Category: News

  • April 3: Pack Away Hunger Service Opportunity

    April 3: Pack Away Hunger Service Opportunity

    Our club’s community service efforts continue on Saturday, April 3rd as we gather at Pack Away Hunger (PAH) to pack food for those who are food-insecure. Pack Away Hunger is located at 5230 Park Emerson Drive, Suite A on the city’s southeast side near I-465 and Emerson. Plan to work from 9am until 11 am. We are seeking 24 Rotarians and guests.

    The minimum age for participation is 5 years old, so you can make this a family project. And kids don’t just show up to watch adults work. PAH’s production lines are engineered so that kids can be genuine contributors. PAH is a great way to get youngsters started in volunteerism.

    PAH is paying close attention to COVID-19 protocols, requiring the use of masks and extending work areas to provide adequate social distancing.

    To register, go to  https://donate.packawayhunger.org/rotary21

    The raw materials for this food pack have been paid for from a Civic Entrepreneurship Grant from the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation, and the event has been organized by The Community Service Committee. To join this committee, contact Suzanne Marshall (suzmarshall4@aol.com) or Jennifer Hobbs (jenniferhobbs7868@gmail.com), Committee Co-Chairs.
  • Constitution & By-Law Revisions

    Constitution & By-Law Revisions

    March 5, 2021

    Last week, we announced that we will be revising the Rotary Club of Indianapolis Constitution and By-Laws. The Constitution and By-Laws have not been updated in over ten years. Over the past few months, the Club Officers and Board of Directors have worked with Club Constitution and By-Law Chair Charlie Meyer to update the documents. Charlie Meyer presented the proposed revisions at our weekly club meeting on March 2 and the proposed changes were distributed in the February 25 e-newsletter. Since then, we have received feedback on the revisions and suggestions for improvement. In an effort to be fair to all concerned we have decided to pause the voting on the revisions at this time.

    An updated version of the proposed Constitution and By-Law amendments can be viewed here: Constitution and By-Laws. The prior versions can be viewed here. Starting today through Tuesday, March 16 you have the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed Constitution & By-Law revisions. Below is the timeline for the review and approval of the Constitution and By-Laws. Please contact Charlie Meyer, Constitution and By-Law Committee Chair or President Nick Reich if you have any questions or concerns.

    Constitution & By-Law Revisions Timeline

    • Friday, March 5 – Proposed revisions to the Rotary Club of Indianapolis Constitution and By-Laws are publicly made available
    • Friday, March 5 – Open comment period begins for the Constitution & By-Law revisions
    • Wednesday, March 10 at 6 p.m. – A Zoom call (details below) is available for anyone that would like to discuss the proposed revisions
    • Tuesday, March 16 – Open comment period ends for the Constitution & By-Law revisions
    • Tuesday, March 23 – The updated Constitution and By-Laws revisions are presented to the Club during our weekly program at 12:15 p.m., published and emailed to dues paying members.
    • Tuesday, April 6 – The proposed Constitution and By-Law revisions will be voted on during the weekly program at 12:15 p.m.

    Zoom Details

    Thank you in advance for participating in the process of revising the Rotary Club of Indianapolis Constitution and By-Laws.

    Yours in Rotary Service,
    Patrick Broccolo, Senior1Care
    Secretary, Rotary Club of Indianapolis

  • March 4 & 11: Volunteer at Gleaners

    March 4 & 11: Volunteer at Gleaners

    The Rotary Club of Indianapolis will assist Gleaners Food Bank with its mission of supplying food to the food-insecure through its on-site food pantry on both March 4th and March 11th from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

    Many of you have helped at Gleaners in the past by filling senior boxes, student back sacks, or by sorting donations. Unfortunately, because of COVID 19, those activities cannot be safely conducted and so are not open to volunteers at this time. But Gleaners does have one activity that is COVID-safe. Gleaners operates a pantry at its location on the southwest side and is asking for help loading food into cars on Thursdays.  At this time, 10 to 12 Rotarians are needed for each of the two dates above.

