Author: Rotary Club of Indianapolis

  • 2021 Celebration Event & Fundraiser

    2021 Celebration Event & Fundraiser

    It’s time to celebrate the Power of One.

    Every year the Rotary Club of Indianapolis reflects on our impact over the prior year with a party!! 

    What to expect:

    • Camaraderie
    • Fun
    • Food
    • Silent auction* available online!
    • Reflections on our community impact, community beautification, world community service over the last year
    • Installation and celebration of our new president and board
    • Celebration of President Nick! 

    In-person Deets:
    June 29th, 2021
    Tinker House Events: 1101 E 16th Street, Indianapolis
    5:30 pm – cocktail hour
    6:30 pm – dinner served
    7:00 pm – program
    Cost: $60/per person – register at rotary-club-of-indianapolis.square.site/

    After-party at Tinker Street Restaurant, 402 E. 16th Street, Indianapolis

    Check out photos from last year!

    *Please note: all contributions to this event (ticket price, silent auction, and virtual attendance donations) go to benefit the club. The club is not a 501(c)3 and thus gifts made are not tax deductible.

    Sponsorship Opportunities

    We hope you or your business will consider sponsoring the dinner. Multiple sponsorships are available if you’re interested in supporting your club in this way. 

    This fundraiser helps to support our club’s bottom line so we can provide better experiences for Rotarians as we learn about and support our community. Thank you for your consideration. 

    Contact the office at info@indyrotary.org if you’re interested in this opportunity or go to rotary-club-of-indianapolis.square.site/ to reserve your sponsorship today.

  • April 13: Darryl Lockett

    April 13: Darryl Lockett

    Join us on Tuesday at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center or on Zoom to hear from Darryl Lockett the Executive Director of The Kennedy King Memorial Initiative (KKMI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to build on the historical events of April 4, 1968, to raise awareness, provoke thought and inspire action to eliminate division and injustice.

    Before joining KKMI as its first full time Executive Director in January 2020, Lockett was the advisor to the president of AARP Foundation in Washington D.C. Focused upon tackling senior poverty and helping vulnerable older adults build economic opportunity and social connectedness, he developed and implemented the Foundation’s partnership-focused growth plan, managed external relations and strategic positioning and bolstered the organization’s efforts in strategic grantmaking, innovation, and business operations.

    In previous positions, Lockett has served as a research and policy fellow at the Washington Development Industry Council (WDIC), project coordinator for Greenberg Quinlan Rosner (GQR) Research and Democracy Corps and development director for the National Diversity Council.

    Passionate about increasing equity, opportunity and access for vulnerable and historically underresourced communities, Lockett has a wealth of experience in nonprofit management, political and philanthropic strategy, and diversity, equity and inclusion advocacy. Additionally, he has provided counsel in shared value and collective impact frameworks for public-private partnerships and human centered design and agile innovation principles to tech startups addressing issues of public health.

    Lockett has volunteered and served on civic boards in Washington, DC, Houston, TX, and Philadelphia, PA, and currently serves as the Chair of the Steering Committee of the Central Indiana Racial Equity Fund (CIREF) in Indianapolis. CIREF supports organizations seeking to improve interactions between the Black community and local police in Indianapolis; address the disproportionate number of Black youth in the juvenile and criminal justice system by providing positive alternatives for education and employment; and increase employment, health and wealth opportunities for communities of color.

    Lockett holds an undergraduate degree from Howard University and has completed graduate studies in an MA/MBA dual degree program at John Hopkins University’s Carey Business School and Krieger School of Arts and Sciences. He and his wife Dr. Amanda Washington Lockett are the proud parents of two amazing children, Landon and Olivia.

    All are welcome at Rotary programs. If attending in-person at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center reservations and prepayment are required. Due to current guidelines only 50 seats are available. Register on Square at https://rotary-club-of-indianapolis.square.site/ by 5 p.m. Thursday to secure a lunch or by Monday evening for general attendance. Lunch will be available starting at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. 

