Category: Latest News

  • June 27: Step Up To Serve 2017 Celebration Dinner

    June 27: Step Up To Serve 2017 Celebration Dinner

    Mark your calendars for Tuesday, June 27 at 5:30 pm for the Celebration Dinner at The Crane Bay Industrial Event Center.  This annual celebration brings Rotarians and guests together to celebrate another year of Rotary “service above self.”

    Begin your evening with the cash bar cocktail hour, the Bedel Financial Services dinner and program all for $60 per ticket.  After the presentations kick up your heels at the Hilton Indianapolis Hotel & Suites’ after-party in the Crane Bay’s outdoor space. An additional $25 after-party ticket includes Ruth’s Chris sliders, a signature cocktail and live music.

    Help us honor President Sheila Carlson’s year of “Stepping Up To Serve,” our outgoing board of directors, the presentation of several leadership awards, plus the installation of incoming President Ramona Adams and the 2017-2018 board.

    Purchase your tickets for the Bedel Financial Services Dinner and Hilton Indianapolis Hotel & Suites’ after-party here.

    Here are some reasons why you don’t want to miss out on this fabulous event:

    • Biggest Rotary event of the year to see and be seen
    • Dinner social hour includes complimentary wine from Monarch Beverage
    • Social hour music by the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra
    • Shop our silent auction of unique experiences
    • Hear fun and fabulous Rotary emcee, Don Steffy, keep the program moving and laughing at the same time
    • Celebrate our club’s ROAR winner
    • See the presentation of annual awards by President Sheila Carlson for “Stepping Up To Serve”
    • Celebrate outbound and newly elected members of our boards of directors for both our Club and the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation
    • Toast our out-going President Sheila Carlson 
    • Welcome Ramona Adams as our 2017-2018 president
    • Live music by Wildheart Band with Rotarian Orion Bell at the keyboard at the After Party
    • Ruth’s Chris sliders at the After Party
  • June 20: Annual Rotary vs Kiwanis Softball Game

    June 20: Annual Rotary vs Kiwanis Softball Game

    Once again, The Indianapolis Indians will host the Annual Rotary vs Kiwanis Softball Game! Help us retain the Babe!

    This year, the game will be on Tuesday, June 20th. Game time is at 5:10 p.m., with an Indians game beginning at 7:05 p.m. Each ticket is $15.00 and children under 3 are free. A portion of every ticket will go to our own Indianapolis Rotary Foundation. Register and Pay here!

    Details:

    • Gates open at 5 p.m. (3rd base side)
    • Softball game starts at 5:10 p.m. (approximately) to 6:10 p.m.
    • Indianapolis Indians game starts at 7:05 p.m.

    Go Team Rotary!

     

  • The Rotary Club of Indianapolis is Moving

    The Rotary Club of Indianapolis is thrilled to announce that beginning April 4, 2017 our club will meet for weekly Tuesday meetings at the Ivy Tech Community College Culinary and Conference Center, located at 2820 North Meridian Street. This is a partnership that has so many wonderful benefits and we are excited for the future of the club. Never been to the space?  Check out this fantastic video that will give you a sneak peek.

    President Elect Ramona Adams and Vice President John Mainella volunteered to lead the effort to find our new home. After evaluating over 30 locations, reviewing six proposals and going on three site visits, they determined that Ivy Tech aligned best with our pricing, parking and community engagement needs.  They certainly pass the Four Way Test!

    With this very exciting announcement comes a change to our lunch offering and pricing.  We worked very hard to minimize the financial burden on our members. In an effort to reduce costs, we are opting to have one buffet option for lunch.  It will consist of a combination of hot dishes and soups and salads, all prepared from scratch by Mary Beth Poe and MBP’s fabulous catering team.

    From April 4 when we make the move to Ivy Tech until our June 20 meeting, the cost to our members for lunch will be $20, a $2 increase from the hot lunch option. Parking continues to be free, with more than 200 spaces available for our members at Ivy Tech. For those who choose not to eat, the facility fee will increase to $5 and does include beverages.  Again, we strongly encourage you to try the lunch.

