Author: Indy Rotary

  • January 7: Mario Rodriguez

    January 7: Mario Rodriguez

    The Rotary Club of Indianapolis welcomes Mario Rodriguez, Executive Director, Indianapolis Airport Authority on Tuesday, January 7

    Condé Nast Traveler has named the Indianapolis International Airport as the Best Airport in the United States for six straight years and it was recently featured on CBS Sunday Morning.

    Mario Rodriguez, an aviation expert with over 29 years of experience in the private and public sectors, was appointed as the executive director of the Indianapolis Airport Authority in 2014. Prior to the Authority, Rodriguez successfully transformed the Long Beach Airport into an award-winning organization with world-class facilities and exceptional financial performance. Rodriguez also served as president of the California Airports Council, and he sits on the board of Airports Council International (ACI). In the past he served at airports from Hong Kong to Palm Beach, and served as the deputy director at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport where his leadership enabled the rapid recovery of the airport after Hurricane Katrina. He was later recognized for his expertise in environmental management and awarded the prestigious Environmental Achievement Award from ACI. He is an engineering graduate of the University of Miami and an accomplished author and speaker on issues affecting the aviation industry, including business recovery and disaster management.

    All are welcome at Rotary programs. The lunch buffet opens at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. See you there!

  • December 24/31: No Meeting

    Our office will operate on modified hours over the next few weeks and please note there will be no Rotary meetings on December 24 or December 31. We look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday, January 7!

    Want to make that year end gift to the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation (Our local foundation) click here

    Want to make that year end gift to The Rotary Foundation (Rotary International Foundation) click here

  • December 17: Annual Holiday Program

    December 17: Annual Holiday Program

    Welcome The Mimes for our Annual Holiday Program!

    Join us for our Holiday Program featuring The Mimes. The Mimes band is led by Rotarian Tommy Miller of the Indy Metro Club. In addition to the entertainment, you’ll want to attend because the program is one of the most popular of the year- you’ll see old friends and make new ones. The Past Presidents Chorus will also regale us with their singing and there will be a cash bar for those that may want to make their lunch more festive.

    Throughout the program there will be special opportunities to raise money for our Indianapolis Rotary Foundation. There will even be Mini F1b Labradoodle puppies available for adoption and the proceeds will go to the Foundation. We look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday!

    All are welcome at Rotary programs. The lunch buffet opens at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. See you there!

  • January 22: Devour Indy, Tony’s of Indianapolis

    In lieu of our January 5:31 Club, please join us as we “Devour Indy” on January 22, 2020 at Tony’s of Indianapolis!

    WHO: Rotarians, friends, guests, and anyone wanting to hang out with a great group of Rotarians!

    WHAT: Tony’s of Indianapolis, “Best restaurant downtown today…best food, best service, best atmosphere. An absolutely first class dining experience; you will be impressed!”

    WHEN: Wednesday, January 22, 2020, starting at 6:00 p.m.

    WHERE: 110 W Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN

    WHY: Fellowship, fun, and of course food. What more do you need?

    RSVP Required: Please RSVP to Bruce Glor by 1/21/2020

  • 2019-20 Community Grants Awarded

    2019-20 Community Grants Awarded

    Indianapolis Rotary Foundation Announces Community Grant Recipients $80,000 in funding distributed to five Indianapolis nonprofits

    Indianapolis, IN (December 3, 2019): The Indianapolis Rotary Foundation awards annual Community Grants through a competitive application and review process. The Indianapolis Rotary Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of the 2019-20 Community Grants.

    Brooke’s Place for Grieving Young People will receive $25,000 to fund a Survivors of Suicide (SOS) program specifically targeting and benefiting children, teens, and young adults ages 3 to 29 in and around Marion County, as well as their family members or caregivers, who have experienced the death of a loved one by suicide. The program will provide no-cost individual therapy services, suicide-specific grief resources, and grief support awareness and education.

    Elevate Indianapolis will receive $25,000 to expand their Post-Secondary Preparation Program at George Washington High School. The program equips, trains and prepares high school students to be successfully enrolled, enlisted or employed upon graduation.

    Kids Dance Outreach, Inc. will receive $10,000 to support their in-school program in two schools which will positively impact the lives of 125 children through joyful dance programs that inspire excellence, instill confidence, encourage teamwork, and applaud persistence.

    Purchased, Inc. will receive $10,000 to fund their My Life My Choice (MLMC) program, a ten-week curriculum serving upper middle school and high school girls ages 12 to 17 who are at risk for or have been sexually exploited or trafficked in Indiana. The program will focus on changing attitudes and perceptions about the commercial sex industry, understanding healthy relationships, learning about sexual health and substance abuse, and building skills that reduce the risk of exploitation.

    The Society of St. Andrew, Inc. will receive $10,000 to increase their ability to glean and distribute approximately 111,000 pounds or 333,000 servings of fresh produce to those in Central Indiana who are food insecure.

    “We had over 100 applications submitted this year. The number of applicants highlights the incredible needs and services provided throughout Central Indiana,” says Indianapolis Rotary Foundation President Bill Bubenzer. “We appreciate the hard work of all those who submitted applications and are confident that our Community Grant recipients will use their funding to make a significant community impact.”

    The Indianapolis Rotary Foundation is a private, stand-alone corporation that serves as the community charitable arm of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis.

