Weekly volunteers needed!

Congratulations to Sampson Construction, 2022 Salute to Business Honoree

Salute to Business luncheon
When: November 1, 2022, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: Cornhusker Marriott, 333 S 13th St., Lincoln

Click here to purchase your ticket.
Click here to pay for corporate sponsorship.

The Lincoln Council for International Visitors (LCIV) is hosting 12 international visitors from Brazil, Chile, Eritrea, Greece, Lebanon, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Serbia and Spain who will be visiting Lincoln on and International Visitor Leadership Program through the U.S. Department of State. A panel made up 3 - 5 of these agricultural trade and food safety experts will share their perspectives on visiting Nebraska and the global issues affecting trade and food supply. Our very own, Kate Engel, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Communication for Nebraska Innovation Campus, will be our moderator. 

Dr. Paul Gausman joined Lincoln Public Schools as superintendent on July 1, 2022. Prior to coming to Lincoln, he was the superintendent for the Sioux City Community School District for fourteen years. During that time, the school district saw significant gains in academic achievement and the graduation rate. In December 2021, superintendents from across the nation elected Dr. Gausman as president of the Urban Superintendents Association of America.

Prior to his work in Sioux Falls, Dr. Gausman was formerly the superintendent of schools for the West Central School District in South Dakota. His past administrative experiences also include those as coordinator of middle school education and coordinator of fine and performing arts for the Sioux Falls Schools in South Dakota. In addition, Dr. Gausman’s teaching experiences include those as director of bands at Millard West High School in Omaha, Nebraska, and marching percussion instructor for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Cornhusker Marching Band.

Dr. Gausman holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN; an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Sioux Falls; a Master of Science degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from the University of Nebraska at Omaha; and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

In addition to his superintendent duties, Dr. Gausman serves as a performing artist and clinician with the Yamaha Corporation of America in percussion, is a consultant with McPherson and Jacobson Executive Recruitment and Development, and also a consultant with Guidepoint Global Market Research.

Annual bell ringing

Annual bell ringing

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

For questions, please call Co-Chairs Jay Wexler at (845) 913-6719 or Deb Uttecht at (402) 560-4148.

Dr. Widman has over 20 years of experience as a psychiatrist working as a high-performance mindset coach. Doc works with CEO's, Pro-athletes, Military Leaders, Olympians, and multiple NCAA Teams. He has been integral in six NCAA Division I National Championships, developing elite mindset skills and "Ultimate Trust". Doc is the author of "Max Out Mindset" and host of the "Max Out Mindset" podcast.

Doane University President Roger Hughes

Dr. Roger Hughes started as Doane University’s 13th President in June 2021. A native of Crawford, Nebraska, he graduated from Doane College in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in biology and physical education. He was active as both a player and coach for the college’s football and basketball teams. President Hughes received his master’s and doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and was part of the Husker football coaching staff under Tom Osborne.

Union College President Vinita Sauder

Dr. Vinita Sauder has served as Union College’s president for the last nine years, and has worked in higher education for more than 35 years, specializing in strategic planning aligned with institutional mission and vision. Dr. Sauder earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communication from Southern Adventist University in Chattanooga, Tennessee, an MBA from the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan.

Nebraska Wesleyan University President Darrin Good

Dr. Darrin Good became the seventeenth president of Nebraska Wesleyan University on July 1, 2019. Prior to coming to Nebraska Wesleyan, he was Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty at Whittier College near Los Angeles, California; and Associate Provost and Dean of Science and Education at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. He holds a Ph.D. in biology from the University of Kansas and began his career in higher education teaching biology at his alma mater, Augustana College, in Rock Island, Illinois.

The December NEOS meeting is this Tuesday, December 13th at 7:30am. We'll meet at Crescent Moon Coffee at 140 N 8th St, Lincoln, NE 68508 (basement level of the Apothecary). 

Registration is not required; simply show up.

For questions, please get in touch with NEOS Chair Christine Weeks at christine@eleanorbrands.com

Volunteering at the Gathering Place is so rewarding and fun!