    Your board and officers and thrilled by this move.  We are excited to embark on a better culinary journey. We are excited for a new space with new energy.  We hope that you will share our enthusiasm and maintain a positive attitude with members and prospects.

    If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to speak with Ramona, John, or any of the other officers. We are happy to provide more detail and guidance on the process we used to come to this decision.

  • DACdb: Prepare to Be Found. Get the Most Out of Your Rotary Membership!

    DACdb: Prepare to Be Found. Get the Most Out of Your Rotary Membership!

    In preparation for our upcoming “Growing your Professional Network: Learn from the Pros!” presentation on April 25, 2017, featuring:

    Nikki Lewallen CEO of Rainmakers
    Billie Dragoo, CEO of RepuCare
    Steven Stolen, VP of Corporate Advancement at the Indy Chamber

    The panel will be moderating by Janet Harris, Janet King Harris, CFE, CruiseOne Dream Vacations. We are asking our Rotary members to be sure they are taking full advantage of DACdb, the District and Club Database.  This database provides vital contact and networking information for all Rotarians.  Click on the link below to update your profile and make the most of this valued asset.

    Download our PDF to learn how to:

    • Get logged in
    • Edit your data
    • Upload your photo
    • Enter key words to help Rotarians find you easier
    • Tell members about yourself, and what you enjoy doing
    • Export data to Excel, PDF, or Word formats
    • Create a membership directory

     

  • New Board of Directors Announced

    On Tuesday, March 14, 2017 the Rotary Club of Indianapolis elected eight members to serve on the Board of Directors for two years, beginning on July 1, 2017. We are pleased to welcome the following community leaders to serve our club in leadership positions.

    Greg Albright
    Jenny Dexter
    John Elliott
    Tom Fodor
    Chris Gonzalez
    Tim Lee
    Wendy Noe
    Matt Wilhelm

  • Chin National Day Celebration

    Chin National Day Celebration

    Chin National Day celebrating the 69th year of independence from Burma was held on February 18, 2017. Approximately 1,000 people were in attendance. There was singing, dancing, a style show and a talent contest. The Rotary Club of Indianapolis was recognized for its recent grant of $50,000 to The Chin Community of Indiana organization. This grant is renewable for up to five years. The President of the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation, Matt Will, described how Rotary works to do good globally and locally. He also reiterated The Rotary Club of Indianapolis’ commitment to the Chin Community. Other Rotarian’s who attended were, Jeff Lake, Tim Dudley, Bill Bubenzer, Kelly Tingle, Hodge Patel and Monica Peterson. A Chin Support Committee of more than 15 Rotarian’s has been established and they will work to assist The Chin Community of Indiana in all the areas of need requested by their organization. If you are interested in helping with this Legacy Grant/Project, please contact Jeff Lake at lakejeff960@gmail.com.

     

  • Upcoming Venue Change

    The Rotary Club of Indianapolis is much more than just a meeting at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.  We are a family of committed citizens who care about making our community, both in Indianapolis and around the world, a better place.  And we will continue to perform our duties as Rotarians no matter where we meet.

    Recently, the officers made the decision to explore other venues for our regular Tuesday meetings.  While the Scottish Rite has been a wonderful home for the last several years, we feel that we have a unique opportunity to look for a new space that provides our members with a better and more meaningful Rotary experience.

    Over the last few weeks, Ramona Adams and John Mainella have been working with Kelly Tingle to execute a request for proposal.  We received interest from more than 10 new venues and are in the process of narrowing our selection to the top 2 or 3 and will visit with these places.  Ramona and John will be presenting more information to you in the next few weeks.  If you have any questions about the process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to either one of them.

    The Rotary Office will remain at the Scottish Rite. Our last meeting at the Scottish Rite will be Tuesday, March 28.  We are working to make our transition to a new space as seamless and smooth as possible and certainly appreciate your patience during this process.  We look forward to a wonderful Rotary program on April 4 in our new home.

