Author: Indy Rotary

  • Become a Rotary Mentor

    Written by Rotarian Paul Wonch, Mentoring Committee

    The New Member Mentoring Committee engages our newest members by assigning mentors! Our mentors help new members learn about Rotary and select a committee. For instance, one such committee – Business Networking, provides new Rotarians with a venue to let other Indy Rotarians know what they do and how they serve through their vocation. Plus, there’s an opportunity to network professionally and personally with other like-minded Rotarians!

    Our goal is to get new members engaged in at least one of over 30 committees. Through the initial mentoring process, we match our newest Rotarians and a committee that best suits their passion and reason for joining our club. If you are a member of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis and would like to know more about becoming a mentor, or if you are interested in joining, please contact committee chair Paul Wonch at (317) 471-3564. He will be happy to get you started!

  • World Health Organization Reports new cases of Polio in Nigeria

    World Health Organization Reports new cases of Polio in Nigeria

    The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in mid-August that polio is having a resurgence in Nigeria.  New cases of polio were discovered in two paralyzed children from families in separate towns in July.

    The End Polio Now campaign of The Rotary Foundation (TRF) continues to raise money so no child is disabled by polio ever again. During the last few years only Pakistan and Afghanistan were the countries that had not completely eliminated the disease.

    It is now more critical than ever that every member of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis seriously consider making a contribution to The Rotary Foundation’s End Polio Now efforts!

    Give online today so we can eradicate this crippling disease.

    Rotary Direct allows Rotarians to contribute online monthly, quarterly or annually.

    Take advantage of our Club’s giving incentives:

    1. First five Rotarians to donate using Rotary Direct get 100 extra points toward PHF recognition.
    2. First 10 new donors will get an extra 100 points toward PHF recognition, as well.

    Your contributions make a difference.

    Additional background from The Rotary Foundation:

    Rotary’s first major program to eliminate polio was the formation of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in 1988. The GPEI’s original members were Rotary, the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and UNICEF.

    At that time, 350,000 children were afflicted by polio every year. Today, that number has been reduced by 99.9 percent.

    Over the years, others have joined the effort, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and governments throughout the world. Rotary continued its fundraising efforts and as of 2015 had contributed more than $1.5 billion to the eradication effort. In addition, Rotary’s advocacy has resulted in contributions of over $9 billion from world governments.

  • Indy Do Day – Inspire Others to Action

    Indy Do Day – Inspire Others to Action

    Inspire Others to Action

    Indy Do Day is a people-powered community day of service when the residents of Indianapolis take ownership of their neighborhoods and take care of their neighbors. Indy Do Day is September 29, 30 and October 1, 2016.

    Indy Do Day is looking for fantastic nonprofits, churches or organizations to host projects and volunteers for Indy Do Day. If you post your project on our site above, we’ll work to promote your project and mission leading up to and on Indy Do Day. Watch the video below for more inspiration about how Indy Do Day can help build your volunteer base and create synergy with the community.

    IDD-Infographic-for-web

  • E&B Helps Progress House

    E&B Helps Progress House

    On Saturday, August 20, Environment and Beautification committee members braved rain to plant and mulch five large, 15 ft. tall trees at Progress House, a short-term residence for those men afflicted with drug and alcohol addictions.  We would like to recognize and thank Rotarian, Chris Gonzalez and his company, Mainscape for providing a flatbed truck, forklift, auger, two staff members and mulch to complete the project.  The Environment and Beautification committee members included Anne Gioe and spouse, Jim Kienle, Mike Shanley, Marie Koenig and spouse and brother, and Chris Gonzalez for helping with this project.  Several Progress House residents and Joe Gaafar prepared and loaded the trees at a different location.

    Next spring, Progress House hopefully will be the recipient of a few more trees, shrubs, and benches through a Keep Indianapolis Beautiful grant to help beautify this multi-use recreational and reflective area.

    [Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”8″ gal_title=”Progress House”]

  • August 23, Jeff Smulyan, Chairman, Emmis Communications Corp

    August 23, Jeff Smulyan, Chairman, Emmis Communications Corp

    Emmis Communications continues to be on the forefront of innovation with initiatives like NextRadio, the free app that allows listeners to experience live, local FM radio on their smartphones.  Join Jeff Smulyan, Emmis Communications CEO to learn more about how NextRadio is a game changer for the radio and advertising industries. Also, hear more about specific strategies that Emmis uses to adapt and change in order to remain relevant in the radio industry.

    Widely recognized as one of the most visionary leaders in the radio industry, Jeffrey H. Smulyan serves as Founder and Chairman of the Board of Emmis Communications Corporation, an Indianapolis–based radio and magazine publishing company with operations in nine U.S. markets.

    Smulyan is the leading advocate of getting FM-enabled wireless devices in smartphones. He shepherded the unification of the radio industry behind the installation of the Emmis-created NextRadio application in a broad array of FM-enabled wireless devices, allowing consumers to listen to their local radio stations without data charges. @EmmisComm

  • Sep 7, 5:31 at the Salty Cowboy

    Meet us at the Salty Cowboy, 55 E. Oak Street, Zionsville on Wednesday, Sep. 7th.