Starting in November the Gathering Place will go back to inperson meal service (guests will be invited in to eat).

• Time to volunteer is now 4:30-6:30 p.m.
• Masks are now optional.
• Please provide 5-6 volunteers on your assigned night if you are the only group to serve that night. If you are combined with other groups on your night provide 2-3 volunteers.
• Be adaptable. We are trying new ways of reducing the lines and crowd size as we are serving more people than we ever did before the pandemic. It might change as we get better at it and it might not look like it used to. 
• Volunteers should use their PIN to clock in/out on the iPad or sign in/out using the paper sheet. Pre-registration is still encouraged.
• We are allowing groups to bring deserts again! We are currently serving between 100 and 180 people per night. Once we get the flow and numbers routine, we will allow groups to bring meals. No group is required to do this, it is completely optional. Please let us know ahead of time if you plan to bring a dessert.
• Volunteers must be at least 12 years old. EACH volunteer under 18 years old must be accompanied by their own adult supervisor. While we love our youth volunteers, we can’t have an entire group of young people volunteering without adults.
• The Gathering Place is closed on the Friday after Thanksgiving (November 25) and Christmas Day (December 25). We are open on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.

Kelly Ross is from Lincoln, Nebraska, and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in Spanish. Since college, she has been working with refugees and immigrants in a variety of ways, as a caseworker, paralegal, citizenship instructor, and ESL instructor. Through her work, she has developed a passion for those new to the United States and insight into the unique barriers they face. In 2020, Kelly founded ECHO Collective as a way to empower New American women to achieve their entrepreneurial and artisanal dreams. After claiming to be a “cat person” for years, Kelly finds herself with two dogs that bring her so much joy. She also loves to read and watch trivia shows her with husband.

“A Pandemic’s Impact on Classroom Volunteering”

Junior Achievement of Lincoln reached its 50^th anniversary of continued growth in our community in 2021.  Yes, the year of hybrid learning when dedicated JA volunteers Zoom-ed into classrooms to talk about real-life experiences related to financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and workforce readiness skills.  Currently, JA reaches over 30,000 K-12 students annually in more than 1,400 classrooms thanks to 1,000+ volunteers including Rotarian Randy Bretz, who will immerse you in a first grade classroom and share his volunteer experience before introducing JA’s Vice President, Toni Rupe.  Tuesday’s presentation will be a surprising look into JA’s long-term partnership with Lincoln’s private and public schools and the not-so-surprising impact a pandemic had on volunteer involvement at a time when the need for adult mentors and role models could not be any greater for our youth.

Andrea Phillips is the coordinator for school social workers at Lincoln Public Schools. Before becoming a coordinator, she was a school social worker with LPS for ten years and prior to that she worked in a youth mental health program and ran a private practice. She has an undergraduate degree from UNL and a Master of Social Work degree from UNO. Andrea is a licensed mental health practitioner and the current board president of the National Association of Social Workers in Nebraska. Andrea understands the great importance of connections and supportive relationships for students. She will be speaking with us about the impact of the pandemic on mental health and how supportive relationships and mentoring make a difference.

Jim Hansen has been the Outreach Coordinator for Sandhills Global since 2019. At Sandhills Global, Jim oversees Sandhills philanthropic activities in the Lincoln community. Prior to coming to Sandhills, Jim was an educator and coach at Pius X high school, and still coaches football there, just completing his 36^th season. He is also the commissioner of Lincoln Babe Ruth baseball, on the boards of Lincoln Independent Business Association, the Southeast Nebraska Career Academy program, the Nebraska State Board of Work Force Development, the Lincoln Football Coaches Association, and the Lincoln/Lancaster County First Responders Foundation. He and his wife Teresa have four grown children and three grandchildren, and they love making Lincoln the great community it is!

Held at Nebraska Innovation Campus, you and your guests will enjoy a delicious brunch, bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys, a silent auction, a raffle, and much more.

How can you participate in Rise.Shine.Give. and support HopeSpoke and the Rotary Club 14 Foundation?

