Category: Latest News

  • September 22: HVAF Backpack Packing Event

    September 22: HVAF Backpack Packing Event

    Every night, veterans wander the streets of Indiana’s cities and towns looking for a place to sleep or a hot meal. 33% of the homeless population are veterans. Sadly, these veterans who are now homeless are the same veterans who served our country with courage, self-sacrifice, honor, dignity, and pride. These veterans are America’s forgotten heroes. They fought for our freedom on the battlefield, and now they and their families fight daily for their survival on America’s streets.

    Join us next Tuesday as we hear from HVAF, the nonprofit who supports Indiana’s homeless veterans. We’ll also work together to pack backpacks with life essentials, which will be distributed to those in need.

    All are welcome at Rotary programs. If attending in-person at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center reservations and prepayment are required. Due to current guidelines only 50 seats are available. Register on Square at https://rotary-club-of-indianapolis.square.site/. Lunch will be available starting at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. 

    To join our meeting via Zoom starting at 12:15 p.m. go to https://zoom.us/j/710170874?pwd=bFE4ejJTc29IMlNzVmx1Wlg4MTA1UT09. While our Tuesday programs via Zoom are free to attend a suggested donation of $3-$5 is appreciated in lieu of the typical room fee. These contributions help defray the cost of our hybrid meetings. Please note that donations to the Rotary Club of Indianapolis are not tax deductible. You can support our hybrid meetings at https://rotary-club-of-indianapolis.square.site/. 

    Registration is not required to join the meeting. If you’d like to join via your mobile phone or tablet you can download the free Zoom app. 

    Meeting ID: 710 170 874
    Password: 821795

    If joining via a mobile phone for audio only click one of the following numbers: 
    +13126266799,,710170874#,,#,821795# US (Chicago)
    +19292056099,,710170874#,,#,821795# US (New York)

    You can also join us from a landline phone.
            +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
            +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

    Meeting ID: 710 170 874
    Password: 821795
    Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/abV7RufTKj

    Go here to view instructions on how to prepare for your first Zoom call. If you have questions about joining the meeting contact the office at info@indyrotary.org. 

  • 7th Annual Chili Cook-Off

    Join us for a special edition of the 5:31 Club which includes the 7th annual Chili Cook-off at Black Acre Brewing Bier Garden ( 5529 Bonna Ave #9, Indianapolis, IN 46219) on Wednesday, October 7. Everyone in attendance can vote for their first and second choices. The winner will be announced that evening.

    We plan to meet outdoors, weather permitting, and there is plenty of space to allow social distancing. (There’s a good size space indoors, too.) Wear a face mask to gain entry.

    Throw your hat into the ring by emailing Norm Melzer at normmelzer@gmail.com no later than Tuesday, September 30th if you think you have the best chili in Rotary. Win bragging rights for the entire year! Don’t delay! Ten entrants maximum.

    Are you a new member? We want to recognize you at this event so please plan on attending.

  • “Ole!” for Indy Eleven

    What: The mission of Indy Eleven – “To win championships with and for the community” – stays true to its aim of fielding a team that will represent Indiana proudly on and off the field. From the beginning, Indy Eleven has looked to create a team representative of Indiana that forms strong emotional connections with its fans. Those connections – embodied in the team’s symbolic name, crest, and colors – are made with Indiana’s youth and adult soccer community and the active young adult urban and ethnic populations.
    Sit with your Rotarian friends while enjoying the world’s most popular sport. There is plenty of room for social distancing; bring your face mask.
    When: September 23, 2020 The game begins at 7:00 PM
    Where: Lucas Oil Stadium
    How Much: Tickets are $22.00 plus ticket fees. To get tickets in the Rotary section, click on this link: https://fevo.me/indyeleven-indianapolisrotary-0923
    Parking: Parking is available for Indy Eleven events at Lucas Oil Stadium’s south lot

    Individual game parking is $15 per game. Cash and credit cards will be accepted at entry gates.

    Gates 1 & 6 will be the only gates open to the general public for parking in the South Lot and will open 90 minutes prior to kickoff for games during the 2020 season (5:30 p.m. for all scheduled games).

    To encourage adherence to social distancing guidelines, tailgating is NOT permitted during the 2020 season.

    Guests will be required to show their pre-paid pass to the attendant; all attendants will maintain social distancing and the Guest will be required to present the pass behind a closed window.

    All parking attendants will be required to wear face masks.

    For accessibility information, click here to refer to the Lucas Oil Stadium guests with disabilities page for a comprehensive guide on the stadium’s special needs’ provisions.

