Dick" Galusha and the Cones-
toga High School FFA Chapter officers who
gave a brief overview of their chapter pro-
jects. This year, 65 Rotarians and their
guests enjoyed the Portabello Beef Dinner
and a presentation by Nebraska
Agricultural Director, Greg Ibach.
2013-14 Assistant Governor Training
The Assistant Governors met together at
the District Team Training for the 2013-14
Rotary Year. They explored their roles and
responsibilities to help all clubs be effec-
tive Rotary Clubs. They shared success
stories and did some problem-solving -
brainstorming ideas to help invigorate a
couple of struggling clubs in the District.
During the session, facilitated by Nicki Klein, AGs were asked to share an idea for a
Rotary motto or bumper sticker. Service-Service-Service-Service; Our little club is part
of something magnificent; Rotary-Making the World a Better Place; Serving our Com-
munity with Distinction; Serve Often – Serve Well; Get Involved-Change the World;
That’s what it’s all about. What a great way to demonstrate the impacts of Rotary on
our local and worldwide community.
Rotary District 5650 Clubs can be assured they have great resources at their fingertips
with these dedicated Rotary Leaders.
Page 10 Rotary District 5650
York Rotary is an Active Rotary
By Ben Royal, Club President
The York Rotary Club was recog-
nized at our annual York Cham-
ber of Commerce as the Service
Club of the Year. We also re-
ceived a Certificate of Recogni-
tion from Senator Greg Adams,
speaker of the legislature, for this
accomplishment.
The York Rotary club has been
very active, which is a continua-
tion from our past leadership. I
have been very blessed to be
involved with a great membership who is willing to get involved
with several activities. One of the activities we just completed
was a grocery grab fundraiser. The idea was given to us from the
Crete Rotary club as they have been doing the event for the last
few years. This was our first year with the event. We were able
to get a lot of publicity through the selling of tickets, the involve-
ment from our membership, and the support from the commu-
nity. Our local grocery store was very cooperative as they let us
place Rotary banners and advertisement’s throughout the store.
We not only raised money for the club, we were able to raise
$1,000 and 1,000 pounds of food donated to our local food pan-
try.
York has a Rescue Mission for men and women who are without
a place to stay. Once a month, the members of our club prepare
a home cooked meal and deliver the meal to the mission for the
people who need a place to stay.
We just received grant money to help resurface a basketball
court at Epworth Village. Epworth was very excited to receive
the grant as they are a non-profit organization who relies on
donations such as this for improvements.
I would encourage all members to be active in their clubs as this
is the key to having a successful club. Again, I am very blessed to
be a part of an active club with great members.
Page 11 Rotary District 5650
Outbound GSE Team to Brazil
Danielle Stahlnecker currently lives in
Lincoln, Nebraska, where she was born
and raised. She graduated from Doane
College in December, 2012, with a double
major in Business Management and Public
Administration. She began working for
Union Bank and Trust in 2008 and is pres-
ently a Branch Supervisor. Developing
people and seeing them progress in their
careers in addition to helping customers
maximize their financial potential fuels
Danielle’s passion for her work.
Danielle enjoys being a Big Sister for
Heartland Big Brothers Big Sisters and
staying active in the community by getting
involved in various fundraising and volun-
teer events throughout the year, including
American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life
and The Special Olympics. In her free
time, Danielle likes to practice yoga, run
and bike, take on art and interior deco-
rating projects, and travel domestically.
She enjoys spending time with her family,
her roommate, and her friends. Danielle
has one pet, a cat named Seashell.
During the Group Study Exchange, Dan-
ielle would like to learn more about
Brazil’s local retail banking environment,
unique business management models,
and how business leaders get involved in
their communities. She is excited to get to
know leaders in Brazil, her team-
members, and local Rotarians!
Leah Koch is the youngest of four children
born and raised in Grand Island, NE. Her
father is a PA at Hansen Medical PC and
her mother is a devoted wife and active
volunteer at Peace Lutheran Church. She
grew up with a very musical background,
where after spending one year at UNO
with a music scholarship, she moved to
Chicago IL to pursue an arts degree. She
studied Fashion Marketing at the Illinois
Institute of Art in Chicago, where she
earned herBachelors before moving back
to Omaha, NE three years ago.
Her interests include: learning about other
cultures, studying new languages (mainly
Spanish and Portuguese), traveling, archi-
tecture, and jazz music. She is an ‘old soul’
that appreciates history and the stories
that accompany it.
Her hobbies involve yoga and she gradu-
ates this month, May 2013, from Teacher
Training at Yogamed Omaha. It has been a
life altering transformation where she has
gained knowledge of what it means to
become a teacher and pass along a heal-
ing art.
