Category: Latest News

  • Riley Plea Tree November 29-December 13

    Riley Plea Tree November 29-December 13

    Beginning November 29 and for 2 consecutive Tuesdays afterwards, our “Riley Plea Tree” event will take place at regular Rotary meetings.

    The Riley Plea Tree is a tabletop holiday tree with “ornamental tags” that are wish list items designated by our Riley Hospital contact person. Rotarians are encouraged to pull a tag, buy that item, and return it UNWRAPPED to a Rotary meeting. These items are delivered to Riley where they are used to replenish the “Child Life Development Cart” that is circulated in the hospital. (Cash is also accepted at Rotary meetings and wish list items will be purchased.)

    Thanks to Rotarian Suzanne Marshall for leading this event!

  • November 2, Rotary 5:31 Club at Broken Beaker Distillery on Mass Ave.!

    November’s 5:31 Club will be at Broken Beaker Distillery, 643 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46204

    Reservations and punctuality not required! 5:31 meet-and-greets are our most popular event get-togethers. Just “show-up! Or, for more details contact the Rotary at 317-631-3733! 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!

     

  • November 10, Networking Dinner Event- RUCKUS Marketplace

    November 10, Networking Dinner Event- RUCKUS Marketplace

    You’re invited to join your fellow Rotarians at a special Networking Roundtable dinner, featuring a “sneak preview” of the Riley Area Development Corporation’s new project, the RUCKUS Makerspace!

    When: Thursday, November 10, 5:30-7:30 PM
    Where: RUCKUS Makerspace, Circle City Industrial Complex, corner of Massachusetts Avenue and 12th Street, Entrance G10
    What: Each Rotarian is asked to bring a covered dish, side dish, dessert, or beverage, so it is a true potluck! Following initial time for mingling and informal networking, as well as a chance to preview the facility, we’ll share an informal meal. Following the meal, we’ll break into groups of 10-12; each participant has a 3-minute time to tell others in their group about their business, what type of clients/opportunities would be helpful to them, their challenges, etc. Our goal is that each participant leaves with one new potential client or follow-up networking meeting.

    About RUCKUS:
    Developed by Riley Area Development Corporation and PATTERN, RUCKUS is a place where inventors, designers, artisans, photographers, craftspeople, and engineers can share equipment, technology, and ideas to help launch their next creation. Launching now, RUCKUS offers a limited range of access levels geared toward entrepreneurs and small businesses startups. The space will provide equipment and resources for Makers who want to scale beyond a start-up shop or “DIY” home-based location. Fundamentally, RUCKUS will foster a community for creative stimulation, collaboration, education, and entrepreneurship. RUCKUS is for everyone. Join us and get dirty!

    Need to know more? Contact Tim Clinch at tclinch@talktotucker.com

  • 2016-21 Indianapolis Rotary Foundation Legacy Grant Awarded

    2016-21 Indianapolis Rotary Foundation Legacy Grant Awarded

    The Indianapolis Rotary Foundation awarded their Legacy Grant, a renewable five year grant of $50,000 per year, to the Chin Community of Indiana. Previous recipients of Legacy Grant funding have included the Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana and the Riley Hospital for Children.

    The Chin Community of Indiana is a nonprofit organization based in a community center located at 2524 E. Stop 11 Road. The center serves as a hub for Chin families and hosts opportunities for English classes, job fairs and also celebrations to honor their rich culture. The Legacy Grant will be used to fund operations for increased programming and also provide upgrades to the community center to create a more welcoming, professional experience for Chin residents, community partners and employers. Additional support will come from individual Rotarians who have offered to provide advisory guidance and support as requested by the Chin Community of Indiana.

    “We are excited to partner with an organization that is playing such a vital role in the community,” says Matt Will, President of the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation. “During our extensive search for the right grant partner, we were impressed by how many connections the Chin have made in the City and the way they are committed to improve their education and job skills, while preserving and honoring the Chin culture.”

    “We are honored to receive this grant, but even more excited about working with the Rotary Club to expand our resources, networks and influence in Indianapolis,” says Kjack Williams, President of the Chin Community of Indiana. “The comprehensive attention they have provided will enable more Chin to not just “settle” in Indianapolis, but to “succeed” in Indianapolis with increased language and job skills.”

    The Indianapolis Rotary Foundation is a private, stand-alone corporation that serves as the primary community charitable arm of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis. Each year, the Foundation generously donates almost $200,000 annually to projects and organizations in the Central Indiana Area that promote the Rotarian motto of “Service Above Self.”

  • Rotary Club of Indianapolis Original Letterhead- Banner Quilt Project

    Rotary Club of Indianapolis Original Letterhead- Banner Quilt Project

    The attached image is a copy of the first known letterhead for the Indianapolis Rotary Club circa 1913. Some members of our club can trace their heritage to these founders. Janet Harris has a great uncle listed on this early letterhead.

