The meeting is held in the Renaissance Room located on the 2nd floor. Rotary 14 meets in a hybrid format. Join us at The Cornhusker or on Zoom. https://bit.ly/rotary14zoom
Jason is president and CEO of the Five-Star Accredited Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development. As Chamber president, he also oversees the operations of the Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau. Jason is a Certified Economic Developer and a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management and Oklahoma University’s Economic Development Institute.
Jason is an active member of the International Economic Development Council, the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the U.S. Chamber’s Committee of 100 and serves on the board of the U.S. Chamber Midwest Institute for Organization Management. He was also selected as one of Development Counsellors International's “40 Under 40 Rising Stars in Economic Development. Prior to his current role with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, Jason served as the president & CEO of the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce, the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce. He also served as the director of business development for the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce for five years. Jason also has professional experience in chemistry, technology transfer, and business plan development.
A Nebraska native, Jason was raised in Sidney, Nebraska, and earned his undergraduate degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University and an MBA from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.
It's been a long-standing tradition for Rotary 14 to host a picnic for collegiate students in our community. This year’s picnic will take place Sunday, September 13, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at Holmes Lake, Shelter #1.
Here you’ll find a list of items we hope to receive as donations to help make the event a success. Additionally, we’re looking for volunteers to assist with setup or cleanup. Or, if you have a spare gift card lying around that you'd like to donate, we’ll take that, too! Every little bit helps.
Our greatest needs include:
Cases of Water
Use of a Cooler with Ice
Desserts (non-meltable)
Giveaway prizes for students (Lincoln swag, gift cards, university clothing, gift baskets, etc.)
Food (Vegetarian and vegan options)
Help with setup from 2:00-2:45 p.m.
Help with cleanup from 5-6 p.m.
This year we're providing three options to help make it easier to donate:
Deliver items to a Rotary meeting (on or before September 1st)
Deliver to Holmes Lake on the day of the picnic
Request a pickup (We will come to you to collect the donation. You’ll be contacted after you submit).
This is an event that has welcomed many international students, and many look forward to.
Rotary 14’s Rise.Shine.Give. (RSG) is a morning celebration and fundraiser that highlights the power of community. We’re seeking a nonprofit partner to be the beneficiary of our 2027 event to be held in February.
Our Club’s theme for the year, “Be Well, Do Good,” guides our focus to the physical and mental health of our club and community as we work together in service. Therefore, in awarding community grants, including RSG, this year we look to support nonprofits doing work that aligns with this focus.
If you know of any organization that would be a good fit, please pass the application along to them:
Deadline: Applications must be submitted by August 21, 2026. If you have questions, contact Rotary 14 PGE Committee Chair Christie Weston at info@rotary14.org.
At our August 12 meeting, Rotary 14 welcomed new member Kyle Gilster, sponsored by Andrew Loudon. Be sure to give a warm Rotary welcome when you see him!
Kyle Gilster, Husch Blackwell LLP
Kyle Gilster is Office Managing Partner of Husch Blackwell’s Washington, DC Office. He also leads the Public Policy, Regulatory and Government Affairs practice at the firm. He has spent the last 20 plus years representing Nebraska companies in Washington, DC. He is a native of Lincoln, Nebraska, who has served on the staff of Doug Berueter and on the staff of a Unicameral Member.
It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Nicolette "Nicki" Klein, our beloved District Administrator and a dedicated member of the Rotary Club of Lincoln South. Nicki passed away on the morning of August 14 following a two-week stay in the hospital.
For many of us, Nicki was the person who answered the question, solved the problem, found the information, or simply reminded us that we could do more than we thought possible. Her impact on Rotary was immeasurable.
Nicki first became a Rotarian in 1989 and joined the Rotary Club of Lincoln South in 1997. Over nearly four decades of service, she held countless leadership roles at both the club and district levels, including District Executive Secretary, Assistant Governor, Public Image Chair, Learning Facilitator, Club Secretary, Club President, and many others.
One of Nicki's most lasting contributions was helping bring the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) to District 5650 in 2008. She became a driving force behind the program, helping to develop and inspire generations of Rotary leaders. Many of the club and district leaders serving today benefited directly from her passion for Rotary education, leadership development, and member engagement.
Nicki's service was recognized with some of Rotary's highest honors, including the Service Above Self Award, the Rotary International Citation for Meritorious Service, and the Regional Service Award for a Polio-Free World. She was a Paul Harris Fellow +8, a Bequest Society member, and a Benefactor of The Rotary Foundation.
While her accomplishments were extraordinary, Nicki will be remembered most for her friendship, generosity, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to helping others succeed. She exemplified Rotary's motto of Service Above Self every day.
Funeral services will be held at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa on Wednesday, August 19 at 10:30 AM, with a luncheon following the burial. There is a visitation on Tuesday, August 18 from 5 to 7 pm.
Please keep Nicki's family, friends, fellow members of Lincoln South Rotary, and all who loved her in your thoughts and prayers.
Nicki's legacy lives on in the countless Rotarians she mentored, the leaders she developed, and the lives she touched. Thank you, Nicki, for your friendship, your leadership, and your service. You will be deeply missed.
