• Rotarian, Elaine Bedel Wins 2011 Torchbearer Award!

    INDIANAPOLIS (March 16, 2011) – The Indiana Commission for Women (ICW) announced the recipients of the prestigious 2011 Torchbearer Awards on Wednesday, March 9, 2011. This award honors women from around the state who have been pioneers in their profession, overcome obstacles or removed barriers to equality or whose outstanding achievements have contributed to making Indiana a better place to live, work and raise a family.

    “Indiana Torchbearers are those women who have stepped forward in all areas of society to carry the light for women and have led the way for others,” says Kristin Svyantek Garvey, ICW executive director. “These women have become true beacons of light and their stories of courage, perseverance and compassion create a lasting legacy of inspiration for us all.”

    For this year’s Awards Ceremony, the Indiana Commission for Women received forty-three nominations for forty-eight amazing women. The 2011 Torchbearer Awards recipients are:

    • Ellen K. Annala, Indianapolis
    • 
Elaine E. Bedel, Indianapolis
    • 
Tanya Bell, Brownsburg
    • 
Susan W. Brooks, Indianapolis
    • Maria Del Rio Hoover, Evansville
    • 
Cheryl Joan Hillenburg, English
    • Cynthia “Cindy” Hubert, Indianapolis
    • Maria Larrison, Avon
    • Janice Montgomery, Columbus
    • Dessie Partenheimer Koch, Indianapolis
    • Harriet Miller, Fort Wayne
    • Katie Stam, Seymour/Carmel

    Harriet Miller received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her continuous work to ensure that women have a voice when their rights and equality are jeopardized and for her lifetime commitment to women’s progress in society.

    Miss America 2009, Katie Stam received the Heart of Indiana Award, which is given to a woman who has opened her heart and mind to the needs of humanity and has demonstrated her commitment to philanthropic service, social change and the spirit of hope.

    For more information about the 2011 Torchbearer Awards Recipients, contact the Indiana Commission for Women at (317) 233-6303.

  • Better Know a Member – John Aleshire

    alshireOn a beautiful day in May (not one of the many rainy ones), I had the pleasure of visiting with John Aleshire in his office at the Humane Society of Indianapolis where John is the CEO.

    John grew up in Terre Haute with his parents and one younger brother. He graduated from Indiana State University and went on to United Theological Seminary where he obtained a graduate degree in divinity. He came to Indianapolis in 1976 and was on staff at North United Methodist Church for many years.

    After his time at the church, John was with Indiana National Bank’s community affairs/public relations division for 11+ years. A highlight there was organizing the annual Independence Day fireworks. While at Indiana National, he was given the opportunity to be a trust officer and held that position until the bank was sold and he was asked to transfer to Detroit—John chose to stay in Indianapolis.

    John was then CEO of The Little Red Door Cancer Agency for 6 years until the Humane Society of Indianapolis came calling. About three years ago, he had actually read about the resignation of his predecessor in the Indianapolis Star and thought “what sucker is going to take that job…” A week later he was approached by a friend, Marsha Spring, who was on the board and asked him to consider the position. John said ‘no’ quickly but then agreed to meet David Horth, who was the board president at the time. David’s vision, passion and dedication for the organization were so impressive that John decided to take the position.

    John’s been with the Humane Society of Indianapolis for over 2-1/2 years now and works to fulfill the organization’s vision that “all Central Indiana animals are treated with dignity and respect and live free from cruelty, harm and neglect.” He is diligent about making the organization truly financial secure. Future plans for the organization include a second location that will be an animal welfare center in the Fountain Square area to provide spay and neuter services. This center will be the first of its kind in the country. Learn more about the Indianapolis Humane Society and sign up for “furr-e-mail” at http://indyhumane.org.

    Oh, and if you’re wondering how many pets are in John’s family–he has two cats.