    Club banners soon followed the start of Indianapolis Rotary. Resources at Rotary International sent us information concerning banners and facts about Rotary graphic memorabilia.
    Our History Committee would like to adopt this letterhead image for our committee publications.

    The History Committee is also creating two banner quilts. Suggested themes for banner quilts include banners from clubs throughout Indiana and banners across the United States.

    Our club has over a 1000 banners in storage that seldom see the light of day. The banner project will allow us to better display these rich tapestries of Rotary History.

    We wish to publicly thank Phyllis Geeslin and Thomas Mason for their generous contribution of time and skill implementing the banner project.

  • October 11: Michelle Study-Campbell, CEO, Ronald McDonald House of Indiana

    October 11: Michelle Study-Campbell, CEO, Ronald McDonald House of Indiana

    Providing Comfort and Care for Families in Crisis, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Indiana

    Join Rotary next week as we welcome Michelle Study-Campbell. She will give a brief history of the Ronald McDonald House and provide insight into the impact they have had locally and globally. She will also share how you can volunteer and how families in our community can access the House when they need a home away from home.

    A native Hoosier, Michelle is a graduate of Marian University and has her Masters of Public Affairs from Indiana University. In addition to her executive leadership at the House, Michelle also serves as President of the Junior League of Indianapolis for the 2015-2017 term.

  • October 4: Perry Hammock, Executive Director, Indiana Bicentennial Commission

    October 4: Perry Hammock, Executive Director, Indiana Bicentennial Commission

    Indiana at 200: Celebrating the Hoosier State
    Indiana’s Bicentennial Celebration kicked off on Statehood Day, December 11, 2015, and will continue to a grand finale weekend December 10 and 11, 2016. Indiana’s Bicentennial Commission aims to honor our state’s 200 years of history, and do so in a way that engages all 6.5 million Hoosiers and leaves lasting legacies for future generations. The Bicentennial Commission works with volunteer coordinators in every county to identify projects that are worthy of designation as “Official Bicentennial Legacy Projects.” All projects are categorized under four main themes set forth by the Commission:

    • Youth and Education
    • Historical Celebration
    • Nature Conservation
    • Community Involvement.

    To date, 914 projects have been endorsed representing all 92 counties. Perry Hammock will talk about some of the wonderful projects underway, special dates and celebrations, and ways for all to be involved in this singular moment in Indiana history.

    Hammock has served on statewide, national and international boards, including eight years on the board of directors of CFRE International, the global credentialing body for fund raising professionals.

    Perry is a farm kid and Indiana native. He holds bachelors and masters degrees from Purdue University. He is married to Chris, a wonderful and talented middle school history teacher, and has an accomplished adult daughter, Emily. Son-in-Law Matt and Linus the WonderCat round out the family.

  • Rotary Packs 11,664 Meals for Indy Do Day Kickoff

    Rotary Packs 11,664 Meals for Indy Do Day Kickoff

    packaway-poster-webThe Rotary Club of Indianapolis would like to thank all Rotarians and guests who stepped up to serve at our Annual Indy Do Day kickoff project, Tuesday, September 27, 2016. The club packed 11,664 meals that will be donated to those hungry in Central Indiana.

    If you didn’t have the chance to attend the Pack Away Hunger Service project, we encourage you to take part in Indy Do Day this week.  There are still hundreds of open projects that need volunteers at www.indydoday.org. Join your club, and our community, in service and doing good in the community.

  • September 27, Official Indy Do Day – Rotary Service Project with Pack Away Hunger

    September 27, Official Indy Do Day – Rotary Service Project with Pack Away Hunger

    Online registration is required for this event by September 23.

    Join the Rotary Club of Indianapolis on Tuesday, September 27 as they perform their feature Indy Do Day project to help feed the hungry with Pack Away Hunger!

    Lunch line opens at 11:30, Program starts at 12:15

    Cost: $16.00 per person for lunch (pre-paid lunch subscribers eat for free!)
    Sign up here 

    Pack Away Hunger is a non-profit organization dedicated to greatly improving the lives of children and others who suffer from hunger and malnutrition. These meals are scientifically proven to meet the specific nutritional needs of children and other at-risk populations.

    The “packed” meals are distributed to local food banks and pantries or to community feeding programs in emerging nations. These powerful packing events are educational and fun!

  • September 20, Cliff Chapman, Executive Director, Central Indiana Land Trust

    September 20, Cliff Chapman, Executive Director, Central Indiana Land Trust

    Cliff Chapman will highlight the natural wonders that surround us in Central Indiana and what CILTI is doing to protect them. As an organization, the Central Indiana Land Trust preserves the best of our natural areas protecting plants and animals so Hoosiers can experience the wonder of the state’s natural heritage.

    Cliff Chapman is the Executive Director for the Central Indiana Land Trust and has worked in the field of land conservation since 1997.  Since graduating with a BA in Geography from Indiana University, Cliff has worked as an ecologist for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Nature Preserves and The Nature Conservancy in Olympia, Washington.