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As we close-out 2014, we wanted to share some highlights of “The Year that Was at the Rotary Club of Indianapolis.”

While we kicked-off 2013 with a cancelled program due to weather on January 07, 2013, we eventually rescheduled that program a few months later (with Governor Mike Pence) and had a year worth remembering! Below, are some  of the highlights with apologies in advance if your name or project is not shown below. With nearly 40 committees and 350 members, it can be difficult to report on all the things we do. But we KNOW that all you do, matters  – and we appreciate all Indianapolis Rotarians! Thank you Indianapolis Rotarians for a great 2014. Here’s to you and to the upcoming 2015 Rotary year!

Speakers or programs (in order of appearance). Jamal Smith, Derek Daly, Billie Drago, Martha Hoover, Ron Brumbarger, Bob Bryant, Purdue Football Coach Darrell Hazell, Hubs and Spokes Campaign Day, Ted Bishop and Board Election Day, Caring for the Elderly Panel Discussion, Carey Hamilton, Success Stories with Rotarians Harriet Ivy and Eric Ellsworth, Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, Mayor Greg Ballard, High School Honors Day with Glenda Ritz, James C. Conwell, Dr. Patrick Loehrer, Ersal Ozdemir, Offsite program – Orangutan at the Zoo, Jeff Mittman, Congresswoman Susan Brooks, Justice Loretta Rush, Kim Brand, Michael Goldsby, Annual Rotary Celebration Lunch, Dr. Lisa Harris, Angela Buchman (pictured left), Governor Mike Pence, Erin Albert, Carl Erskine, Ask the Healthcare Experts – Indy Chamber Panel Discussion, Glen Kwok, Don Fischer, Debra Hearn-Smith, Healthcare for the Elderly Panel Discussion, Mario Rodriguez, Lewis Ferebee, Dr. Jeffrey Proudfoot, PDG Jim Graham and Past Presidents Lunch, Chris Talley, Donald E. (“Don”) Knebel and Miki Mathioudakis, James C. Danko, Ed Bonach, Carver McGriff, Rudy Lewis, John Aleshire, DG Tom Branum, Dan Elsener and our Annual Holiday Program with Time for Three.

We’re not all just about Tuesday programs! Our most popular after-hours get-togethers, the 5:31 Club, continues on strong! This past year we met at many local and fun places including: Mixology Lounge at The Alexander, McCormick and Schmicks, Northside Social, Weber Grill, La Revolucion, Fireside Brewhouse, Claddaugh, Triton Tap, 9 Irish Brothers, Hotel Tango Whiskey. Our most well-attended 5:31 was the a Chili cook-off at Triton Tap. President Matt Burnett was pitted against Past President Matt Will and fun was shared by all Rotarians. We also recognized our newer members with New Member Certificates.

Committee and Individual efforts. It’s no secret that we have a large pool of members who like to do fun AND meaningful things for our community. Many of these events occur outside the club on weekends, evenings, etc….Some of these events included: Rotary verses Kiwanis Bowling (Bowl-A-Thon, sponsored by Junior Achievement) and a Rotary Bowling Mixed League for men and women; the annual Salvation Army Bell Ringing contest against Kiwanis occurs this month (December); Devour Downtown; participated in two Discover Indy trade fairs; new member receptions (McCormick and Schmicks and Triton Tap); two Gleaners days in March and September; JA Day; the Race for the Cure; Mutt Strut; New Member Recruitment event at Flat 12; participated at IndyVolved; IndyPride; Symphony on the Prairie; the Annual Rotary verses Kiwanis softball game at Victory Field; visited Steel Dynamics; participated in the Thanksgiving Drumstick Dash; downtown Jingle Bell Run; Rotary Education Weekend Equity Awards; Rotary Golf at River Glen and outings at the Brickyard and Broadmoor Country Club.

Of course, the Rotary Club of Indianapolis also adopted its first-ever signature effort, Indy Do Day. And, held the first pre-Indy Do Day event occurring at the Sisters of St. Benedict in late July. Then, we carried on with the most successful Indy Do Day ever, from October 2 to 4.

In July we also inducted our new leadership at the annual Celebration luncheon and recognized Paul Raikes (pictured left) as our Rotarian of the Year. Rachel Conner hosted her annual family picnic in August; the dedication of the Rotary-Riley Building was made on the campus of IUPUI; In October, our club conducted a Strategic Planning session that will help shape the club for many years to come.

Volunteer work throughout the year included locations and efforts at: Willard Park, Riley Children’s Hospital for Tree Trimming, Tangram, Pedal for Peace, Make a Difference – Second Helpings, Meals on Wheels, Peace Through Service, READUP, JA BizTown, JA in a Day, F.I.D.O. program to donate food, Habitat for Humanity, 4 Way Test (Irvington Community Middle School, Christel House Academy), Christel House Academy Science Fair and RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award).

Committee-specific. There have new committees created or updated: Business Network Exchange and Health and Wellness. Many of the efforts of our committees are listed above, but below please check out some specific committee projects and accomplishments.

While not necessarily a “committee,” our local Foundation, and Indianapolis Foundation President Matt Will, will award grants to several Indianapolis organizations and continues it’s outstanding Entrepreneurial Grants program for Indianapolis Rotarians. Developed earlier this year, the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation also has a new identity and brochure. And, the 2013 Annual Report was redesigned and is available for download.

The Membership committee conducted a membership contest and awarded prizes such as an overnight stay a the Conrad, ISO concert vouchers, Bath Junkie gift certificates, a painting created by the elephant at the Indianapolis Zoo. There was also a new Corporate Membership initiative created that markets the benefits of being a corporate member.

The World Community Service committee conducted lots of good things in the world for 2014, including: funding for the Msamaria Street Children’s Center in Moshi, Tanzania; Calnali, Mexico micro-financing project; Williamson, Haiti – HOPE – Helping Other People Everywhere; Sierra Leone – Training and leadership development; Antigua, Guatemala, Funds to provide critical medications in the nonprofit Pharmacy, Common Hope; Hyderabad, India – Fountains of Hope International is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing safe, life-giving water to those in need around the world; Archaie Haiti, Rotaract IUPUI to provide health and hygiene training and the installation of one water purifier system at the Mejan School; Helped secure an $84.000 Rotary International grant for a Kilimambogo, Kenya project.

Conclusion. It is fair to say there are many things our club did in 2014 that may have not been covered in this article. Send us a note (info [at] indyrotary.org) and we will add it! We want to make a difference in our community and because we are a large club, we believe it is possible to have a large influence. If you are not a member and are reading this, please consider becoming a member. We are growing our membership and want you to be a part of something special! And, if you are a member of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis – thank you, Rotarian for all you do and will continue to do in 2015 and beyond!