• June 10: Special Program with Eva Kor, Holocaust Survivor

    Join the Rotary Club of Indianapolis for a special program as we welcome Eva Kor, Holocaust Survivor and Forgiveness Advocate, as our speaker on Monday, June 10.

    For the past 40 years, Holocaust survivor Eva Kor has shared her story with students, teachers, medical professionals, senators, administrators, historians, university groups, graduating classes, and civic groups, both nationally and internationally. Eva is one of the few surviving twins sharing her personal account of the medical experiments supervised by Nazi doctor Josef Mengele at Auschwitz. Eva’s account of her survival of the Holocaust offers many relevant lessons on the dangers of hate and prejudice, and the consequences of allowing prejudice to persist, unchecked, in others. 

    In addition to the importance of her account from a historical perspective, Eva’s life lessons and message of forgiveness have touched the lives of millions of people. In 1995, Eva chose to forgive the Nazis, after deciding that they should no longer have power over her life. She describes forgiving the Nazis as an act of self-healing, self-liberation, and self-empowerment; forgiveness is not about the perpetrator, not about forgetting. It is one step toward repairing the world by helping victims free themselves from perpetrators and remove anger and hatred. Eva shares her own discovery of the power to forgive so that others may see the possibility to heal themselves through forgiveness. Forgiveness provides a way for people to free themselves from hurt, anger, and hatred, from the pain of victimhood. If people find peace with themselves, the world may also find peace.

    WFYI Public Media recently received a $25,000 Community Grant from the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation to fund a recurring, interactive program at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center that will feature the “Eva” documentary, a half-hour discussion and an interactive exhibit. The “Eva” documentary brings difficult topics to the forefront as it features the life journey of Eva Mozes Kor, Holocaust survivor. 

    Pre-registration is required for this event and includes a buffet lunch provided by MBP Distinctive Catering. Indianapolis Club Rotarian tickets are $26 and guest tickets are $35. Tables of 8 can be reserved by contacting Donna Christian at dchristian@indyrotary.org. If you participate in the Rotary Value Club contact Donna to reserve your ticket.

    Purchase your tickets on Eventbrite.

  • Our Office Has Moved…..

    The Rotary Club of Indianapolis office is now located at the Glossbrenner Mansion. The new mailing address is 3202 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208 and the new phone number is 317-829-1041. Please update your records.

  • April 16: Paul Lushin, CEO, Lushin, Inc.

    Paul Lushin, a serial entrepreneur, is the Founder and CEO of Lushin, Inc., a sales force development company. Paul works with presidents, CEOs, and business owners, utilizing a professional sales and management philosophy that emphasizes the importance of not only making a living, but also making a difference. Paul helps these visionaries bring clarity to the business development process for their companies while coaching them to foster a culture that drives innovation, personal growth, and increased revenue.

    In addition to Lushin, Inc., Paul has founded numerous businesses and he’ll admit that he’s seen more failures than successes through this journey. He’s embraced these failures and challenges as a learning experience to help him grow and improve that has set him up for the successes that he’s had. Paul will talk on how he’s taken the lessons from these failures to help him move forward and grow in the areas of leadership, have a success mindset, and growing multiple businesses.

    All are welcome at Rotary programs. The lunch buffet opens at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. See you there!

  • April 9: Bryan Roach, Chief of Police, IMPD

    April 9: Bryan Roach, Chief of Police, IMPD

    Bryan Roach was named Chief of Police of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) on January 11, 2017, prior to that he served as Assistant Chief of Administration. In 2016, he was awarded with the Jake Laird Local Public Safety Hero Award. In 2015, he was presented the Hulman Health Achievement Award for being instrumental in Indiana’s first law enforcement life-saving Naloxone program for opiate overdose victims.

    Chief Roach joined the department in April 1991 and served as a North District patrol officer from 1991- 1994. He became a Narcotics Detective in 1994 and served in that capacity until he was promoted to Sergeant in 1999. Chief Roach served as a supervisor in Narcotics and of the North District Neighborhood Resource Unit until 2002 when he was named the administrative assistant to the Assistant Chief of Operations. In January 2005, Chief Roach was promoted to Lieutenant and served as the administrative assistant to the Chief of Police.

    Chief Roach was appointed Major in January 2006 and served as the Executive Officer to the Chief of Police. In September 2007, he was appointed Deputy Chief of the Executive Division. In June 2008, he received the merit rank of Captain. In May 2010, Chief Roach began serving as a Major within the Operations Division, and in September 2010, became Commander of the Southwest District. In February 2014, he was appointed as the Deputy Chief of Administration.

    Chief Roach is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy. He has been awarded two Medals of Valor and the Medal of Merit.

    All are welcome at Rotary programs. The lunch buffet opens at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. See you there!

  • Nominations Open for Rotary Outstanding Achievement Recognition Award

    Nominations Open for Rotary Outstanding Achievement Recognition Award

    The Rotary Club of Indianapolis is proud to announce that nominations for the Rotary Outstanding Achievement Recognition (ROAR) Award is open (formerly called Rotarian of the Year.)  Nominations for Rotarians in good standing who have demonstrated “Service Above Self” during his or her lifetime are being accepted. This award recognizes a life devoted to reflecting the Four Way Test, not just within the Club, but in their career and community life as well. This is considered a lifetime achievement award.

    Award Information:

    1. The ROAR Award Selection Committee for 2019 is chaired by Elaine Bedel.
    2. Completed nominations should be submitted no later than May 3, 2019, to Jamie Stahl in person at a Tuesday lunch or via email to jstahl@indyrotary.org.
    3. Public announcement of the ROAR Award will occur on May 21 and the award will be presented at the 2019 Celebration Dinner scheduled for the evening of June 25.

