Events

Join us for an exciting opportunity to learn more about these fellow Rotary 14 members during our Rotarians at Work panel:

• Karla Frese | Owner, Home Care Partners
  • Karla Frese is the Managing Partner of Home Care Partners, where she has the privilege of working alongside healthcare teams and facilities to create a positive impact in the lives of individuals with dementia. She offers guidance and understanding to help them navigate healthcare options. With a lifelong dedication to improving the lives of seniors in the community, she is committed to providing thoughtful, high-quality, and dedicated care. In addition to her role at Home Care Partners, she actively engages in community education through the Parkinson's Foundation. She also hosts support groups for Alzheimer's and Dementia, volunteers with Horison and Tabitha Hospice, and proudly serves as a member of the Heartland Cancer Foundation Guild. She actively participates in various community initiatives, serving at her church, St. Joseph Altar Society, and contributing to committees and organizational needs in collaboration with the Chamber, the University of Nebraska OLLI Classes, AARP, and Junior Achievement. 
• Darold Karmazin | Owner, Darold's Jewelers & Diamond Importers
  • Darold's is the only Lincoln jeweler who handpicks diamonds directly from the finest diamond cutters in Antwerp, the diamond capital of the world! Darold has been your personal diamond importer for over 30 years. By eliminating the middleman, you can own a much higher quality diamond for the same investment elsewhere. If we don't have it, we'll find it! From fancy and ideal cuts to hearts and arrows, and rare colored diamonds, our focus is on your complete satisfaction.
• Julie Robinson | Account Executive, KLKN-TV ABC Ch. 8
  • Julie is an experienced Account Executive with a demonstrated history of working in the broadcast media industry and has been with KLKN-TV Channel 8 ABC since July 2015. It was unheard of, maybe even a bit unbelievable that a city the size of Lincoln, Nebraska before March 1996 had only one local commercial television station. This was the case until Channel 8 KLKN-TV flipped the switch in the spring of 1996, providing Lincoln with its own ABC affiliate and something more in a television station for the Lincoln and surrounding community.
• Chris Sommerich | Executive Director, Humanities Nebraska
  • ​Chris Sommerich is the Executive Director of Humanities Nebraska, a statewide nonprofit that helps people explore what connects us and makes us human. Chris joined Humanities Nebraska in 2004 as its Development Officer, then became Development Director, and in 2011, Executive Director. He has a Master's Degree in Political Science from UNL, and in addition to being a Rotarian is a TeamMates mentor and on the stewardship board for Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center. In his spare time he enjoys running, biking, photography, traveling, and playing bass guitar.

​Moderated by Club President Jess Kinser. 

Leirion Gaylor Baird was sworn in for her second term as the 52nd mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska, in May 2023. She previously served two terms on the Lincoln City Council and six years on the Lincoln/Lancaster County Planning Commission. She currently serves as one of 16 mayors on the Board of Trustees of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and as Chair of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Local Government Advisory Committee. Mayor Gaylor Baird is a past recipient of the Aspen Institute’s Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership and the inSpire Award for excellence in local government service. She and her family live in the Near South neighborhood.

First meeting for the new event scheduled for February 2024!

Lyn Leach is President of the Roughriders Motorcycle Riding Group. Formed in 1998, the organization raises ~$45K annually through events and sponsorships. The group picks a dozen families experiencing hardship and visits their home with a heartwarming donation leading up to the holidays, and supports local nonprofits such as Make-A-Wish, Center for People in Need, Down Syndrome Association, and Autism Family Networks. To him, the "Golden Wheel" symbolizes the motorcycles used to deliver donations. They have partnered with Union Bank and Trust on Magic Moments, giving money to families in need around the holidays, as well as Lincoln Fire and Rescue on Operation Warm, a program that provides elementary school students with winter coats hats and gloves. Lyn is the President of his own business, Ace Rent-To-Own, with 24 locations across Nebraska and Iowa, having been in business since 1982.

Marc LeBaron is Chairman and CEO of Lincoln Industries, a company that has grown to be the largest and most diverse privately held metal finishing company in North America.