    Reservations and punctuality not required! 5:31 meet-and-greets are our most popular event get-togethers. They are a fun way to get to know folks outside of our regular Tuesday programs. We always meet at a new location somewhere in the city and it is never dull!

  • Wed, Oct 5th 3rd Annual Chili Cook-Off!

    Wed, Oct 5th 3rd Annual Chili Cook-Off!

    ROTARY 5:31 CLUB/3rd Annual Chili Cook-off: Wednesday, October 5th at the Triton Tap Room, 915 Broad Ripple Avenue. Face-Off against other members of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis! Bring your best batch of chili and see how it stands-up to the chili made by other Indy Rotary Club members. Here are the rules! If you are not participating in the contest, PLEASE STILL COME AND BRING FRIENDS! So, like all 5:31 get-togethers, it will be hot, spicy and fun!

    “Registration deadline”: September 27th! For more information or to enter the contest, contact David Leonards: ieb@prodigy.net

    Reservations and punctuality not required! 5:31 meet-and-greets are our most popular event get-togethers. They are a fun way to get to know folks outside of our regular Tuesday programs. We always meet at a new location somewhere in the city and it is never dull!

  • World Community Service Committee donates $7,000 to the Give Hope, Fight Poverty

    World Community Service Committee donates $7,000 to the Give Hope, Fight Poverty

    2013-01-11 21.21.46-for-webSwaziland, Africa is a small country with a population that has been decimated by HIV/AIDS.  The AIDS pandemic, highest in the world, left over 120,000 orphans in its wake with a total population of only one million people.  The number of orphaned children exceeds the number of caretakers leaving the orphans to fend for themselves in child-headed homes.  Give Hope, Fight Poverty works holistically to ensure that the orphans receive a high quality education – but scholarships alone are insufficient.  The children need food, water, healthcare, shelter, and sanitation to stay in school and be successful in their pursuit of an education.

    The lack of proper sanitation and hygiene in rural Swazi communities has led to communicable disease, school absences, and entirely preventable death among children.  The Indianapolis Rotary Foundation played a crucial part in addressing the sanitation and hygiene needs of our orphans in two rural communities: Malindza Village and eLangeni Village.  The Indianapolis Rotary Foundation’s donation enabled us to attack the sanitation challenges three ways:

    1. We build pit latrine toilets strategically at schools and throughout the communities.
    2. We partner with local Swazi hotels to sanitize and distribute used soap to schools and child-headed homes.
    3. We distribute reusable sanitary pads to adolescent girls to ensure they are able to continue their education through their menstrual cycles.

    Teachers have been reporting increased attendance and we have not had a single case of Rotavirus since the beginning of this Rotary sponsored program.  We are excited to continue witnessing the progress and will continue the soap and sanitary pad program throughout the year.

    The photos are of our youngest cohort of orphans at our Malindza New Hope Children’s Centre (green uniforms), my husband sanitizing and reforming the used soaps with bleach and hot water, and one of the pit latrine toilet structures in almost finished condition (only the door needed hung).

    [Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”7″ gal_title=”Swasiland”]

  • September 14, 2016, at the Columbia Club

    September 14, 2016, at the Columbia Club

    On September 14, 2016, 5:30pm, expand your connections, experience club life, and learn more about an exclusive offer for Indy Rotary Members during a prospective member reception at the Columbia Club! Download the flyer and please RSVP to this special event by September 12 To Sarah Henry, Club Concierge 317.761.7523 or shenry@columbia-club.org

  • Rotary International Foundation’s 100th Year of “Doing Good” in the World

    Rotary International Foundation’s 100th Year of “Doing Good” in the World

    (L-R) Rick Conner, Mark Blade, Anita Harden, Matt Burnett, Teresa Walker, Kelly Tingle, Michael Salemi
    (L-R) Rick Conner, Mark Blade, Anita Harden, Matt Burnett, Theresa Walker, Kelly Tingle and Michael Salemi

    Setting the stage for The Rotary International Foundation’s (RIF) second century of being a powerful force for “doing good” in the world, the Rotary Club of Indianapolis kicked-off its official celebration of RIF’s centennial year at our Club’s Tuesday, August 2 luncheon with new incentives to contribute to RIF and nine Paul Harris Fellow presentations.

    David Yeley, chair of the Club’s RIF Committee said, “the importance of making annual contributions to RIF so the eradication of polio, providing access to clean water, healthcare, basic education and promoting peace in our troubled world are critical to the success of ongoing RIF programs around the globe.”

    Rotary Direct allows Rotarians to contribute online monthly, quarterly or annually. Get started, today!

    New Giving Incentives Announced:

    1. First five Rotarians to donate using Rotary Direct get 100 extra points toward PHF recognition.
    2. First 10 new donors will get an extra 100 points toward PHF recognition, as well.

    First time Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) awards were presented to Michael Salemi and Kelly Tingle. Seven other members were recognized for increased levels of giving. Accepting a level one pin was Theresa Walker. PHF level two pins were awarded to Matt Burnett and Anita Harden. Mark Blade and Rick Conner were presented level four pins. John Blakley was recognized with a level five pin and Pat Garten with a level eight.