• Nominations Open for Rotary Outstanding Achievement Recognition Award (ROAR)

    Nominations Open for Rotary Outstanding Achievement Recognition Award (ROAR)

    The Rotary Club of Indianapolis is proud to announce that nominations for the Rotary Outstanding Achievement Recognition (ROAR) Award is open (formerly called Rotarian of the Year). Nominations for Rotarians in good standing who have demonstrated “Service Above Self” during his or her lifetime are being accepted. This award recognizes a life devoted to reflecting the Four Way Test, not just within the Club, but in their career and community life as well. This is considered a lifetime achievement award.

    Completed nominations should be submitted no later than May 12, 2023, to Jamie Hanan via email to jhanan@indyrotary.org or mailed to Rotary Club of Indianapolis, 3202 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208

    Public announcement of the ROAR Award will occur on June 6, 2023 and the award will be presented at the 2023 Celebration Event scheduled for the evening of June 27, 2023.

    Past Recipients:
    2007: Marge Tarpley and Danny Danielson
    2008: Dr. Tim Dudley
    2009: Hugh Baker
    2010: Bill Batt
    2011: Bill Ervin
    2012: Gene Busche
    2013: Club celebrated 100th anniversary and named Rotarian of the Century: Senator Richard Lugar
    2014: Paul Raikes
    2015: Club celebrated retirement of Executive Director, Susie Harmless, and, therefore, no ROY named
    2016: Judge Tom Fisher
    2017: Elaine Bedel
    2018: Tom Lugar
    2019: Jeff Lake
    2020: Kathy Cookerly and Bill Bubenzer
    2021: Marie Koenig and Larry Brodnik
    2022: Peggy Blackard and Norm Melzer

    Download the ROAR nomination form.

    ROAR Award Nomination

    This is the nomination form for the ROAR Award (Rotary Outstanding Achievement Recognition)
    • All nominees must be a current member of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis
    • Why you think this person is deserving of being honored as Rotarian of the Year
    • You must be a member of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis to nominate a ROAR nominee. All submissions will remain confidential.

  • April 11: Amelia Pak-Harvey

    April 11: Amelia Pak-Harvey

    Join us Tuesday when we welcome Amelia Pak-Harvey a Reporter with Chalkbeat Indiana. Amelia will share about her coverage of Indiana’s education landscape. 

    Amelia previously worked as a city reporter for the Indianapolis Star, an education reporter for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and an education reporter for the Lowell Sun in Lowell, Massachusetts. She graduated from Boston University and is originally from North Carolina. All are welcome at Rotary programs. If attending in-person at the Murat Shrine reservations and prepayment are appreciated, but not required. Register on Square at https://rotary-club-of-indianapolis.square.site/. Lunch will be available starting at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.  

    To join our meeting via Zoom starting at 12:15 p.m. go to https://zoom.us/j/710170874?pwd=bFE4ejJTc29IMlNzVmx1Wlg4MTA1UT09. While our Tuesday programs via Zoom are free to attend a suggested donation of $3 – $5 is appreciated in lieu of the typical room fee. These contributions help defray the cost of our hybrid meetings. Please note that donations to the Rotary Club of Indianapolis are not tax deductible. You can support our hybrid meetings at https://rotary-club-of-indianapolis.square.site/. 

    Meeting ID: 710 170 874
    Password: 821795

    If joining via a mobile phone for audio only click one of the following numbers: 
    +13126266799,,710170874#,,#,821795# US (Chicago)
    +19292056099,,710170874#,,#,821795# US (New York)

    You can also join us from a landline phone.
            +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
            +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
         
    Meeting ID: 710 170 874
    Password: 821795

    Upcoming Programs

    April 18: Ryann Davis, Manager of Clean Neighborhoods, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Inc. (Arbor Day Program)
    April 25: Augusta Read Thomas, Composer, Indianapolis Symphonic Choir
    May 2: Bob Kravitz, Sports Writer, The Athletic
    May 9: Joe Hale, President, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
     
  • April 15: Flanner House Service Opportunity

    April 15: Flanner House Service Opportunity

    The Rotary Environment and Beautification Committee needs about six volunteers for a wonderful project for the Flanner House Pre-School. April 15, 8:30am-12 noon. The Indianapolis Rotary Foundation is funding new planting boxes for the Flanner House Pre-School. The kids love the planting beds and the strawberries growing within! We’ll do some digging, cutting boards and putting together the boxes. If you’d like to join the fun, please email Eric Miller (emiller at 16tech.com) with your intent to volunteer.  

