Category: Latest News

  • Rotary Club of Indianapolis Calnali Microfinance Project Celebrates Fourth Year of Operation

    [Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”2″ gal_title=”Calnali Microfinance Project”]

    By: Rotarian, Sara Anne Hook, 317-278-7690, sahook@iupui.edu, Rotary Club of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

    As the project leader and “champion,” I am pleased to report that the Calnali (State of Hidalgo, Mexico) Microfinance Project just celebrated its fourth year of operation. Calnali is a rural municipality with a population of approximately 17,000. Poverty and unemployment are high and although this mountainous region is beautiful, it is remote, making travel to the area difficult and time-consuming. With substantial funding for loans from the Rotary Club of Indianapolis as well as a contribution from the Rotary Club of Cottleville/Weldon Spring, Missouri, the project has now provided several hundred women with modest loans so that they can start their own small companies, with some women receiving multiple loans as they demonstrate the success of their ventures.

    As of June 2014, the project had 243 borrowers organized into 26 communal banks, which act a support groups, representing a 274 percent increase in the number of women being served since July 2010. As of June 2014, the average loan balance was $216 with a total loan portfolio of $52,580. Many of the women have used their loans to grow beans, corn and vegetables or to bake bread, which provides fresh, healthy, locally-sourced food to the community. In addition to their loans, the women receive empowerment training and money/business management training through Pro Mujer, the microfinance organization we work with. A number of community organizations in Central Indiana and in Mexico have provided financial, logistical and in-kind support and encouragement. The success of the project is especially gratifying for the Rotary Club of Indianapolis, because it is our club’s first foray into microfinance. In addition to continued support for Calnali, we have just approved funding for 2014-2015 to start a microfinance project in Sierra Leone.

    One of the lessons learned from the Calnali Microfinance Project has been the importance of partnerships, because no one individual or organization can do everything. This has been particularly true in the case of Pro Mujer, which was willing to start with a small group of borrowers in 2010 and then expand its services with each annual contribution from the Rotary Club of Indianapolis. Pro Mujer has a proud history in the realm of microfinance, concentrating its efforts in five countries in Latin America, and was recently one of the first microfinance organizations to receive Client Protection Certification through Smart Campaign. Challenges with the project include the logistical issues with travel to Calnali, making it difficult for the staff of Pro Mujer to make regular visits to oversee the lending and repayment process and to provide training. Although Pro Mujer is converting more of its manual business processes such as loan verification to wireless/tablet technology, robust wireless service is not readily available in Calnali. Future plans include configuring training materials so that they can be delivered through tablets.

  • Mayor Ballard Endorses Rotary-adopted Indy Do Day

    Mayor Ballard Endorses Rotary-adopted Indy Do Day

    Elected as the 48th Mayor of Indianapolis in 2007, Gregory Ballard is committed to making Indy an even better place to live and work. Check out the Video! Under Mayor Ballard, Indy is promoting a culture of inclusiveness for business opportunities, economic growth and sustainability for minority, women, disabled and veteran business enterprises. The City is also being widely recognized as a national leader on issues such as energy, clean water, hunger and education innovation.

    A diverse group of civic leaders, philanthropists and business executives are lending their support as Honorary Chairs of the Rotary-adopted 2014 Indy Do Day. 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.

    Additional 2014 Honorary Chairs include:
    First Lady Winnie Ballard
    Winnie Ballard volunteers as the chair and spokesperson for Indy’s Campaign for Financial Fitness (ICFF). In addition, she actively volunteers her time to other causes within Indianapolis, including arthritis, ovarian and breast cancer awareness, and minority- and women-owned business and diversity initiatives.

    Frank Basile
    A professional speaker, author, community volunteer, philanthropist and retired executive, Frank Basile has long been recognized for his volunteerism and support of performing arts organizations.

    Tamika Catchings
    Olympic Gold Medalist, WNBA All-Star and Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings launched Catch the Stars, a foundation designed to empower youth to achieve their dreams by providing goal-setting programs that promote literacy, fitness and mentoring, in 2004. She is a community leader that embraces being a positive role model by encouraging youth to be all they can be.

    Molly Chavers
    Molly Chavers is the executive director of IndyHub where she works with non-profits, for profit companies and community organizations to encourage young professional engagement across the city. Her civic and board involvement includes service with the United Way of Central Indiana, the Speak Easy, Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, Tourism Tomorrow and Indianapolis Art Center.

    Michael Huber
    Currently the president and CEO of the Indy Chamber, Michael Huber remains active in the community serving on the board for organizations such as the Arts Council of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Charter School and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful.

    Mickey Maurer
    Mickey Maurer serves as chairman of the board at IBJ Corp. and The National Bank of Indianapolis and has a true passion for philanthropy. In 2001, he established “Mickey’s Camp,” a charitable endeavor that has raised more than $1 million for central Indiana charities.

