• Ken File wins 100 Years/100 Hours voluntary campaign drawing and opportunity to direct $1,000 anonymous contribution

    On April 9, Rotary member Ken File’s name was chosen from a drawing among 61 eligible club members who had volunteered 100 or more hours as part of our club’s centennial volunteer outreach campaign. Ken’s prize was the opportunity to select a charity to receive a $1,000 anonymous contribution made in his honor.

    Before selecting his charity, Ken made it a family affair by inviting his three daughters to help make the decision, which was unanimous. The charity they selected was Fountains of Hope International, which helps bring safe and pure water through mission trips to third world countries and whose founder and CEO is fellow Rotary member Bill Farrar. In making the selection, Ken said, “There are many worthwhile organizations and while we could split the award among several we have decided to recognize Foundations of Hope with the entire $1,000. Bill stretches a dollar better than anyone I have ever known.”

    Perhaps it was no coincidence that Fountains of Hope also received the most donations of voluntary hours from club members and their families and friends, an impressive 7,536 hours!

    Thanks to the File family and congratulations to Fountains of Hope International. And, thanks to the over 100 individual Rotary Club of Indianapolis members who contributed an astounding 50,363 hours of voluntary service that reached more than 450 charities and civic committees.

  • Ken Schmidt Visits Rotary

    Ken Schmidt Visits Rotary

    Considered one of the most riveting programs of the last 12 months, Gerry Dick and Ken Schmidt (formerly of Harley Davison) visited the Rotary Club of Indianapolis on March 14 – the second of three programs in partnership with the University of Evansville’s Global Enterprise Speaker Series.

    As the former Director of Communications for Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Ken Schmidt played an active role in one of the most celebrated turnarounds in corporate history – and got paid to ride motorcycles.

    Join us on Thursday, March 14th (a Thursday program) as we partner with the University of Evansville Institute for Global Enterprise and their “Institute Speaker Series” to welcome Ken Schmidt and his presentation “Going Global: Succeeding in an International Marketplace.”

  • Rotarians Visit Mount Kilimanjaro

    Rotarians Visit Mount Kilimanjaro

    Rotarians Mike Marker (left) and Kendall Millard (right) climbed to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in February along with the accompanying Rotary Club of Indianapolis Flag!

    They also visited Moshi Rotary Club and helped start an income-generation project at a center for street children. Be sure to congratulate Kendall and Mike when thy return this month for all they do for Rotary!

  • Work to End Polio

    Work to End Polio

    Volunteering through Rotary International’s PolioPlus program, Ann Lee Hussey has traveled to more than 20 countries including India, Egypt, Niger, Bangladesh and Chad in order to immunize as many children as possible against polio. She does all this despite having suffered from polio as a child and currently suffering with PPS – post-polio syndrome.

    Ann Lee Hussey joined Rotary in April 2002 and immediately became involved by traveling internationally to assist children undergoing cleft lip and palate surgery.

    As a polio survivor, however, Ann Lee’s true passion is for eradicating the disease. Hear her amazing story and the role we can all play in helping to eliminate polio worldwide.

  • Calvin Klein

    Calvin Klein

    During a beautiful Fall day on October 24, 2012, The Rotary Club of Indianapolis introduced Calvin Klein (pictured with President Peggy Blackard) to our great city. And, it was a memorable event for those lucky 400 who attended. Mr. Klein talked about how he “was discovered” in 1968, discussed his business life throughout the years and what he’s doing now as a motivational speaker and mentor for businesses. In attandance, former model and fashion show producer Murph Damron said, “He’s just iconic. Frankly, I don’t know how they got him here.” Read the full Indy Star article. A big thanks to everyone who helped make this event possible, including Rotarian Jeff Lake and the University of Evansville Institute for Global Enterprise program.

