Category: Latest News

  • Indy Rotary Adds New Mass Texting System

    Indy Rotary Adds New Mass Texting System

    The Rotary Club of Indianapolis recently added a Mass Texting system, to help communicate with membership and the community in the event of major developments, such as cancellations due to weather events, last minute changes in meeting times, programs or locations.

    “While we already send a number of announcements to our members each week,” said Susie Harmless, Executive Director, “it is important to emphasize that the Club is incorporating this system for very important and time-sensitive updates, alerts or announcements – NOT to promote regular events or to advertise. For these things, we will continue to distribute weekly e-news announcements, use our website to keep the community updated and will continue to be very active with social media.”

    While it is not scientific, the percentages of individuals who read texts verses email, Facebook and Twitter posts, is staggering. One report said that – 98% of text messages are read vs. 29% of Tweets vs. 12% of Facebook posts vs. 20% of emails. Here’s another recent article on those statistics. Said Greg Albright, Club Manager, “We must provide the easiest methods and various ways to communicate to our membership. Everyone has a mobile phone. In fact, some of our members may have better access to a text message than an email!”

    Over the past year, the Rotary Club of Indianapolis has improved it’s overall technology to better serve the community and Rotarians. Adding to the many benefits of being a member of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis. For more information on how you can become a member, visit the Membership Information page.

     

  • Congratulations Indianapolis Rotarian Lloyd Wright for Being Inducted into the Broadcast Hall of Fame

    Congratulations Indianapolis Rotarian Lloyd Wright for Being Inducted into the Broadcast Hall of Fame

    Please join us in congratulating Lloyd Wright, President and CEO of WFYI Public Media, on his induction into the Richard M. Fairbanks Indiana Broadcast Hall of Fame on October 3. A 30-year veteran of public media, Wright is the longest serving station manager in the Indianapolis market. You can read more about Wright’s professional accomplishments.

    Since his appointment as President and CEO of WFYI Public Media (Indiana’s flagship PBS and NPR member station) in 1989, Wright has distinguished himself as an innovative leader in the public media industry. During his tenure, WFYI’s annual operating budget has grown from $2.5 million to more than $10 million today. The station’s multi-media services and community-based programs have also expanded significantly in scope and impact. Under Wright’s direction, WFYI relocated in 2008 to a state-of-the-art facility in downtown Indianapolis and established an innovative partnership with the Economic Club of Indiana.

    In the last decade, WFYI has evolved from a local program producer into an award-winning producing station that distributes nearly a dozen documentaries and public affairs programs nationwide each year. WFYI has also has earned national recognition for its innovative fundraising practices and overall growth in membership and donor relations. In 2008, the station was honored with three PBS Development Awards, including the coveted “Award of Excellence for Overall Membership.”

    Download the Full Press Release, courtesy WFYI

  • Indy Rotary World Community Service Completes the “Three Days Project” in Zimbabwe

    Indy Rotary World Community Service Completes the “Three Days Project” in Zimbabwe

    This past summer, the World Community Service Team of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis completed several projects to provide fresh water and help the Ezekiel Guti Primary School in Harare, Zimbabwe. On behalf of the World Community Service committee, thank you to the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation and all other contributors who truly make a difference in the lives of others throughout the world!

    The project included:

    • Drilling of borehole, providing necessary casing, water retention tank, and pump,
    • Gas for transportation to borehole location,
    • Project management and administrative assistance,
    • Personal Driving Assistance.

    Ezekiel Guti Primary School

    What We Do. The World Community Service Committee (WCSC) is responsible for identifying and supporting international service projects for the Club. Projects generally have a club member “champion” who ideally works in partnership with an overseas Rotary Club and personally travels to the location of the project to help create relationships and oversee the project. The committee currently supports clean water initiatives in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Haiti and Ecuador; multiple projects in Kenya including support for a legal aid clinic, mother-child hospital, and school classrooms; an aquaculture project in Moshi, Tanzania; a microfinance project in Calnali, Mexico; and peace learning projects in Jamaica.

