Category: Programs

  • August 15: Senator Joe Donnelly

    August 15: Senator Joe Donnelly

    On Tuesday, August 15, the Rotary Club of Indianapolis is excited to welcome Senator Joe Donnelly as our guest speaker. Previously, Senator Donnelly served the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana in the House of Representatives, and was first elected in 2006. After being reelected to the House in 2008 and 2010, he was elected to the Senate in 2012. In the Senate, he serves on the Armed Services Committee, Banking Committee, Agriculture Committee, and Aging Committee.

    Senator Donnelly’s remarks on Tuesday will focus on his bipartisan record of getting things done for Hoosiers (including on service member mental health and combating the opioid epidemic), his efforts to protect Hoosier jobs, and his work as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. He will also be including a question and answer portion for Rotarians in attendance.

    Prior to serving in Congress, Joe helped run a small business in Mishawaka and practiced law in South Bend. Joe previously worked with both Democrats and Republicans to ensure fair and accurate election results by serving on the Indiana State Election Board from 1988 to 1989. Additionally, he was a member of the School Board for Mishawaka Marian High School from 1997 to 2001, serving as President during the 2000 to 2001 term.

    Joe lives with his wife Jill in north central Indiana. Joe met Jill in South Bend while students at the University of Notre Dame and they have two children, Molly and Joe Jr. From coaching his kids’ basketball and baseball teams years ago to being a member of St. Anthony de Padua Parish, Joe has fully invested himself in his community and is proud to call Indiana home.

  • August 8: Celebrate the Indiana State Fair!

    Join Rotary on Tuesday, August 8 as we celebrate the Indiana State Fair! This lunch will be sure to go down as a favorite and will include high energy presentations from State Fair Queen Becca Lax, Entertainment & Events Manager Bobbi Bates and nationally known cheese sculptor Sarah Kauffman. In addition to learning about the exciting opportunities that exist at the fair this year, you’ll learn more about the economic and educational impact this annual tradition has on Central Indiana. Lunch will also feature some state-fair themed surprises and there will be fair tickets given away during the 50/50! You will not want to miss Rotary next Tuesday!

    Bobbi Bates- Bobbi Bates is the Entertainment & Events Manager at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Events Center and a 22-year employee of the organization. Responsible for booking entertainment and performance attractions during the annual State Fair, she also oversees a variety of Fair events, including Band Day, the Cheerleading and Baton Twirling Competitions, and the Youth Talent Contest.

    Becca Lax- Becca Lax was crowned the 59th Indiana State Fair Queen in January 2017. She currently attends Purdue University studying Professional Flight and is an active member of Women in Aviation and Aviation Ambassadors. A 10-year 4-H member and 5-year member of Junior Leaders, she remains active in Vanderburgh County 4-H and Vanderburgh County Homemakers.

    Sarah Kauffman- Affectionately known as “The Cheese Lady,” Sarah is one of only three artists in the US who work almost exclusively with cheese! In 2011, she set the Guinness World Record for World’s Largest Cheese Sculpture- 925 lbs.! At our meeting, she may showcase a bit smaller piece of art with a very familiar image… stay tuned!

  • August 1: Bryan Mills, CEO of Community Health Network

    Join Rotary on Tuesday, August 1 as we welcome Community Health Network CEO Bryan Mills presenting “Community’s Eastside Commitment.” Community Health Network was created on the east side of Indianapolis in 1956 by neighbors, for neighbors. Community proudly traces its roots to the community leaders, civic organizations and countless friendly faces who went door-to-door raising funds to build a hospital close to home at the corner of 16th and Ritter.

    Since the opening of Community Hospital East more than six decades ago, Community Health Network has expanded throughout central Indiana. Yet, Community remains wholly committed to its beginnings as it continues to invest time, talent and resources in the eastside community.

    Bryan Mills was appointed president and chief executive officer of Community Health Network on May 1, 2009. He had served as CEO of Visionary Enterprises Inc. (VEI), a for-profit affiliate within Community, from 1992 to 2009. Mills began his career with Community Health Network in 1985 as controller for Community Hospital North.

