• July 12, Indy Rotary Welcomes Don Knebel, President, Center for Interfaith Cooperation

    July 12, Indy Rotary Welcomes Don Knebel, President, Center for Interfaith Cooperation

    What Truth Can Set Us Free?

    Almost every day brings a new report of violence and discrimination based on a person’s religious beliefs. Powerful voices have argued that the world would be better off if religious beliefs simply disappeared. But religious beliefs will not disappear, at least any time soon. Instead, what is needed is a better way to understand and deal with religious differences. This presentation, by the founding Board Chair of the Center for Interfaith Cooperation, will look at how to view the religious beliefs of others in ways that encourage respect and not fear and hatred.

    Donald E. (Don) Knebel earned a degree in electrical engineering from Purdue and a law degree from Harvard.  Don retired from Barnes & Thornburg at the end of 2013 after 39 years as an intellectual property litigator.  He now serves as Adjunct Professor and Senior Advisor at the Center for Intellectual Property Research at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law, teaching antitrust law and patent litigation.  Since September 2015, he has served as Interim Executive Director of the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre, on whose Board he has served since 1986.

  • Wednesday, August 3, 5:31 at Thr3e Wise Men

    Rotary is excited that Thr3e Wise Men will be hosting our next 5:31 Club on August 3, 5:31 to 7:30pm! All are welcome – please join us!

    Thr3e Wise Men is located at 1021 Broad Ripple Ave

    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!

  • 2016 Rotarian of the Year

    2016 Rotarian of the Year

    tom fisher-smallRotarian of the Year
    The evening included a wonderful video and testimonial to our new 2016 Rotarian of the Year, Judge Tom Fisher. Check out the 2016 Rotarian of the Year Video!

    AFTER SERVING AS THE JASPER COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY FOR 19 YEARS, IN 1986 TOM BECAME A MEMBER OF THE INDIANA TAX COURT IN INDIANAPOLIS.

    FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, TOM MAINTAINED HIS MEMBERSHIP IN THE RENSSELER CLUB, WHILE DOING MAKE-UP MEETINGS IN OUR CLUB. HE BECAME A MEMBER OF OUR CLUB IN 1990. HE WAS PRESIDENT OF OUR CLUB 2000-2001.

    IN 2002 TOM WAS SELECTED AS A ROTARY INTERNATIONAL GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE (GSE) TEAM LEADER. HE LED A GROUP OF FOUR, 33-YEAR OLDS TO ZIMBABWE, ZAMBIA AND MALAWI FOR FIVE WEEKS, STAYING IN THE HOMES OF ROTARIANS DURING A CULTURAL AND VOCATIONAL EXCHANGE.

    AFTER RETURNING HOME, TOM BECAME INVOLVED IN SEVERAL HUMANITARIAN PROJECTS RELATED TO CENTRAL AFRICA AND IN 2007 RETURNED THERE TO WORK ON PROJECTS OUR CLUB AND DISTRICT WERE HEAVILY INVOLVED WITH IN COOPERATION WITH THE IU SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

    TOM SERVED AS OUR DISTRICT GOVERNOR IN 2008-09. HE IS CURRENTLY THE DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE ON THE ROTARY INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL ON LEGISLATION.

    CURRENTLY HE IS ALSO CO-CHAIR OF OUR CLUB’S HOSPITALITY COMMUNITY AND SERVES ON THE ROTARY INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE. HE IS A PAUL HARRIS FELLOW AND HAS ATTAINED MAJOR DONOR STATUS TO THE ROTARY INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION.

    ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICE HAS INCLUDED:

    • SERVED IN AS A SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER AND ELDER AT THE REMINGTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
    • CHAIRED THE JASPER COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS
    • PAST-PRESIDENT OF THE COLUMBIA CLUB OF INDIANAPOLIS
    • FORMER TRUSTEE OF EARLHAM COLLEGE
    • RETIRED MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF THE CONNER PRAIRIE MUSEUM

    HE CURRENTLY SERVES ON THE BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE INDIANA JUDGES ASSOCIATION, IS THE CHAIR OF THE INDIANA PROCECUTING ATTORNEYS COUNCIL AND SERVES ON THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE INDIANAPOLIS FIRST FRIENDS MEETING.

    FOR ME HIS MOST ENDEARING QUALITY IS HUMILITY. WHILE TOM ENJOYS TELLING AND A GOOD JOKE AND GETTING A LAUGH, HE IS A TRUE SERVANT LEADER. HE CONTINES TO TELL EACH NEW PRESIDENT OF THIS CLUB, “I’LL SERVE WHEREVER YOU NEED ME.”

  • July 5, Indy Rotary Welcomes Tom Richardson, Director of Training & Development, Rainmakers

    July 5, Indy Rotary Welcomes Tom Richardson, Director of Training & Development, Rainmakers

    Authentic Networking/Building Authentic Relationships

    • What do we mean by authentic relationships?  
    • Why are authentic relationships important?  
    • What are typical mistakes we make in relationship building?  
    • What are the success principles to building relationships?

    Learn some basic authentic relationship-building techniques and understand how to take your relationships to a deeper level through your communication, your care and your “service above self” mentality.

    This will be a professional development opportunity for Rotarians to learn more about how to maximize networking by building authentic relationships that will help them achieve their personal and professional goals.

    Tommy Richardson has a 40+ year career that has included experience as a business and personal coach, trainer and speaker, a teacher and athletic coach, small business owner, sales manager and insurance executive in sales and leadership with a major insurance company. Today, as Rainmakers Director of Training & Development, Tommy leads individuals and organizations to reach their highest potential thorough speaking, training and coaching.

  • Environment and Beautification Committee Working at Progress House

    Environment and Beautification Committee Working at Progress House

    2016-06-25 06.02.16-group-smallOn Saturday, June 25, six Environment and Beautification (E&B) members, two spouses, and 6-7 Progress House residents had a successful day planting 48 shrubs and perennials around a gazebo at Progress House, an all-male residence for those overcoming alcohol and drug addictions, located at 201 S. Shelby Street in Indianapolis.

    Build several weeks prior, the gazebo was funded by Rotary through the E&B committee, and the residents find it to be a perfect place for some solitude. Most of the shrubs and plants were funded by a Civic Entrepreneurship grant submitted by Rotarian, Marie Koenig.

    After only three hours, the area around the gazebo was transformed from a plain site to a beautiful one! Thanks also to Mainscape (courtesy of Chris Gonzalez) for donating a lot of mulch and to Norm Melzer for his rototiller and Greg Gerke for his auger.

    E & B members included: Anne Gioe, Norm Melzer, Jennifer and Vern Hobbs, Marie and Gary Koenig, Chris Gonzalez and Greg Gerke. Plans continue to beautify this space by adding about 20 trees. Yet another project!

  • Growing Rotary a Success!

    Growing Rotary a Success!

    On June 28, 2016, the Rotary Club of Indianapolis celebrated a successful and event-filled evening at the downtown Scottish Rite Cathedral in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Hilton Hotels & Suites VIP Reception and Bedel Financial Dinner stages were set with lots of colorful blooms and lush greenery. The tables were assembled with festive floral centerpieces donated and sold the end of the evening for a contribution to Rotary.

    Rotarian of the Year
    The evening included a wonderful video and testimonial to our new 2016 Rotarian of the Year, Judge Tom Fisher. Check out the 2016 Rotarian of the Year Video!

    Awards and Installations
    Many deserving Rotarians received awards and President Jeff Lake (2015-2016) installed President Sheila Carlson (2016-2017), while President Carlson installed our newest Officers and Directors!

    Audio of the program can be heard, below.

    Want to see our Facebook photos? Just click here!