    Jim Walker
    A true artist, Jim Walker is the founder and executive director of Big Car, a non-profit community creativity organization in Indianapolis that aims to bring art to people and people to art, sparking creativity in lives to transform communities. He works to boost urban livability using an engagement-based arts and design perspective.

    “We are honored to have these prestigious individuals lending their support to this important initiative,” said Susie Harmless, executive director of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis. “Because Indy Do Day is for everyone, we wanted a diverse group of people to help us reach the citizens of Indianapolis and inspire them to make a difference in our community.”

    “Indianapolis is a great volunteer city and when a good idea comes along and people can get engaged, especially at a grassroots level like this, it always seems to work. We know how to put on big events and how to do big things,” said Mayor Greg Ballard at a kick-off event on May 6.

    In the 2013 inaugural year, more than 15,000 individuals completed a community service project during Indy Do Day, making it the largest service mobilization in the city’s history even above Super Bowl XLVI.

  • Indy Rotary Survey Aims to Keep Rotarians Engaged in Business

    It’s no secret, the Rotary Club of Indianapolis wants to ramp-up business networking exchanges! Afterall, we want to do business with other Rotarians. So, the Business Exchange Committee would like a little information from you so we can continue to move forward with building business relationships! Please fill out our survey!

  • Chili Cook-Off and 5:31 at Triton Tap Room!

    Join us for a special edition of the 5:31 Club as we: Welcome new Rotarians, Kick-Off Indy Do Day and have our 1st Ever *Chili Cook-off!

    ROTARY 5:31 CLUB: Wednesday, October 1st at the Triton Tap Room, 915 Broad Ripple Avenue.

    Chili-Cook-Off* Face-Off Against the Presidents of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis! Wednesday, October 1 at the Triton Tap Room in Broadripple.

    DEADLINE TO ENTER IS SEPTEMBER 23.

    Join us for a special edition of the 5:31 Club as we: Welcome new Rotarians, Kick-Off Indy Do Day and have our 1st Ever Chili Cook-off!

    Bring your best batch of chili and see how it stands-up to the chili made by two Indy Rotary Club Presidents (and hot tamales) Matt Burnett – current club president and Matt Will – past club president.

    Yes, there are rules – download them, here. OR email galbright@indyrotary.org to enter. Download the combination rules and sign-up form with special recognition to the Presidential contestants!

    If you are not participating in the contest, PLEASE STILL COME AND BRING FRIENDS! This is also a 5:31 Club get together and a new member recognition event. So, like all 5:31 get-togethers, it will be hot, spicy and fun!

    Wednesday, October 1st at the Triton Tap Room, 915 Broad Ripple Avenue.

  • Thank You, Rotarian Volunteers!

    Thank You, Rotarian Volunteers!

    Thanks to all the volunteers!

    Download the Thank you Before and After Flyer from the community.

    Download the Group picture.

    The E&B Committee helped clean up the Willard Park Community Garden, and invested in the local neighborhood! They built raised bed planters, a gravel path, and laid down mulch.

    Date: Saturday, September 20th
    Time: 9am to Noon
    Place: 43 N Randolph St, Indianapolis, IN 46201

  • Sept 3 – Indy Do Day Flash Mob Assembles on Circle

    Sept 3 – Indy Do Day Flash Mob Assembles on Circle

    A flash mob of more than 100 bike riders from 35 different Indianapolis companies came together today on Monument Circle to drop off nonperishable items for the Midwest Food Bank. The Orr Fellowship, Indy Hunger Network, Indy Do Day and the Elanco Enough Campaign rallied together to raise awareness that one in six Hoosiers are hungry and more than 80,000 children in the Indianapolis metro area suffer from hunger.

    The group hopes to illustrate how we can all come together to make a difference and promote Indy Do Day using hashtags #circlinghunger and #indydoday. The Indy Hunger Network has registered 25 projects on the Indy Do Day website.

    – See more at: http://indydoday.org/circlinghunger-with-indydoday/#sthash.l7oPlJxj.dpuf

  • Bono’s Message to Rotarians (video)

    Bono’s Message to Rotarians (video)

    “Whenever I go doing my work in Africa, The Rotarians have been there before me. It is very humbling thing to discover just exactly what “Service Above Self” adds up to when you see it in practice in the field” ~ Bono

    Check out Bono’s Video!

  • Limited Time Offer on Rotary Corporate Membership!

    CorporateMembershipArtAre you connected? Then, get connected with our Indy Rotary Corporate Connection membership. Special Limited Time Offer! From July 1 to December 31, the Rotary Club of Indianapolis Corporate Initiation fee for Corporate Memberships is being reduced by HALF! This applies to new and existing members. For more information, please call the Rotary office, today at 317-631-3733 or email us at info@indyrotary.org.

    For up to two members, it is the Rotary Club of Indianapolis’s premium Corporate Membership and allows your company or organization to continuously benefit from all that the Rotary Club of Indianapolis has to offer.

