Rotary District 5650 Governor 2024-25 Tom Kerfoot was our speaker on July 19, 2024. He updated us on the state of the District and what to look forward to in the 2024-25 Rotary Year.
Tom started by talking about Rotary Clubs - that they are the foundation for Rotary. Everything happens bottom up - starting at the Club level. He then thanked us for some of our accomplishments.
- He praised us for our support of The Rotary Foundation - frequently with the highest per capita giving in the District
- Tom congratulated us on our 40-year anniversary that we celebrated last year
- He referred to our scholarship program and the focus on Brian College of Health Sciences
- Tom thanked the club for our sponsorship of an Interact Club at Lincoln East High School
He suggested that, if we have not already done so, we should visit other clubs. There are dynamic clubs, with interesting speakers and it may be interesting to see how other clubs conduct their club business.
Tom stated that the club experience matters. He talked about feeling welcome and wanting to learn more. He shared the story about how he got engaged in Rotary - became a Rotarian. He talked about the program at Omaha Suburban called Yearlings and what is expected of new members. In clubs that use that process, they have a temporary badge (that is red) and they earn the permanent blue badge.
During the Yearlings meetings current club leaders talk about various aspects of Rotary and the Club. He pointed out that it is important for new members to have confidence in the club leadership and the focus of the club.
He talked about service projects and that it was nice to have new, fresh activities. Some young people join clubs because they want to be a part of the service opportunities. So it is good to no just keep doing the same project year after year - instead try to find new ways of service the community.
He shifted the focus from the Club to the District. When Tom started our District (eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa) consisted of 44 members with around 1800 members. We are now at 1675 members in 38 clubs. The challenge from the Rotary International President for our District is to grow by 100 members and add 4 new clubs.
Tom shared some ideas of how to add members - and even clubs. He suggested that all clubs consider "companion" or "extension" clubs. Companion club members are members of the current club but just have an alternate meeting schedule. These have been very successful in Iowa District 6000.
A current Rotary Club may set up a second time to meet - such as an evening. Those clubs might meet only once a month and then do more service projects. This may attract members that find it financially difficult to support weekly lunch meetings. It might also be possible to reach members such as teachers that cannot get away over lunch. Young parents like the idea of meeting right after work and getting home in time for dinner with their family.
He pointed to the District Chairs that are there to help the Clubs in all areas such as Membership and Public Image. We can find and contact them through the District Website.
He asked us to continue our support of Polio Plus and reminded us of the Gates Foundation annual match. Rotary need to raise $50million - then the Gates Foundation will match that 2 to 1.
Tom encouraged all members to participate in Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) - the next session is August 10. This is a facilitated, interactive session that gives everyone an opportunity to learn and experience more of Rotary.
He shared that Rotarians are truly People of Action. Our District recognized an opportunity after the recent tornadoes in our District area. Though Rotary is fantastic, it is not set up to help with disasters. Our District created a 501(c)3 - not to raise funds and set up endowments - but to be a pass through organization. We had Districts asking how they could help - where they could send money. This works for that - the Foundation can accept those donations and then pass them along to organizations helping the communities.
He covered the Rotary International Vision Statement (click here):
Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
- Increase Our Impact
- Expand Our Reach
- Enhance Participant Engagement
- Increase Our Ability to Adapt
Finally he encouraged us all to attend the next District Conference. It will be October 18 and 19 at the Omaha Downtown Marriott. There will be a service project, social time, speakers about Rotary and other topics, and awards focused on the Clubs.
BULLET POINTS FOR INTRODUCTION
• Rotary
o Past President of Suburban Omaha
o Past Chairman of Suburban Omaha Foundation Board of Trustees
o Omaha Suburban-Past Sargent-at-Arms, Fundraising Chair, Car Show Chair, Community Service Chair
o Past Assistant Governor District 5650
o Paul Harris Fellow Plus 1
• Community
o La Vista Community Foundation Past Chairman, current Secretary
o Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce- Past Chairman, Volunteer of the Year & Excellence Award
o Charitable Gift Planners of Nebraska-VP of Marketing/Sponsorships
o Leadership Sarpy Class of 2003
o Friend of La Vista Award 2011
o Omaha Estate Planning Council
o Angels Among US Board of Directors
• Rotary
o Past President of Suburban Omaha
o Past Chairman of Suburban Omaha Foundation Board of Trustees
o Omaha Suburban-Past Sargent-at-Arms, Fundraising Chair, Car Show Chair, Community Service Chair
o Past Assistant Governor District 5650
o Paul Harris Fellow Plus 1
• Community
o La Vista Community Foundation Past Chairman, current Secretary
o Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce- Past Chairman, Volunteer of the Year & Excellence Award
o Charitable Gift Planners of Nebraska-VP of Marketing/Sponsorships
o Leadership Sarpy Class of 2003
o Friend of La Vista Award 2011
o Omaha Estate Planning Council
o Angels Among US Board of Directors
Tom Kerfoot joined Children’s Nebraska in January of 2016 as a Director of Development for Philanthropy. Tom attended Bellevue University for Marketing Management and has thirteen years of experience in healthcare fundraising, working previously for the CHI Health Foundation. Tom has a long record of successfully working with private donors, foundations and corporate sponsors to secure funding for projects and programs. He has extensive experience in event planning and management, and collaborated with a team to develop the planned giving program at CHI Health Foundation.
Tom completed the Certificate in Fundraising Management through the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He is currently the Vice President – Marketing & Sponsorships for the Charitable Gift Planners of Nebraska and is a member of the Omaha Estate Planning Council. Tom earned the designation of Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy in 2016 through a year-long program with The American College of Financial Services and the Omaha Community Foundation.
Tom has served in leadership roles for a number of area organizations, and is Past-President for the Suburban Rotary Club of Omaha and Past-Chairman of the Suburban Rotary Board of Trustees. Tom served on the Board of Directors for the Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce and was the Chairman of the Board in 2019. Tom has served on the Board of Directors for the La Vista Community Foundation for the past twenty years, serving as Chairman of the Board twice and is currently the Board Secretary.
Tom has received numerous awards and recognition for his volunteer work in the community. He was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year in 2007, 2013 and 2014 for the Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce. He received the highest honor of Chamber Excellence Award in 2016 for the Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce. He was honored as the Volunteer of the Year in 2009 for the La Vista Chamber of Commerce. He was recognized as the Friend of La Vista in 2011 for his work with the foundation and volunteer work in the community.