    To join our meeting via Zoom starting at 12:15 p.m. go to https://zoom.us/j/710170874?pwd=bFE4ejJTc29IMlNzVmx1Wlg4MTA1UT09. While our Tuesday programs via Zoom are free to attend a suggested donation of $3 – $5 is appreciated in lieu of the typical room fee. These contributions help defray the cost of our hybrid meetings. Please note that donations to the Rotary Club of Indianapolis are not tax deductible. You can support our hybrid meetings at https://rotary-club-of-indianapolis.square.site/. 

    Registration is not required to join the meeting. If you’d like to join via your mobile phone or tablet you can download the free Zoom app. 

    Meeting ID: 710 170 874
    Password: 821795

    If joining via a mobile phone for audio only click one of the following numbers: 
    +13126266799,,710170874#,,#,821795# US (Chicago)
    +19292056099,,710170874#,,#,821795# US (New York)

    You can also join us from a landline phone.
            +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
            +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

    Meeting ID: 710 170 874
    Password: 821795

  • May 27: Book Club – Canceled

    Unfortunately the book club originally scheduled for May 27 has been canceled. We hope to resume the book club later in the fall. Thanks for your understanding.

    Red Notice – A True Story of High Finance, Murder, And One Man’s Fight for Social Justice by Bill Browder

    A Thriller that provides true insight of what business and personal life (and death) is like inside modern Russia. {an estimated 13 hour read}

    WHEN: Thursday, May 27, 2021 at 6pm

    WHO: All Rotarians and Guests are welcome

    ZOOM DETAILS: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86941865111?pwd=UWl0ZExpZlI0Y2tzZU0vUlg5clBvUT09

    Meeting ID: 869 4186 5111
    Passcode: 774628
    One tap mobile
    +13126266799,,86941865111#,,,,774628# US (Chicago) +19292056099,,86941865111#,,,,774628# US (New York)

    Dial by your location
    +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
    +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
    +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

  • April 22: Book Club

    Atomic Habits – An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones by James Clear {Approx. a 5-hour read}

    No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving–every day. James Clear, one of the world’s leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.

    WHEN: Thursday, April 22, 2021 at 6pm

    WHO: All Rotarians and Guests are welcome

    ZOOM DETAILS: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81401544594?pwd=aTlFVWpjb0M3MjVUYk1UMFREQ05kZz09

    Meeting ID: 814 0154 4594
    Passcode: 363275
    One tap mobile
    +13017158592,,81401544594#,,,,363275# US (Washington DC) +13126266799,,81401544594#,,,,363275# US (Chicago)

    Dial by your location
    +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
    +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

  • 2021 Community Grants: Apply Online

    2021 Community Grants: Apply Online

    The 2021 Indianapolis Rotary Foundation Community Grant guidelines have been posted to our website. The Foundation intends to award two grants of $25,000 each and two grants of $10,000.

    The online grant application can be found here. Applications are due by June 21, 2021. Applicants must be 501(c)3 nonprofits who serve the charitable and educational needs of Central Indiana.

    You can find out more about the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation here.

  • April 3: Pack Away Hunger Service Opportunity

    April 3: Pack Away Hunger Service Opportunity

    Our club’s community service efforts continue on Saturday, April 3rd as we gather at Pack Away Hunger (PAH) to pack food for those who are food-insecure. Pack Away Hunger is located at 5230 Park Emerson Drive, Suite A on the city’s southeast side near I-465 and Emerson. Plan to work from 9am until 11 am. We are seeking 24 Rotarians and guests.

    The minimum age for participation is 5 years old, so you can make this a family project. And kids don’t just show up to watch adults work. PAH’s production lines are engineered so that kids can be genuine contributors. PAH is a great way to get youngsters started in volunteerism.

    PAH is paying close attention to COVID-19 protocols, requiring the use of masks and extending work areas to provide adequate social distancing.