With its main headquarters in Lincoln, Nebraska, and other locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin, the company has over 1000 employees and operates 24 hours a day. Marc’s father, Dale LeBaron, founded a small custom shop in 1952 and under Marc’s leadership the company has grown over the years and now includes a third generation—his two daughters, Kassy and Katie.

Lincoln Industries receives national and international attention for the unique wellness program that Marc initiated over 30 years ago that has become a benchmark for companies across the nation. By focusing on getting people to think in a new way about their health and many innovative programs, today wellness is embedded in just about everything Lincoln Industries does. Marc says, “I describe our wellness program as a 30-year-old overnight success." Since 2004, Lincoln Industries has been on the “Great Place to Work” Institutes list seven times. They also have received numerous awards for developing wellness programs and initiatives. 

Rotary 14 Ride & Roam Group: For all of our group activities, we suggest participants consider a donation of $10+ to the Polio Fund. 

Meet at the U-Stop commuter lot at 84th St. & Hwy 6. Drive together to Mahoney State park. Hike for 90+ minutes up to 2 hours, depending on our route. We'll hike roughly 5 miles. This hike is undulating and has some uneven footing in the single track section; much of it is on pavement and in a loop so it is possible to opt out of the single track section. I would rate it as mildly strenuous; more than just a walk in the park! Expect a medium to fast pace. 

We’re expecting a large crowd on Tuesday, January 9 for Governor Pillen’s presentation and want to ensure we do not run out of food. Therefore, we kindly ask that if you plan to eat lunch that day, to please pre-register online and complete your $20 lunch payment at that time. Payments are non-refundable due to the nature of this event. Online registration closes on Thursday, January 4 at 11:59 p.m. CT. If you will not be eating lunch, then you just need to show up the day of. Doors open for Club member and guest arrival at 11:30 a.m. CT with the program beginning at noon. 

Menu for Tuesday, January 9, 2024:

• Chicken breast with garlic thyme reduction, rice pilaf, green beans, and garden salad.
• Coffee, iced tea, and water.

REGISTER NOW

Rotary 14 Tuesday Meeting Location (beginning Jan. 9):

The Renaissance Room 301 S 13th St
The Cornhusker Hotel
Lincoln, NE 68508
United States of America

We’re expecting a large crowd on Tuesday, January 9 for Governor Pillen’s presentation and want to ensure we do not run out of food. Therefore, we kindly ask that if you plan to eat lunch that day, to please pre-register online and complete your $20 lunch payment at that time. Payments are non-refundable due to the nature of this event. Online registration closes on Thursday, January 4 at 11:59 p.m. CT. If you will not be eating lunch, then you just need to show up the day of. Doors open for Club member and guest arrival at 11:30 a.m. CT with the program beginning at noon. 

Menu for Tuesday, January 9, 2024:

• Chicken breast with garlic thyme reduction, rice pilaf, green beans, and garden salad.
• Coffee, iced tea, and water.

- We'll follow up on possible speakers

- Talk further about the cultural events calendar

- Set out some goals and a timeline for global grants

- Update on service projects

Bryan Seck took over as Lincoln Literacy's new executive director on Oct. 28, 2022. Seck has served as chief talent management strategist at Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp. He was previously director of workforce development at the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development (LPED). Before that, he served as employment skills developer at Prosper Lincoln and homeless outreach specialist at Lincoln Public Schools. Seck also has deep experience supporting English language learners. As a Peace Corps member, he taught English in Kazakhstan for over two years. He later taught English to immigrants in California and New York City. He has a passion for helping people, especially those who are less fortunate. In addition to his other interests, he enjoys gardening.

• Meat Lasagna, Garlic Breadsticks, and Caesar Salad (Caesar and Italian Dressing on the Side)
• Water, Coffee, and Tea

Jason Hellbusch, Dir. of Corporate Administration

Jason serves as the Corporate Director of Administration at Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp., U.S.A. He has over 20 years experience at Kawasaki leading areas including, Quality, HR, IT, Safety/Wellness and more.

Jason joined Kawasaki as a Quality Engineer and is passionate about the quality of our products and the careers that the company provides to the over 2,500 team members in Lincoln.