• Become an event sponsor
• Donate an auction item
• Purchase a raffle ticket
• Make a financial contribution

A fourth-generation Nebraskan, born in Grant and raised in Imperial, Norman is a veteran journalist-turned copywriter-turned nonprofit professional. He’s the co-founder and executive director of Rabble Mill — a 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides alternative youth programming in Lincoln and Omaha. Under moonlight, he co-operates a talent management company called Ride Home MGMT, and an indie publishing company called Take it Home. He and his wife Angie live with their son, Townes, in Omaha’s Benson.

LAURIE FRASER
Laurie Fraser is the CEO of Doorstep Diner Catering and Country Sliced Ham and Cafe, but more importantly she is a Lincoln community member who believes in giving back. A resident since 1984 she's been active with Habitat for Humanity, March of Dimes, United Way and more. She joined Rotary to be in a group where her donations, paired with others, can do greater good. Laurie's head chef expressed an interest in raising money for relief efforts in Ukraine. After an inspiring presentation by Viktor Khanzhyn, Laurie knew the money had to be raised and what better way then to give Lincolnites a taste of Ukraine. Her head chef created meals and worked with Victor to perfect them, and they offered them for weekly family-style meals. All funds were donated to the International Rotary Foundation, earning Laurie her Paul Harris Fellow +1, but Laurie is quick to point out that all recognition truly resides with Chef Nestor and his inspiration.

Brett Neely
Brett moved to Lincoln in the summer of 2021 to join the UNL College of Business as an assistant professor in the management department.  He teaches organizational behavior and researches leadership and diversity in organizations, with a particular focus on understanding how leaders can promote positive outcomes of diversity and inclusion efforts in their organizations. He has been involved with Camp Kesem, a student-led organization serving families impacted by cancer, for several years and now serves as faculty advisor for the UNL chapter. Brett’s wife, Giorgia, also works in academia, and they have three pets: a golden doodle named Marko and two cats named Soleil and Bijou.

AMBER NORE
Amber C. Nore is the Community Relations Manager and Friend Fundraiser for Mosaic in Southeast Nebraska. She made a career change to the non-profit world in 2021 after many years as a highperformance business builder, talent developer and retail manager in the "for profit" world. Amber is the proud mom of a 24 year-old daughter named Chloe. Together, they participate in many performing and visual arts organizations/events. Amber lives in an art gallery in the Historic Haymarket District and loves to share the many wonderful things to do in #LNK. Amber's partner, Patrick Hargon, is the Director of Student Success for University of Nebraska Kearney. Amber is a volunteer Lasagna Chef for Lasagna Love and a book club leader for the Nebraska Girl Gang. Her band, Andy Pappas with Jukebox Gyro, released their debut album "Inside Voices" last year.

STEPHANIE STEARLEY

Stephanie is currently Vice President, Group Customer Connections – Administration & Licensing at Ameritas Life Insurance Corp.  She has been with Ameritas for 30 years.  She grew up in Hampton, NE, earned a Business Management degree from Bellevue University and holds several professional insurance designations.  She was a member of the Leadership Lincoln, Class XXX and is an active Junior Achievement Volunteer.  She is married to her husband, Mark Stearley and they have two daughters:  Skylar, a student at Pace University (New York City) and Makenna, a Senior at Southeast Highschool.

Jane Olson has dedicated her career to promoting international peace, justice and humanitarian work. She chaired the International Board of Trustees of Human Rights Watch, the largest US-based international human rights organization, from 2004 to 2010, having worked on behalf of HRW since 1988. She also chaired the board of Survivor Corps for 12 years since its founding as the Landmine Survivors Network. LSN and HRW were among the five organizations to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 for the International Landmine Ban Treaty.

Olson is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Science and a board member of both the National World War II Museum in New Orleans and Direct Relief, based in Santa Barbara, CA. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and Pacific Council on International Policy. She served as co-chair of the Women’s Refugee Commission in New York and continues to support the WRC as a commissioner.