  • April 4: Tony Mason

    April 4: Tony Mason

    Join us Tuesday when we welcome Tony Mason, a leader with a passion for service. He has dedicated the majority of his career to initiatives designed to enhance the quality of life for Indianapolis residents.

    After earning his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Miami University, Tony went on to take leadership positions at preeminent organizations such as Circle City Classic, the Super Bowl Host Committee, and trueU. Now as President and CEO of the Indianapolis Urban League, Tony leads their mission to empower African-Americans and disadvantaged individuals to achieve social and economic equality and improved quality of life.

    During his tenure as the President & CEO of the Indianapolis Urban League, the IUL has become a Center for Working Families, expanded the Project Ready College and Career Readiness Program, increased health and wellness services, established an agency endowment fund, supported the engagement of young professionals in leadership and service through The Exchange at IUL, secured a National Urban League Entrepreneurship Center designation and successfully hosted the 2019 National Urban League Annual Conference which featured President-elect, Joe Biden and Vice President-elect, Kamala Harris. The Indianapolis Urban League has been acknowledged and recognized for its initiatives and impact by the National Urban League, the United Way of Central Indiana, and the Indianapolis Recorder’s Minority Business Magazine.

    Tony has received several awards including the Indianapolis Business Journal’s Forty under 40 Award, the Center for Leadership Development’s Achievement in Business Award, the Indiana Sports Corporation’s Pathfinder – Rev. Charles Williams Award, McDonald’s Black History Maker of Today Award, the Black Coaches and Administrators’ Images of Excellence Award, Freetown Village’s Living History Museum’s Citizenship Certificate, and the NAACP Outstanding Achievement Award. Currently, Tony is a member of the Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership’s Board of Directors and he serves on steering or advisory committees with the United Way of Central Indiana, the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, the Race and Cultural Relations Leadership Network, the African American Coalition of Indianapolis, Regions Bank Community Development Corporation, the Indiana Sports Corporation, the Corporate and Community Partnership for Racial Equity and the Business Equity for Indy Initiative. His action in the community certainly aligns with Rotary and we can’t wait to have him speak. All are welcome at Rotary programs. If attending in-person at the Murat Shrine reservations and prepayment are appreciated, but not required. Register on Square at https://rotary-club-of-indianapolis.square.site/. Lunch will be available starting at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.  

    To join our meeting via Zoom starting at 12:15 p.m. go to https://zoom.us/j/710170874?pwd=bFE4ejJTc29IMlNzVmx1Wlg4MTA1UT09. While our Tuesday programs via Zoom are free to attend a suggested donation of $3 – $5 is appreciated in lieu of the typical room fee. These contributions help defray the cost of our hybrid meetings. Please note that donations to the Rotary Club of Indianapolis are not tax deductible. You can support our hybrid meetings at https://rotary-club-of-indianapolis.square.site/. 

    Meeting ID: 710 170 874
    Password: 821795

    If joining via a mobile phone for audio only click one of the following numbers: 
    +13126266799,,710170874#,,#,821795# US (Chicago)
    +19292056099,,710170874#,,#,821795# US (New York)

    You can also join us from a landline phone.
            +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
            +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
         
    Meeting ID: 710 170 874
    Password: 821795
     
  • Long Time Rotarian, George Dingledy Passes Away

    Long Time Rotarian, George Dingledy Passes Away

    November 26, 1923 – March 26, 2023

    Former Wabash mayor George Henry Dingledy, age 99, died unexpectedly March 26, 2023 in Indianapolis. He was born on November 26, 1923, and grew up in Youngstown, Ohio. He was one of 6 children born to Frederick and Florence (Moran) Dingledy.