    In order to volunteer, use the online signup sheet at VolunteerHub by clicking on this link: https://gleaners.volunteerhub.com/lp/rotaryclubofindianapolis/  

    • For details about the work we’ll do, click on the “More” button or on the blue “Food Pantry – Evening Shift”. 
    • When signing up, be sure to select your chosen date first.
    • If you’d like additional information about using VolunteerHub, click here. 

    The deadline to signup for March 4th is February 25 and the deadline for March 11th is March 4.

    Won’t it be nice to work together again?

  • January Book Discussion

    Join in the next Book Discussion on “The Power of One” by Bryce Courtenay. Ian McIntosh the director of international partnerships and an adjunct professor of anthropology at the IU School of Liberal Arts will lead the discussion on Thursday, January 28 at 6 p.m. on Zoom. All are invited to join us for the discussion.

    In 1939, as Hitler casts his enormous, cruel shadow across the world, the seeds of apartheid take root in South Africa. There, a boy called Peekay is born. His childhood is marked by humiliation and abandonment, yet he vows to survive and conceives heroic dreams, which are nothing compared to what life actually has in store for him. He embarks on an epic journey through a land of tribal superstition and modern prejudice where he will learn the power of words, the power to transform lives and the power of one.


    NOTE: There are several different book covers for this book. Please ensure you are selecting the book for adult reading.

    Join Zoom Meeting
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81220462540?pwd=YmVTUGFVUE5Na3ZCK0t1RnlUcmFPZz09

    Meeting ID: 812 2046 2540
    Passcode: 536668

  • Rotary To Meet Virtually Through January 2021

    Out of an abundance of caution and to keep our members healthy and safe, our regular Tuesday meetings through January  will be conducted via Zoom. Zoom details below. If participating in a Rotary sponsored event we ask that you abide by the state and county guidelines.

    Thank you for your flexibility, patience, and grace as we continue to navigate this rapidly changing situation.

    Join Zoom Meeting
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    Meeting ID: 710 170 874
    Passcode: 821795
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  • December Book Discussion

    There is something about Ove that is quite irresistible.

    Join in the next Book Discussion on “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman. Our very own Stan Jacobs will lead the discussion on Thursday, December 3 at 6 p.m. on Zoom. All are invited to join us for the discussion.

    “A MAN CALLED OVE is a wonderful novel that will stay with you . . . Ove’s story has an underlying sadness which the author tackles with great warmth and humor. It’s a bittersweet, heartwarming tale which will leave you with a restored faith in the power of friendship and perhaps even a love for cats.” – Psychologies Magazine

    Join Zoom Meeting
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83967130213?pwd=bnRycVRzZStHclJpRVVYYUU2MTRyUT09

    Meeting ID: 839 6713 0213
    Passcode: 975645

  • 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 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!

  • Recognition Awards Presented

    Recognition Awards Presented

    On Tuesday, June 30th, the Rotary Club of Indianapolis hosted their Virtual Celebration Event. During the program, Rotarians were recognized for their achievements and contributions to the Rotary Club of Indianapolis. Join us in congratulating the following award winners for the 2019-2020 Rotary Year:

    Rotary Outstanding Achievement Recognition
    Bill Bubenzer
    Kathy Cookerly

    Game Changer Presidential Awards
    Jenni Agramonte
    Greg Albright
    Jeff Crane
    Ken File
    Leeanne Lollar

    Door Prizes
    Indianapolis Zoo Rhino Behind the Scenes tour: Karen Alter
    Vera Bradley – Beach Bag with accessories: Stacy Johnson

    We appreciate everyone’s participation, patience, and understanding during this year of change.

    Happy new Rotary Year!

    -Thriving Together: Opportunities to Connect Planning committee

  • 2020 Community Grants: Apply Online

    2020 Community Grants: Apply Online

    The 2020 Indianapolis Rotary Foundation Community Grant guidelines have been posted to our website. The Foundation intends to award two grants of $25,000 each and one grant of $10,000.

    The online grant application can be found here. Applications are due by June 22, 2020. Applicants must be nonprofits who serve Central Indiana. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the officers and directors of the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation have decided to only accept 2020-21 Community Grant Applications from organizations that have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 virus. 

    You can find out more about the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation here.