    Oversized vehicles are not allowed in the south lot of Lucas Oil Stadium.

  • September 5:31: Capri Italian Restaurant

    WHO: Rotarians, friends, guests, and anyone wanting to learn more about Rotary.

    WHAT: Capri Ristorante has been a part of the Indianapolis dining scene since 1951! Our menu features house-made pastas made fresh each day, as well as traditional Italian meat and seafood entrees. An extensive wine selection, both by the glass and by the bottle are always available. The award-winning staff will go out of their way to provide you with wonderful dining experience. Capri is proud to be locally owned and we look forward to welcoming you to one of Indy’s finest and oldest locally owned restaurants.

    WHEN: Wednesday, September 2nd from 5:31 pm till 7:00 or 7:30 pm, or anytime in between.

    WHERE: 2602 Ruth Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46240

    WHY: Fellowship, fun, and frivolity during our monthly social get-together.

    ETC: They have an indoor room that opens to the outdoors so that we can safely social distance and plenty of free parking!

  • Special Message

    A special message from President Nick Reich:

    I am excited to share our plans for restarting our in-person Rotary Club of Indianapolis luncheon meetings at Ivy Tech on Tuesday, September 1st.

    First and foremost, the well-being and safety of our members is our top priority and of paramount importance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have and will continue to monitor and comply with the recommendations/orders from Governor Holcomb and Indianapolis Mayor Hogsett.

    The responsibility to keep others healthy is one that we all share. If you are sick or have been exposed to someone who is sick, please do not attend in-person meetings.

    Outlined below is the process for resuming our in-person meetings:

    • Reservations and prepayment will be required and processed through Square no later than the Friday before the program.
    • Self-check questions will be posted on the registration page and near the entry of the building.
    • Box lunches with be available with disposable utensils or a lunch buffet served by MBP staff.
    • The Hospitality team will check-in members and guests.
    • There will be no 50/50.
    • There will be no gathering/loitering in the lobby.
    • Masks will be required.
    • Rotarians are asked to keep their name badge after wearing and not return them to the name badge containers.
    • The room will be set with rounds of 2 people per table.
    • Guests will be introduced from the podium and asked to stand when recognized instead of passing the microphone around.
    • Hand sanitizer will be available
    • All meetings will be broadcast on Facebook Live or Zoom and later posted on our YouTube Channel.
    • We encourage committees to continue meeting via Zoom.

    As we navigate through the restart of our meetings, I want to personally thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation so we can meet safely to share in the fellowship that we have all sorely missed in the past few months. I feel fortunate to be part of this strong and supportive organization during these challenging times and look forward to welcoming you back (from a distance) on September 1, 2020!

    If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to me or any of the officers.

    Yours in Rotary Service,
    Nick Reich
    President, Rotary Club of Indianapolis

  • Rotary Bowling

    You’re invited to a special event sponsored by Rotary Bowling and your fun loving Social Committee on Tuesday, August 11 at 5:30 p.m. Come out for free food and drink and learn more about Rotary Bowling.
    Tuesday, August 11 at 5:30 p.m.
    Woodland Bowl
    (near the brand new 96th St. & Keystone roundabout)
    RSVP to Bruce Glor

  • COVID Relief Fund

    Rotary Club of Indianapolis is making available funding to grass roots organizations in Indianapolis meeting basic needs of the community impacted by Covid-19. The organization should be a non-profit or affiliated with a non-profit. If you know of such a grass roots organization please contact aaron@elevateindy.org to learn more about this invitation only opportunity.

  • Rotary to Continue Meeting Virtually

    The Rotary Club of Indianapolis cares deeply about the health and well-being of our members. Due to the increase of COVID-19 cases and new restrictions for Marion County we will continue to meet virtually for our weekly Tuesday programs. Zoom details for our weekly meetings can always be found at IndyRotary.org.

    When we are able to return to in-person meetings we will provide at least a two week notice along with our increased safety plan. Stay safe Rotarians!

  • DACdb Mobile

    DACdb Mobile

    What is DACdb?:

    District and Club Database (DACdb) is the primary electronic communication vehicle for Rotary clubs, districts and committees. This password-protected site allows you to find contact information for fellow club members and district leadership.

    What can you do on DACdb?:

    • Look up member information
    • Committee information
    • Event calendar
    • Record makeups
    • Get club and district information
    • And much more!

    Did you know there is a mobile version?

    DACdb Mobile is not an “app” – it’s a website just like the main version of DACdb – except it has been optimized to work on mobile devices.