    In the meantime and over our few remaining weeks in the Scottish Rite, please take a minute to thank the wonderful banquet staff, many of whom we see on a weekly basis.

  • Thinking outside the box.  Way outside………!

    Thinking outside the box.  Way outside………!

    I have been sharing information about this most incredible Rotary scholarship opportunity – the Peace Fellowship program that offers either a two-year Master’s degree or a three-month certificate.  It really is an ‘opportunity of a lifetime’……just ask D.F. Pace, police lieutenant and attorney with the Philadelphia police department.  Lt. Pace uses the skills he learned in the intensive certificate program focused on conflict resolution to defuse tensions in Philadelphia neighborhoods cited for violence and confrontation between residents and police.  Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, member of the Philadelphia Rotary Club – 19th oldest in the world – wondered if the program was for academics and students only, and was excited to learn the curriculum was suitable for any one in any field focused on the need for conflict resolution.  The next step was to find the right candidate.  Lt. Pace has both street patrol experience as well as being trained as a lawyer familiar with legal aspects of proper policing.  To Commission Ramsey, Lt. Pace had the right combination of street smarts and experience, education and training and a commitment that policing must be an instrument of peace.

    Indianapolis and its metro area is among the largest urban/suburban/rural regions of the country.  There are suitable candidates among us for a Rotary Peace Fellowship.  Who needs to know more about the three-month certificate in peace and conflict resolution? What community could benefit?  All expenses are covered……. airfare, accommodation, curriculum program.  And surely there is a professional or advanced student intent on a Master’s program in peace and conflict resolution for whom an equally expense paid two-year’s Master’s program is ideal……someone who would be quite upset if we did not at least tell them about this opportunity.  Please do not say you do not know of someone: I bet you do.

    Please go to this link that has all the information one needs for the Peace Fellowships…both the Masters Scholarship and the three-month certificate.  Rotary has made this easier yet to apply AND provide information.  https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/peace-fellowships

    You can also contact Betty Tonsing directly at bettyktonsing@gmail.com, or (574) 807-2382

  • A Special Message:

    A Special Message:

    Rotarians,

    The Scottish Rite Cathedral, built in 1929, is a remarkable building. As we all know, updates and renovations are necessary to keep a historic building in top shape. The Ballroom, where the Rotary Club of Indianapolis typically meets, will be undergoing a facelift for the next few months. During this time we will have the pleasure of utilizing the Grand Hall (located downstairs) for our weekly lunch and program. Once renovations have been completed, we will notify you that we can return to the newly updated Ballroom. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this change in location and I hope to see you at a meeting soon!

    And remember, in addition to our regular meetings held in the Scottish Rite, there are many other activities happening at Rotary! From basketball games at IUPUI with Rotarian Roderick Perry to Movie Night with Rotarian Matt Burnett to volunteering at the Marion County Spelling Bee… there are so many ways to get engaged! Watch our e-newsletter or visit our website at www.indyrotary.org to check out our calendar of events.

    Hugs,

    President, Sheila Carlson

  • February 11: Rotary Night With The Jaguars

    February 11: Rotary Night With The Jaguars

     

    Join us in cheering on the IUPUI Jaguars at Indiana Farmers Coliseum at the State Fairgrounds February 11th at 7pm. Rotarians can bring the attached flyer to the box office for discounted tickets ($10.00 for adults and $7.00 for kids 12 and under).

    Online purchases can be made by following this link:

    Buy Your Tickets Online Use discount code JASON to unlock the savings. Want to buy your tickets the night of the game? Bring the attached flier with you to receive a 33% discount on tickets. Our special price is $10.00/ person. Kids 12, and under, are only $7.00! Ask for seats in block 108 (the reserved Rotary section)

    Enjoy a variety of giveaways and family fun throughout the night while cheering on our local team.