  • Rotary Beats Kiwanis at 100th Anniversary Golf “Fun Day”

    It was a perfect sunny day at Broadmoor Country Club when 76 golfers paraded to the tee to the music of 76 Trombones played by a “live trombonist” as part of our 100th Anniversary Celebration. Rotary Golf started the same year as our Club in 1913. (See all the photos here).

    Hole prizes for Indianapolis Rotarians went to Harry Bunn for the (shortest drive); Evan Bedel (Straightest Drive); and Leon Mordoh (Longest Putt). Overall, Evan Bedel (66 net) tied for first but placed second on a tiebreaker; Todd Lugar (69 net) came in fourth; and Jason Breaux had the “highest gross” (125). Evan Bedel, Todd Lugar, Bruce Glor, and Mark Weir spearheaded the Rotary Golf Team as we beat all the other Rotary Clubs in our District and, most importantly, KIWANIS!!! Our top 4 players averaged 69.5 and Kiwanis averaged 75; we beat them by 23 strokes.

    We had 24 sponsors; thanks go to Somerset CPAs (Melissa Farmer & Debbie Hyde), Fifth Third Bank, the etica group (Ron Baker), Bedel Financial (Evan & Elaine). Barnes & Thornburg LLP (Kendall Millard), Harrison College (Ken Konesco), Mr. Handyman (Allen Furrer), Indianapolis Zoo (Kathy Cookerly), Economy Plumbing (John Strong), Williams Randall Marketing (Charlie Williams), Cruise One (Janet Harris), Don LeClare, Bill Batt, Indiana Historical; Society (Frank Eagan), Indiana State Museum (Linda McCabe), Connor Fine Painting (Nathan Connor), Henry C. Smither Roofing (Bill Bubenzer), Ruth’s Chris Steak House Downtown (Ramona Adams), St. Elmo’s, One America (Dan Shelley), Triton Brewery, John Dewey, Subway, and International Entertainment Bureau (David Leonards).

    League prizes were also awarded: Evan Goodman (5th), Mike Crowley (4th), David Leonards (3rd), Steve Ivy (2nd), and Dan Shelley (1st and our “2012 Golfer of the Year”). 37 different golfers participated in League play and at the Brickyard Outing this year.
    Remember, “It never rains on Rotary Golf”!

  • NEW! The Rotary Foundation of Indianapolis / Rotary International Foundation Program

    The Rotary Club Indianapolis will match all contributions of $100 or more to the Rotary Foundation of Indianapolis with 100 Paul Harris Fellow recognition points of the Rotary International Foundation. The 1-1 matching program will begin December 1, 2012 and end June 30, 2013 with a cap of 65,000 recognition points. We hope this matching program will encourage more members to contribute to our Foundation. A letter from Rotary Foundation of Indianapolis President Sue Tempero will be sent to all Club members requesting contributions to our Foundation. For more information or questions, please contact Rotary.

  • Rotary Entrepreneurship Grant: Animal Welfare Center

    Animal Welfare CenterFirst of its kind, Animal Welfare Center, to bring local Animal Welfare organizations under one roof.

    Recently the Humane Society of Indianapolis acquired a lease on property at Holmes and Michigan in the Haughville area of Indianapolis. This property was acquired to provide much needed outreach and care to the disadvantaged neighborhoods of Indianapolis. Pet overpopulation is a significant problem in Indianapolis and over 70% of the strays that show up at Indianapolis Animal Care and Control originate from 10 zip codes in the near Westside and Eastside neighborhoods for which this area is one. Initially, this center will provide a location for many of the nonprofit service providers addressing numerous animal welfare issues (including Indy Feral, FIDO, Spay Neuter of Indiana, Indy Pit Crew), a low cost vaccine clinic, a Spay Neuter Hotline and outreach services to the neighborhood. Long range plan include performing spay neuter surgeries on site to address pet overpopulation in central Indiana by reducing number of unwanted animals.

    This center will be highly visible and visited by many people each day. To promote these visits and improve the neighborhood it is important create a welcoming entrance and grounds. That’s just what Joe Gaafar and members of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis did. See the pictures below!