Olson has received numerous awards, including the 2010 inaugural Alison Des Forges Award from Human Rights Watch, and the inaugural Eleanor Roosevelt Award from Feminist Majority in 2005. California Senator Barbara Boxer presented the “Women Making History” Award to Jane in 2010. She received Public Counsel’s Community Achievement Award and the Silver Achievement Award from the Los Angeles YWCA. A 1964 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications, Jane is being honored this week as an Alumni Master.

• Click here for stories on how Rotarians are providing clean water and sanitation to those in need. https://rotaryserviceblog.org/tag/world-water-day/
• Click here to learn about and join the WASH Rotary Action Group, focused on clean water and sanitation projects. https://wash-rag.org/
• Click here to donate. Be sure to sign into your MyRotary.org account before completing your donation. Choose "Areas of Focus", "Water, Sanitation & Hygiene" to direct you donation for water projects. https://my.rotary.org/en/donate

Our Rotary District Conference is on March 31 and April 1. We are the proud home club of the incumbent District Governor Barb Bartle, and the district conference is the culminating activity of DG Barb's year. President John issued an Executive Order that for every 30 minutes at the District Conference, you get 1 attendance credit, or a potential of 28 attendance credits just for Saturday alone. If you register to start with Yo-Yo Ma concert, through Rotary's Got Talent, and Saturday, you do the math and you just secure your perfect Rotary Attendance/Perfect Engagement this year! Click here to register. 

For questions, please contact President John at John.Gessert@ubt.com.

Join us for the Dictionary Labeling Party! 
If you are new, this is a gathering of volunteers from 3 Lincoln Rotary clubs to place Rotary label stickers. in the front inside cover of almost 4,000 dictionaries.  Then we box them up in the quantities needed for each school and ship them off with the delivery volunteers.  The labeling party is also a great opportunity to come together with Lincoln South and Lincoln East for an evening of connecting, an opportunity to come together with Lincoln South and Lincoln East for an evening of connecting,  collaboration, and fun. We’ll be serving Valentino’s pizza!

Details: Tuesday, March 28, 5:30 p.m., Holy Trinity Church, 6001 A Street (east entrance). 
Sign up here:  Spring 2023 Dictionary Labeling Party
 
School delivery volunteers are still needed! Sign up here:  https://bit.ly/Rotary14-Dictionary

Hotel for event - The Scarlet, Lincoln - 2101 Transformation Drive - Lincoln, NE 68508
$139 Special Rate Wednesday March 29 through Monday April 3
Book by March 3, 2023 - Click Here to reserve your room at the special rate

What: Rotary After Hours
When: Tuesday, April 4, 2023, 5:00 PM. Doors open at 4:30 PM
Where: Lazlo's Brewery & Grill, 210 N 7th St, Lincoln, NE
Cost: $16 includes heavy hors d'oeuvres plus tea, coffee, and water. CASH BAR is available

Come and enjoy an evening with comedian and keynote speaker T. Marni Vos.

T. Marni Vos Biography

Rotary will not have a noon meeting on April 4.

Click here to register for April 4 Rotary After Hours with T. Marni Vos.

Voted “Artist of the Year” in Nebraska, this award winning speaker, former stand-up comedian and educator, now performs keynote speeches from New York to L.A. and every state in between. She has presented her inspiring, motivating and hilarious keynotes to over 10,000 people, in 46 states and Canada. She is a Master Speaker with a wealth of knowledge who is rich in experience and abundant in humor.

“I believe laughter is one of the graces granted to us all. It is a powerful tool that we were given the moment we took our first breath—because we would need it all our days.”—T. Marni Vos

T. Marni Vos became one of only seven women in 20 years to be one of the 5 finalists in the prestigious San Francisco International Standup Comedy Competition, where over 400 comics compete each year. She has performed on Life Time’s “Girls Night Out” as well as the Norwegian Cruise Lines.