    Each year, the Foundation generously donates almost $200,000 annually to projects and organizations in the Central Indiana Area that promote the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.”

    Want to make a contribution to the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation? Click Here

    With over 200 members, the Rotary Club of Indianapolis is one of the largest and most active Rotary Clubs in the world. Founded in 1913, the club has compiled an extensive record as one the leading supporters and contributors to the quality of life in Indianapolis. For further information about the Rotary Club of Indianapolis, visit www.indyrotary.org.

  • December 3: Bryan Bedford

    The Rotary Club of Indianapolis welcomes Bryan Bedford, President & CEO,
    Republic Airways

    Bryan Bedford has more than 30 years of experience in the airline industry. He joined Republic in July 1999 as president and CEO. Previously, he served as president and CEO of Mesaba Holdings, Inc. in Minneapolis, as well as Business Express Airlines, Inc. in Boston. During his years at the helm of Republic, the airline has grown from $85 million in revenues and 36 turboprop aircraft to more than $1.3 billion in revenues and an operating fleet of nearly 200 jet aircraft.

    In 1997 and 2004, Regional Airline World named him Airline Executive of the Year. In 2009, he received the same honor from Airline Business. In 1998, the Minneapolis Business Journal named Mr. Bedford to its 40 under 40 list, and in 2000 The Indianapolis Business Journal named him to their 40 under 40 list. Mr. Bedford earned his bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance from Florida State University and was a certified public accountant. Mr. Bedford holds commercial, multi-engine and instrument pilot ratings.

    All are welcome at Rotary programs. The lunch buffet opens at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. See you there!

  • November 26: Greg McCauley

    The Rotary Club of Indianapolis welcomes Greg McCauley, Executive Director & CEO, Link Obsevatory Space Science Institute

    Greg McCauley is the Executive Director, CEO and co-founder of the Link Observatory Space Science Institute. In the early 1970’s, Greg worked for NASA at the Manned Spacecraft Center (now Johnson Space Center) in Houston, Texas in the Mission Planning and Analysis Division for the lunar missions of Apollo 15 and 16, and was a member of the Lunar Launch Team for Apollo 17.

    Greg is the former CEO of Advanced Imaging, Inc, an Indianapolis based national medical imaging and consulting firm. He serves as a Solar System Ambassador for NASA/JPL and lectures throughout central Indiana on planetary exploration. Greg is a professional science communicator and member of the Indiana Astronomical Society where he spent three years on the Board of Directors. Join us next week as Greg talks with us about the Mission to Mars.

    All are welcome at Rotary programs. The lunch buffet opens at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. See you there!

  • December 5:31 Club, Union Jack, Speedway, IMS “Lights at the Brickyard”

    WHO: Rotarians, friends, guests, and anyone wanting to learn more about Rotary.

    WHAT: Union Jack, Speedway, is known for their starters, burgers, specialty pizzas, and of course their beer and wine!

    WHEN: Wednesday, December 4th, from 5:31 pm till 7:00 or 7:30 pm, or anytime in between.

    WHERE: 6225 W 25th St, Speedway, IN

    WHY: Fellowship, fun, and frivolity during our monthly social get-together.

    ETC: Good parking!

    NOTE: There will be a group of us heading over to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to drive around the track for “Lights at the Brickyard”. Only $25.00 per car load, so everyone is welcome to carpool over, then return to the Union Jack!

  • November 19: Abdul-Hakim Shabazz

    November 19: Abdul-Hakim Shabazz

    The Rotary Club of Indianapolis welcomes Abdul-Hakim Shabazz for a Post-Election Podcast with Joey Fox, Lindsey Shipps and Brad Klopfenstein

    Join us on Tuesday for Abdul-Hakim Shabazz and a post-election podcast recording with Republican Joey Fox, Democrat Lindsey Shipps and Libertarian Brad Klopfenstein.

    Abdul has been covering and writing about state and local government in Indiana since 2004. Overall, he has more than 20 years of experience in writing and talking about the issues that affect real people. He writes for the Indianapolis Star, WIBC.com, NUVO Newsweekly, and TheStatehouseFile.com. He’s also a frequent panelist and contributor to RTV6’s Indianapolis This Week and Inside Indiana Business. Abdul is the editor and publisher of IndyPolitcis.org, which has been recognized by the Washington Post two years in a row as one of the best political blogs in the nation.

    All are welcome at Rotary programs. The lunch buffet opens at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. See you there!

  • November 12: General Stewart Goodwin

    Thank You Rotary Club of Indianapolis Veterans

    Join us for a special program next Tuesday at 12:10 p.m. as we feature our Rotary Club of Indianapolis Veterans. We will thank our Veterans for their service and WWII Veterans will be honored. JROTC of Shortridge will present the colors. General J. Stewart Goodwin, Executive Director of the Indiana War Memorials Commission will share the importance of Veterans Day, the new Veteran’s Center, and the year-round lighting of the Soldier’s and Sailor’s Monument. The Commission operates 25 acres of property in the downtown area consisting of multiple monuments honoring Hoosier Veterans and visited by over one million people annually. General Goodwin has served in all three components of the U.S. Air Force: Active, Reserve, and Guard. He retired from the U.S. Air Force with 37 years of service, named a Sagamore of the Wabash, and inducted into the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame in 2018.

    All are welcome at Rotary programs. The lunch buffet opens at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:10 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. See you there!