Category: Latest News

  • June 25: Celebration Dinner & Fundraiser

    June 25: Celebration Dinner & Fundraiser

    REMINDER: We will NOT be meeting for lunch on Tuesday!

    The Rotary Club of Indianapolis is delighted to present the 2019 Celebration Dinner and Fundraiser. This annual event is an opportunity to celebrate the end of the “Rotary Year.” We’ll celebrate our annual accomplishments and honor and recognize key leadership and achievers.

    The Cool City Trio will help us ease into the evening during the cocktail hour and then jazz up our afterparty!

    Bid on wonderful auction packages such as Moscow Mules with Matt Burnett, Tap and Tequila with Don Steffy, or a summer harvest dinner with John Mainella and Michael Pettry! There are also other amazing experiences that you can bid on to support our club!

    Celebration Dinner & Fundraiser
    Hilton Indianapolis Hotel & Suites
    Tickets: $70 per person

    Purchase your tickets today on Eventbrite.

  • July 5:31 Club: The North End BBQ and Moonshine

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

    WHAT: The North End Barbecue and Moonshine features American regional barbecue that aims to honor the great technique and tradition of our favorite food. We support farms that raise their beef, pork, chicken and turkey naturally without the use of anti-biotics, hormones or GMO Feed.

    The North End features local beers, an extensive bourbon list, craft cocktails and a hand selected wine list. An emphasis is placed on genuine hospitality and professional service that anticipates our guests needs.

    WHEN: Wednesday, July 10th (we figured everyone would be getting ready to celebrate the 4th with family and friends), from 5:31 pm till 7:00 or 7:30 pm, or anytime in between.

    WHERE: 1250 East 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46240

    WHY: Fellowship, fun, and frivolity during our monthly social get-together in a new downtown venue.

    ETC: Plenty of free parking! Next to Starbucks and Artisano’s Oils & Spices

  • June 14: Rotary Night at Symphony on the Prairie

    The Social Committee invites you to “The Music of Queen” at Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Kroger Symphony on the Prairie on Friday, June 14. 

    For just $26 per person, it’s the perfect place to meet, spend time with your Rotary friends and family for a fun night out. Bring your own blanket or bag chair, food and drinks or purchase concessions on site.

    Get ready for an entirely new feel at the Conner Prairie Amphitheater – three large LED screens were added to enhance your concert view! Every location on the lawn is enhanced with 8-meter screens on either side of the stage, and a 6-meter screen farther back on the lawn near the playground area.

    Make your reservations today, click here.

  • June 5:31 Club, LouVino on Mass Ave.

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

    WHAT: LouVino is known for white and red wine flights, over 60 wines by the glass, bourbon, craft beer, cocktails, and adventurous Southern-inspired small plates.

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

    WHERE: 530 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 140, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

    WHY: Fellowship, fun, and frivolity during our monthly social get-together in a new downtown venue.

    ETC: Street parking and 530 North Street parking garage are available.

    NOTE: There is one flight of steps, no elevator, to work up an appetite and thirst!

  • Special Message from President John Mainella

    Special Message from President John Mainella

    By now, you have likely heard on the local and national news outlets that our beloved Rotarian and Senator Richard Lugar passed away Saturday evening after a short battle with the same syndrome that took his brother Tom.  He was surrounded by his loving wife of 63 years Charlene, four sons, and many other members of his family.

    We honored the Senator as Rotarian of the Century during our clubs centennial celebration and we recently joined with Gleaners to celebrate his work to eliminate hunger in the United States and across the world, as well as his efforts to promote global peace.  Many of us had the privilege and honor of hearing Dick and Tom share their brotherly love and their family’s story at a Tuesday meeting several years ago.  I was fortunate to receive several notes from him during this year as president and will cherish knowing and working with him for the rest of my life.

    To say that our club lost another giant is an understatement.  The entire world lost one of history’s greatest statesmen, advocates for peace, and incredible human being.

    There will certainly be many services and memorials, including something from our own club.  We will keep you apprised on arrangements as details become more clear. In the meantime, if you would like to send a note of condolence to the family, you can do so at The Lugar Center, 1455 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 1125, Washington, D.C. 20004.

    Please continue to keep the entire Lugar Family in your thoughts.

    With all best wishes,

    John Mainella
    President, Rotary Club of Indianapolis

  • May 5:31 Club: Go-Karts & Gathering

    May 5:31 Club: Go-Karts & Gathering

    Join Rotary friends for two 5:31 Club events on May 1. 2019:

    1. Race high-performance go-karts at Speedway Indoor Karting starting at 5:31 pm. (1067 Main Street, Speedway)
    2. 1911 Grill, right next door.

    If you want to race go-karts, great! You’ll receive training and then race against the clock on the indoor track.