In Lincoln, Kawasaki produces passenger rail cars for the New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority, ATS, side-by-sides, JetSkis, and aerospace components. In addition, Kawasaki has two plants in Missouri, with over 1,300 team members combined, that produce General Purpose Engines for the lawn and garden industry.

Diane Mendenhall, President of Omaha Supernovas, will be joining Rotary 14 to talk about Nebraska's first Professional Volleyball team. This is a new chapter for our state and at the helm is Diane Mendenhall. An Ogallala native, she has held just about every role—from player to coach and analyst to administrator. The Supernovas opened their inaugural Pro Volleyball Federation Season earlier this year at Omaha's CHI Center and Diane is working to ensure Nebraskans embrace this professional sport similar to how they enjoy its collegiate counterpart. 

Lunch Menu for Tues., Feb. 6:

• Chicken Parmesan with Herbed Pasta
• Garlic Breadsticks
• Caesar Salad
• Coffee, Iced Tea, and Water

Celebrate Lunar New Year at Wesleyan

Date: Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Time: between 5:30pm and 7pm (at 6pm, there will be a Lion Dance performance for 10 min. or so)

Place: The Point Dining Hall (our campus cafeteria: on the main floor at Story Student Center - #16 on the attached map)

Campus address: 5000 St. Paul Avenue Lincoln, NE 68504

International Relations student Organization (IRO) is planning to provide Asian music and a fun cultural game(s) during the event. 

The campus cafeteria will cook some Asian food.

RISE.SHINE.GIVE.

Saturday, February 10, 2024 | Doors Open at 9:30 a.m. | Program Begins at 10:15 a.m.

Rise.Shine.Give. Tickets & Auction Website: https://one.bidpal.net/rsg2024/welcome | Rotary14.org Webpage: https://rotary14.org/page/rise.shine.give.

This year's fundraiser will be in support of Lutheran Family Services. 

There will be no Rotary meeting on Tues., Feb. 13 due to encouraged attendance at Rise.Shine.Give. on Sat., Feb. 10. 

In recognition of Mentoring Month, Rotary 14 will be joined by local, guest panelists to help inform, inspire, and share the impact of mentoring work:

• Jim Bennett, Coordinator - Lincoln TeamMates
• Kyle Bishop, Recruitment and Event Coordinator - Big Brothers Big Sisters Lincoln
• Kwabena "KB" Mensah - Founder and Executive Director - Visionary Youth
• Moderated by Scott Holechek

Pending reschedule from 2/27/24

Dr. Susan Meyerle, LIMHP, CEAP, CFLE: Ethics 101 Keynote | Life Resources, LLC & The Insight Program, PC

With 15+ years of legal and municipal experience, Elizabeth Elliott strives to improve the quality of life and public safety for the residents of Lincoln. As the Director of Transportation & Utilities at City of Lincoln, she oversees the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the city's infrastructure and services, including streets, sidewalks, bridges, traffic signals, street lights, parking, water, wastewater, solid waste, and telecommunications. She also manages a $300 million budget and a staff of over 600 employees. 

In her current role, she's responsible for ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of essential services to the public, as well as developing and implementing strategic initiatives and policies that align with the city's vision and goals. Some of her recent achievements include securing a $23.6 million RAISE grant for a major multimodal transportation center project and leading a vital search for a second washer source. 

Mike Farrell and Ethan Freese will discuss the Platte Basin Timelapse project (PBT). PBT began in 2011 with an ambitious goal: to document an entire watershed and use that imagery to spark a deeper appreciation of the stunning places that surround us. PBT has more than 70 timelapse cameras throughout the Platte River Basin in Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming that take photos every hour. These cameras constantly monitor change over time on the landscape and have helped document severe drought and flooding in the Platte Basin. PBT has published more than 170 stories on their website including films, photo essays, and ESRI StoryMaps, to give people many ways to explore the natural world.

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.

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.

