Smither Roofing was contracted by JW Marriott Indianapolis to install the Firestone membrane roofing on 137,700 square feet of roof area, on 23 different roof levels, some 34 stories in the air.
Smither Roofing received a “Safety Excellence Award” from construction manager Hunt Construction Group on the project, a tribute to the safety consciousness of Smither employees.
Smither work began in May, 2009. During this time, approximately 13,500 manhours have been expended to complete the project.
Rotarian and Rotary Board Director, Rick Alvis was recently recognized by the City-Council of Indianapolis for twenty years of service to the Wheeler Mission Ministries and the City of Indianapolis.
Wheeler Mission Ministries is a non-denominational, Christian, social services organization, which provides critically needed goods and services to homeless, poor, and needy of central Indiana without regard to race, color, creed, national origin or religion.
Wheeler is not a church, but does cooperate with many different churches that are concerned about poverty and homelessness in the inner city.
Founded in 1893, Wheeler is the oldest continuously operating ministry of its kind in the state of Indiana.
With five locations, dozens of ministries, a budget of $6.2 million, and about 130 employees, Wheeler is also the largest and most diverse ministry of its kind in the state.
I’m told that many years ago, when comedian Jack Benny was being honored on a night like this, he came to the podium and said this, “I may not deserve this award, but I have acute arthritis and I don’t deserve that either”.
Well, I don’t have arthritis and whether I deserve this award or not, I’m going to accept it with deep gratitude and great humility. It is an especially important honor for me because it comes from Junior Achievement, an organization for which I have had enormous respect for as long as I remember.
I also value this honor for another reason. While I have known and worked with many of your earlier Hall of Fame members, I am especially close to at least two of them.
Back in 1994, you gave this honor to J. Dwight Peterson, one of the very early chairmen of City Securities Corporation. The late Mr. Peterson and I had a special relationship because I married his daughter Patty, and treasured him many years as my father-in-law.
Then just two years ago, you gave this award to John Peterson, the current chairman of City Securities—the son of J. Dwight and my brother-in-law for so many years. So at long last I am catching up with the rest of the family.
I’ve admired the work of Junior Achievement for many years. For many thousands of youngsters, you have painted a positive image of American business and have encouraged many young people, without apology, to pursue careers in profit-making organizations.
I don’t need to remind you that about every 20 years in this country we go through a period of anti-business sentiment where company executives rank near the bottom of the heap in public opinion. I must admit that on occasion—as in recent months—those wounds are self-inflicted.
Names like Enron and Bernard Maedoff remind us that a few business tycoons who used to show up on magazine covers are now languishing in prison.
In such times as these, we need to remind our critics that those who commit such misdeeds are a very tiny fraction of Americans in business. We need to say forcefully that the overwhelming majority of those who lead our business enterprises are honest, fair-dealing persons who operate with integrity in the public interest.
We must not apologize for seeking to make fair profits for ours is the engine that powers our economy and delivers an ever-increasing standard of living for millions of Americans.
Something the legendary P.T. Barnum contended back in the 19th century is no less true today. Barnum said this, “Money-getters are the benefactors of our race. To them we are indebted for our institutions of learning, and of art, our academies, colleges and churches.”
As one who has been heavily involved in higher education, various charities and organized religion for well over fifty years, I can testify that P.T. Barnum’s observation couldn’t be more accurate.
Finally, let me respond to a question I frequently get from business associates and friends—How would you describe the one thing that has influenced your 90 years of longevity?
It would be my faith!! I believe that God created me and that he will decide when my life is to be terminated. In other words, I believe God is in control of my life and therefore I prayerfully look to him for guidance and for direction.
During my lifetime, a few events have taken place where the results have not been what I had hoped for or even prayed for. Instead of becoming bitter and becoming discouraged, I have accepted the results as being God’s choice for my life.
This has been an enormous aid in my dealing with disappointment and with loss, and has been the catalyst in moving me on to the next challenge with a confident and joyful heart.
In closing, I’m confident that Junior Achievement will continue to stress the positive virtues of American business and enterprise as it works with Hoosier youth in the years ahead.
And for that reason, I’m doubly proud tonight to accept this honor from such a worthwhile organization. Thank you again and God Bless Junior Achievement and God Bless the United States of America!!!
Rotarians, mark your calendars for this fall’s membership event to be held Wednesday, November 18th at Conseco Field House, home of our Indiana Pacers. Last year our inaugural event at Lucas Oil Stadium added 34 new members to our wonderful club. The evening reinforced that the Rotary Club of Indianapolis is the premier service club in town!
Thanks to the generosity of our Corporate Member, Pacers Sports & Entertainment, an out of the ordinary experience will await prospective members and their Rotary hosts in the Pepsi Square and exclusive Legends venue. The 6pm reception and Rotary presentation will be followed by the Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks basketball showdown.
Last year’s success was attributed to our warm Rotary hospitality, the hard work and planning by Rotary staff and the Membership Committee but most importantly the guest list featuring key prospective members. Please support this effort by providing names and contact information to the Rotary Office of those you know who should be introduced to club membership.
Special guests and other surprises await, assures Janet McCully, Event Chair.
The economy is in its deepest recession in 75 years. Unemployment is approaching 10 percent. Groups that rely on endowments and charitable donations have seen their coffers dry up, and apparently no one can survive without a government bailout.
However, someone forgot to tell all of this to the Rotary Club of Indianapolis. According to the monthly “dashboard report” that President Denny Sponsel provides to the membership, Indy Rotary is running a budget surplus, membership has increased substantially, dozens of service projects are in the works, and the club has a two-year winning streak against the Kiwanians in their annual softball grudge match.
On Tuesday, the club officially completes its $1 million pledge to Riley Hospital for Children, on time and with money to spare. This was not the result of one large donor or any government intervention. Rather, this money was raised through membership raffles and good old-fashioned fundraising.
The club also will donate well over $50,000 to the Rotary International “End Polio Now” campaign. For decades, Rotary International has led the worldwide effort to eradicate polio. With that goal within reach, each local club was asked to contribute $2,000 for the final push. The donation from the Rotary Club of Indianapolis represents the largest club donation in the world.
In an era when many service clubs are struggling, the Rotary Club of Indianapolis sees its best days ahead. The club started the year with 400 members and is close to its goal of 450. The average age of members is declining, and everyone is represented, from young professionals to retired executives. The membership reflects the diversity of our community, with a healthy mix of business and not-for-profit members and a solid “who’s who” of community leaders on the roster.
The true success of Indy Rotary, however, is not who they are, but what they do. Besides raising money, the club runs a clean-water and AIDS prevention program in Africa and education and health initiatives in Jamaica, and locally supports literacy, crime prevention and neighborhood beautification, just to name a few worthy causes. To borrow a phrase from Oldsmobile, this is not your father’s service club.
This success is not by accident. Sponsel, owner of RJE Business Interiors, is one part taskmaster and two parts cheerleader, with a heavy dose of eternal optimist. For him, the glass is never half empty or half full, but always has room for more.
As the club approaches its 100th anniversary, it doesn’t look a day older than 29. The economy may be in a recession, but the Rotary Club of Indianapolis refuses to participate. For this club, it’s all about building good will and better friendships.
The Rotary Club of Indianapolis has completed its pledge to donate $1 million over five years to Riley Hospital for Children. On Tuesday, the Rotarians presented a check for $95,000, the last piece of the pie, to Riley President and CEO Dan Fink. The funds will create a family lounge, with amenities such as computer hookups and kitchen facilities, in Riley’s new addition.