Stories

Heather Loughlin, the head of the Lincoln South Rotary Club Service Club Committee, will present proposals for our future service projects on November 21, 2025.

At Lincoln South Rotary Club on November 14, 2025, we had many members serving and met another proposed member..

Lincoln South Rotary Club Holiday Party 2025 plans have changed to December 15 - Click here to register. 

Plans are not finalized - but Lincoln South Rotary and Lincoln East Rotary are talking about holding a joint Holiday Party this year.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has been supporting Little Free Pantries as an ongoing project. 

John presented our Club with a visiting Rotarian banner from the Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa.

Thank you for all of the contributions (below) in support of Polio Plus during the last meeting.

At Lincoln South Rotary Club on November 7, 2025, we had many members serving - and we had our two newest members in attendance..

Rotary Members are People of Action. Through them we are able to share the 2025-26 Rotary President's message to Unite For Good.

 

The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world.

To learn more - click here.

Thank you for all of the contributions (below) in support of Polio Plus during the last meeting.

At Lincoln South Rotary Club on October 31, 2025, we had an enlightening program about Lincoln and Lancaster County Tourism.

Lincoln South Rotary Club was recognized from the podium during the Salute to Business 2025. Lincoln South Rotary Club Rocks!

Rotary District 5650 District Conference was October 17-18, 2025 in Omaha. There were inspirational and informative speakers, service projects, fellowship and fun. Lincoln South Rotary Club and members were involved throughout the conference.

The Annual Salute to Business is a collaborative event of The Rotary Clubs of Lincoln. We hold a luncheon and honor one business that has made a significant contribution to the city of Lincoln through employment of people and the good works they perform.

Are you wanting to contact another Rotary Member? Through ClubRunner you can get contact information for anyone in our Club or District.

A warm welcome to our visitors to Lincoln South Rotary Club meeting October 24, 2025 at Lincoln South Rotary (click Read More)

At Lincoln South Rotary Club on October 24, 2025, we reached 45 Rotarians and guests during our meeting - 60% of Lincoln South Rotary Club Members attended. Click here to view photos of the meeting.

Lincoln South Rotary Club is not meeting at The Venue on October 17. Instead, we hope you are able to attend the Rotary District Conference - any part of the event October 17-18, 2025.

An extension of our speaker on Youth Exchange, read this story by Randy Bretz about Connection and Compassion. This journey started with Youth Exchange and spanned several years - people and countries connecting. Click here to read the story.

At Lincoln South Rotary Club on October 10, 2025, we reached 18 Rotarians and guests during our meeting - 46% of Lincoln South Rotary Club Members attended.

Rotary Members are People of Action. Through them we are able to support the 2024-25 Rotary Theme as we share The Magic Of Rotary.

Thank you to Lincoln South Rotary Club Members Joe Roberts and Dean Venter for sponsoring a team for the Omaha Millard Golf Outing on October 1. Joining Joe and Dean were Joe's brother John and friend Steve. Thank you for representing Lincoln South Rotary Club!

It was a great meeting - good presentation and conversation - at Lincoln South Rotary Club on October 3, 2025.

Lincoln South Rotary Club provides a great service to our community. We have done many single day / event service projects but also have multiple on-going projects. Click Read More and let us know where you might want to help.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has consistently sponsored students to participate in Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA). RYLA in our District started in 2012 under the leadership of Lincoln South Rotary Club Member, and now Past District Governor 2017-18, Tom Cardwell.

Rotary Members are People of Action. Through them we are able to share the 2025-26 Rotary President's message to Unite For Good.

We welcome Dean Venter as our newest Lincoln South Rotary Club Member. Dean first joined Rotary October 1, 2009, spending most of his time in Grand Island.

Did you know that there is an official blog site for Rotary International? You can join to get notification of posts or just read as you wish.

The Lincoln South Rotary Club Board met on August 1, 2025. On the agenda was a review of recommendations to revitalize the club - items that came from the Survey of Members, Club Assembly July 11 and Past President Meetings,.

In order to ensure a variety of service opportunities are available to Lincoln South Rotary Club, a new Service Project Committee has been activated.

