• It’s that time of year – Ring that Bell!

    It’s that time of year – Ring that Bell!

    Every year, The Rotary Club of Indianapolis competes with our friends at the downtown Kiwanis Club to see who can raise the most for The Salvation Army!  Last year, we lost our beloved trophy, but this year, with your help, we can regain our title!

    There are two ways to support the effort:

    1. Sign up for a 1 hour time slot to help ring bells at Circle Centre Mall on November 30th, December 7th & 14th. Email Jennifer Hobbs to sign up- these spots are filled fast!

    2. Make your donation! Checks can be written to The Salvation Army and given to Jamie Stahl at lunch on Tuesdays, or sent to the office at 650 N. Meridian St., Suite 1A, Indianapolis, IN 46204.  This year, we will also have a credit card machine at Tuesday lunch on November 28th and December 5th. A simple swipe can make a difference!

    Let’s work together to support the work of The Salvation Army and make it the best season ever!

  • November 21: Ron Appuhn, Heart 2 Heart: Your RI Donations at Work!

    November 21: Ron Appuhn, Heart 2 Heart: Your RI Donations at Work!

    Join us on Tuesday, November 21 as we welcome Ron Appuhn, a Rotarian from Maryville, TN, who will share the story of how your own Rotary International Foundation dollars are used in matching grants for the Heart 2 Heart Program.

    This program is a cooperative effort between Rotarians primarily in the “Heart of America” (Zones 30 and 31) and in the “Heart of Mexico” (District 4170) and The Rotary Foundation to provide humanitarian service, primarily through matching grant projects.

    Ron has coordinated the projects, assistance, and work between the Rotary Districts in Central United States during the past 15+ years. Last year the collaboration between Rotary areas completed over $500,000 in projects, including the Vickie Blade Pacemaker Project that honors our own Past District Governor and Rotarian Mark Blade’s late wife Vickie. Having just returned from a visit to Mexico from November 8-15, he is sure to have new and fascinating information to share!

  • November 14: Steve Reed, Healthcare: Past, Present & Rural

    November 14: Steve Reed, Healthcare: Past, Present & Rural

    Join us on Tuesday, November 14 for this presentation that will discuss a brief historical perspective on the U.S. healthcare system; some statistics about the U.S. healthcare system today that are enlightening; a few key terms and concepts that significantly shape and drive our healthcare system; some of the key issues and challenges surrounding the delivery of rural healthcare; and ten critical success factors for hospital leadership.

    Steve Reed has over 30 years of experience in hospital administration and healthcare consulting in proprietary hospital systems and not-for-profit community hospitals. A graduate of the IUPUI MHA program in Health Administration, Steve completed his bachelor of science in business management and marketing from Indiana State University. Steve is also an instructor on the faculty at the Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at IUPUI.

  • Catacombs Event Shows How Indy Rotary Excites, Engages & Evolves

    Catacombs Event Shows How Indy Rotary Excites, Engages & Evolves

    Our club hosted a fantastic recruitment reception at the Catacombs at City Market on Thursday, November 2. Fifty eight guests were treated to food by Sahm’s Catering, drinks from Tom Tap and a short presentation about the unique space. Rotarians Troy Hollings, Andrea Geiger and John Mainella also shared why they are proud to be members of Rotary. If you would like to learn more about our club, or know someone who would benefit from membership, email Kelly or visit our membership page.

  • November 7: Kerry Steiner, Indiana Native American Indian Affairs Commission

    November 7: Kerry Steiner, Indiana Native American Indian Affairs Commission

    Native American Civil Rights: Past and Present

    When we think of civil rights, we often think about freedoms won toward an end goal of equality. What we don’t think about is the civil liberties lost through oppression. In an effort to civilize a “savage people,” federal laws were created in the early 1800s to control where and how Indians lived – laws that stripped them of the same rights afforded to foreign immigrants. Spurred by the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, Native American Indians began a slow and steady march to regain their right to live according to their beliefs. Learn more about this march and celebrate the start of National Native American Heritage Month on Tuesday, November 7 when we welcome Kerry Steiner to Rotary.

