Author: Indy Rotary

Rodney Mann, Executive Director, Scottish Rite Cathedral
Although the Rotary Club of Indianapolis meets in the beautiful ballroom of the Scottish Rite Cathedral each Tuesday, many members may not know the history of the building or what being a Freemason is all about.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Indianapolis Scottish Rite Cathedral in downtown Indianapolis is a magnificent example of Tudor-Gothic architecture and is the home of Freemason member activities, as well as public and community events. Freemasons believe in personal honor, principle, moral and ethical behavior, and setting a good example. There is natural synergy between the Scottish Rite Cathedral, Freemasons and the Rotary Club of Indianapolis. Mr. Mann will end his presentation slightly early and there will be an optional tour of the Scottish Rite Cathedral just afterward. 

Past Presidents Day
Each year, Rotary recognizes Past Presidents of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis for their past and continued service to our club. Please join us and help us celebrate these important individuals on May 3.

Back for a return speaking engagement with the Rotary Club of Indianapolis is Professor Tom Turpin from Purdue University’s Entomology Department. Professor Turpin will be sharing his insight into Honey Bees and pollinators. How important could it be for us to learn about a bunch of bees? Well, consider that Honey Bees add over $15 billion to US agricultural production and do almost 80% of all crop pollination. It’s been reported by the Nature Conservancy that “the number of honey bee colonies has dropped to about 2.5 million from more than 4 million in the 1970s.” and “ It cannot be denied that the honey bee is the greatest pollinating machine when it comes to agriculture.” Whether pesticides are to blame or Colony Collapse Disorder or something else, Professor Turpin will be sure to raise our Bee IQ regarding this situation and potential causes which are being hotly debated in the scientific and environmental communities.

2016  is the bicentennial of Indiana’s statehood and the Indiana State Museum (ISM) is producing a major exhibition in recognition of this anniversary.  Indiana in 200 Objects; A Bicentennial Celebration will introduce significant moments, events, artifacts and people from Indiana’s past and present, as well as present our state’s amazing  natural history.  The experience will showcase the breadth and depth of Indiana’s history including its contributions to the nation and the world. The exhibition will run from April 30, 2016 –  January 29, 2017 at the ISM.

In addition to nearly 140 artifacts from the museum’s permanent collection, contributions from institutions, museums, libraries, corporations and private collections from throughout the nation are to be utilized to tell Indiana’s story.  The National Archives, NASA, Indiana Historical Society, Rolls-Royce, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Cummins Inc., the National Museum of the American Indian, the Cranbrook Institute, and Butler, Indiana, Notre Dame and Purdue universities are among our some 40 partners on this project.

The Why, How, and What’s Next for Indy’s $4.5 billion tourism economy
Four decades ago, civic leaders set out to make Indianapolis a premier destination for conventions, major sporting events, and tourism.  The effort to draw big meetings and events to Indy has been wildly successful but Indy still has much room to grow as a tourism destination.  Visit Indy CEO Leonard Hoops will share why tourism is critical to the region’s economy (hint: it’s about jobs and tax revenues), how Visit Indy has been doing, and what still needs to be done for Indy to become a must-see destination.

DETAILS FOR GUESTS

Anucha Browne Sanders is the NCAA’s vice president of women’s basketball championships. In this role, Browne Sanders sets the strategic direction for, and oversees the operation and management of, the Division I, II and III women’s basketball championships. The NCAA’s Women’s Final Four is just around corner on April 3 and 5 and is set to take place right here in Indianapolis, so this is the perfect time to learn more about the championship!

Browne Sanders was previously the University of Buffalo senior associate athletic director and senior woman administrator, where she supervised men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, softball, swimming, diving and rowing. She was also responsible for marketing and ticket sales efforts, corporate partnerships, community relations, event presentation and operations for revenue sports.

Prior to her service at Buffalo, Browne Sanders was the senior vice president of marketing and business operations for the NBA’s New York Knicks. In her collegiate career, Browne Sanders was a highly decorated women’s basketball student-athlete at Northwestern University, earning all-Big Ten team honors three times and Big Ten Player of the Year twice. Browne Sanders holds the all-time conference records for scoring (2,307 points) and rebounds (951). In 1985, she led all Division I women’s basketball players in scoring average with 30.5 points per game. We are excited to welcome this champion to Rotary!