    Additional Benefits of the Indy Rotary Corporate Connection.

    • Member Spotlight table. Promote your service or business with a table of marketing materials or a display. (space and size of table or display, subject to review by Rotary).
    • E-Newletter Banner. Provide banner ad space in the weekly e-newsletter. Ads must be provided at a size that conforms to the Rotary e-advertising.
    • Home page presence. Promote your brand to include a graphic or logo at a specific size with a link to the organization’s website.One size available and time period to be determined.
    • Pre-program Powerpoint promotion. Highlight your organization in the form of a logo or advertisement. (slide should be provided to Rotary.)
    • Opportunity to bring prospective members as guests. Cannot be individuals from the same organization.

    “Get connected” today!

  • July 2014 Rotarians in the News

    July 2014 Rotarians in the News

    Harriet Ivey
    Harriet Ivey

    Harriet Ivey has been honored with a Touchstone Award from Girls, Inc. Harriet Ivey served for 15 years as the founding president and CEO of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, retiring in January 2014. During Ms. Ivey’s tenure, the Trust granted more than $223 million to nearly 900 charitable entities to help people in need, protect animals and nature, and enrich community life. Additionally, more than 500 nontraditional college students have received Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholarships, a signature program of the Trust since 2001.

    Eleven outstanding volunteers were recognized by United Way of Central Indiana in conjunction with Indiana Black Expo at the 31st annual Diversity Volunteer Awards, Saturday, July 19, 9 a.m., at the Indiana Convention Center 500 Ballroom.

    Sue and Dick Tempero
    Sue and Dick Tempero

    Diversity Advocate Award: Rotarian Sue Tempero is recognized as a “fierce advocate for diversity and inclusion” her entire professional life. As a member of the board of directors of the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis she has helped steer the Y towards best practices in diversity and inclusion when she helped develop the agency’s first pilot race relations study circle for board members along with other conversations and actions to change attitudes and behaviors.

    Mary Burger, VP and CFO at Indiana Landmarks was elected to the Board of the Propylaeum Historic Foundation on May 21, 2014.

    Eddie Pillow set to take over family business Pllow Logistics. Similarities between father-and-son duo George and Eddie Pillow don’t immediately jump out. The two relish their many differences, and speak of how well they complement each other and how well that will serve them in a few years when Eddie takes over their company, Pillow Logistics Inc. Read full story.

    Rick Markoff named president of newly formed Damar Foundation. Richard M. Markoff has been named president of the newly created Damar Foundation. Damar Services’ board of directors established the foundation to help raise funds to support the work of the non-profit that has been serving children and adults challenged by autism, as well as intellectual, developmental and behavioral disabilities for more than 40 years. Read full story.

    Civil Site Group has recently added Greg Gerke, PWS, CESSWI to their staff of professionals. Greg is a Senior Ecologist with over 25 years’ experience in ecological services. He will be responsible for all ecological project management including wetland delineations, wetland permitting, wetland design/build and monitoring, stream assessment and streambank stabilization, erosion control design and inspections, treatment wetlands, floral surveys, endangered species and related ecological assessments.

    Laura Demeter, has left Key Bank to work at Centier as Sales Officer, Vice President, Cash Management. She oversees cash management services for Central Indiana, including Mishawaka, Fort Wayne, Lafayette, and the Greater Indianapolis area. Laura is a career banker with broad retail banking and treasury management experience. “I work with my clients to recognize, develop, and implement strategies that grow revenue, volume, market share, and profitability,” said Laura. “I am driven to produce results for my clients.”

  • August 8, Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith, to be Honored

    August 8, Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith, to be Honored

    angeliqueRotary Club of Indianapolis member since 1995, Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith will be honored at a special Thanksgiving Celebration and Dinner on August 8, 2014. The celebration will take place at Light of the World Christian Church.  Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased at http://www.indyfaith.org/_forms/view/20906. Download the invitation here.

    (Excerpt from The Indianapolis Recorder, March 24, 2011)

    As a senior in high school, Angelique Walker wanted to get as far away from Cedarville and Springfield, Ohio, as she could manage. She went away to college at Kent State University, located 162 miles across the state.

    It was not that the preacher’s kid was trying to ditch her beloved parents, Rev. Roosevelt and Geneva Walker, but the teenager was ready to make her own mark.

    Having given her life to Christ at age 9, Walker started to feel a calling to the ministry while she was an undergraduate student at Kent State, but did not know that calling was toward the pulpit. Still, after graduating she was convinced that she should pursue graduate study at Yale University Divinity School, (YDS) where she earned a master’s of divinity degree. This also allowed her to join her future husband at Yale, R. Drew Smith, whom she met at Blessed Hope Baptist Church in Indianapolis as a youth during a visit from her home church in Springfield.

    Read full story.