    When I asked John about his personal mantras, he shared these nuggets:

    • Show up and pay attention
    • Suspend judgment
    • Don’t take anything personally
    • Speak your truth with compassion
    • Don’t be attached to the outcome

    John was recruited to the Rotary Club of Indianapolis in 2003 by Marsha Spring. He was pleasantly surprised by the club’s diversity, large membership, mission and people. John says, as with any experience, membership in Rotary is what you make it and suggests that anyone that values their profession and wants to be around leaders, visionary thinkers and people engaged in the Indianapolis community needs to give Rotary a chance. He has found it to be a great place to build a network of professional friendships and has found members to be a great resource for services as well.

    John’s future goals include travelling to Europe and tracing his ancestral roots in England, Wales and Scotland. He spent time studying in Europe while in seminary and would like to go back to Italy some day. John has already been to every state except Arizona and New Mexico. He has a business trip to Arizona next month, so he is close to completing the U.S. tour.

    I also learned that one of John’s creative outlets is writing. He has the plots worked out on a couple of novels he hopes to finish one day. He also dreams of being a pianist and loves classical and other music. He admires the talent of others—including those that play for our club meetings—but just has never had the time to work on it enough.

    I’m so glad I had the opportunity to spend time getting to know John. Personally, I won’t be surprised to see his name on a best seller list or a marquee someday. If you haven’t yet met him, be sure to do so at an upcoming Rotary meeting. Or, if you are considering adding a dog or cat to your family, visit John and friends at the Humane Society of Indianapolis!

  • Calnali Microfinance Project – UPDATE

    First reported on the Rotary website on Aug 19, 2010

    BY: Sara Hook. This project will establish and set up a structure to sustain a microfinance project in Calnali, State of Hildago, Mexico, that would provide small loans and other support (training, education on basic financial management) to citizens so that they could become self-sufficient. The primary focus would be on loans to women. The Partner club in Mexico is the Rotary Club of Huehuetla (Way-HOOT-La), a larger city near Calnali, but still in the State of Hidalgo. Link to IUPUI webpage.

  • Rotary Goal For Riley Kids – Exceeded!

    By Brenda Jackson. During this past holiday, our Christmas Party with Riley Kids provided at least 200 Riley kids a gift (see all the photos at SmugMug). Due to the overwhelming response and generosity from our Rotary members, the original goal of giving 100 gifts, was doubled! The Plea Tree was the second tier of our Rotary Christmas with Riley Kid’s Project.

    This is a wonderful example of service above self. Making a small difference in child’s life and family this Christmas season – thank you to all who participated.

  • Rotary Christmas Party for Riley Kids Brings Cheer!

    On December 2nd, Rotarian’s spent an evening at the Rotary Christmas Party for Riley Kids! Said Brenda Jackson, “Everyone was just awesome. What a joy to know we were able to give a little bit of Christmas and Holiday cheer to the children and their families. Kudos to Riley for being such a fabulous place to be when not such fabulous things are happening in a family’s life.”

    Sheila Carlson took many pictures of the evening, which you can see here. There were many memories. Seeing Rotarian Danny O’Malia deligently placing glue onto paper so a child could create a Christmas masterpiece, all the while his lovely Santa tie dipping in glitter gave no bother to him. And, then there was the cheer in the air as each and every volunteer laughed, high-fiveed and worked so hard with the children to make sure their ornament was the best of the entire evening. It gave meaning to Christmas and Service Above Self.

  • Governor Mitch Daniels Speaks at Rotary

    The Rotary Club of Indianapolis schedules some of the most relevant and important speakers in our state and the country at each Tuesday meeting. On November 23, Rotary was well-represented as Governor Mitch Daniels outlined his agenda for the upcoming legislative session to Indianapolis Rotary Club members. Read the article on WIBC’s website and hear a short audio clip from the speech.

    Did You Know? In June 2009, Governor Mitch Daniels, bestowed Indianapolis Rotarian, Danny Danielson, with the states highest honor, the 2009 Sachem Award. The Sachem is given to recognize a lifetime of excellence and moral virtue that has brought credit and honor to Indiana.

  • Concord Neighbor Residents and Rotarian Plant Trees

    BY: Mike Howard, E&B Committee
    Do you recall the first time you ever used a shovel? Neither do I. It is a rather simple device – no moving parts, no buttons to push, no screen to view, no automated voice issuing monotone commands. You probably just picked up the shovel and – well, shoveled.

