Abdul Hakim-Shabazz has been covering and writing about state and local government in Indiana since 2004. Overall, he has more than 20 years of experience in writing and talking about the issues that affect real people. He goes beyond the headlines and tells you not only what’s happening, but why it’s happening.
He writes for the Indianapolis Star, WIBC.com, NUVO Newsweekly, and TheStatehouseFile.Com. He’s also a frequent panelist and contributor to RTV 6’s Indianapolis This Week and Inside Indiana Business.
Abdul is also the editor and publisher of IndyPolitics.Org, which has been recognized by the Washington Post two years in a row as one of the best political blogs in the nation.
Abdul earned his degree in broadcasting and journalism at Northern Illinois University. He has a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs from the University of Illinois and a law degree from St. Louis University. He serves as “Of Counsel” at the Indianapolis law firm of Lewis & Wilkins and serves on the faculty at Ivy Tech Community College and University of Indianapolis.
All are welcome at Rotary programs. The lunch buffet opens at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. See you there!
Be among the first to see the newly renovated Colts Pavilion at their practice facility, 7001 W 56th Street – Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. We will meet at 8am in the sleek new lobby of the Pavilion where our guest speaker will be Stephanie Pemberton, Vice President of Marketing. Stephanie will talk about the Colts and their value to Indianapolis and the state of Indiana and we might get some insider information on the combine and upcoming draft. Limited tours of the facility will be available after the conversation, including the Team Memorabilia Room.
Attendees must be registered in order to attend. Click here to register.
Leonard Hoops has served as president & CEO of Visit Indy since 2011. He leads a team of 62 industry professionals charged with growing Central Indiana’s economy by driving the region’s $5.2 billion convention, tourism and event industry.
During Hoops’ tenure, Visit Indy has generated a 90-to-1 return on investment from its public funding, and Indianapolis has been named the #1 convention city in America by USA Today and a top visitor destination by The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, and Travel + Leisure.
Prior to Visit Indy, Hoops was executive vice president and chief customer officer of San Francisco Travel, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau, senior vice president of marketing for the San Jose Convention & Visitors Bureau, and a corporate communications manager for a Fortune 120 company.
Hoops has been named an “Indiana Living Legend” by the Indiana Historical Society, one of the “25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry” by Successful Meetings magazine, and one of the “Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality & Travel Sales & Marketing” by HSMAI. He has also received the Sloan-Kettering Award in Business from Delta Upsilon Fraternity and the Kurt Vonnegut Humor Award.
Hoops currently serves on the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Board of Directors and Destinations International Foundation’s Board of Trustees. In Indy, Hoops serves on the Capital Improvement Board of Marion County as well as the Boards of the Indy Chamber, Downtown Indy, and the Indiana Sports Corp.
Hoops earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from San Jose State University and an MBA from Santa Clara University. He and his wife, Dorene (an Indianapolis Public Schools commissioner), have a son and a daughter
All are welcome at Rotary programs. The lunch buffet opens at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. See you there!
Join Rotary friends and guests at The Ale Emporium for fun, frivolity, conversation, beverages (over 200 domestic and imported beers) and food (home of Honest Pizza and famous Hermanaki Wings).
April 3rd, from 5:31 pm till 7:00 pm, or whenever you can be there.
8617 Allisonville Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46250
No agenda, just the regular, monthly social get-together.
Free parking.
Regular 5:31-ers will be joined by members of the World Community Service Committee this month.
This is a sanctioned event for all March Mania Team Captains and members.
Bryan Hannon is the Director of Indiana Government Relations for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). Working with public officials at the local, state and federal level, Hannon directs policy campaigns to make cancer prevention, detection and research a priority in Indiana. He also serves as the Chair of Tobacco Free Indiana and Raise it for Health, a statewide campaign to raise Indiana’s cigarette tax.
Previously Hannon led ACS CAN’s grassroots advocacy efforts in Indiana where he helped volunteer advocates connect with their elected officials on various policy priorities including tobacco control, access to care and research funding priorities like the 21st Century Cures Act.
Prior to joining ACS CAN Hannon worked in the Indiana state legislature and served in various capacities for political campaigns and non-profit organizations in Indiana.
All are welcome at Rotary programs. The lunch buffet opens at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. See you there!
On Tuesday, March 12, 2019 the Rotary Club of Indianapolis elected eight members to serve on the Board of Directors for two years, beginning on July 1, 2019. We are pleased to welcome the following community leaders to serve our club in leadership positions.
Marlin Jackson is a graduate of the University of Michigan, an entrepreneur and a life-long-learner. He sees every experience and encounter as an opportunity for learning. As a former collegiate and professional athlete, Marlin Jackson was groomed and developed within a structured, organized, and challenging environment. This experience of learning, in the classroom and in the arena of collegiate and professional football, caused Mr. Jackson to develop a unique perspective and skill set that is embedded in structure, organization, time-management, leadership, creativity, and passion.
Over the years, Mr. Jackson has proven himself to be a goal-oriented, disciplined, and driven person who is able to do whatever is needed to help himself and others succeed. He has displayed these qualities throughout his life as a captain on the University of Michigan football team, in the National Football League with the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles, as sports analyst and sports radio show co-host, and now, as Founder and President of Fight for Life Foundation, Inc.
All are welcome at Rotary programs. The lunch buffet opens at Ivy Tech Culinary and Conference Center at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. See you there!
During March, the Rotary Club of Indianapolis is hosting our March Membership Mania Tournament! We have planned special events to showcase the Best of Rotary during March. If you have been interested in ramping up your Rotary engagement, now is the time! Most events require advance registration, but are free to attend. Below are the links to our special events.
