The Suburban Rotary of Omaha club is celebrating 56 years of fun and service in the Omaha metro area. Currently meeting at Legends Patio & Grill on 6920 Pacific Street, the group prides itself on being casual and laid-back while also making a big impact in the local community. The club currently has more than 120 members and is actively looking to grow. With informative and educational weekly speakers, after hours get-togethers, and regular community service projects, Suburban Rotary is the ideal place to connect with others who want to make our community—and the world—a better place.
Who Have Some of Your Recent Speakers Been?
A few examples of speakers we’ve had talk to our group are Dan Stolinski, Omaha Battalion Fire Chief, who talked about the annual Guns N’ Hoses event; Eileen Wirth, author of The Women Who Built Omaha; Lynne McNally with WarHorse Casino; and Laurie Pasler, creator of Courtroom600.org, a behind-the-scenes look at the Nuremberg Trials.
What Are Some Examples of Community Service Projects the Members of Suburban Rotary Are Involved With?
There are too many to list! We partner with Millard Public Schools to provide assistance to their refugee students and other students in need as well as their staff. We do numerous events with the Salvation Army such as bell-ringing and serving meals. We also have a number of other projects throughout the year including hosting a pizza party for the Sienna Francis House, a Keep Kids Warm event to gather donated coats, gloves, and other winter essentials, and many, many more.
Our group also fundraises for global initiatives, which makes it an excellent group for those who want to extend their service outside of the city, state, or country.
Our premier event is to provide scholarships to ten seniors in high school with disabilities. Each scholarship is $3000 and is renewable for up to three years. We have a luncheon each year to introduce and celebrate our scholars and there is usually not a dry eye in the house!
What Types of People Are a Good Fit for Suburban Rotary?
All people! We welcome people of all ages, backgrounds, and occupations to join Rotary. We just ask that you are able to give of your time, talents, or treasure to help support our organization and those we serve. If you want to become more involved in the community and build relationships with local influencers, we invite you to attend a meeting.
What Do Current Members Have to Say About Their Involvement with Suburban Rotary?
Angela Chaney, publisher of WhirLocal Omaha and current Secretary of Suburban Rotary of Omaha:
I have been involved in numerous organizations—both service-based and networking-based—in the past 20+ years and none of them have felt like ‘home’ to me until I found Suburban Rotary. From the moment I walked in the door on my first day as a guest, I felt supported, appreciated, and like I had a room full of people who would help me however they could. That feeling has just continued to grow. It’s amazing to go to a group every week where everyone is trying to do their best to help others. Our group is full of those who have given their entire careers to growing businesses as well as giving back and they all immediately become part of your network when you join. I truly think I could call up any one of them if I needed help and they would do their absolute best to help me.
On the other side, I also feel that Rotary provides an ‘engine’ for giving back. I’ve always wanted to be more involved in helping people in the community but could never really find the right fit. Rotary provides so many opportunities to give and all the details are taken care of for you. You just need to show up. I can’t encourage people more to check out a local Rotary group and see how much it will add to your life. To say it has been life-changing for me is not an exaggeration. I truly see myself growing within this organization for the rest of my life.
Andrew Wesley, Sheppard’s Business Interiors, former Secretary of Suburban Rotary of Omaha:
I’ve been with Suburban Rotary for more than nine years now. I moved to the Omaha community around ten years ago and was looking for an opportunity to network and get more involved, and Rotary gave that to me. I was brought in by John Hoich and welcomed by absolutely everyone in the group.
The group has given me a lot of opportunities to serve including feeding the homeless and cleaning up highways. I highly recommend anyone come visit and check out our club.
Kevin Welsh, financial planner at Morgan Stanley, former President of Suburban Rotary of Omaha:
I have been in Suburban Rotary for 22 years. Rotary to me has been the opportunity to get involved in public service. I think people wake up one day and decide they want to do some good and do some community projects but they don’t know how to do it. Suburban Rotary is excellent in providing the solution to this problem. We’ve been involved in a lot of projects over the years including ringing bells for the Salvation Army, Christmas tree recycling, lots of work at the Food Bank, and many more. These are projects I have brought my children to so they can learn how to get involved and see the value of giving back.
I love Suburban Rotary because it has given me that chance to get involved and either lead projects or just get involved in projects that other members are leading or just help fund projects. If you’re looking for a place to take part in community service while developing friendships and having some fun, you need to check out our group.
Jennifer Green, Charles E. Lakin Foundation, President of Suburban Rotary for 2025-2026:
I have been a member of Suburban Rotary for over 11 years now and have held several positions including the board of directors, sergeant at arms, and chair of the community service community. I’m a third generation Rotarian and my dad is still in our club. I love the camaraderie and the opportunity to get together and serve the community.
Katie Henry, Access Bank, President of Suburban Rotary for 2023-2024:
I am a Rotarian since 2009. I have truly enjoyed my experience with Suburban. When I moved back to Omaha from Lincoln with my young family, I was interviewing with a community bank and knew that I needed to get involved with a community service organization. I was involved in a networking group and a friend of mine asked if I’d tried Rotary. At the time, I hadn’t and I thought it might be something my grandpa would do. However, my friend was young and fun so I went with her and really began to see how great it was. It was such a welcoming group that opened my arms to me and I immediately joined and got involved.
I’ve done a little of everything in the group and I’ve loved all my roles. As President, I got to stand in front of my friends and share all the good work we’ve done. This has been a great way to network and get to know philanthropists as well as meet a lot of lifelong friends. I’ve brought my kids to Rotary and they’ve grown up seeing me give back and have been able to contribute as well. Rotary has brought a lot to my life and I encourage everyone to attend a meeting and see if it might be right for them as well.
Suburban Rotary is always welcoming to guests who want to attend and check out a meeting. If you’re interested in seeing if Rotary is for you, reach out to Angela Chaney at (402) 890-3406 and she would be happy to host you at an upcoming Rotary meeting.