Thank you to District Governor 2025-26 for presenting the Lincoln South Rotary Club President pin to Syd Widga. Syd will serve as President during the 2025-26 Rotary Year.

Joe Roberts reported on the progress and next steps in Revitalizing Our Club - The Path Forward. The Past Presidents met again July 15 to review the notes from the Club Assembly held July 11 when we discussed the survey results.

 

Lincoln South Rotary Club, by voice vote during the 7-18-25 club meeting, elected three additional board members from our past-presidents. Thank you and congratulations to these members who have agreed to serve on the Board - Brad Carter, John Herdman, Matt Horak:

Rotary Members are People of Action. Through them we are able to share the 2025-26 Rotary President's Message to Unite For Good.

During the Club Assembly on July 11, 2025, new leaders for Lincoln South Rotary Club were elected.

2025-26 President will be Syd Widga - he was already elected to the Board by the Membership during the elections at the end of 2024.

2026-27 President will be Tami Lambie who, because of this election, is now also placed on the Board.

Congratulations and thank you to Syd and Tami.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of recognizing support of The Rotary International Foundation. This week we were able to recognize a former Rotarian who continues to give to The Rotary Foundation.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation.  When a member has accumulated a total of $1,000 in donations, they are named a Paul Harris Fellow.

 

At Lincoln South Rotary Club on June 27, 2025 we will have a Year End Review presentation by Suni.

The Lincoln Journal Star - Neighborhood Extra Section - included the story about our scholarship presentation to Amber Mann.

Click here to read what was printed in the Lincoln Journal Star.

Click here to read the story as published to our Lincoln South Rotary Club Website.

 

Rotary Members are People of Action. Through them we are able to support the 2024-25 Rotary Theme as we share The Magic Of Rotary.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has made a commitment to provide substantial scholarships to students in health services. On May 30, 2025 Amber Mann was presented with a $5,000 scholarship to Bryan Health.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation.  When a member has accumulated a total of $1,000 in donations, they are named a Paul Harris Fellow. At $10,000 they are recognized as a Major Donor.

 

On Friday May 2, 2025, Lincoln South Rotary Club Members Joe Roberts and Dave Dietz attended the Nebraska City Rotary Club 100 Year Celebration Banquet.

Give to Lincoln Day is May 29!

Global grant scholarships fund graduate-level coursework or research for one to four academic years. 

Hundreds of dollars worth of items and $420 cash from Lincoln South Rotary Club Members was presented to Kyndal Hudson and Elijah Riley of Big Gumdrop Outdoors at our meeting on April 25, 2025.

Hundreds of dollars worth of items and $420 cash from Lincoln South Rotary Club Members was presented to Kyndal Hudson and Elijah Riley of Big Gumdrop Outdoors at our meeting on April 25, 2025.

Youth Exchange is looking for Host Families. This year we have two female students attending school in Lincoln. Suni encouraged all of us to consider hosting a student in our homes.

District Governor Tom Kerfoot was at Lincoln South Rotary Club on April 11 to present the highest service award from Rotary International - the Service Above Self Award - to Lincoln South Rotary Club Member Jenny Cardwell.

Rotary Members are People of Action. Through them we are able to support the 2024-25 Rotary Theme as we share The Magic Of Rotary.

 

Lincoln South Rotary Club is the sponsor of a Global Grant - Anna Singharath, the District 5650 Global Grant recipient.

The Lincoln South Rotary Club Foundation Chili and Soup Benefit and Social was held on March 22 at the home of John and Nancy Herdman.

Youth exchange is one of the oldest standing programs Rotary has. Rotary Youth Exchange Students learn a new language, discover another culture, and truly become global citizens. Exchanges for students ages 15-19 are sponsored by Rotary clubs in more than 100 countries. It is am amazing opportunity for the students, families and the world as they become strong leaders for our future.

Rotary Members are People of Action. Through them we are able to support the 2024-25 Rotary Theme as we share The Magic Of Rotary.

 

Michaela Weverka is the Director of Fund Development for the Center for People. She was introduced and sponsored into Lincoln South Rotary Club by Audrey Richert. Also pictured (on the right) is Suzanne Tyrrell, Club Membership Chair.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a strong tradition of supporting The Rotary International Foundation. We hold an annual fund drive with an added incentive (read more for details). 