  • Rotary International Foundation Committee Announcement

    Rotary’s six areas of focus – peace and conflict prevention/resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and economic and community development are made possible by your giving to Rotary International Foundation. This is how Rotary meets the diverse needs of families and communities around the world.

    Within Rotary, the traditional emphasis is EREY, Every Rotarian giving a minimum of $100 or at least something each year to the Foundation. Our Committee’s emphasis is that everybody participate this fiscal year in some way. Last year, our club gave almost $30,000, but we still had 2/3 of our members not participating at all.

    To encourage new givers and to increase the number of sustaining contributors (donors of $100 or more annually), the district has a new points match program good all fiscal year that will match contributions given via a CREDIT Card monthly, quarterly or annually that totals $100 to $500 this fiscal year. Just complete a contribution form providing your credit card number, expiration date, 3 digit number that appears on the back of your card and the amount you want to donate annually (one time donation), quarterly or monthly. As little as $10/month will complete a $100 pledge by the end of the fiscal year, June 30, 2013.

    Of course, you can elect to do a check made payable to “The Rotary Foundation” or give cash if so desired. Those donations just will not get the matching points toward becoming a Paul Harris Fellow.

    Now is the time to do your EREY gift. Just provide your completed form to our office for processing. Please do something. Collectively, our giving through Rotary can do and does so much good.

    For further information or any questions, please check with the office or any club Rotary International Foundation committee member: Michael Ault, Colleen Kilrain, Mary Jane Sorbera, Marge Tarplee, Mark Weir or David Yeley.

  • Green Acres Urban Farm – Environment and Beautification Project

    Green Acres Urban Farm – Environment and Beautification Project

    I heard about this project through an email exchange and decided to find out more about it. It’s a great project that truly benefits the community! Jeff Mader of Mader Design LLC, chair of the Environment and Beautification committee, answered a few of my questions in the interview below.

    Me: Jeff, how does this project impact the community?

    Jeff: Green Acres Urban Farm has 2 gardens this year with strawberries, garden vegetables, and a salsa garden with tomatoes, peppers, and onions, which provide fresh produce for neighbors in the area, whom are welcome to harvest whenever they have the need or desire. Volunteers and interns also harvest throughout the summer and deliver food to neighbors in need as well as local shelters and food pantries. It also helps the community by providing good uses for empty lots throughout the neighborhood, which help improve community and neighborhood morale as well as property values.

    Me: How much time and effort goes into helping out at the Green Acres Farm?

    Jeff: The E&B Committee has been working with Green Acres for nearly 3 years, providing assistance with planning, funding, and hands on planting and harvesting. Jim Weaver has provided assistance last fall and this spring with clean-up and tilling operations as well. Several E&B volunteers have helped at the gardens throughout the years, and many more have provided behind the scenes assistance.

    Me: How/Why did we get involved in the first place?

    Jeff: The E&B Committee has been involved with the Concord/Sacred Heart neighborhood for more than 5 years with tree plantings and beautification projects. The relationship with Green Acres has grown out of that involvement, as we strive to work with neighborhoods to better the community. This relationship is a natural for us, as it provides neighborhood beauty, as well as locally grown food and produce. Our funding also goes to help support lower income high school and college interns that help organize and maintain the gardens throughout the summer, providing opportunities for learning, growth, and connection with their neighbors.

    Me: How can more Rotarians help out?

    Jeff: This Saturday from 9am-12pm we will be working… this will be our last Saturday till fall, 5-19 at 9am. Meet at the Salsa Garden at 1704 S Delaware St. We will be done by 12. We will be watering, weeding, replanting, and picking Strawberries. Strawberries are available daily now, please stop by and help yourself. Starting Tuesday, May 22, we will be working every Tuesday at 530pm. What an exciting project!

    If you’re interested in helping out with future Environment and Beautification projects, please get in touch with Jeff Mader (jeff@maderdesignllc.com)