    Besides his role with Community Health Network, Mills is very active in the local community. He serves on the boards of directors of United Way of Central Indiana, Indiana Hospital Association, Suburban Health Organization, the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership and serves as Chairman of the Board for the Indiana Health Information Exchange, and Primaria Health.

  • July 25: Rafael Sanchez, CEO of IPL

    Join Rotary on Tuesday, July 25 as we welcome Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL) President and CEO Rafael Sanchez. Sanchez will be presenting on IPL’s corporate social responsibility initiatives and why you should care about workplace diversity and inclusion.

    Rafael currently serves as President and CEO of Indianapolis Power & Light Company, a subsidiary of The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES). Rafael is a highly respected business and community leader and joined IPL in February 2016 as Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning.

    Prior to IPL, Rafael was a partner at Bingham Greenebaum Doll, LLP and he was also Vice President of Business Development & Legal Affairs for Fineline Printing Group. He has a good outlook of IPL as he served on the IPL Advisory Board for the past five years. He also serves as Secretary for the Indy Chamber, Co-Chair for Plan 2020, Chair for Cancer Support Community, Executive Committee member for the United Way of Central Indiana and a board member of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and Methodist Health Foundation.

    IPL serves 480,000 residential and commercial customers in Central Indiana. As a leader in the communities in which they live, work and play, IPL is actively involved in more than 200 community organizations to improve the quality of life. With such a passion for the community, IPL is committed to ensuring our corporate giving is diverse and inclusive to all. Doesn’t that sound like a perfect fit for Rotary?

    Join us on Tuesday at Ivy Tech Community College at Noon! We’ll see you there!

  • July 18: Why Do Indy Do Day

    July 18: Why Do Indy Do Day

    Indy Do Day is the signature service project of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis.The event will activate 20,000 volunteers on September 28,29 and 30.Sure, for those three days, the entire city is full of energy and it’s all really inspiring… but aside from “doing what all the cool kids are doing,” why else should someone “do” Indy Do Day? What’s in it for them? Join us as we welcome three incredible guests on Tuesday at Rotary when they will share why they do Indy Do Day.

    Margaret Sheehan is the Executive Director of Teachers’ Treasures. They host volunteers at their nonprofit for Indy Do Day and Trammell is an expert at leveraging the energy and volunteers from that day to benefit Teachers’ Treasures year round. Derrin Slack, founder and CEO of ProAct Indy, collaborates with schools to engage students in community service. Last year, he led every student from Short Ridge to participate in Indy Do Day. He’ll share how this helps the students and the community. And Margaret Trammell, Board President with AT&T Pioneers, will discuss how giving back to the community can make a positive impact on the bottom line in business. In addition to service all year, AT&T had almost 100 volunteers out on Indy Do Day for some exciting action at Gleaners Food Bank in 2017.

    Join us on Tuesday at Ivy Tech Community College at Noon! We’ll see you there!

  • July 11: Senator Jim Merritt

    July 11: Senator Jim Merritt

    The Rotary Club of Indianapolis is excited to welcome Indiana State Senator Jim Merritt to Rotary on Tuesday to talk about his work in combating the opioid epidemic, which includes illegal use of prescription painkillers as well as the use of heroin, an illegal drug.

    Senator Merritt is a Republican member of the Indiana Senate, representing 130,000 constituents in District 31 in Northeastern Indianapolis. A born and raised Hoosier, Senator Merritt has chosen a life of devoting himself to creating a better and safer Indiana.

    First elected in 1990, he has shown a fervent passion for making strides against opioids. After spending 18 months on the Governor’s Task Force on Drug Enforcement Treatment and Prevention, Senator Merritt has identified a number of ways he thinks Indiana should respond to the drug epidemic, ranging from new recovery programs to tighter control of how legal opiates are prescribed. Last year alone, Senator Merritt introduced 19 bills that worked to fight the epidemic.