    To register, go to  https://donate.packawayhunger.org/rotary21

    The raw materials for this food pack have been paid for from a Civic Entrepreneurship Grant from the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation, and the event has been organized by The Community Service Committee. To join this committee, contact Suzanne Marshall (suzmarshall4@aol.com) or Jennifer Hobbs (jenniferhobbs7868@gmail.com), Committee Co-Chairs.
  • March 4 & 11: Volunteer at Gleaners

    March 4 & 11: Volunteer at Gleaners

    The Rotary Club of Indianapolis will assist Gleaners Food Bank with its mission of supplying food to the food-insecure through its on-site food pantry on both March 4th and March 11th from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

    Many of you have helped at Gleaners in the past by filling senior boxes, student back sacks, or by sorting donations. Unfortunately, because of COVID 19, those activities cannot be safely conducted and so are not open to volunteers at this time. But Gleaners does have one activity that is COVID-safe. Gleaners operates a pantry at its location on the southwest side and is asking for help loading food into cars on Thursdays.  At this time, 10 to 12 Rotarians are needed for each of the two dates above.

    In order to volunteer, use the online signup sheet at VolunteerHub by clicking on this link: https://gleaners.volunteerhub.com/lp/rotaryclubofindianapolis/  

    • For details about the work we’ll do, click on the “More” button or on the blue “Food Pantry – Evening Shift”. 
    • When signing up, be sure to select your chosen date first.
    • If you’d like additional information about using VolunteerHub, click here. 

    The deadline to signup for March 4th is February 25 and the deadline for March 11th is March 4.

    Won’t it be nice to work together again?

  • Upcoming Programs at Indy Rotary

    The Rotary Club of Indianapolis is proud to announce some fantastic upcoming program you don’t want to miss! We are currently meeting via Zoom every Tuesday from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. EST. For any further information, visit our calendar page.

    • March 9: Rima Shahid, Executive Director, Women 4 Change Indiana
    • March 16: Virginia Booth Womack, Director of Minority Engineering Program, Purdue University
    • March 23: Patricia Martin, President & CEO, BioCrossroads
    • March 30: Jackie Nytes, CEO, Indianapolis Public Library

    Return to In-Person Meetings in April

    We are excited to return to Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center for in-person meetings starting Tuesday, April 6. To attend in person you must register by noon the Friday before the Tuesday program. (Registration coming soon.) A Zoom option will still be available for those unable to attend in-person. Masks will be required when not eating and no more than two people will be seated per table. Hand sanitizer will be readily available. If you have any questions about our return please contact the office at info@indyrotary.org. 

    All are welcome at Rotary programs.

    To join our meeting via Zoom starting at 12:15 p.m. (join 10-15 minutes early to socialize and network) and ending promptly at 1:15 p.m. go to https://zoom.us/j/710170874?pwd=bFE4ejJTc29IMlNzVmx1Wlg4MTA1UT09.

    Registration is not required to join the meeting. If you’d like to join via your mobile phone or tablet you can download the free Zoom app.

    Meeting ID: 710 170 874
    Password: 821795

    If joining via a mobile phone for audio only click one of the following numbers:
    +13126266799,,710170874#,,#,821795# US (Chicago)
    +19292056099,,710170874#,,#,821795# US (New York)

    You can also join us from a landline phone.
    +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
    +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

    Meeting ID: 710 170 874
    Password: 821795

  • February 2: Dr. Patrick Coleman

    February 2: Dr. Patrick Coleman

    Join us on Tuesday via Zoom to hear from Dr. Patrick Coleman. Patrick has been a member of the Rotary Club of Luanshya, Zambia, since 1993. He is married to Sherry Coleman – whom he introduced into Rotary in 1995 and married in 1997.

    A teacher by profession, Patrick serves as the Luanshya District Education Board Chairman, a trainer at Mobile Mission Maintenance Vocational Training Centre and is a trainer in both the Rotary Leadership Institute and Potential Rotary Leadership Seminars.

    The Colemans founded the Lighthouse Children’s Home Ministry helping to support 36 orphans and vulnerable children. They founded the Christian Resource Centre – library, correspondence Bible school and counselling centre.