Being honored with a wide variety of awards and distinctions, Dr. Gausman was named a 2018 finalist for National Superintendent of the Year by the National Association of School Superintendents. He was also awarded Iowa Superintendent of the Year in 2014. During his tenure, the Sioux City Community School District was twice named a District of Distinction by District Administration Magazine – first in 2015 for its Preschool Initiative and again in 2019 for the school district’s work on the Sioux City Career Academy. Under Dr. Gausman’s leadership, Sioux City Community School District was also identified as one of the 100 original Future Ready Districts in the nation and a Next Generation High School District by the United States Department of Education and the White House. In addition, Dr. Gausman stepped into the national spotlight through the documentary “Bully,” which was presented to the White House in 2012 and highlights his ongoing work on school safety through school-based bullying and cyberbullying prevention efforts.

• 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

Colonel Ericka Flanigan is the Deputy Chief of Staff, United States Strategic Command, at Offutt AFB, Nebraska. She recently served as Director, Nuclear Command, Control and Communications Intelligence Enterprise, and was Vice Commander, 70th ISR Wing at Ft. Meade, Maryland.

While assigned to Joint Enabling Capabilities Command, she commanded the Joint Planning Support Element, enabling warfighting plans at every Combatant Command. Additionally, she served as a Senior Air Force Fellow at the George C. Marshall Center for European Security Studies in Garmisch, Germany, and held Squadron Command at Scott Air Force Base. Col Flanigan is a 2010 graduate of the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies. While stationed at the Pentagon, Colonel Flanigan specialized as an Air Force intelligence analyst for ballistic missiles and chemical and biological weapons. During this time, she represented Air Force efforts for national-level policy, multiple National Intelligence Estimates, and was briefer to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. Colonel Flanigan was the Wing Intelligence Flight Commander at Charleston Air Force Base, where she commanded intelligence actions for all C-17 operations during the opening days of OIF and ongoing ops in OEF. In 2005 Colonel Flanigan was assigned to headquarters, United States Strategic Command, where she held various positions, executive officer for the Director of Global Operations and served as Aide-de-Camp for the Commander, USSTRATCOM.

As Commander, AMC HQ’s Air Intelligence Squadron at Scott AFB, her squadron performed threat mitigation and prepared all ISR support for over 900 global missions a day. In addition to logistics support to Afghanistan, her squadron contributed significant intelligence for Libyan operations, and logistics exit strategy for Iraq.

As a Senior Air Force Fellow at the George C. Marshall Center, Colonel Flanigan focused her research on strategic implications of European/NATO partnerships and counterterrorism, including interviewing terrorists in Northern Ireland. While at the Marshall Center, she led Regional Security Studies in the Balkans, Central Asian States, as well as direct engagements with the German Ministry of Defense, German Parliament in Berlin and NATO HQ, Brussels.

Dr. Susan Meyerle, LIMHP, CEAP, is a trendsetter in the world of ethics education. Dr. Meyerle is President of The Insight Employee Assistance Program and founded Life Resources in 1998 based on a desire to help people create the lives they desire. She has published three books including her most recent, “The Power of Expectations: How to create the life you desire.” She enjoys teaching and speaking, writing and researching, and sharing her expertise, particularly in the area of professional ethics. With her experience as an educator, regulatory board member, therapist, author and inspirational speaker, she makes reviewing ethical protocols interesting, engaging, current and relevant.

Matt Mason is the Nebraska State Poet and has run poetry workshops in Botswana, Romania, Nepal, and Belarus for the U.S. State Department. His poetry has appeared in The New York Times and Matt has received a Pushcart Prize, as well as fellowships from the Academy of American Poets and the Nebraska Arts Council. His work can be found in Rattle, Poet Lore, Prairie Schooner, and in hundreds of other publications. Mason's 5th book, Rock Stars, was published by Button Poetry in September of this year. Find more at: https://matt.midverse.com/. Find Nebraska poetry info at poetrymenu.com. 

Rotary Club 14 members and planned giving professionals Brett Ebert, Ken Koop, and John Gessert will share helpful hints for Club members concerning planned giving strategies during life time or at death that help decrease or eliminate estate, gift, and income taxes while at the same time furthering the worthwhile mission of our local Rotary Club 14 Foundation. Topics will include how to effectively donate stock, how to correctly make qualified charitable distributions from your IRA, the role of charitable trusts in estate planning, and much more! 

Rotary 14 Foundation President Mike Wortman will begin the program, and Andrew Loudon will serve as moderator.

