Club Information
Welcome to Suburban Rotary of Omaha! 

Celebrating 58 years of Fun and Service 

We meet In Person
Thursdays at 12:00 p.m.
Legends Patio & Grill
6920 Pacific St
Suite 100
Omaha, NE 68106
United States of America
Phone:
(402) 619-6721
Email:
omahasuburbanrotary@gmail.com
District Site
Bulletins
Venue Map
Home Page Stories
Keep the Kids Warm: A Success
Suburban Rotarians showed up in full force at the Keep the Kids Warm event at Lindley Clothing on Nov. 6. Members donated coats, scarfs, gloves and funds to support children at Crestridge and Anderson Elementary Schools.  The after-hours event included food, entertainment and conversation.  Enjoy the pictures here.
  
Octoberfest Celebrates Prospective Members
About 55 Suburban Rotarians and their prospective member guests celebrated Octoberfest with beer, brats and traditional German food on Oct. 23.  The gathering featured good conversation, informational tables for prospective members and great fun.  See the slide show of the event. 
    
 
    
 
 
Electronic Recycling a Success
As part of its commitment to sustainability, the Suburban Rotary Club of Omaha in conjunction with DataShield held a safe and secure electronics recycling event on Oct. 11 at Rockbrook Village.  Many people dropped off their computers, laptops, printers, scanners, cell phones, scanners, networking equipment, keyboards, mice and cables.  Rotarian volunteers took items and sorted them in bins, proudly reaffirming their commitment to the environment.  See photos here. 
 
     
Service Above Self
Suburban Rotarians practiced "Service Above Self," when they visited the Siena Francis House  for Pizza and Music Bingo Night in conjunction with Boomer Radio on Oct. 1.  Club members who participated said the experience had a lasting impact. 
   
 
BackPacks Distributed to Students
 Members of the Suburban Rotary Club of Omaha distributed filled backpacks to multilingual students attending Kiewit Middle School who need assistance on August 5.  The backpacks were filled with pens, paper, water bottles and other school supplies. 
     
Gift of Rotary Campaign Marches On
The Membership Committee kicked off the 2025 Gift of Rotary Campaign in mid-January.  We have had a great deal of success with about 20 new members joining us. Each club member has been contacted individually and asked to sign a pledge to bring in one new member in 2025.   During our meetings if they meet that commitment that pledge card is torn up.  See this slide show with pictures of some of our new members.
 
This campaign centers around fun, excitement and what a Gift Rotary has been in all our lives.   Join us in growing the club! 
 
Crestridge School Beautification 
A group of Rotarians cleaned up the exterior of the Crestridge School learning center. They planted over 200 plants and flowers to plant, put down eight tons of mulch and much more.  Thanks to everyone who made this project a success. The project received wonderful coverage on WOWT.   
 
Rotarian of the Year
Jennifer Jirak-Brungardt has been named Rotarian of the Year by the Suburban Rotary Club of Omaha, the highest annual honor that can be bestowed on a club member.
 
Jennifer grew up in Kansas and attended Kansas University.  She was an exchange student in Costa Rica.  During that time, she learned to speak Spanish and love travel.   She is the Owner of Cruise Planners, a travel franchise offering all kinds of travel experiences. She has been married to Lee for 30 years, has two adult children and two cats.  Hobbies include Rotary activities, flowering gardening, and, of course, lots of travel. 
 
She has been in Rotary since March of 2009.  She has been active in many activities and serves as the 25-26 incoming chair of the Membership Committee. In 2025 she began an exciting Rotarian recruitment campaign called the 12-Month Gift of Rotary.  According to Mary Bernier, Chair of the 4-Way Test Committee, “Her excitement and enthusiasm for Rotary have led to more than 20 applications and more are coming. She was a natural choice.”
 
 
Omahan of the Year: John Knicely
John Knicely has been named the 2025 Omahan of the Year by the Suburban Rotary Club of Omaha.  Knicely has been a mainstay on Omaha television networks for many years as a sportscaster and news anchor on WOWT and KETV. He has become a favorite of the Omaha community through his news features of “John at Work” and “Knicley Done, “giving viewers unique behind-the-scenes perspective through reporter-involved segments. 
John served as Sportscaster for WOWT from 1974 to 1981, at which time he moved to St. Louis in the same capacity for KTVI, the ABC affiliate. He returned to Omaha and KETV in May 1984, and made the move back to WOWT in May 1992, this time as anchor of the 5, 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts.
 