    Thirty some IPS students joined Rotarians, Concord Neighborhood residents and members from that other club with the initial “K” on Saturday, November 20, to plant 31 service berry, oak and maple trees along a two block stretch of Meridian just south of I-70. The trees were donated by Indianapolis Power and Light and are a part of their continuing program to “re-green” urban Indianapolis.

    Some of the students said they had never used a shovel before and were willing to learn where to place their hands and how to use leverage to get the job done. Smiles crept over their faces as they saw the work they accomplished. Most had never planted trees so they learned the type of trees, the care of the trees and how trees benefit the neighborhood. When they completed the planting, the kids were given bright green Concord T shirts and treated to pizza.

    Teaching kids new skills, explaining the benefit of the work they were doing and beautifying the neighborhood are examples of Rotarians “paying it forward.”

  • Rotarians and Rotaract Conduct 2nd 4-Way Test Program

    BY: Scott Armstrong
    On November 12, 2010 fourteen Rotarians joined four members of the Rotaract Club at the second Rotary 4-Way Test program of the 2010-11 school year. IPS School #2 downtown was the location, and the entire 7th-grade class were the participants for the latest edition of the Education Committee’s signature event. (Students from IPS #2 and Howe Academy would be joining us for lunch at the Holiday Program on December 14, 2010.) Rotarians were able to spend two eye-opening hours with today’s young men and women and came away raving about the experience. Every student that took part was rated by the Rotarian at their table as “excellent” in terms of participation and enthusiasm. More than half of the Rotarian participants were not Education Committee members, and many people participated for the very first time. Watch for two more opportunities to participate coming up after the first of the year, and don’t be afraid to jump right in, once you do it once, you will want to do it time and again.

    Participating Rotarians:
    Al Leighton, Susie Harmless, Hugh Baker, Melissa Farmer, Kim Hodges, Walle Mafalosaire, Scott Armstrong, Jim Miller, Sarah Reuter, Ramona Adams, Michael Joyce, Nathan Connor, Steven Stolen, Paul Del Re

    Participating Rotaractors:
    Sunday Ogundele, Megan Carrison, Ashley Black, Wysteria Holt

  • What is a Corporate Membership in our Rotary Club?

    The Corporate Membership allows your company or organization to continuously benefit from all that the Rotary Club of Indianapolis has to offer, regardless of whether your CEO retires or your executive vice president relocates to another market. Here’s how it works: Any company or organization may choose to nominate up to two senior management officials to be active members of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis. One member will be designated as the “executive” member; the other as the “regular” member.

    CorporateMembershipArtARE YOU CONNECTED? Then, get connected with our Indy Rotary Corporate Connection membership. It allows for many more benefits as an organization, such as a home page presence on our website, a corporate spotlight at one of our Tuesday programs and much more! Download the brochure to see for yourself.

    There is a one-time initiation fee and standard annual dues, but should either of your members leave your organization for any reason, simply transfer his or her membership to another member of senior management – at no cost. What’s more, the individual who leaves, may transfer his or her Corporate Membership to an Individual Membership for a one time conversion fee.

    Our Corporate Members have full membership in our club and have been given prominence on the front page of our website with links to their own web page on this site.

    Corporate Membership – Executive member and regular member One-time initiation fee and dues same as for individual member.

  • Environment and Beautification

    The E&B committee supported the Spring Tree Planting with Concord Green on the near southside. Now, with support from Indianapolis Downtown Inc., Kiwanis, IPL, and others, 33 more trees will be planted on Saturday, November 20th, from 8:30am-noon. Volunteers are still needed, so please invite your family and employees to come out for a fun morning of neighborhood fellowship. For more information, please contact Anne Maschmeyer, or Jeff Mader.

    We are also coordinating with the Green Acres Urban Farm to help Mark Fritz and his group expand their efforts at creating Urban Gardens in the Concord Neighborhood, helping to feed neighbors and support local homeless shelters. More information will be coming out later as we work with Mark.