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation.  When a member has accumulated a total of $1,000 in donations, they are named a Paul Harris Fellow.

 

Lincoln South Rotary Club is supporting Little Free Pantries as an ongoing project. Clay and Jules Ehlers shopped - filled the back of their vehicle - and set out to stock Little Free Pantries last weekend.

On February 14, 2025, Lincoln South Rotary Club heard from Joel Green on the History of Robber's Cave.

Thank you to Tom Hyde, the "4 The Win" Quartet from Lincoln Continentals sang to us on February 14, 2025 for Valentine's Day. We heard them sing "Heart of My Heart" "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" and "My Wild Irish Rose".

Lincoln South Rotary Club is supporting Little Free Pantries as an ongoing project. Michael wanted to share this message:

Here is what your Rotary Club has provided to our Community for the first half of the 2024-25 Rotary Year - July 1 through December 31:

197 Volunteer Hours
114 Volunteer Sign Ups
$17,585 Donations Cash and In-Kind

Thanks to the generous donations of Lincoln South Rotary Club Members, we are able to provide over 4200 meals. Imagine the happy healthy holiday meals that we made available to our community this holiday season.

Lincoln South Rotary Club Members had the chance to donate unwrapped gifts for the Center for People.The gifts were delivered to Suni and Srini during the Clubs holiday party. The Center for People volunteers were very appreciative of our generosity.

The annual Lincoln South Rotary Club Holiday Party was Friday, December 13, 2024 hosted by Suni and Srini. There was fun, food and fellowship. We celebrate the holidays and also the good work that Lincoln South Rotary Club does throughout the year.

Lincoln South Rotary Club members donated their time and treasures to provide items to support and encourage outdoor play at EduCare.

Help us get noticed! Share our Rotary stories.

Lincoln South Rotary Club will support Little Free Pantries as an ongoing project.

Lincoln South Rotary Club was recognized at the District Conference with a few awards. The Rotary Citation, the highest club level award awarded by Rotary International, was earned during the 2023-24 Rotary Year. Select read more to view other awards.

In 1997, Lincoln South Rotary began the tradition of funding the Paul Harris Fellow recognition for a special guest during the annual District Conference.  Over the past 20 years, this list has included a UN Ambassador, Motivational Speakers, an Astronaut and a United States Secretary of Defense.

Lincoln South Rotary recognizes our members who are veterans. Thank you for your service!

 

Nikki Isemann shared an update on her career and activities as a Member Update on October 11, 2024.

Lincoln East Interact, looking for service opportunities, is partnering with Lincoln South Rotary for Trail Clean Up.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation.  When a member has accumulated a total of $1,000 in donations, they are named a Paul Harris Fellow.

 

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation.  When a member has accumulated a total of $1,000 in donations, they are named a Paul Harris Fellow.

 

Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy. We support education for all children and literacy for children and adults.

To learn more - click here.

Lincoln South Rotary Club is the sponsor of the newest Interact Club in the District - Lincoln East High School Interact Club.

Lincoln South Rotary Club is the sponsor of the Lincoln East High School Interact Club. Leadership of Interact visited Lincoln South Rotary and received their Certificate of Organization.

Your Lincoln South Rotary Foundation (local foundation) was created to provide grants to those in need in the Lincoln-area, with grant decisions determined solely by members of Lincoln South Rotary Club.  A full list of past grant recipients is available at www.lincolnsouthrotary.org.

A summer service project was announced - personal care items for kids at Cedars. Bring your items to the club meetings July 19, 26 and August 2.

 

Click here for the list of most wanted items. If you are not able to shop but wish to help, you can donate cash. Contact Suni (sunitha.kasibhatla@gmail.com) with questions or to deliver cash or items outside of a club meeting.

The District 5650 Global Grants committee has selected Anna Singharath to be the 2024-25 Global Grants Scholar. Lincoln South Rotary Club has the honor of sponsoring Anna.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation. 

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation. 

