Category: Latest News

  • Rotarian Dane Starbuck Releases New Album

    Rotarian Dane Starbuck Releases New Album

    Give Your Heart to MeDane Starbuck has released a Holiday Premiere CD, “Give Your Heart To Me,” featuring top Nashville, TN and Indiana recording artists – all music and lyrics by Dane Starbuck. Available on iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby, Pandora and Spotify.

    Author, composer and lyricist and Rotarian Dane has his roots in Indiana. Born in Winchester, he holds degrees in law and English, and he briefly studied composition at the Boston Conservatory of Music and at Huntington College.

    The inspiration for much of the music on this CD is from his musical “To Love an African Violet” which is currently in pre-production. Dane lives in Carmel, Indiana, with his lovely wife, Bev, where he practices law. “Give your heart to me” is dedicated to the memory of their infant granddaughter, Isabel.

    It’s no secret that Dane Starbuck is an awesome Rotarian. He has been a member of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis for nearly 14 years, plays piano at Tuesday functions, participates in Rotary functions and gives his time and treasure for many good causes through Rotary. He is also a James Whitcomb Riley and Paul Harris Fellow.

    In 2007, Dane and his wife Bev visited the Indiana University School of Medicine-Kenya Partnership in Eldoret, Kenya. The World Community Services committee of the Indianapolis Rotary Club raised funds for the initiative and adopted it as its overseas project. It is working with the Eldoret Rotary Club to support financially the initiative.

  • December 5, Tree Trimming Party with Riley Kids

    December 5, Tree Trimming Party with Riley Kids

    It is time again to kick-off our Community Service Project, Rotary Christmas with Riley Kids. Our project consists of two wonderful opportunities to bring a touch of joy to Riley Kids and families who will be spending their holiday season at Riley Hospital. We will, once again, place our Plea Tree at the weekly luncheons through December 10th. We will also host Rotary Christmas with Riley Kids Party (Riley’s Tree Trimming Party.)

    It is estimated that 200 children and their families will wake up Christmas morning in their hospital bed and room rather than nestled together in their own homes. The generosity of treasure and time that we can give this season may bring a smile to a child, but will also provide a touch of warmth in the heart of the giver.

    Rotarians and Friends at Riley

    Holiday Cards On Sale NOW!
    Purchase your Riley Holiday Cards at Tuesday meetings (by the Plea Tree table). Proceeds to go to Riley and the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation. Packs of 10 are @20.00 each.

    Plea Tree (Gift Donation):
    The tree will be displayed at the weekly luncheons each Tuesday from November 12 – December 10th. We are asking for two volunteers to host the Plea Tree each week. Ornaments will adorn the tree displaying gifts for Riley kids selected from a Riley Gift wish list. You may pull off an ornament displaying the gift you would like to purchase or there will be a gift guide available at the table. Please bring the gift unwrapped to the Plea Tree table on or before December 10th. If you would like to contribute money, rather than purchase a gift, please feel free to do so and we will purchase the gift on your behalf. (Checks may be made out to the Rotary Club of Indianapolis. Please write, “Riley Project,” in the memo line).

    The gifts will be presented at a formal presentation to the Riley Foundation Director along with Riley Kids on Thursday, December 12th by President Scott Armstrong and Executive Director, Susie Harmless.

    Tree Trimming Party:
    This is a party held for all Riley patients and their families in the Atrium of Riley Hospital. We host the party with our Rotarian volunteers. All of the Riley patients who are physically able to come out of their rooms and beds along with their loved ones join in the festivities of holiday music, ornament making and trimming of the tree. This is an experience that I assure you the treasure is not what you receive, but what you give.

    We need 25 volunteers for the Tree Trimming Riley Christmas Party on December 5th from 5:45 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. held at the Riley Hospital Atrium. Please contact Jessica Bex for additional information or to volunteer; jessicab[at]mhcc-indy.com or 317-860-1556

  • UPDATED – Indy Rotarians in the News!

    UPDATED – Indy Rotarians in the News!

    Women of Influence – Jennifer Burk
    Why would a top executive give up a job with one of the most successful businesses in Indiana to head up a not-for-profit?

    Jennifer BurkJust asking that question indicates one of the challenges faced by not-for-profit leaders. Let alone a financially struggling organization.

    “I don’t think there’s a stigma, but there might be a curiosity about it,” said Jennifer Burk who, in 2009, left a position with Duke Realty to become president and CEO of the troubled Junior Achievement of Central Indiana.