    If you want to put an icon/shortcut to the DACdb Mobile website on your smartphone…click here for step by step instructions

    iOS
    If using Safari then go to DACdb Mobile (http://m.dacdb.com/), tap the “share” icon (the square with the upward pointing arrow) to the right of the Address field, and on the popup tap ‘Add To Home Screen’ on the bottom row of icons.

    Android
    Launch Chrome for Android and go to DACdb Mobile (http://m.dacdb.com/). Tap the menu button and tap “Add to homescreen”. You’ll be able to enter a name for the shortcut and then Chrome will add it to your home screen.

    Are you a member of our club and need help getting logged into DACdb? Contact the office at 317-829-1041/ email jstahl@indyrotary.org or Bill Bubenzer 317-439-4169/ email bill.bubenzer@gmail.com

  • John Hague

    John Hague

    We are saddened to notify you of the passing of John Hague on Sunday, July 19. John was a long time Indy Rotarian, a Past President of the Club and Past President of the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation.

    Please keep John’s family in your thoughts and prayers.

    Dr. John D. Hague

    91, passed away July 19, 2020. He was born on June 20, 1929 to parents Girstle and Helen Dawson Hague.

    He was an Electrical Engineering graduate of Purdue University and received three high honors from the University. He was named a Distinguished Engineering Alumnus; an Outstanding Electrical Engineer; and he was awarded a Doctor of Engineering degree in recognition of his management and technological achievements. He held 5 patents in the field of electronic systems.

    Dr. Hague was employed by the Naval Avionics Center for 34 years and served as the Director of Engineering and the Executive Director (COO) of the Center. He chaired a number of Naval Air Systems Commands corporate level studies, including those for Future Avionics Systems and Technologies; Advanced Software Development Concepts; and Quality Management for Complex Electronic Systems. He was active in the field of advanced electronic technologies such as hierarchically architectured, autodiagnostic and auto-reconfigurable systems. He was named a Meritorious Executive of the Senior Executive Service by the President of the United States and was presented with the Navy’s Distinguished Civilian Service Award, which is the highest award that can be granted by the Secretary of the Navy.

    Over the years, he repeatedly remarked that he really enjoyed what he was doing and that he woke up every morning eager to get to work “to see what was happening”. He had a sign hanging in his office that said “Nobody said that this would be easy”. One of his observations was that it is amazing how much one person can accomplish if he or she doesn’t care who gets the credit. He had very high personal, business and ethical standards and was known for the high level of trust that he placed in those who worked with him and for him.

    Following his retirement from the Naval Avionics Center top management position in 1984, he was appointed to the position of President of the Corporation for Science & Technology by Governor Robert Orr. After retiring from that position, he served as Chairman of the Board of that Corporation for a period of three years. For the next twenty years, he served as the President of Management & Technological Consultation Services, LLC, retiring for the third time in 2009. Indiana Governors Orr, Bayh and O’Bannon each bestowed upon him the Sagamore of the Wabash Award.

    Dr. Hague was active in community affairs and served on a number of corporate Boards. He served in many civic roles, including President of the Indianapolis Rotary Club; President of the Rotary Foundation of Indianapolis; Chairman of the Board of Community Hospitals of Indianapolis; Treasurer and Board Member of Union Chapel Cemetery; and a member of the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, the Consortium for Computer & High Technology Education, the Midwest Technology Development Institute; the Advisory Boards of the Dean of Engineering, Purdue University and the Dean of Education, Indiana University. He was a member of

    Meridian Street United Methodist Church and previously was a 64 year member of North United Methodist Church and served on the NUMC Board of Trustees.

    He especially treasured the time he spent with his wife and family and lived in the home in Broad Ripple Village in which he was raised as a child. He and Rosemary were the third generation to live in that home. He enjoyed his applied research and engineering years, the guiding of troubled organizations back to robust health, the time spent at the family home on Lake Wawasee, and collecting and tinkering with his antique and classic motor cars.

    A lifelong resident of Indianapolis, he was married to his loving wife of 69 years, Rosemary Letsinger Hague, whom he met and fell hopelessly in love with when he was a senior in high school. He was survived by his two children, Susan Hague Machledt (Fredric) and Alan Hague (Heidi); three grandchildren: Maggie Girard (Chuck), Julie Sherrill (Matthew), and John Samuel Hague; two great-grandchildren: Ian and Cecily Rosemary Girard.

    In accordance with the Dr. Hague’s request, there will be no visitation or funeral. The family requests no flowers. A private family service will be held at the time of his burial in Union Chapel Cemetery.