On May 2, 2024, Lincoln South Rotary Club celebrated 40-Years of Service at Capital View Winery.

Pay your Happy Dollars online! Go to Rotary.org/myrotary and logon or click here (logon required at rotary.org).

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation.  When a member has accumulated a total of $1,000 in donations, they are named a Paul Harris Fellow.

We can all receive the Rotary magazine in digital format rather than paper. Read on to find out how to set that up!

Donations to The Rotary International Foundation support local projects - they are not all used Internationally! Lincoln South Rotary Club has completed projects over $51,000 using your donated funds!

Donations to The Rotary Foundation can be made and tracked online.

 

You can easily find your donation history and recognition status - click here to see a sample of the donation history and recognition status screens.

 

Click here for instructions to set up a logon at My Rotary. Once logged in select the Donate Button to donate - one time or to set up Rotary Direct.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation.  When a member has accumulated a total of $1,000 in donations, they are named a Paul Harris Fellow.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation.  When a member has accumulated a total of $1,000 in donations, they are named a Paul Harris Fellow.

These principles have been developed over the years to provide Rotarians with a strong, common purpose and direction. They serve as a foundation for our relationships with each other and the action we take in the world.

Are you interested in the membership trends of the Club - maybe the age and gender trends? How about looking at the past history of goals and attainment in areas such as The Rotary Foundation.

At Lincoln South Rotary Club on Friday, June 23, 2023, we learned about one of our newest members, Heather Loughman.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation. We appreciate every donation to The Rotary Foundation.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation.  When a member has accumulated a total of $1,000 in donations, they are named a Paul Harris Fellow.

At Lincoln South Rotary Club on Friday, March 24, 2023, we learned about one of our newest members, Syd Widga.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation.  When a member has accumulated a total of $1,000 in donations, they are named a Paul Harris Fellow. When those donations reach $10,000 they are recognized as a Major Donor.

We heard from long-time member Kay Wunderlich during the Member Moment on December 16, 2022 at Lincoln South Rotary Club.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation. We appreciate every donation to The Rotary Foundation.

There is an app available for iPhones and Android devices through ClubRunner for Rotary members. You can see Club Speakers and Events, Current Stories as well as Member Contacts at your fingertips!

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation.  When a member has accumulated a total of $1,000 in donations, they are named a Paul Harris Fellow.

We heard from our newest member - Suchitra Pattnaik - during her Member Moment on September 16, 2022 at Lincoln South Rotary Club.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation.  When a member has accumulated a total of $1,000 in donations, they are named a Paul Harris Fellow.

Bob Vrana, Past President 2013-14 of Lincoln South Rotary Club told us about Spirit, Family, Job and Rotary during his Member Moment on August 19, 2022 at Lincoln South Rotary Club.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation.  When a member has accumulated a total of $1,000 in donations, they are named a Paul Harris Fellow. When those donations reach $10,000 they are recognized as a Major Donor.

Audrey is originally from Minnesota, moving to Nebraska while she was in grade school. She attended Doane College.

Jim O'Hanlon is from Blair, Nebraska - a 4th generation Blair resident on both his mother's and father's families.

Joyce Michaelis is retired after teaching at Nebraska Wesleyan University for 44 years.

Joyce Schmeeckle performs research evaluation for nonprofits and government grants which has allowed her to be expose to the many good people in our community.

Jason Varga is with Cause Collective. He described it as a sort of Chamber of Commerce for Non-Profit Organizations.

Bobby Cunningham was born in Kansas. When his parents became missionaries when he was 2 he found himself living in various countries around the world.

Clay Ehlers was honored with the District 5650 Cadwallader Award. This is the highest honor presented for service in our District.

Tami came to Rotary after visiting with Chan at a Family Reunion.

We learned about Henrik Christensen at Rotary on March 29, 2019.

On September 28, "Air Force Brat" Bruce Remington told us about his background, work and interests.

On August 24, Scott Delisi presented a Member Moment.

Thank you to Tracey McLain for sharing personal information during her Member Moment. We learned that she has 92 first cousins . . . and she knows them all!

Brad doesn't like the smell or taste of pumpkin, making this time of year particularly trying for him.