    Dingledy was drafted into the U.S. Army at age 19 and joined the 164th Infantry (American Division.) He landed on the Solomon Islands on Christmas Day 1943. The unit moved in January 1945 to the Philippine Islands (where MacArthur landed) and then to Cebu Island; both places were Japanese strongholds. World War II ended on September, 1945 and Dingledy, was sent to occupy Japan. Following his discharge after 33 months of active duty in the Pacific Theater, Staff Sergeant Dingledy used the GI Bill of Rights to attend college. Through a visit to the hometown of a fellow student at St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana, he met the student’s sister Rita Ann Fedewa whom he married in 1948. He graduated from the University of Tampa in 1950. Dingledy was employed as a sales representative for the Sunbeam Corporation from 1951-1958, in Jacksonville, Detroit and Memphis. He moved to Wabash, Indiana in 1958 when he bought the Fedewa Appliance Store with his brother-in-law Tom Fedewa from his father-in-law Arthur Fedewa. For the next 30 years, Dingledy served his community in a variety of ways. He was president of the Retail Division of the Chamber of Commerce, and also president of the Wabash County United Fund. Dingledy was named the Chamber’s Distinguished Citizen in 1974. Dingledy was a strong supporter of education, serving eight years on the Wabash City Schools board and six on the board of the Upper Wabash Vocational School. He was also on the board of directors and an officer of the Wabash Valley Dance Theater, as well as president of the Honeywell Swim Team Booster Club for two terms. He was a long-time member of the Wabash Toastmasters Club where he served as president, and also served as commander of Post 286, VFW. Dingledy was an avid reader and especially enjoyed history. With this in mind, he became the Oral History Project Director, compiling oral histories of local citizens in Wabash for the public library. These included veterans of wars from the Spanish-American through Vietnam. When he moved to Indianapolis in 1989, there were over 100 accounts on file documenting the city’s history.

    During 1979 Dingledy served as president of the Indiana Oral History Roundtable. Dingledy served four years on the Wabash Carnegie Public Library board of directors, including one as president. In addition, he was a member of the board of directors of the historical society for many years. Dingledy joined Rotary in 1958, and served as President of the Wabash Rotary Club. Dingledy was Rotary District Governor from 1987-1988 in Rotary Zone 30 and was a member of the Rotary Council of Past District Governors. Dingledy remained an active member until his passing. He was the oldest active Rotarian WWII veteran in the state of Indiana. Dingledy served as Mayor of Wabash, Indiana from 1979-83. For this and his other community, business and military service, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb honored Dingledy last August with the Sagamore of the Wabash Award.

    He was survived by his three children, John (Carol) Dingledy of Columbus, Indiana, Thomas (Lucy) Dingledy of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, and James Dingledy of Indianapolis, Indiana; seven grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren. Dingledy was preceded in death by his parents, his wife (1924-2006), son George Henry Dingledy II (1953-1981) and daughter Christine Thieroff (1952-2020).

    Services will be 10:30 am Friday, March 31, 2023 at the Chapel of Remembrance Mausoleum at Memorial Lawns Cemetery in Wabash, with Father Jay Horning officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Lawns Cemetery. Friends may call from 5-7 pm Thursday at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash.

    The preferred memorial is the Wabash Carnegie Public Library.

    To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of George Henry Dingledy, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

    VISITATION
    Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, Inc. – Manchester Avenue Chapel
    Thursday, March 30, 2023
    5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
    1241 Manchester Avenue
    Wabash, Indiana 46992


    FUNERAL SERVICE
    Chapel of Remembrance Mausoleum
    Friday, March 31, 2023
    10:30 AM
    1100 Manchester Avenue
    Wabash, IN 46992


    BURIAL
    Memorial Lawns Cemetery
    Friday, March 31, 2023
    1100 Manchester Avenue
    Wabash, IN 46992

  • April 5: 5:31 Club

    Join the Rotary Club of Indianapolis 5:31 Club at Seasons 52 at Keystone at the Crossing on April 5th.

    Who: Rotarians, friends, guests, and anyone wanting to learn more about Rotary.

    What: No agenda, just the regular monthly social get-together.

    When: April 5, from 5:31 pm till 7:00 pm, or whenever you can be there.

    Where: 8650 Keystone Crossing, Indianapolis, IN 46240

  • March 28: Chris Lewis

    March 28: Chris Lewis

    Join us Tuesday to hear from Chris Lewis the Executive Director of The Great American Songbook Foundation. Founded in 2007 by five-time Grammy nominee Michael Feinstein and housed at the affiliated Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, the Great American Songbook Foundation offers education and outreach programs and maintains archives, a library and an exhibit gallery dedicated to the timeless jazz standards, Broadway and Hollywood tunes and other classic popular music of the early- to mid-20th century. 

    Chris became Executive Director in January 2017 after five years as Director of Programs. He oversees all the organization’s activities, including management of the Songbook Archives & Library, the Songbook Exhibit Gallery, the Songbook Hall of Fame and all educational and outreach programming. 