    In addition to his commitment to fighting illegal drug use, additional committees that Merritt serves on include Utilities, Commerce & Technology, Homeland Security & Transportation, Public Policy, Rules and Legislative Procedure, Joint Rules, and Veterans Affairs & the Military. The leadership positions Merritt holds in the Senate are Majority Caucus Chairman along with Chairmanship of the Utilities Committee and Ranking Membership of Commerce & Technology.

  • July 4: No Rotary Meeting

    The Rotary Club of Indianapolis is not meeting on Tuesday, July 4.  Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday weekend and we’ll plan to see you back on July 11 when we will welcome Senator Jim Merritt who will talk about his efforts to fight the opioid epidemic.

  • June 27: Step Up To Serve 2017 Celebration Dinner, Crane Bay Event Center

    June 27: Step Up To Serve 2017 Celebration Dinner, Crane Bay Event Center

    Our club will NOT be meeting for lunch on June 27.  Instead, we hope you’ve purchased your tickets for the Celebration Dinner, which will be a delightful opportunity to gather and celebrate the Rotary year that has been all about Stepping Up to Serve!

    Attire for the evening is Business/ After Five

    Registration Opens and Social Hour Begins: 5:30 p.m.
    Dinner and Program Begin: 6:30 p.m.
    Location: http://thecranebay.com/ Crane Bay Event Center 551 West Merrill Street, Indianapolis, IN (near Lucas Oil Stadium)

    Please note:

    • Onsite parking is $5 cash per car. Carpooling or Taxi/Uber is encouraged.
    • If you have any special dietary restrictions that you have not alerted to staff, please email Kelly at Ktingle@indyrotary.org.
    • If you haven’t purchased your after party tickets yet, you can purchase at the door.
    • We do not offer refunds, but dinner tickets are transferrable. If tickets are transferred, please email Kelly at ktingle@indyrotary.org so that she can ensure registration goes smoothly.
    • There will be complimentary wine while supplies last and a cash bar available – credit cards are accepted at the bar.
    • Get ready for a super fun silent auction during social hour- you can bid then and pay later.
  • June 20: Rotary to Host Speed Networking

    June 20: Rotary to Host Speed Networking

    On June 20th, the Club will host its first ever Speed Networking event!

    Network within this great club of ours, and possibly with guests, and let others know your “Needs & Leads”. Come prepared to rotate in groups of 3, for 8 minutes, sharing your needs and what a good lead looks like for you! In preparation, please make sure your DACdb profile is up to date, bring plenty of business cards- and most importantly, be prepared and succinct on what your needs and leads are for your business, civic or club needs.

    Tuesday’s meeting is the third in a series organized by the Communications and Business Development committees. The series has focused on personal development and how to better network. This winter, Danny O’Malia talked to us about the importance of customer service and follow up. This spring, we heard from a cast of influential and proven leaders on how they have learned to network and build relationships. NOW is the time to take all these best practices, aha Moments, and nuggets of Inspiration and put them to use!

    Looking forward to seeing you there!

  • June 13: Rotary Welcomes School Leaders for Education Panel

    June 13: Rotary Welcomes School Leaders for Education Panel

    School might be out for the summer, but we’re bringing you a special session on Tuesday, June 13! .Click here to register by Friday  for Tuesday’s offsite meeting at St. Richard’s Episcopal School. 

    Our city remains at the forefront of school innovation and education policy. While this subject matter can become political, this special offsite Tuesday luncheon aims to create goodwill by providing basic information about the primary and secondary educational options currently available to families located in downtown Indianapolis.

    Panelists will include:
    Peter Harding, Head of School, St. Richard’s Episcopal School
    Janet McNeal, President & Head of School, Herron High School
    Tommy Reddicks, Principal, Paramount School of Excellence

    Moderator: Gordon Hendry, Member, Indiana State Board of Education

    Registration and lunch buffet will open at 11:30 with the bell ringing to signal the start of the program at 12:15. The program has a hard stop of 1:15. Please park in the north and south lots on campus and enter through the front doors of the school or the south entrance. Both entrances have green awnings with St. Richard’s on them.

    Pre-registration required for this event. Please register by clicking here by Friday at 9:00 a.m.!