• Former Indy Rotarian Kniptash Passes Away

    wkniptash042114_20140422Former Indianapolis Rotarian William R. Kniptash 91, a lifelong resident of Indianapolis, passed away Sunday, April 20th. William joined Rotary in 1970 and was a member until 2011. William was recognized at the 2010 Annual Rotary Celebration Dinner, along with five other members to have been a Rotarian for forty years – an impressive milestone.

    He was the son of the late Vernon E. and Maude Kniptash. Bill graduated from Manual High School, where he played on two city championship basketball teams and was captain in 1940. Bill was named the Alumnus of the Year in 1991. He graduated from Rose Polytechnic Institute (Rose Hulman), class of 1943, with a Chemical Engineering Degree and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. He served as President of the Alumni Association 1979-80. Bill was named Honor Alumnus of the year in 1986. He joined the US Navy and was a Lieutenant JG Engineering Officer serving in WWII and was discharged in 1946. See more.

  • Rotary International Foundation Special Program

    RotaryMBS_Azure-PMS-CThe worldwide foundation of Rotary International funded by member annual donations serves the Rotary mission worldwide including all health care programs, humanitarian programs and educational programs including Polio Plus.

    The expectation within Rotary is that Every Rotarian participate and give a minimum of $100 or more Every Year or at least something each year to the Rotary International Foundation.

    Now is the perfect time to make your donation or increase your giving if at all possible. To encourage new giving and to increase the number of sustaining contributors (donors of $100 or more annually), the District has announced a Spring Foundation Match of recognition points for contributions given April 15- May 31 of $100 to $500. In short, you can get double points toward your first or subsequent Paul Harris Fellow award levels.

    Just make a check payable to Rotary International Foundation and give your check or cash to anyone from our club office for processing.

    For further information or any questions, please check with any club Rotary International Foundation committee member: David Yeley, chair, Joe Arruda, Mary Jane Sorbera, Orion Bell, Alice McColgin, Betty Tonsing, Thomas Fisher or David Spring.

  • May 7, 2014 5:31 Club Meeting at Northside Social

    northside5:31 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).

    The Northside Social is located at 6525 N. College Avenue. Stop by anytime between 5:31pm to – 7:00pm. Reservations and punctuality are never required!

  • Orangutan at the Zoo

    The International Orangutan Center was designed with the orangutans in mind every step of the way. While it may not look like a traditional forest, the International Orangutan Center acts like the home territory of orangutans in the wild. This spectacular addition to the Zoo and to the Indianapolis community will be home to a fascinating group of these endangered great apes, offering them a special facility designed and built especially to meet their physical, social, and intellectual needs.

    Our new habitat will allow the orangutans to engage in their natural behaviors, while also challenging their curiosity and creativity. It will:

    • Accommodate the orangutans’ arboreal lifestyle.
    • Stimulate and engage their remarkable intelligence.
    • Support their unique social structure.

    Orangutan at the Zoo Facility

    The habitat also will create a visitor experience like no other. Zoo guests will enjoy diverse viewing opportunities, ranging from intimate encounters at ground level to spectacular aerial rides above. A soaring Beacon of Hope will draw people into the Zoo while enhancing the Indianapolis downtown skyline. With its unique design, it will become an icon for the Zoo and a beacon for the city and for wild orangutans. Location: Indianapolis Zoo, 1200 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46222

  • JA in a DAY – Rotarians Made a Difference

    JA in a DAY – Rotarians Made a Difference

    Rotarians made a difference in children’s lives at JA in a Day on April 10, 2014! The following volunteers agreed to get on board for JA in a Day on April 10, 2014! Thank you: Adam Cobb, Rada Cretu, Latonya Gaither, Matt Will, Tom Fodor, Jennifer Butler, Jeff Lake, Bruce Glor, Bill Bubenzer, Evan Bedel, Marie Koenig, Don Dorsey, Andrea Geiger, Lauren Scheldrup, Norm Melzer

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    • Where: IPS, Joyce Kilmer Academy #69
    • When: Thursday, April 10 from 9am to 3pm
    • Special Training Session: 45 Minute training session will be held directly after Rotary lunch on Tuesday, April 1.

    ja-in-a-dayJA In A DayJunior Achievement is dedicated to educating students about work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs. JA programs help prepare young people for the real world by showing them how to generate wealth and effectively manage it, how to create jobs which make their communities more robust, and how to apply entrepreneurial thinking to the workplace. Students put these lessons into action, and help strengthen their communities. In central Indiana, we provide in school education program to grades K-12 as well as our experiential capstone programs such as JA BizTown® and Finance Park® Virtual, which enforces the idea that kids learn by “doing.”