  • Rotary Softball Team Beats Kiwanis!

    For the second year in a row, the Rotary Club of Indianapolis beat Kiwanis 6 – 4 at Victory Field on Thursday evening, June 16.

    It was a beautiful evening and over 80 Rotarians, friends and family came our to support the Rotary Club Softball team. Thank you team and all those cheering us on to help Rotary RETAIN THE BABE!

  • June 21, Indy Rotary Welcomes Susan Miles, Kids Caring and Sharing Director, Riley Children’s Foundation

    June 21, Indy Rotary Welcomes Susan Miles, Kids Caring and Sharing Director, Riley Children’s Foundation

    Rotarians are encouraged to bring an important child in their life to Rotary on Tuesday to hear a message from Susan Miles, a Riley mom who is passionate about sharing news of the hospital’s good work and invites youth to discover the power of philanthropy.

    Susan travels the state visiting K-12 schools delivering the message that Riley Hospital is already at work within the local community and is an important and unifying charitable concern worthy of support.

    Susan Miles will also talk about the Kids Caring & Sharing program at Riley Children’s Foundation, which offers students simple ways to help other children by fundraising for Riley’s pediatric research through their schools.  Funds raised help Riley doctors and scientists search to find new treatments and cures for kids through cancer research, diabetes research, and research into many childhood heart, lung and genetic defects.

    Susan will share some of the success stories from her experience there and inspire the audience members of all ages to live the motto, “Service Above Self.”

  • Rotarian and District Governor Mark Blade’s wife Vickie Blade Passes

    Fellow Rotarian and District Governor Mark Blade’s wife Vickie has passed away. Read Obituary, here.

    The funeral service for Vickie will be at Noon, Wednesday, June 22 at the church where Mark is pastor:

    Saints Home Church of God in Christ*
    2210 N. 13th Street
    Terre Haute, IN 47804
    (812) 232-3283
    *Donations can be made to Saints Home Church of God in Christ.

    Visitation: Tuesday, June 21 from 5-7 p.m., also at the same church.

    All are welcome, but with family, friends and local school officials, Mark has expressed concern that there may not be adequate seating to accommodate everyone at the funeral in the 350-seat church. Married Aug. 14, 1976, Mark and Vickie have two sons, two daughters, seven grandsons and one great-granddaughter. To celebrate their 40th anniversary, Mark and Vickie had been planning an August trip to Hawaii.

    Mark J. Blade and Family
    markblade55@yahoo.com

  • June 14, Indy Rotary Welcomes Jonathan Nalli, Chief Executive Officer of St.Vincent

    June 14, Indy Rotary Welcomes Jonathan Nalli, Chief Executive Officer of St.Vincent

    After two years as CEO of Indiana’s second largest health care system – and the state’s seventh largest employer – Jonathan Nalli has fully immersed himself into what he calls “a deeper purpose” to drive patient-centered excellence across the statewide ministry of St.Vincent. Nalli faces an industry in transition, but he welcomes the political, economic and social change opportunities that come with his role as CEO.

    As part of his larger vision, he also recognizes that St.Vincent has an important role to play in addressing the unfortunate reality that Hoosiers continue to lag behind other states when it comes to overall health and wellness – with Indiana’s population ranking 41st in the nation due to high rates of obesity, smoking, diabetes and physical inactivity.

    Prior to taking over as CEO of St.Vincent Health in 2014, Jonathan was CEO of the Porter Health System in Valparaiso where he led the strategic and operational direction of two hospitals, six outpatient centers and an array of physician practices.

    Prior to Porter Health, he was chief operating officer of Chestnut Hill Health System in Philadelphia for two years. In addition, he served as chief operating officer of Pottstown memorial medical center in Pottstown, pa.

    Jonathan earned his master’s degree in business administration from Drexel University in Philadelphia, and his bachelor’s degree in health sciences in health administration from the University of Kentucky.