    “My role at Duke gave me the opportunity to get involved in the community, serve on some boards, and do some volunteer work. My husband at one point said, ‘It seems you come home energized by some of the volunteer work. I would support you if you wanted to consider a career change at some point.’”

    Burk began work at Junior Achievement as a volunteer.

    Read the Full Story.

    Other Members in the News (UPDATED)
    Families First has elected Rotarian Mark Winzenread as Chairman of the Board. For more than 175 years, Families First has been passionately committed to its vision of a community of strong, loving and capable families. Generation after generation, Families First has touched the lives of thousands of families through a variety of programs that strengthen parents, repair relationships, maintain the independence of older and challenged adults, and remove barriers to a stable, productive life. Edie Olsen, MSW, LCSW is President of Families first and also an Indianapolis Rotarian.

    The Methodist Health Foundation has named Rotarian Denny Sponsel, Vice Chairman. And, Rotarians Carol Applegate and Greg Schahet have joined the Board of Methodist Health Foundation.

    Senior1Care among Fastest Growing Companies in America
    “This honor is truly a reflection of the countless hours our team members have contributed to get us to this point,” added Rotarian Patrick Broccolo, an owner of the Carmel area branch. “The flexibility of our Caregivers and our responsiveness to our client’s needs is a major reason for the recognition.” Senior1Care is available 24 hours a day to help service their clients’ needs. Please visit their website at Senior1Care.com to learn more about their service offering and experience the difference. Download the press release.

  • 5:31 At Taverna – It Was Good Food AND Good Fun!

    5:31 At Taverna – It Was Good Food AND Good Fun!

    On November 6, friends, Rotarians and new members met at  Taverna Food and Spirits (1850 Broad Ripple Ave.) for fun and fellowship! Check out all the photos, here. (Pictured: Bill Bubenzer and new member Sam LeStourgeon)

    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! Want to be added to the mailing list? Sign-up here! (just below the “Contact Us” form).

    Our next 5:31 will be December 4 at Rusty Bucket (1130 W. 86th St.). Then, mark your calendars for January 8, February 5 and March 5. Locations to be announced and we always welcome suggestions and input. As President Scott says, this is the Year of the Member so if you have thought about the 5:31 Club or any other social activity you’d like to see us plan, we’d love to hear from you!

  • Tanzania fish farm project at Msamaria Children’s Center (WCSC)

    Tanzania fish farm project at Msamaria Children’s Center (WCSC)

    From the World Community Service Committee. PROJECT: Moshi, Tanzania – Integrated aquaculture project, including fish pond construction and vertical vegetable garden for the benefit of Msamaria Center for Street Children. Project includes providing additional nutrition and agricultural skills to the roughly 100 children who visit the Center each year. Center providing $700 in kind. Moshi Rotary Club active local Rotary sponsor.

    Report from Folkward Mapunda, Director, Msamaria Center for Street Children, Moshi, Tanzania (EA)
    “Am very happy to inform you that the fish farming project has taken off now as we are constructing the hole and facing.” Said Mapunda, “We have also purchased the materials for fish and hopefully, before the end of this week will start testing to see there is no water leakage.”

    See More Pictures on Facebook!

  • Indy Rotary Adds New Mass Texting System

    Indy Rotary Adds New Mass Texting System

    The Rotary Club of Indianapolis recently added a Mass Texting system, to help communicate with membership and the community in the event of major developments, such as cancellations due to weather events, last minute changes in meeting times, programs or locations.

    “While we already send a number of announcements to our members each week,” said Susie Harmless, Executive Director, “it is important to emphasize that the Club is incorporating this system for very important and time-sensitive updates, alerts or announcements – NOT to promote regular events or to advertise. For these things, we will continue to distribute weekly e-news announcements, use our website to keep the community updated and will continue to be very active with social media.”

    While it is not scientific, the percentages of individuals who read texts verses email, Facebook and Twitter posts, is staggering. One report said that – 98% of text messages are read vs. 29% of Tweets vs. 12% of Facebook posts vs. 20% of emails. Here’s another recent article on those statistics. Said Greg Albright, Club Manager, “We must provide the easiest methods and various ways to communicate to our membership. Everyone has a mobile phone. In fact, some of our members may have better access to a text message than an email!”

    Over the past year, the Rotary Club of Indianapolis has improved it’s overall technology to better serve the community and Rotarians. Adding to the many benefits of being a member of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis. For more information on how you can become a member, visit the Membership Information page.