  • Our Rotary Racers Team of 15 raised a record $2,243 for the Cure!

    Our Rotary Racers Team of 15 raised a record $2,243 for the Cure!

    Click To Enlarge
    Click To Enlarge

    Thank you Rotary Racers! On April 12, 2014 Our Rotary Racers Team of 13 members raised a record $2,243 for the Cure! Plus Tutus and lots of pink adorned some of our Rotarians to recognize cancer survivors, loved ones, family members and friends. It’s a great cause and our club can be proud of our Rotary Racers! You can still donate to the Rotary Racers Team by clicking this link!

    (L to R) Lauren Scheldrup, Dana Curish, Angie Ingalls, Jeff Lake, Sara Garrett (daughter of Angie), Sheila Carlson, Greg Albright, Thomas A. Mason, Donna Blake (Greg’s sister), Ralph Taylor, Cheryl Lake (Jeff’s wife). Not pictured Jeff Moffatt (and his family), Lucia Carter (slept in for the cure)

  • Rotary International Foundation Special Program

    The worldwide foundation of Rotary International funded by member annual donations serves the Rotary mission worldwide including all health care programs, humanitarian programs and educational programs including Polio Plus.

    The expectation within Rotary is that Every Rotarian participate and give a minimum of $100 or more Every Year or at least something each year to the Rotary International Foundation.

    Now is the perfect time to make your donation or increase your giving if at all possible. To encourage new giving and to increase the number of sustaining contributors (donors of $100 or more annually), the District has announced a Spring Foundation Match of recognition points for contributions given April 15- May 31 of $100 to $500. In short, you can get double points toward your first or subsequent Paul Harris Fellow award levels.
    Just make a check payable to Rotary International Foundation and give your check or cash to anyone from our club office for processing.

    For further information or any questions, please check with any club Rotary International Foundation committee member: David Yeley, chair, Joe Arruda, Mary Jane Sorbera, Orion Bell, Alice McColgin, Betty Tonsing, Thomas Fisher or David Spring.

  • Upcoming Rotary Social Activities!

    SQUARE100YearLogoRotary Golf
    Rotary Golf will be starting up again on Monday, May 12, at River Glen just North of 116th off Allisonville Road. Be sure to tell them in the Clubhouse that you are with Rotary to get the discount – $26 for riders or $20 if you want to walk. The plan is to have a putting contest at 3:00 pm and tee off after 3:45 pm or so on the first day only. More info to follow at a later date.

    On Monday, June 23, we will have our outing at the Brickyard Crossing. Tee times will start at 2:00 pm and the format is Individual Bankers Handicap. The cost is $65 (discounted Rotary rate). Guests are welcome and when we hit 32 golfers, that is it! Please make your checks payable to Rotary Golf and mail to me at 3612 N. Washington Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46205-3592 or give them to me at Rotary; please DO NOT mail them to the Rotary Office.

    5:31 Club
    May 7th: Northside Social, Broad Ripple
    June 4th: Weber Grill (includes new member reception)

    Other activities:
    Symphony on the Prairie: More information TBD, Summer 2014

  • Danny O’Malia Featured on Hoosier Hometown Heroes

    Danny O’Malia Featured on Hoosier Hometown Heroes

    danny-omaliaHoosier Hometown Heroes is the premier business web-series, focusing on successful professionals in Indiana. The show is hosted by Tony Valle and sponsored by *Promethius Consulting. For those looking to grow their business, gain new insights, and learn about exciting opportunities; this show is a must watch.

    Promethius Consulting is one company in a growing list of organizations, sponsors and vendors participating in the 2014 Indy Do Day Project: A Community Partnership Led by the Rotary Club of Indianapolis.

  • Central Indiana Education Alliance’s First Annual Education Weekend

    Thanks in part to an Indianapolis Rotary Foundation Civic Entrepreneurship grant and as part of the Central Indiana Education Alliance’s First Annual Education Weekend, the Rotary Education Equity Awards will take place on May 16-18, 2014. The awards, which will honor individuals who have had their impact on education, felt either inside, or beyond, the traditional educational setting, will be announced during a special awards presentation on Friday, May 16, 2014.

    Click here to access an electronic copy of the nomination form.

    Led by Jamal L. Smith, Executive Director of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission, representatives from Talent Alliance, the Rotary Club of Indianapolis, the community, and students will comprise the selection team.

    Nominations are due by Monday, April 21, 2014 at 5:00 pm.