    Patrick is a Director of Mission MedicAir, Mobile Mission Maintenance Zambia and is a member of the Board of Governors for Chengelo School in Mkushi, Zambia.

    Patrick has served on every committee of his Rotary Club and served as Rotary District 9210 Governor in 2006-2007 receiving the Governor’s Citation from Rotary International President Bill Boyd. He has served in several regional and zone committees and action groups including Zone 20A South Water & Sanitation Coordinator, Reach Out To Africa Water & Sanitation Coordinator, Rotary International representative to the Polio Technical Advisory Group Meeting – Lusaka 2011, HOC Member – Rotary Institute Livingstone, Rotary International Director Nominating Committee, GETS Trainer – Spouses and Assistant Rotary Coordinator. He served as Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator – 2016-2019. He also serves as a Rotary Foundation Cadre and is member of the Programs of Scale Advisors.

    Patrick is currently the secretary and chair-elect of the Governors’ Council of Southern Africa and is a columnist for the Rotary Africa Magazine. He serves as a member of The Rotary Foundation Cadre and as a Member of the Rotary Foundation Community & Economic Development Major Gifts Initiative Committee.

    He serves on the boards of several Rotary Fellowships including Rotarians On The Internet (ROTI), Rotary Global History Fellowship (RGHF) and is the founding chairman of the new Beard and Mustache Appreciation Rotary Fellowship. In addition, he serves as an Ambassador – Southern Africa at WASH Rotary Action Group.

    In addition to several club and district level recognitions, Patrick is a recipient of the Rotary Service Above Self Award, the Four Avenues of Service Citation, Regional Service Award for a Polio Free World and The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious service. He was also honored by US Ambassador to Zambia Eric Schultz with the Leadership Award from the US Bureau of Consular Affairs.

    Patrick is a tier-three Major Donor of The Rotary Foundation, TRF Benefactor and a member of the Bequest Society of The Rotary Foundation.

    All are welcome at Rotary programs.

    To join our meeting via Zoom starting at 12:15 p.m. (join 10-15 minutes early to socialize and network) and ending promptly at 1:15 p.m. go to https://zoom.us/j/710170874?pwd=bFE4ejJTc29IMlNzVmx1Wlg4MTA1UT09.

    Registration is not required to join the meeting. If you’d like to join via your mobile phone or tablet you can download the free Zoom app.

    Meeting ID: 710 170 874
    Password: 821795

    If joining via a mobile phone for audio only click one of the following numbers:
    +13126266799,,710170874#,,#,821795# US (Chicago)
    +19292056099,,710170874#,,#,821795# US (New York)

    You can also join us from a landline phone.
    +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
    +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

    Meeting ID: 710 170 874
    Password: 821795
    Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/abV7RufTKj

    Go here to view instructions on how to prepare for your first Zoom call. If you have questions about joining the meeting contact the office at info@indyrotary.org.

  • January Book Discussion

    Join in the next Book Discussion on “The Power of One” by Bryce Courtenay. Ian McIntosh the director of international partnerships and an adjunct professor of anthropology at the IU School of Liberal Arts will lead the discussion on Thursday, January 28 at 6 p.m. on Zoom. All are invited to join us for the discussion.

    In 1939, as Hitler casts his enormous, cruel shadow across the world, the seeds of apartheid take root in South Africa. There, a boy called Peekay is born. His childhood is marked by humiliation and abandonment, yet he vows to survive and conceives heroic dreams, which are nothing compared to what life actually has in store for him. He embarks on an epic journey through a land of tribal superstition and modern prejudice where he will learn the power of words, the power to transform lives and the power of one.


    NOTE: There are several different book covers for this book. Please ensure you are selecting the book for adult reading.

    Join Zoom Meeting
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81220462540?pwd=YmVTUGFVUE5Na3ZCK0t1RnlUcmFPZz09

    Meeting ID: 812 2046 2540
    Passcode: 536668