Growing up in Pennsylvania during the Great Depression proved to be an interesting time in Jim Miller’s young life. With his large family of five brothers and one sister, him being the last, he remembers serious poverty in the small rural village at the base of the mountains where they live. His father attempted to make a living as a trucker during those tough times. The family later moved to Goshen, IN which is why Jim has his roots here now.

After an active family life in Goshen, Jim went to Goshen College where he majored in Sociology and minored in Chemistry. Originally he intended to be a physician, but decided against this and did not look back. It was his love for working with people that led him to the social work arena. He noted that working in a laboratory, for him, seemed a bit nightmarish!

He completed his graduate work at Ohio State with a Sociology/Social Work Masters Degree. The first date led them to the many wonderful years of marriage that they have shared until this day. His first job leading to his 55th year in 2010, started in Dayton, Ohio at a Family Services Agency. He now consults part-time for many not-for-profits in the area of Strategic Planning. He has over the years acted as an Interim Executive Director for many agencies across the United States where he relocates temporarily for 6-9 months in an apartment while visiting home regularly. Through his travels he has officially visited all 50 states in the US as well as several provinces in Canada and traveled to Europe.

Following college Jim began dating the sister of one of his friends whom he had known previously. The first date led to their strong relationship today. His wife enjoyed a career as a nurse and PhD. She also taught at Ball State and is now enjoying retirement to its fullest, but does work part-time at the Simon Cancer Center. They enjoy two grown sons and their families. One resides in Indianapolis, while the other in Michigan and their grandchildren include two college age grandsons with a granddaughter who is five. Jim and his wife enjoy spending time with their granddaughter as they travel to their second home in Michigan regularly.

Active in their church at Meridian Street United Methodist when asked what the greatest words of wisdom Jim has enjoyed and stuck to he indicated a simple, “Be grateful!”. His tenure with Rotary dates back to 1968 in Illinois and then he joined our downtown club in 1974. He has been active in the Education Committee particularly in the arena of Rotaract at IUPUI. He began working with them at their inception to assist with donated consulting and setting up their group. He has also enjoyed his time spent at the various 4-Way Tests that the education committee sponsors. He believes that Rotary is powerful and our motto places others interests above our own.

Jim’s hobbies include photography and biking. He noted that he has traditionally taken a photo for the annual Christmas card as well as its caption.
When asked what is next for him, he intends to lessen consulting in a couple of years and retire fully.

He intends to take more time to write and get organized so his children don’t have to do it for him later. With no regrets, he feels every season of his life has offered him more and more and that “old age” is the best part of his life! (I assured him I didn’t think he was old!).

Written by Dene Dresch Nidiffer, Lohr Design, Inc.

While Brian Buchanan and I sat comfortably at the Carmel Flanner and Buchanan location last month, I was reminded just how fortunate we are to know such important individuals in our club. Brian exemplifies the Rotarian because he’s involved, caring and committed.

He is a fourth generation Buchanan and was born in Indianapolis, currently residing in Carmel, Indiana. Unless you’ve just moved to Indianapolis, it would be hard to not know the Flanner and Buchanan name. After all, Flanner and Buchanan Mortuaries have been around for 129 years. Brian’s Great Grandfather (Charles) was the original Buchanan. He married Anna Flanner, sister of Frank Flanner. They went into business with Frank and the rest is history!

Brian is married to Kim Sullivan Buchanan, who grew-up in Irvington, Indianapolis. When he was the Indianapolis Deputy Prosecutor (during Steve Goldsmith’s position as Prosecutor) he met Kim while she was working in the Indianapolis Probation Department.

As when began our conversation, Brian talked about our club glowingly. And while he is a member of the Indianapolis club, he also attends the Carmel Club meetings occasionally, having friends in both clubs.
I asked Brian why he became a member. He remembered his Grandfather was a charter member of the Rotary Exchange Club in downtown Indianapolis. He always loved attending the meetings and rarely missed. In fact, when his Grandfather was older and couldn’t drive, Brian recalls that he would call a taxi just to get him to the meetings!

Being an advocate of service clubs, Brian was also a member of the Carmel Clay Kiwanis club in the early 1980’s. He became a member of the downtown Rotary Club when he was invited by a friend to attend a meeting at the Athletic Club – he was then Vice President of Flanner and Buchanan.
While we have moved several times since being at the Athletic Club, Brian loves our new location at the Scottish Rite Cathedral and is also a 33rd Degree Member of the Scottish Rite, the highest Masonic Degree bestowed.

Over the years, he has been involved with the Rotary Foundation, especially when James Schram (God rest his wonderful sole) was in charge, who then handed the torch to Brian. When Brian attended the Rotary Convention in Calgary, he was so impressed with the international presence, he became even more involved by lobbying for the Foundation.

One great story Brian recalls was from 2007. Brian sponsored a student from Slovakia through the Rotary Exchange and Student Program (Michael Kutzer). Michael lived with the Buchanan’s for most of that year. The Buchanan’s then had the unique opportunity to fly back with Michael to visit Slovakia, where his father was also a Rotarian. Brian made Michael a Paul Harris Fellow during his visit, and it was indeed very appreciated, both by Michael and the Rotarians in Slovakia.

Brian was also invited to speak at the Rotary Club in Slovakia. He recalls that the members there were (are) truly entrepreneurs because it wasn’t too long ago that Slovakia was part of the Soviet Union. They had many, many (tough) questions for Brian. The exchange of conversation was both exciting and challenging – because of the cultural differences.

One of the most interesting topics had to do with the American Rotarian’s interest in helping their community and giving back. The Rotarians in Slovakia are not used to this because the Soviet Union of yesterday and some of what still exists today, frown upon citizens doing good things for their fellow Slovakians. It can still be a challenge because of the residue left in government. As American Rotarians we take a lot for granted – if we want to do something good for our community, there’s little to stop us from doing so. This is not the case in many other countries, including Slovakia.

I also asked Brian what he most enjoys about Rotary today. He would like to get to know more of the members in someway. Perhaps more events outside of the Tuesday meetings. He would encourage members to visit the other clubs when possible and participate in more activities like Ringing the Salvation Army Bell, Rotarian volunteer gatherings, etc.

Brian really enjoys our recent successes in attracting new members at Rotary. He thinks were doing a great job and sees a good future for our club. Mostly because we continue to do good things for our community through the Foundation.

We are truly fortunate to have Brian Buchanan as an Indianapolis Rotarian. Please say hello the next time you see him and thank him for all that he does for our club!