Pre-registration for this event is required. Please register by visiting https://bit.ly/LNK14RotaryAfterHours. Tickets are $16 and include heavy hors d'oeuvres plus tea, coffee and water. A cash bar will also be available. This event will take place at Lazlo's Brewery & Grill in the Historic Haymarket.

Our efforts to support Habitat for Humanity continue this spring! With the support of a grant from Rotary District 5650, we have the opportunity to plant trees at two new Habitat homes in Lincoln on April 8th. We need five volunteers at each location to complete the plantings that morning. 

Joe Finegan has been with Certified Piedmontese for eight years serving as the Customer Service Manager, assisting in the development and growth of the direct-to-consumer segment of the business. In addition to his duties as Customer Service Manager, he is also the Purchasing Manager for Certified Piedmontese, The Mercato, Casa Bovina and soon to be Aragon Tavern. Certified Piedmontese beef comes from the Piedmontese breed of cattle that is now raised in central and western Nebraska. Known for their extreme muscular stature, the finished beef product produces an exquisitely tender beef product while also being extraordinarily lean. USDA Prime-grade like tenderness with the nutritional profile of Atlantic Salmon or chicken –raised right here in the state of Nebraska!

Due to extremely popular demand, we ask that you register yourself and your guests to attend the April 18 meeting. Click here to register.

Hello Rotarians.  This is your invitation to Come Together Rotary on Tuesday April 18 to hear from new Husker Coach Matt Rhule with Chancellor Green!  Because we anticipate a high attendance of both Rotarians and guests, we are requesting a pre-registration and payment from all for lunch so we are able to give a more accurate count to the Talon Room which will help us be good stewards of our Rotary funds as well as make sure we are being thoughtful in our amount of food leftover.  Please use this link to register yourself and any guests by end of day this Friday, April 14.  We look forward to seeing many, many Rotarians turn out to provide a warm welcome to Coach Rhule and a kind send off to Chancellor Green as he enters retirement.  Have a wonderful week!

For questions, please contact Program Chair Sheila Odom at sheila.odom@tabitha.org.

From the Rotary Club 14 Environmental Committee: Spring Roadside Cleanup

Heads-up! Our Rotary Roadside Spring Cleanup is Saturday, April 22nd, at 10 a.m.

Please sign up and provide your safety-vest size. 

For questions, please get in touch with Pat Birch at pbirch58@gmail.com.

NEBRASKAN OF THE YEAR

LUNCH COST: $35 per person early bird price until Friday, April 7; $40 per ticket after April 7. 

 

RHONDA SEACREST

2023 Nebraskan of the Year

Click here to purchase your ticket to the luncheon celebration

 

Rhonda Seacrest grew up in North Platte. The work ethic and the culture of a rural, pioneer town helped to set her character and her focus. Hard work is part of being in Nebraska. There were pioneers that traveled on and there were those who stayed. You do a thing, because it needs doing. You see a problem, and you solve it. These are among Rhonda’s guiding tenets.  
 
Many years ago, Rhonda found a passion for supporting children and youth in our communities investing in backpack and shelter programs acknowledging that hungry children find it difficult to grow and learn. In that same vein, she is committed to the arts, “because they build ideas and vision for the future, “while inspiring children and helping them fuel their minds. Her goal is to make sure that all young people in Nebraska have the opportunity to be encouraged, successful, and make their communities better. Included in her support is Sheldon Statewide, which since 1987 has shared artworks from the Sheldon Museum of Art’s collection with thousands throughout the state. She and her late husband, James, have supported opera events and education throughout Nebraska via the James C. and Rhonda Seacrest Tour Nebraska Opera Fund. Likewise, the University of Nebraska—Lincoln College of Business benefits from the Seacrest Teaching Fellows program, as well as the funding of a popular course on philanthropy management.  
 