March 8 Indiana Historical Society Conservation Lab Presentation with the History Committee Indiana Historical Society, 12 p.m. Lunch in the Stardust Cafe and 1 p.m. Presentation Contact Phyllis Geeslin at phydster@comcast.net to register.
March 9 March Mania Meet Up Informal coffee and conversation for current and/or prospective members of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis Neidhammer Coffee Co, 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Register here
March 13 Celebrity H-O-R-S-E Tournament Join local personalities for this BIG fun networking and social event. Winner of the tournament will receive $500 for their favorite charity. Hinkle Fieldhouse, 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Register here
March 16 Classroom Makeover Project The 2019 Classroom Makeover top prize for the Indianapolis Teaching Fellows was awarded to Jennifer Elmore with KIPP Indy Unite. Join us to help makeover Jennifer’s classroom. KIPP Indy Unite, 1740 E 30th Street, Indianapolis Contact Greg Albright at galbright@marian.edu to participate.
March 21 Volunteer at Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, 3737 Waldemere Ave., 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Register here by March 18 to participate.
March 22 NCAA Bracket Party Join friends and guests in a private room at Scotty’s Dawghouse to watch NCAA basketball. Beverages, food, basketball and Rotarians! Scotty’s Dawghouse, 4702 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Register here
March 23 Teach for America Classroom Makeover Project The 2019 Teach for America Classroom Makeover top prize was awarded to JaVaughn Hardaway with Longfellow Middle School. Join us to help makeover JaVaughn’s classroom. Longfellow Middle School, 510 Laurel Street, Indianapolis Contact Greg Albright at galbright@marian.edu to participate.
March 23 Indy Animal Care Services Volunteer Opportunity Help spruce up the exterior of Indy Animal Care Services. Indy Animal Care Services, 2600 S. Harding Street, Indianapolis, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Contact Marie Koenig koenigmarie55@gmail.com
March 27 Coffee & Conversation at the Colts Complex This is a rare, behind the scenes access to our very own Indianapolis Colts complex. Our speaker will be Stephanie Pemberton, Vice President of Marketing for the Indianapolis Colts. Colts Complex, 7001 W 56th Street, Indianapolis, 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. Register here
March 27 Live After Five Live After Five is an interactive young professionals networking event where Indy connects! On Air Personalities from Hot96.3, RadioNOW100.9 and La Grande 105.1 will be in the mix and broadcasting live on location. There will guest speaker to give career advice in different areas. We will be collecting donations of toiletries for Dove Recovery House. Gavel, 902 Virginia Avenue, Suite 102, Indianapolis, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Register here M
April 3 5:31 Club at Ale Emporium Join Rotary friends and guests at The Ale Emporium for fun, frivolity, conversation, beverages (over 200 domestic and imported beers) and food (home of Honest Pizza and famous Hermanaki Wings). Ale Emporium, 8617 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis, 5:31 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. Register here
Back in November, a Nominating Committee made up of almost 20 tenured & engaged Rotarians met to discuss who they think would make good board members. From this list of possible board members, individuals were contacted and asked if they wanted to run for the board- 14 members said yes, eight will be elected to represent Rotary on the Board of Directors.
Those 14 people running for the Board of Directors have been divided up into two teams- the “Hubs” and “Spokes.” (A play on the Rotary gear that is our logo.) Each team will present for 15 minutes on Tuesday, March 5 to showcase candidates. For more information about candidates, please click here.
Any Rotarian who is current on their dues can vote for up to 8 board members on March 12. Absentee (email) ballots will be available beginning on March 5 as well. (instructions forthcoming on that- watch your email inboxes.) You DO NOT have to vote strictly along “Hubs” and “Spokes” lines- you can pick and choose any eight individuals from the list of 14.
Long time Rotarian and Past President of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis passes away…..
OCTOBER 11, 1940 ~ FEBRUARY 21, 2019
William “Bill” Douthit, 78, of Noblesville, passed away on Thursday, February 21, 2019. He was born to Loren and Irene (French) Douthit on October 11, 1940 in Indianapolis.
A graduate of PS 84 Elementary School, Broad Ripple High School, and Hanover College, where he was a running back on the football team. He married Alice (Dashiell) on October 2, 1965. Bill was President and CEO of The George F. Cram Company, a family-owned business that made maps and world globes, where he worked for nearly 45 years. He was active at Noblesville First United Methodist Church, Indianapolis Rotary Club, Teacher’s Treasures, and Kids in Need. He was a dedicated and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, a music lover with a wonderful baritone voice, and an avid, yet somewhat challenged golfer. For the last 20 years, he also loved spending the colder months in Marco Island, Florida.
Bill is survived by his wife, Alice Douthit; children, Jeffrey (Mindy) Douthit and Jennifer (Derek) Gerow; grandchildren, Will, Austin, Rylin, and Landon Douthit, and Nicholas and Audrey Gerow.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, John “Jay” Douthit.
Visitation will be from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Monday, February 25th at Randall & Roberts Funeral Center, 1685 Westfield Road in Noblesville. Services with be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, February 26th at Noblesville First United Methodist Church, 2051 Monument St. in Noblesville, officiated by Pastor Dick Judson. There will be an additional hour of visitation prior to the service. Burial will be immediately following services at Hamilton Memorial Park, 4180 Westfield Road in Noblesville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Teachers’ Treasurers, 1800 E. 10th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46201, www.teacherstreasures.org; or Noblesville First United Methodist Music Program, 2051 Monument Street, Noblesville, IN 46060, www.noblesvillefirst.com.
DONATIONS MAY BE MADE TO:
Teachers’ Treasures
1800 E. 10th Street, Indianapolis IN 46201
Web: http://www.teacherstreasures.org
Noblesville First United Methodist Music Program
2051 Monument Street, Noblesville IN 46060
Web: http://www.noblesvillefirst.com