    Download the ROAR nomination form.

    Past Recipients:

    2007: Marge Tarpley and Danny Danielson

    2008: Dr. Tim Dudley

    2009: Hugh Baker

    2010: Bill Batt

    2011: Bill Ervin

    2012: Gene Busche

    2013: Club celebrated 100th anniversary and named Rotarian of the Century: Senator Richard Lugar

    2014: Paul Raikes

    2015: Club celebrated retirement of Executive Director, Susie Harmless, and, therefore, no ROY named

    2016: Judge Tom Fisher

    2017: Elaine Bedel

    2018: Tom Lugar

  • April 2: Abdul Hakim-Shabazz, Editor & Publisher, IndyPolitics.org

    Abdul Hakim-Shabazz has been covering and writing about state and local government in Indiana since 2004. Overall, he has more than 20 years of experience in writing and talking about the issues that affect real people. He goes beyond the headlines and tells you not only what’s happening, but why it’s happening.

    He writes for the Indianapolis Star, WIBC.com, NUVO Newsweekly, and TheStatehouseFile.Com. He’s also a frequent panelist and contributor to RTV 6’s Indianapolis This Week and Inside Indiana Business.

    Abdul is also the editor and publisher of IndyPolitics.Org, which has been recognized by the Washington Post two years in a row as one of the best political blogs in the nation.

    Abdul earned his degree in broadcasting and journalism at Northern Illinois University. He has a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs from the University of Illinois and a law degree from St. Louis University. He serves as “Of Counsel” at the Indianapolis law firm of Lewis & Wilkins and serves on the faculty at Ivy Tech Community College and University of Indianapolis.

    All are welcome at Rotary programs. The lunch buffet opens at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. See you there!

  • March 27: Coffee & Conversation with Stephanie Pemberton, Indianapolis Colts

    Be among the first to see the newly renovated Colts Pavilion at their practice facility, 7001 W 56th Street – Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. We will meet at 8am in the sleek new lobby of the Pavilion where our guest speaker will be Stephanie Pemberton, Vice President of Marketing. Stephanie will talk about the Colts and their value to Indianapolis and the state of Indiana and we might get some insider information on the combine and upcoming draft. Limited tours of the facility will be available after the conversation, including the Team Memorabilia Room.

    Attendees must be registered in order to attend. Click here to register.

  • March 26: Leonard Hoops, President & CEO, Visit Indy

    Leonard Hoops has served as president & CEO of Visit Indy since 2011. He leads a team of 62 industry professionals charged with growing Central Indiana’s economy by driving the region’s $5.2 billion convention, tourism and event industry.

    During Hoops’ tenure, Visit Indy has generated a 90-to-1 return on investment from its public funding, and Indianapolis has been named the #1 convention city in America by USA Today and a top visitor destination by The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, and Travel + Leisure.

    Prior to Visit Indy, Hoops was executive vice president and chief customer officer of San Francisco Travel, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau, senior vice president of marketing for the San Jose Convention & Visitors Bureau, and a corporate communications manager for a Fortune 120 company.

    Hoops has been named an “Indiana Living Legend” by the Indiana Historical Society, one of the “25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry” by Successful Meetings magazine, and one of the “Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality & Travel Sales & Marketing” by HSMAI. He has also received the Sloan-Kettering Award in Business from Delta Upsilon Fraternity and the Kurt Vonnegut Humor Award.

    Hoops currently serves on the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Board of Directors and Destinations International Foundation’s Board of Trustees. In Indy, Hoops serves on the Capital Improvement Board of Marion County as well as the Boards of the Indy Chamber, Downtown Indy, and the Indiana Sports Corp.

    Hoops earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from San Jose State University and an MBA from Santa Clara University. He and his wife, Dorene (an Indianapolis Public Schools commissioner), have a son and a daughter

    All are welcome at Rotary programs. The lunch buffet opens at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. See you there!

  • April 5:31 Club

    April 5:31 Club

    Join Rotary friends and guests at The Ale Emporium  for fun, frivolity, conversation, beverages (over 200 domestic and imported beers) and food (home of Honest Pizza and famous Hermanaki Wings).

    • April 3rd, from 5:31 pm till 7:00 pm, or whenever you can be there.
    • 8617 Allisonville Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46250
    • No agenda, just the regular, monthly social get-together.
    • Free parking.
    • Regular 5:31-ers will be joined by members of the World Community Service Committee this month.
    • This is a sanctioned event for all March Mania Team Captains and members.
  • March 19: Bryan Hannon, Director of Indiana Government Relations, American Cancer Society

    March 19: Bryan Hannon, Director of Indiana Government Relations, American Cancer Society

    Bryan Hannon is the Director of Indiana Government Relations for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). Working with public officials at the local, state and federal level, Hannon directs policy campaigns to make cancer prevention, detection and research a priority in Indiana. He also serves as the Chair of Tobacco Free Indiana and Raise it for Health, a statewide campaign to raise Indiana’s cigarette tax.

    Previously Hannon led ACS CAN’s grassroots advocacy efforts in Indiana where he helped volunteer advocates connect with their elected officials on various policy priorities including tobacco control, access to care and research funding priorities like the 21st Century Cures Act.

    Prior to joining ACS CAN Hannon worked in the Indiana state legislature and served in various capacities for political campaigns and non-profit organizations in Indiana.

    All are welcome at Rotary programs. The lunch buffet opens at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. See you there!