    Kerry Steiner has served as the Executive Director of the Indiana Native American Indian Affairs Commission since March 2015. Her involvement in Indiana’s Native American Indian community began in 1992 when she was involved with the American Indian Center of Indiana; she continues to volunteer with them today. Following her education at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, Kerry joined the U.S. Army and worked as a journalist for 13 years, serving in Alaska, Maryland, Indiana and Panama. Her love of research, writing and a desire to tell people’s stories created a platform to give a voice to those who are not always heard.

  • October 31: World War II Veterans Tell Their Story

    In anticipation of Veteran’s Day on November 11, the Rotary Club of Indianapolis is honoring all veterans on Tuesday, October 31. We hope Rotarians will also bring a Veteran so they can enjoy a program hosted by Tom Mason and Steve Smith, who will be providing a question and answer session with two incredible World War II veterans.

    George Dingledy spent 25 months overseas, reinforcing his unit, the 164th Infantry Regiment, Americal Division (renamed the 23rd Infantry Division after World War II), which sustained heavy losses in fierce fighting at Guadalcanal. George served in the Bougainville Campaign in the Northern Solomon Islands, at Leyte and Cebu in the Philippines, and in the occupation of Japan. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantry Medal. Paul McClure enlisted in the Army in 1942 and served with the 65th Division—nicknamed the “Battle-Axe”—260th Infantry Regiment, Company D, Headquarters Platoon, in Europe from 1944 to 1946. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantryman Badge. Please join us on Tuesday to hear more about their time providing the ultimate Service Above Self.

  • October 24: Jason Gardner, IUPUI Men’s Head Basketball Coach

    October 24: Jason Gardner, IUPUI Men’s Head Basketball Coach

    A Mr. Basketball Comes Home to Indiana

    We welcome Jason Gardner, IUPUI Men’s Head Basketball Coach, to Rotary on Tuesday, October 24. Former Indiana Mr. Basketball and current IUPUI’s head men’s basketball coach, Jason Gardner will speak on his connections to basketball in Indianapolis including discussions of his coaching career and what it means for him to come “home”. Additionally, he will discuss several experiences over the past three years as head coach of the Jags, as well as the upcoming season, IUPUI’s first as a new member of the Horizon League.

    Jason Gardner was named the eighth head coach in IUPUI men’s basketball program’s history on April 2, 2014. Gardner, the 1999 winner of the Indiana Mr. Basketball Award, spent a year on the University of Memphis bench and two seasons at Loyola prior to moving back home to Indianapolis. Gardner racked up numerous accolades during his prestigious high school, college and professional playing careers. He was a 1999 McDonald’s and Parade All-American while at North Central High School helping lead his team to an IHSAA state championship.

  • 2017 Chili Cook-Off Winner!

    2017 Chili Cook-Off Winner!

    Congratulations to Rotarian Norm Melzer who captured the 4th Annual Rotary Chili Cook-off win on Wednesday, October 4th at the Triton Tap Room in Broad Ripple as part of our 5:31 Club.

    Norm was awarded the Silver Ladle Traveling Trophy and was recognized at our weekly meeting on October 10th. Marie Koenig came in 2nd (again) and Matt Burnett and Dave Stamper tied for 3rd. There were over 30 attendees and 15 new members served as judges.

  • October 20: Rotary Club of Indianapolis History Tour

    October 20: Rotary Club of Indianapolis History Tour

    Join fellow Rotarians for an up-close-and-person tour of our Club’s history during this private tour, arranged for by our History Committee. Join us early for lunch at the on-site cafe at 12 p.m. if you can.

    Friday, October 20 at 1 PM – 3 PM, Indiana Historical Society, 450 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46202

  • 5:31 Club, November 1, Salute To Veterans and Support A Rotary Business!

    Join us for a special Veteran’s Day themed 5:31 event at Hotel Tango Distillery on Wednesday, November 1. We will have a special “5:31” cocktail using Hotel Tango’s special Veteran’s Day labels gin! A portion of our cocktail proceeds will go to HVAF- a nonprofit that supports homeless vets.

    Remember: not only is Hotel Tango the first craft distillery in Indy, co-owned by Rotarian Brian Willsey, but it’s also the first service-disabled combat-veteran owned distillery in the country. What a combination of service and networking! See you there on November 1!