Last week Mark Ellsworth re-introduced us to returning member Tara Bowne.    Tara was born and raised in Columbia Missouri. However, at the age of nine years old she visited Nebraska and fell in love. It was that moment that Tara declared her intentions of moving to Nebraska, going to UNL and one day living the "good life" and she did just that!  

 

In 2007, Tara received her Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice from UNL. She went on to obtain a Masters of Science in Criminal Justice Business Administration & Criminology from Columbia College graduating top of her class. In 2014, after years as a plaintiff litigation paralegal in Missouri, Tara and her family moved to Omaha where she began her career in business development and sales. 

 

In addition to being the Director of Sales for Ideal Payroll Service, Tara has expanded her professional portfolio! Tara is now also a proud new owner of P3 Cost Analysts,  a cost reduction and consulting firm.  

 

Tara lives in Millard with her husband, Ryan, son Parker (age 14) and daughter Tinsley (age 4). Ryan and Tara also have a son named Ryker, who tragically and unexpectedly passed away in 2018, at the age of 2, to SUDC (Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood). After their loss of Ryker, Ryan and Tara began the Honoring Ryker movement focusing on doing acts of kindness that has grown to reach and bless hundreds of people all over the US and has raised tens of thousands of dollars for local Omaha nonprofits and missions. 

 

Tara lives a life with the focus of always serving others, volunteering with her family, being a light in darkness and she has a relentless desire to positively impact others every chance she gets. Her volunteering and community involvement includes:

* vice chair- executive board of directors for Ralston Area Chamber 

* SUDC national ambassador 

*Founder of Honoring Ryker

*Founder of Mommas Making a Difference 

*Red Ribbon crew Greater Omaha Chamber

*RETURNING HOME to West O Rotary

 

Welcome, Tara! 

Last week Jill Thomas introduced Clayton Anderson as an Honorary Member of Omaha West Rotary.  Clayton is Nebraska's only Astronaut.

 

Clayton spent a total of 30 years working for NASA; 15 as an engineer and then 15 as an Astronaut. As a veteran of two space flights, Clay logged 167 days in space and 38 hours and 28 minutes of EVA (Extra Vehicular Activities) on six spacewalks. He completed 5 months aboard the space station in 2007 and served aboard the STS-131 crew in 2010. Ultimately succeeding in one of the most difficult and coveted jobs in the world through perseverance and a never-give-up attitude.

 

He’s an accomplished motivational and inspirational speaker… And… he’s also an author of AWARD-WINNING books … including: - The Ordinary SpacemanTM: From Boyhood Dreams to Astronaut, - A is for Astronaut: Blasting Through the Alphabet - It’s a Question of Space: An Ordinary Astronaut’s Answers to Sometimes Extraordinary Questions - Letters from Space (2020) - And, ‘launching’ this year (August 2023) - So, You Want To Be An Astronaut Clay is also a podcaster - hosting The Making of An Ordinary Spaceman And the subject of Homemade Astronaut: The Clay Anderson Story produced by Nebraska Public Media. Clay is a Professor of Practice at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.

 

As of 2022, Clayton became the president and CEO of the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum near his hometown, Ashland NE. Welcome, Clayton!

 

Congratulations to this year's Pitch Competition Winners! We were lucky to hear from several of them about their businesses last week and then also an update from two of last year's winners.

 

Congratulations to Elizabeth Hallgren who was recognized by Engagement Chair, John Mlnarik, last week for 1 year of perfect attendance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have not yet paid dues, they are past due.  If you need a new invoice, please contact Jennifer.  Payment can be made online HERE. 

 

The next Happy Hour on July 13th will be at the Interlude- 7643 Pacific Street. Mark your calendar! 

 

Salvation Army Kids Crusin' Kitchen uses the same trucks as Winter Night Watch to provide meals to students when they are out of school. West Rotary is taking the shifts one one truck every Wednesday this summer. Two volunteers are needed from 10 am to 2:30 pm.   CLICK HERE to sign up.   Thanks to all those who have already taken a shift!  2 Volunteers are needed for July 12th.  

 

Volunteers are also need to pack hygiene kits for Youth Emergency Services on July 8th.  Please CLICK HERE to sign up. 

 

 

Each week we will feature a different member so you can get to know him/her better!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keep engaged and entertained while attending Rotary Club meetings from around the Metro/District online or in-person. 

 

 

Thursday:  Omaha Suburban at noon:  in person, German American Society  also hybrid 

                    Council Bluffs at noon- Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center