His community spirit is always on display, and he emcees many charity events throughout the year.  He has received numerous awards, including the Journalism Alumni Award of Excellence from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  He is a graduate of that university’s School of Broadcast Journalism.
 
He and his wife Sue have raised five children and have six grandchildren. He was born in Sidney, Nebraska.
 
According to Mary Bernier Chairman of the Four- Way Test Committee of the Suburban Rotary Club of Omaha, John was chosen by the 4-Way Test Committee because of his commitment to the Omaha Community. Through his fair and honest reporting, including his news segment “Knicely Done,” he has inspired our community to be and do better.
 
Connect with Other Clubs
Consider visiting another Rotary club for a make-up!  Rotary.org has a club finder for locations around the world.  Please see the District website at rotarydistrict5650.org  for details on local clubs. Visit one of the following Metro-Area Clubs!
 
Monday: Omaha Millard Rotary & Northwest Rotary, 12:00 pm, German American Society, 3717 South 120th St.
Tuesday: Omaha Morning 7:00 am, 88 Tactical, 15350 Shepard St., Suite 1, Omaha NE 68138
Tuesday: Omaha Night, 5:30 p.m. at La Voltaire, 569 N. 155th Plaza (first and third Tuesdays) Omaha, NE       http://www.omaharotarynight.org/
Wednesday: Omaha Downtown, 12:00 pm, Field Club of Omaha, 3615 Woolworth Ave., Omaha, NE 68105
Wednesday: Council Bluffs Centennial: 7:00 am, Hy-Vee Community Room 1745 Madison Avenue
Thursday: Western Douglas County, 12:00 PM Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation 20272 Veterans Drive, Elkhorn, NE 68022
Thursday: Council Bluffs, 12:00 pm, Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center, 1001 South 6th Street
Friday: Omaha West, 12:00 pm, Charlie's on the Lake, 4151 S 144th St., Omaha, NE 68137
 
Email Deb for make-up/attendance credit to omahasuburbanrotary@gmail.com.
President's Message
Dear Fellow Rotarians,
 
It is both a tremendous honor and a humbling responsibility to step into the role of President for the Omaha Suburban Rotary Club. As a third-generation Rotarian, Rotary is truly a part of my family’s legacy—and now, I am grateful for the opportunity to carry that legacy forward with all of you.
 
We are part of an extraordinary club, rich in tradition, service, and fellowship. Over the past year, we’ve made meaningful strides in living out the Rotary mission, and I want to build on that momentum. My vision for the year ahead centers on three simple but powerful goals:
 
1. Grow Our Membership
New members bring new energy, fresh ideas, and the passion that keeps our club thriving. I believe we have something truly special to offer, and I want to ensure more people in our community have the opportunity to experience it. We’ll focus on attracting engaged leaders and professionals who are committed to service—just like you.
 
2. Deepen Our Impact in the Community
Rotary’s work is only as strong as its connection to the people we serve. This year, we’ll look for new ways to be visible, valuable, and vital to the Omaha community. Through strategic partnerships, service projects, and public engagement, we’ll strengthen our local impact and remind the community what Rotary stands for.
 
3. Be Simply the Best
Let’s challenge ourselves to raise the bar—in everything we do. Whether it’s the quality of our programs, the warmth of our welcome, or the passion behind our projects, we have the potential to be a model club not just in our district, but across Rotary. Let’s strive to be the club others look to for inspiration.
 
As we begin this new Rotary year together, I invite you to bring your ideas, your energy, and your heart to the table. Let’s celebrate our shared history, embrace new opportunities, and most importantly—let’s enjoy the journey.
 
Here’s to another great year of fellowship, service, and leadership. Together, we will be simply the best.
 
Yours in Rotary,
Jennifer Green
President, 2025-2026
Omaha Suburban Rotary Club
 
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Speakers
John Dechant
Nov 13, 2025
A Story of a WWII bomber pilot for Veterans Day.
A Story of a WWII bomber pilot for Veterans Day.
Mayor John Ewing
Nov 20, 2025
City of Omaha
Mike Gabinet, UNO Mavericks, Head Coach
Dec 04, 2025
Jewel Rodgers
Jan 15, 2026
Nebraska State Poet Laureate
Fletcher Reel
Jan 29, 2026
Eric Ewing
Feb 19, 2026
History of North Omaha
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