Blossomed Out of Pure Love for the Community: With over two decades of floral design experience inspired by her mother’s gardening passion, owner Natalie Elsberry has always felt the Lord’s calling to spread her love for flowers and plants throughout Lincoln, Nebraska. Natalie founded and operated I Bloom, a local floral company specializing in wedding arrangements, before launching her own full-service flower boutique storefront for every occasion in 2019.

Of the Earth Florals has since filled the city’s gap as a warm and welcoming one-stop-shop for flora and fauna, local gifts and goodies, daily deliveries, community gatherings and more, meeting several customer needs that other flower shops in the city hadn’t been fulfilling. They offer the freshest, most lush and eclectic flowers available, and are guided by an unending love for natural beauty and sustainability. Treat yourself or a friend to a beautiful arrangement, join them for a class, request delivery for your next big event or simply stop by their store and say hello. Community fuels their mission, and they can’t wait to exceed your floral expectations.

Let’s Take a Field Trip!!

to explore the Natalie Hahn

Collection of African Art

Saturday, April 27^th

Peru State College*

(*only a 75-minute drive from Lincoln)

Club 14 Rotarian Natalie Hahn, who worked for 38 years for the United Nations, has donated her collection of more than 200 pieces of African art to Peru State College. For our visit, special items will be on display in the AV Larson Art Gallery & other locations on campus.

Guided Tour & Talk at 10:30 a.m.

Lunch with Q&A at noon

QUESTIONS? -- Contact Bev Austin, baustin9637@gmail.com

In April 2023, Governor Jim Pillen appointed Rob Jeffreys director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS). Director Jeffreys brings more than 28 years of correctional experience to his role at NDCS, where he oversees an agency with approximately 5,500 incarcerated individuals, leads a workforce of 2,300 team members, and serves as a member of Governor Pillen’s cabinet.

Mr. Jeffreys is a nationally recognized criminal justice expert with a wealth of experience in national and international corrections incentives recognized by federal, state, and local correction agencies and criminal justice entities. As a consultant and trainer for the U.S. Department of Justice, the Crime and Justice Institute, and The Moss Group, he has provided policy, program development, and specialized training to aid agencies in meeting their targeted goals and advancing their mission. Mr. Jeffreys is a champion of using research and data to drive decision-making, improve outcomes, and increase efficiency and effectiveness.

He was elected to serve as the President of the Correctional Leaders Association and is chairman of its Racial Disparity Committee. He also serves on the Department of Justice (DOJ) steering committees, including the National Institute of Corrections’ Restrictive Housing and the Bureau of Justice Assistance/The Moss Group’s Improving Institutional Corrections Academy Training committees.

Dr. Rodney D. Bennett is the 21st chancellor of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Nebraska’s flagship, Land-Grant and Big Ten institution. He is a 30-year veteran of higher education with a track record of growing research, increasing student success and building impactful partnerships.

Chancellor Bennett came to Nebraska after nine years of successful leadership at the University of Southern Mississippi. During his tenure as president, USM was reclassified from a Carnegie R2 to an R1 university, signaling growth in research prestige and funding. Dr. Bennett also invested in programs to support student recruitment, retention and outcomes, including for the 30 percent of USM students who were first-generation. His efforts led to an improvement in the university’s six-year graduation rate.

He also held roles at the University of Georgia for more than a decade, Winthrop University in South Carolina, and Middle Tennessee State University. Chancellor Bennett values community leadership and service. He has served on numerous boards, including the Mississippi Aquarium, Northeast Georgia Girl Scouts of America, Catholic Health East (Philadelphia), and St. Mary’s Health Care System in Athens, Georgia. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and Past Sire Archon for Sigma Pi Phi fraternity, The Boulé.

Dr. Bennett earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communication, a master’s degree in educational administration, and an education specialist degree from Middle Tennessee State. He earned his Doctor of Education degree from Tennessee State University. He and his wife, Temple, are the parents of two adult daughters, Colby and Logan.

Rotary 14 will be joined by Shannon Harner, Executive Director of Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA), and Charlie Wesche, Interim Chief Executive Officer of NeighborWorks Lincoln, for an informative presentation on Affordable Housing Developments in Lincoln from a government and non-government perspective.