  • So Long, Babe…Hope to See You Again

    So Long, Babe…Hope to See You Again

    On Friday, September 27th our beloved “Babe” returned to the Kiwanis, once again. He left our closet to be in their closet, and we couldn’t be more saddened by the loss. On Friday, June 21, 2013 the Kiwanis won a close softball game against the Rotary Club of Indianapolis and because of that loss the traditional “handing over of the trophy” will occur.

    The “tradition” has always been that the losing team must hand the trophy back to the winning team at a club meeting. As anyone can imagine this can be a fun, yet humiliating event each year, so there is truly motivation to hang on to the “Babe!” This year, Greg Albright, Team Manager and Coach returned the trophy. He was accompanied by a few of the players, President Scott Armstrong and Executive Director Susie Harmless.

    Over the many years of softball games, your “Team Rotary” has had the winning advantage, although this may be disputed by Kiwanis because no “official” records have been kept. But, the one thing that has remained consistent has been the wonderful opportunity we are given each year to play at Victory Field thanks to longtime Rotarian Cal Burleson and longtime Kiwanian, Max Schumacher. They have allowed the two clubs to participate in this annual Summer game for many, many years. And, it is fun for the players and the fans.

    If you are interested in playing (and are seriously competitive), please call Greg Albright at 631-3733 or email him at galbright[at]indyrotary.org to get on the roster for next year. You must be a Rotarian to play!

     

  • Two Rotarians Shine as Finalists for Junior Achievement’s “Indy’s Best And Brightest” Awards!

    On Thursday, Ocotober 17, Junior Acheivement will recognize two of our very own at the annual “Indy’s Best and Brightest” event. In Banking and Financial Services, LaTonya Gaither, Service Center Manger at the Teachers Credit Union, Rotarian since November, 2012. And, in Technology, Dan Randolph, Lead Biologist with Dow AgroSciences and Rotarian since December, 2010. Our Rotarians are special! Please congratulate these deserving members of our community and thank them for being members of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis!

  • MHAGI Receives Grant from The Indianapolis Rotary Foundation

    Mental Health America of Greater Indianapolis is Indianapolis’ leading nonprofit dedicated to helping ALL people live mentally healthier lives. Mental Health America represents a growing movement of Americans who promote mental wellness for the health and well-being of the nation – everyday and in times of crisis.

    MHA Indy, a United Way of Central Indiana community partner, is located in Indianapolis, Indiana.

    MHA Indy is also an affiliate of the national Mental Health America and a chapter of Mental Health America of Indiana.

  • Rotary Conducts 4-Way Test at Christel House

    Rotary Conducts 4-Way Test at Christel House

    On September 5th, the Rotary Education Committee and 12 Rotarians volunteered to assist  Christel House Academy with the 4-Way Test for the first time!

    The 4-Way Test Middle School Program is an amazing opportunity which allows Rotarians to interact with students in the 7th grade giving them ideas/techniques and tactics for great decision making throughout their lives! And all it costs you is a couple hours of your time.

    These activities are vital to the students growth and foundation and we promise the experience is rewarding, eye-opening and fun!

    Watch a video about the 4-Way Test.

    Rotarian Michael Salemi is pictured with a group of students as they discuss this ethical way of making decisions.

    A huge thank you to everyone who helped at this event. I heard nothing but glowing comments from everyone. Please know that this kind of work is such a tremendous investment in our students. It was tremendous to have had so many Rotarians help. And, a special thank you to Dene Nidiffer for leading the charge! Rotarian, Carey Dahncke

  • Rotary Club of Indianapolis Recognized in Forbes Online!

    Rotary Club of Indianapolis Recognized in Forbes Online!

    In a piece titled, “What is Rotary International? Your Local Rotary Club Is Doing More Than You Think,” Devin Thorpe, Contributor to Forbes Online reached out to the Rotary International community to learn about the sorts of things clubs are doing around the world. And, Indianapolis was one of the featured clubs!