    During his tenure, Chris has spearheaded the national expansion of the Foundation’s most prominent education program, the annual Songbook Academy summer intensive, as well as the development of Perfect Harmony, a research-based program of therapeutic musical activities designed for people living with Alzheimer’s, dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases. Chris also cultivated the Foundation’s relationship with the Los Angeles-based Grammy Museum, which now recognizes the Foundation as one of its five Cultural Affiliates around the world.

    An accomplished musician with professional vocal experience, Chris holds a master’s degree in education from Mercy College and has worked as a history teacher and special education liaison for the New York City Department of Education. He earned a graduate certificate in nonprofit executive leadership through the IUPUI School of Philanthropy and is a graduate of the Hamilton County Leadership Academy. Chris is a member of the Indianapolis Consortium of Arts Administrators, the National Association of Music Educators, the National Association of Teachers of Singing, the Jazz Education Network and the Recording Academy.

    All are welcome at Rotary programs. If attending in-person at the Murat Shrine reservations and prepayment are appreciated, but not required. Register on Square at https://rotary-club-of-indianapolis.square.site/. Lunch will be available starting at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.  

    Unfortunately, Zoom will not be available this week.

  • March 21: Suzanne Crouch

    March 21: Suzanne Crouch

    Join us Tuesday to hear from Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch. Suzanne is the 52nd Lieutenant Governor of Indiana and has been in the position since January 2017. She previously served as County Auditor, County Commissioner, State Representative, and State Auditor.

    As Lieutenant Governor, Suzanne serves as the President of the Indiana Senate. She leads and oversees the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, Office of Community and Rural Affairs, and Indiana Destination Development Corporation. In addition, she chairs the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Task Force, the Indiana Roundtable on Mental Health, the Civic Education Task Force, the Next Level Veterans Initiative, and the Women’s Centennial Suffrage Commission.

    Recently, Suzanne was named a ‘Woman of Influence’ by the Indianapolis Business Journal. In addition, she has been recognized by the National Coalition of Capital as a ‘Champion of Small Businesses.’

    Born and raised in southern Indiana, Suzanne was brought up in a hard-working family who placed importance on helping others, integrity, and kindness. After graduating from Mater Dei High School in Evansville, Suzanne graduated from Purdue University. She knew her professional career path would lead to helping others, and making a difference across the state.

    All are welcome at Rotary programs. If attending in-person at the Murat Shrine reservations and prepayment are appreciated, but not required. Register on Square at https://rotary-club-of-indianapolis.square.site/. Lunch will be available starting at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.  

    To join our meeting via Zoom starting at 12:15 p.m. go to https://zoom.us/j/710170874?pwd=bFE4ejJTc29IMlNzVmx1Wlg4MTA1UT09. While our Tuesday programs via Zoom are free to attend a suggested donation of $3 – $5 is appreciated in lieu of the typical room fee. These contributions help defray the cost of our hybrid meetings. Please note that donations to the Rotary Club of Indianapolis are not tax deductible. You can support our hybrid meetings at https://rotary-club-of-indianapolis.square.site/. 

    Meeting ID: 710 170 874
    Password: 821795

    If joining via a mobile phone for audio only click one of the following numbers: 
    +13126266799,,710170874#,,#,821795# US (Chicago)
    +19292056099,,710170874#,,#,821795# US (New York)

    You can also join us from a landline phone.
            +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
            +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
         
    Meeting ID: 710 170 874
    Password: 821795

    Save the Date for Our Upcoming Programs
    March 28: Chris Lewis, Executive Director, The Great American Songbook Foundation
    April 4: Tony Mason, President & CEO, Indianapolis Urban League
     
  • 2023 Community Grants: Apply Online

    2023 Community Grants: Apply Online

    The 2023 Indianapolis Rotary Foundation Community Grant guidelines have been posted. The Foundation intends to award two grants of $25,000 and two grants of $10,000.

    The online grant application can be found here. Applications are due by June 21, 2023. Applicants must be 501(c)3 nonprofits who serve the charitable and educational needs of Central Indiana.

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

  • New Board of Directors Announced

    On Tuesday, March 14, 2023 the Rotary Club of Indianapolis elected eight members to serve on the Board of Directors for two years, beginning on July 1, 2023. We are pleased to welcome the following community leaders to serve our club in leadership positions.


    Angela Cecil, BMO Harris Bank
    Erika Earl, RJE Business Interiors
    John Fenoglio, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
    Carrie Lahr, Riley Children’s Health
    Joshua Lloyd, Teacher’s Credit Union
    Jami Marsh, IU Health
    Val Morris, Community Health Network
    Jim Patton, Lifetime Financial Group of Indianapolis