    Regular “license” and participation fees apply.

    Race first (or skip that part) and then enjoy food and beverages at 1911 Grill.

    Your friends are waiting for you…

  • June 10: Special Program with Eva Kor, Holocaust Survivor

    Join the Rotary Club of Indianapolis for a special program as we welcome Eva Kor, Holocaust Survivor and Forgiveness Advocate, as our speaker on Monday, June 10.

    For the past 40 years, Holocaust survivor Eva Kor has shared her story with students, teachers, medical professionals, senators, administrators, historians, university groups, graduating classes, and civic groups, both nationally and internationally. Eva is one of the few surviving twins sharing her personal account of the medical experiments supervised by Nazi doctor Josef Mengele at Auschwitz. Eva’s account of her survival of the Holocaust offers many relevant lessons on the dangers of hate and prejudice, and the consequences of allowing prejudice to persist, unchecked, in others. 

    In addition to the importance of her account from a historical perspective, Eva’s life lessons and message of forgiveness have touched the lives of millions of people. In 1995, Eva chose to forgive the Nazis, after deciding that they should no longer have power over her life. She describes forgiving the Nazis as an act of self-healing, self-liberation, and self-empowerment; forgiveness is not about the perpetrator, not about forgetting. It is one step toward repairing the world by helping victims free themselves from perpetrators and remove anger and hatred. Eva shares her own discovery of the power to forgive so that others may see the possibility to heal themselves through forgiveness. Forgiveness provides a way for people to free themselves from hurt, anger, and hatred, from the pain of victimhood. If people find peace with themselves, the world may also find peace.

    WFYI Public Media recently received a $25,000 Community Grant from the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation to fund a recurring, interactive program at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center that will feature the “Eva” documentary, a half-hour discussion and an interactive exhibit. The “Eva” documentary brings difficult topics to the forefront as it features the life journey of Eva Mozes Kor, Holocaust survivor. 

    Pre-registration is required for this event and includes a buffet lunch provided by MBP Distinctive Catering. Indianapolis Club Rotarian tickets are $26 and guest tickets are $35. Tables of 8 can be reserved by contacting Donna Christian at dchristian@indyrotary.org. If you participate in the Rotary Value Club contact Donna to reserve your ticket.

    Purchase your tickets on Eventbrite.

  • Our Office Has Moved…..

    The Rotary Club of Indianapolis office is now located at the Glossbrenner Mansion. The new mailing address is 3202 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208 and the new phone number is 317-829-1041. Please update your records.

  • Nominations Open for Rotary Outstanding Achievement Recognition Award

    Nominations Open for Rotary Outstanding Achievement Recognition Award

    The Rotary Club of Indianapolis is proud to announce that nominations for the Rotary Outstanding Achievement Recognition (ROAR) Award is open (formerly called Rotarian of the Year.)  Nominations for Rotarians in good standing who have demonstrated “Service Above Self” during his or her lifetime are being accepted. This award recognizes a life devoted to reflecting the Four Way Test, not just within the Club, but in their career and community life as well. This is considered a lifetime achievement award.

    Award Information:

    1. The ROAR Award Selection Committee for 2019 is chaired by Elaine Bedel.
    2. Completed nominations should be submitted no later than May 3, 2019, to Jamie Stahl in person at a Tuesday lunch or via email to jstahl@indyrotary.org.
    3. Public announcement of the ROAR Award will occur on May 21 and the award will be presented at the 2019 Celebration Dinner scheduled for the evening of June 25.

    Download the ROAR nomination form.

    Past Recipients:

    2007: Marge Tarpley and Danny Danielson

    2008: Dr. Tim Dudley

    2009: Hugh Baker

    2010: Bill Batt

    2011: Bill Ervin

    2012: Gene Busche

    2013: Club celebrated 100th anniversary and named Rotarian of the Century: Senator Richard Lugar

    2014: Paul Raikes

    2015: Club celebrated retirement of Executive Director, Susie Harmless, and, therefore, no ROY named

    2016: Judge Tom Fisher

    2017: Elaine Bedel

    2018: Tom Lugar

  • March 27: Coffee & Conversation with Stephanie Pemberton, Indianapolis Colts

    Be among the first to see the newly renovated Colts Pavilion at their practice facility, 7001 W 56th Street – Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. We will meet at 8am in the sleek new lobby of the Pavilion where our guest speaker will be Stephanie Pemberton, Vice President of Marketing. Stephanie will talk about the Colts and their value to Indianapolis and the state of Indiana and we might get some insider information on the combine and upcoming draft. Limited tours of the facility will be available after the conversation, including the Team Memorabilia Room.

    Attendees must be registered in order to attend. Click here to register.