    The Rotary Club of Indianapolis described it’s contribution to feeding the hungry in Indianapolis by raising 1.5 million dollars, to help fund the building of the new Gleaners Food Bank that houses more food and has the ability to serve many more hungry citizens. And, in 2012 the Gleaners Food Bank would be renamed to be the Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Rotary Club of Indianapolis Food Distribution Center. This goal of raising $1.5 million was accomplished in January 2013.

    You probably know that Rotary International is the group to which Bill Gates and his foundation turned years ago to fund the global battle on polio. In the mid-nineties Rotary helped to immunize 165 million children in China and India in a single year. Rotarians themselves have contributed hundreds of millions of dollars to the fight against polio. Rotary is winning this battle: in 1988 when Rotary launched their global initiative (individual clubs had been active in the effort long before) there were 125 “polio endemic” countries in the world; today there are just three.

    Check out the article on Forbes Online!

  • Rotary Golf’s “Fun Day,” September 19

    Rotary Golf’s “Fun Day” outing is at the famed Broadmoor Country Club (2155 Kessler Blvd W Dr  Indianapolis, IN 46228) on Thursday, 9/19/13. Bankers Handicap will be the format and tee times will be assigned starting at 1:45 pm. There will be the Etica Group putting contest run by Dr. Divot (Ron Baker) with cash prizes that will start at 1:30 pm. There will also be the litany of contests including: “shortest drive,” “closest to the near side of the creek in two,” “highest gross,” “closest to the pin in two,” “longest drive,” etc.

    Ruth’s Chris Steak House (Ramona Adams) will be providing food. Rumor has it Somerset CPA’s (Debbie Hyde) will be providing “Sneaky Pete’s” again; come and play to verify!

    There are only 32 slots so don’t delay…please make your check out for $75 payable to the “Rotary Club of Indianapolis” and mail it to Dave Leonards at 3612 N. Washington Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46205-3592 today or give it to me at Rotary Golf on Mondays or at Rotary on Tuesdays.

    We are still soliciting sponsors for this outing. Already signed up are: the Etica Group (Ron Baker) as the Putting Contest Sponsor, One America (Dan Shelly), Williams Randall Markering (Charlie Williams), PNC (Joe Gaafar), Harrison College (Ken Konesco), Economy Plumbing (John Strong), Blue & Company (Jeff Moffatt) and International Entertainment Bureau (David Leonards). We have plenty of room for more; $75 for a Platinum Sponsor; $50 for a Gold Sponsor; $40 for a Silver Sponsor; $25 for a Bronze Sponsor or any prizes or golf goodies qualifies. Of course, we will accept any beer and/or food sponsor too.

    Rotary Golf continues its weekly play this Monday, 8/12/13, at River Glen just North of 116th off Allisonville Road. Be sure to tell them in the Clubhouse that you are with Rotary to get the discount – $26 for riders or $20 if you want to walk.

    Come down to the tee at 3:07 pm and get paired up. If you are running a little late, that is OK; but please try to be there by 3:30 pm. We socialize in the Clubhouse after the 1st nine which counts for League play (we have a handicapped League so you don’t have to be good), collect the scores, and then, those that want to, play the back nine for no additional charge. Guests (and they do not have to be Rotarians) are welcome. Furthermore, you don’t have to play every week; come when you can.

    Remember, “We always finish at Rotary Golf!”

  • New Grants Application System Through Rotary International

    New Grants Application System Through Rotary International

    Rotary International has changed how they structure Rotary grants. The new system (previously known as Future Vision) focuses primarily on three grant types—district, global, and packaged. It is both more efficient and sustainable, and will help make a greater impact around the globe.

    There is now a new website for all Rotary grants information. Looking to learn about the new grant system? Applying for a grant? Get information on managing your grant? You’ll find it all here.

    In Grant Basics, you can learn more about the grants offered to Rotarians and how to apply for them. The Learning & Reference section houses an extensive resource library, including useful reference documents, training materials, and much more.