In her spare time she likes to paint using
acrylics, make jewelry, work on graphic
design projects and visit her two beautiful
nieces in Grand Island, NE.
She is humbled and honored to have been
chosen for the GSE team 2013. She hopes
to meet Brazilian business leaders in-
volved in promoting tourism for the 2016
Olympic Games. She also hopes to spend
time with women who have become en-
trepreneurs in Brazil. She is drawn to lead-
ers in the sales profession so she can see
similarities and differences in business
amongst a different culture.
She wants to experience life through the
eyes of a Brazilian citizen and she is very
grateful that Rotary District 5650 and the
Rotary Foundation is providing her with
this opportunity. She works with people
from around the U.S. on a daily basis and
craves to develop deeper relationships
throughout her tourism/advertising sales
career. The Group Study Exchange Team
experience has empowered her in both
her professional and personal life.
Erin Stover grew up in rural Northwest
Iowa, in the town of Holstein. She is the
daughter of Tom and Joyce Galvin and
was raised on a farm with an older broth-
er, younger brother and younger sister.
She graduated from Galva-Holstein High
School in 2006 and wanted to pursue a
teaching career.
Erin attended Wayne State College, in
Wayne Nebraska from the fall of 2006 to
the spring of 2011. While studying at
Wayne, she was involved in almost every
music ensemble that was offered. She
studied voice under Dr. Elise Hepworth
and also played the saxophone in band.
She wasn’t sure if she wanted to teach
music because of her love for young stu-
dents in the general classroom, but wasn’t
ready to give that part of her life up, so
she decided to get a double endorsement.
In May of 2011, Erin graduated cum laude
Page 12 Rotary District 5650
Outbound GSE Team to Brazil, cont’d from Wayne State College, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and endorsements in Elementary education K-6 and Music edu-
cation K-8.
Erin married her high school sweet-heart, DJ Stover, in May of 2011, a few weeks after graduating and moved to Omaha, NE. She
was hired at The Rose Theater to teach musical theater classes twice a week to 4-7 year olds while she substitute taught for area
schools during the school day. In August of 2012, Erin started as the music teacher for St. Robert Bellarmine School in Omaha, NE.
She teaches music to kindergarten through 8th grade students and has a few private studio students. She says the best part of her
job is that she gets to see everyone and teach everyone, not just one select grade! It keeps her on her toes and no two days are
alike.
While in Brazil, Erin would like to be able to embrace the culture as much as possible. She plans to do this by learning and studying
Portuguese, to become fluent before going. She also wants to participate in as many adventures /experiences that are available.
One of the best ways to learn is by experiencing something – it’s much harder to forget and has much greater meaning. Some of
her goals are to understand the ways that they use music to learn, to learn new ways to teach music, and to recognize different
ways to communicate to people through music. She hopes to be able to connect to people on a much deeper level through sharing
music and learning new music. Music is a universal language and connects everyone together. It helps people rejoice! It helps peo-
ple heal. Music is her life, and she is so excited to share this opportunity with others.
Elise Hepworth is an assistant professor of voice and music education at Wayne State College, in Wayne, Nebraska. She has been a
member of Rotary since 2009, and is serving a second consecutive term as Wayne Club’s president. She first became involved in
Rotary international as an Ambassadorial scholar to New Zealand in 2007. Elise received district 5650’s 2011-2012 Outstanding
Club president, as well as helping her club achieve the district award for Outstanding Club Growth.
“Rotary has changed my life. It has granted me the opportunity to serve my community, my state, my country, and my world in a
ways I couldn’t imagine. I am honored and humbled to serve our district as Group Study Exchange Team Leader. I am eager to per-
sonally acquaint myself with Brazil’s educational system, specifically their use of music in literacy and conflict prevention and reso-
lution.”
Rotary Safari Invitation
The Zambia committee is inviting you to come along to view Rotary projects
and experience life in Zambia and then visit world famous Victoria Falls, travel a
short distance to Botswana for a safari to view the exotic wildlife seen only in
Africa and finish the trip by visiting Cape Town South Africa where great food
and wine awaits you as well as famous Table Mountain. Learn the history of
Europeans in Africa and how this has helped and hindered African peoples.
The dates are from July 20 to
August 3, 2013 and the inclu-
sive cost is estimated to be
$5,000 including airfare and
lodging.
Please contact Chuck Erickson for more information: [email protected],
phone 402-420-3088.
Page 13 Rotary District 5650
Page 14 Rotary District 5650
Check the club’s website,
www.lincolnsouthrotary.org
for event date!
Page 15 Rotary District 5650 Governor’s Newsletter
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