     

  • Congratulations Indianapolis Rotarian Lloyd Wright for Being Inducted into the Broadcast Hall of Fame

    Congratulations Indianapolis Rotarian Lloyd Wright for Being Inducted into the Broadcast Hall of Fame

    Please join us in congratulating Lloyd Wright, President and CEO of WFYI Public Media, on his induction into the Richard M. Fairbanks Indiana Broadcast Hall of Fame on October 3. A 30-year veteran of public media, Wright is the longest serving station manager in the Indianapolis market. You can read more about Wright’s professional accomplishments.

    Since his appointment as President and CEO of WFYI Public Media (Indiana’s flagship PBS and NPR member station) in 1989, Wright has distinguished himself as an innovative leader in the public media industry. During his tenure, WFYI’s annual operating budget has grown from $2.5 million to more than $10 million today. The station’s multi-media services and community-based programs have also expanded significantly in scope and impact. Under Wright’s direction, WFYI relocated in 2008 to a state-of-the-art facility in downtown Indianapolis and established an innovative partnership with the Economic Club of Indiana.

    In the last decade, WFYI has evolved from a local program producer into an award-winning producing station that distributes nearly a dozen documentaries and public affairs programs nationwide each year. WFYI has also has earned national recognition for its innovative fundraising practices and overall growth in membership and donor relations. In 2008, the station was honored with three PBS Development Awards, including the coveted “Award of Excellence for Overall Membership.”

    Download the Full Press Release, courtesy WFYI

  • Indy Rotary World Community Service Completes the “Three Days Project” in Zimbabwe

    Indy Rotary World Community Service Completes the “Three Days Project” in Zimbabwe

    This past summer, the World Community Service Team of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis completed several projects to provide fresh water and help the Ezekiel Guti Primary School in Harare, Zimbabwe. On behalf of the World Community Service committee, thank you to the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation and all other contributors who truly make a difference in the lives of others throughout the world!

    The project included:

    • Drilling of borehole, providing necessary casing, water retention tank, and pump,
    • Gas for transportation to borehole location,
    • Project management and administrative assistance,
    • Personal Driving Assistance.

    Ezekiel Guti Primary School

    What We Do. The World Community Service Committee (WCSC) is responsible for identifying and supporting international service projects for the Club. Projects generally have a club member “champion” who ideally works in partnership with an overseas Rotary Club and personally travels to the location of the project to help create relationships and oversee the project. The committee currently supports clean water initiatives in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Haiti and Ecuador; multiple projects in Kenya including support for a legal aid clinic, mother-child hospital, and school classrooms; an aquaculture project in Moshi, Tanzania; a microfinance project in Calnali, Mexico; and peace learning projects in Jamaica.

  • So Long, Babe…Hope to See You Again

    So Long, Babe…Hope to See You Again

    On Friday, September 27th our beloved “Babe” returned to the Kiwanis, once again. He left our closet to be in their closet, and we couldn’t be more saddened by the loss. On Friday, June 21, 2013 the Kiwanis won a close softball game against the Rotary Club of Indianapolis and because of that loss the traditional “handing over of the trophy” will occur.

    The “tradition” has always been that the losing team must hand the trophy back to the winning team at a club meeting. As anyone can imagine this can be a fun, yet humiliating event each year, so there is truly motivation to hang on to the “Babe!” This year, Greg Albright, Team Manager and Coach returned the trophy. He was accompanied by a few of the players, President Scott Armstrong and Executive Director Susie Harmless.

    Over the many years of softball games, your “Team Rotary” has had the winning advantage, although this may be disputed by Kiwanis because no “official” records have been kept. But, the one thing that has remained consistent has been the wonderful opportunity we are given each year to play at Victory Field thanks to longtime Rotarian Cal Burleson and longtime Kiwanian, Max Schumacher. They have allowed the two clubs to participate in this annual Summer game for many, many years. And, it is fun for the players and the fans.

    If you are interested in playing (and are seriously competitive), please call Greg Albright at 631-3733 or email him at galbright[at]indyrotary.org to get on the roster for next year. You must be a Rotarian to play!

     

  • Two Rotarians Shine as Finalists for Junior Achievement’s “Indy’s Best And Brightest” Awards!

    On Thursday, Ocotober 17, Junior Acheivement will recognize two of our very own at the annual “Indy’s Best and Brightest” event. In Banking and Financial Services, LaTonya Gaither, Service Center Manger at the Teachers Credit Union, Rotarian since November, 2012. And, in Technology, Dan Randolph, Lead Biologist with Dow AgroSciences and Rotarian since December, 2010. Our Rotarians are special! Please congratulate these deserving members of our community and thank them for being members of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis!