• The Rotary Foundation Video – “Doing Good in the World”

    Nick Reich, co-chair of The Rotary Foundation (TRF) Committee, introduced “A Century of Doing Good in World,” a four-minute video that highlights TRF’s history, impact and future, at the August 30 luncheon.

    Nick told luncheon attendees he got his first exposure to Rotary through a TRF Group Study Exchange in 2009 to Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique. From that experience and membership in our Club he knows that through TRF we can reach far beyond our community and improve the lives of many more people by taking advantage of the powerful global network of The Rotary Foundation.

    The TRF Committee’s goals for the foundation’s centennial year are:

    • $40,000 in contributions
    • 150 donors
    • 25 new donors
    • 25 Rotary Direct donors

    “Do good” now! Setup for a Rotary Direct account and start making a difference around the world, one dollar at a time.

  • September 6, Indy Rotary: Rev. Dr. Stephen Hrekio, The Chin Community of Indiana

    September 6, Indy Rotary: Rev. Dr. Stephen Hrekio, The Chin Community of Indiana

    The Chins are a minority ethnic population from North-Western Burma (Myanmar). Many Chin experienced forced labor, arbitrary arrest, rape, torture and sometimes even execution of family before fleeing their home country as refugees. In Indianapolis, the Chin community has been growing to almost 15,000, due to it becoming a “hub” for Chin refugees fleeing from this military dictatorship of their home country, Burma.

    Life can be difficult for newly arriving Chin refugees. Many have limited English proficiency and skills that are not easily transferable to the American workplace.  Some are not accustomed to living in a technologically-driven culture. And still others are overcoming the memories and emotional scars of being persecuted.

    Join us on Tuesday to learn more about the Chin community- the struggles they’ve experienced and their efforts to assimilate into Indianapolis and become valuable, educated, employed citizens.  It’s a program you won’t forget and will be an inspiration to all who attend.

  • Become a Rotary Mentor

    Written by Rotarian Paul Wonch, Mentoring Committee

    The New Member Mentoring Committee engages our newest members by assigning mentors! Our mentors help new members learn about Rotary and select a committee. For instance, one such committee – Business Networking, provides new Rotarians with a venue to let other Indy Rotarians know what they do and how they serve through their vocation. Plus, there’s an opportunity to network professionally and personally with other like-minded Rotarians!

    Our goal is to get new members engaged in at least one of over 30 committees. Through the initial mentoring process, we match our newest Rotarians and a committee that best suits their passion and reason for joining our club. If you are a member of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis and would like to know more about becoming a mentor, or if you are interested in joining, please contact committee chair Paul Wonch at (317) 471-3564. He will be happy to get you started!

  • August 30, Indy Rotary: Marianne Black, Veterans History Project

    August 30, Indy Rotary: Marianne Black, Veterans History Project

    Marianne Black, a staff member for United States Senator Joe Donnelly, will discuss the history of theVeterans History Project as well as the efforts Senator Donnelly makes to promote the VHP throughout Indiana.  She’ll also talk about the mutual benefits to veterans and volunteers of conducting a VHP interview, and how Rotarians can participate.

    In an effort to collect, preserve and make available the personal stories of American veterans, Congress created the Veterans History Project (VHP).  The VHP is an archive of veterans’ oral histories, and they are housed in the permanent collections of the Library of Congress, one of the world’s most respected research and cultural institutions.

  • World Health Organization Reports new cases of Polio in Nigeria

    World Health Organization Reports new cases of Polio in Nigeria

    The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in mid-August that polio is having a resurgence in Nigeria.  New cases of polio were discovered in two paralyzed children from families in separate towns in July.

    The End Polio Now campaign of The Rotary Foundation (TRF) continues to raise money so no child is disabled by polio ever again. During the last few years only Pakistan and Afghanistan were the countries that had not completely eliminated the disease.

    It is now more critical than ever that every member of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis seriously consider making a contribution to The Rotary Foundation’s End Polio Now efforts!

    Give online today so we can eradicate this crippling disease.

    Rotary Direct allows Rotarians to contribute online monthly, quarterly or annually.

    Take advantage of our Club’s giving incentives:

    1. First five Rotarians to donate using Rotary Direct get 100 extra points toward PHF recognition.
    2. First 10 new donors will get an extra 100 points toward PHF recognition, as well.

    Your contributions make a difference.

    Additional background from The Rotary Foundation:

    Rotary’s first major program to eliminate polio was the formation of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in 1988. The GPEI’s original members were Rotary, the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and UNICEF.

    At that time, 350,000 children were afflicted by polio every year. Today, that number has been reduced by 99.9 percent.

    Over the years, others have joined the effort, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and governments throughout the world. Rotary continued its fundraising efforts and as of 2015 had contributed more than $1.5 billion to the eradication effort. In addition, Rotary’s advocacy has resulted in contributions of over $9 billion from world governments.

  • Indy Do Day – Inspire Others to Action

    Indy Do Day – Inspire Others to Action

    Inspire Others to Action

    Indy Do Day is a people-powered community day of service when the residents of Indianapolis take ownership of their neighborhoods and take care of their neighbors. Indy Do Day is September 29, 30 and October 1, 2016.

    Indy Do Day is looking for fantastic nonprofits, churches or organizations to host projects and volunteers for Indy Do Day. If you post your project on our site above, we’ll work to promote your project and mission leading up to and on Indy Do Day. Watch the video below for more inspiration about how Indy Do Day can help build your volunteer base and create synergy with the community.

    IDD-Infographic-for-web

  • E&B Helps Progress House

    E&B Helps Progress House

    On Saturday, August 20, Environment and Beautification committee members braved rain to plant and mulch five large, 15 ft. tall trees at Progress House, a short-term residence for those men afflicted with drug and alcohol addictions.  We would like to recognize and thank Rotarian, Chris Gonzalez and his company, Mainscape for providing a flatbed truck, forklift, auger, two staff members and mulch to complete the project.  The Environment and Beautification committee members included Anne Gioe and spouse, Jim Kienle, Mike Shanley, Marie Koenig and spouse and brother, and Chris Gonzalez for helping with this project.  Several Progress House residents and Joe Gaafar prepared and loaded the trees at a different location.

    Next spring, Progress House hopefully will be the recipient of a few more trees, shrubs, and benches through a Keep Indianapolis Beautiful grant to help beautify this multi-use recreational and reflective area.

    [Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”8″ gal_title=”Progress House”]

  • August 23, Jeff Smulyan, Chairman, Emmis Communications Corp

    August 23, Jeff Smulyan, Chairman, Emmis Communications Corp

    Emmis Communications continues to be on the forefront of innovation with initiatives like NextRadio, the free app that allows listeners to experience live, local FM radio on their smartphones.  Join Jeff Smulyan, Emmis Communications CEO to learn more about how NextRadio is a game changer for the radio and advertising industries. Also, hear more about specific strategies that Emmis uses to adapt and change in order to remain relevant in the radio industry.

    Widely recognized as one of the most visionary leaders in the radio industry, Jeffrey H. Smulyan serves as Founder and Chairman of the Board of Emmis Communications Corporation, an Indianapolis–based radio and magazine publishing company with operations in nine U.S. markets.

    Smulyan is the leading advocate of getting FM-enabled wireless devices in smartphones. He shepherded the unification of the radio industry behind the installation of the Emmis-created NextRadio application in a broad array of FM-enabled wireless devices, allowing consumers to listen to their local radio stations without data charges. @EmmisComm

  • Sep 7, 5:31 at the Salty Cowboy

    Meet us at the Salty Cowboy, 55 E. Oak Street, Zionsville on Wednesday, Sep. 7th.

    Reservations and punctuality not required! 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!

  • Wed, Oct 5th 3rd Annual Chili Cook-Off!

    Wed, Oct 5th 3rd Annual Chili Cook-Off!

    ROTARY 5:31 CLUB/3rd Annual Chili Cook-off: Wednesday, October 5th at the Triton Tap Room, 915 Broad Ripple Avenue. Face-Off against other members of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis! Bring your best batch of chili and see how it stands-up to the chili made by other Indy Rotary Club members. Here are the rules! If you are not participating in the contest, PLEASE STILL COME AND BRING FRIENDS! So, like all 5:31 get-togethers, it will be hot, spicy and fun!

    “Registration deadline”: September 27th! For more information or to enter the contest, contact David Leonards: ieb@prodigy.net

    Reservations and punctuality not required! 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!