Seacrest serves on boards for the Lincoln City Libraries, Mid-American Arts Alliance, and Public Art Lincoln. Since the pandemic, Seacrest has added food scarcity as a priority through the Food Bank of Lincoln. She has served on the Lied Center Performing Arts Statewide Advisory Board and supports several programs, especially symphony and classical music. Additionally, the Seacrest family are benefactors of the Lincoln, Scottsbluff, Sidney, North Platte and Lexington community foundations. Whether providing arts opportunities throughout western Nebraska or filling backpacks with food for students that need it, or teaching UNL students about how best to give back to their communities, Rhonda Seacrest lives the Rotary ideal of “Service of Above Self” in quiet ways that are fundamental in making sure that all of our youth have the opportunity to be successful.  
 
We are so very proud to recognize Rhonda Seacrest as the 2023 Nebraskan of the Year.

 

Click here to purchase your Nebraskan of the Year ticket luncheon.

 

Since 1988, Rotary #14 has been honoring Nebraskans who have distinguished themselves through service to others in keeping with ideals of Rotary International. These Nebraskans have shown honesty, integrity and concern for others through leadership and significant contributions to their profession and their communities. This award is open to ALL Nebraskans except elected officials, currently in office. Nominees do NOT have to be a Rotarian. 

The goal each year is to select one honoree from a statewide field based on the following criteria:

1. Honesty, integrity and concern for others;
2. Service in charitable and civic causes and;
3. Leadership and significant accomplishments in his/her profession or volunteer activities.

The Lincoln Rotary Club #14 is pleased to announce the executive director of Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs Judi gaiashkibos as the 2022 Nebraskan of the Year. 

 

Past Recipients of the Rotary #14 Nebraskan of the Year:

• 2022 Judi gaiashkibos
  Executive Director - Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs
   
• 2019 JoAnn Martin

  CEO - Ameritas

• 2018 John Cook

  Coach - Educator - Mentor

• 2017 Anthony (Tony) O. Messineo, Jr.

  Business Leader - Philanthropist - Friend

• 2016 Dr. Martin Massengale

  Educator - Civic Leader

• 2015 Duane Acklie*

  Businessman — Civic Leader — Philanthropist

• 2014 Dr. Ron Hull

  Broadcast Pioneer — Educator — Civic Leader

• 2013 J. Paul McIntosh*

  Businessman — Civic Leader — Philanthropist

• 2012 Harold W. "Andy" Andersen*

  Businessman — Civic Leader — Philanthropist

• 2011 Lee Sapp

  Businessman — Philanthropist

• 2010 Henry H. “Hod” Kosman

  Banker — Civic Leader — Conservationist

• 2009 Roger R. Wehrbein

  State Senator

• 2008 Lt. Gen (Ret.) Roger P. Lempke

  Military Official

• 2007 Allen J. Beermann

  Public Official

• 2006 Ted Kooser

  US Poet Laureate — Cancer Survivor

• 2005 Susan S. Seacrest

  Community Leader — Environmentalist

• 2004 Leola J. Bullock*

  Community Volunteer — Civil Rights Advocate

• 2003 Donald O. Clifton*

  Entrepreneur — Author

• 2002 Charles “Charley” Thone*

  Lawyer — Civic Leader — Congressman — Governor

• 2001 S. N. “Bud” Wolbach*

  Businessman — Civic Leader

• 2000 Father Michael G. Morrison*

  Educator — Administrator

• 1999 Joan R. Burney

  Communicator — Friend

• 1998 Frank B. Morrison*

  Lawyer — Civic Leader — Governor

• 1997 James Stuart*

  Entrepreneur — Civic Leader

• 1996 Durwood B. “Woody” Varner*

  Educator — Administrator — Civic Leader

• 1995 Dr. Tom Osborne

  Educator — Football Coach

• 1994 Alice Dittman

  Businesswoman — Civic Leader

• 1993 Earl T. Luff*

  Businessman — Civic Leader — Horseman — Humanitarian

• 1992 Kenneth L. Wortman*

  Businessman

• 1991 Clayton Yeutter*

  Agricultural Policy Development — Secretary of Agriculture

• 1990 Wayne O. Tanderup*

  Businessman — Humanitarian

• 1989 Robert E. Knoll*

  Teacher — Scholar

• 1988 Judge Robert Van Pelt*

  Teacher — Lawyer — Jurist