• 5:31 Club: September 6, 2017

    Please join us for a special Rotary 531 at Metazoa Brewing, 140 S College Ave
    Indianapolis, IN 46202

    Please join us for a special Rotary 531 at Metazoa Brewing on 9/6/17.

    • Bring your dog to visit Metazoa Brewing, a pet-friendly craft brewery in downtown Indy (there’s a dog park for them!)
    • Please donate a bag of dry cat or dog food (preferably Purina brand) for F.I.D.O., Marie Koenig’s not for profit organization
    • Metazoa Brewing is donating 10% of sales of pints & growlers to F.I.D.O.
    • Union Jack food truck available

    Metazoa Brewing & The Rotary Club of Indianapolis are partnering with F.I.D.O. for a 3 week pet food drive culminating in a give-back event on 9/6/2017.
    10% of all pint & growlers sales during this time will go directly to F.I.D.O. to help families feed and protect their pets, despite financial hardship.

  • Business Network Meet-Up!

    The Business Network Meet-Ups are a fun and helpful way to take your Rotary membership to the next level, giving Rotarians opportunities to give and get business!

    Mark your calendars for every-other-2nd HUMP DAY and get to Business Network Meet-Up!

    Event Dates are as follows:
    October 11, 2017 8am-9am
    December 13, 2017 8am-9am
    February 14, 2018 8am-9am
    April 11, 2018 8am-9am
    June 13, 2018 8am-9am

    Each Meet-Up will take place at Century 21 Scheetz, located at 4929 East 96th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46240.

    Have questions? Contact Lisa Treadwell or Michael Salemi

    See you there!

  • Long Time Rotarian, Jim Bradford Passes Away

    Long Time Rotarian, Jim Bradford Passes Away

    James H. Bradford passed away on August 13, 2017, at the age of 97. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Jeannette W.; daughter, Barbara Lee “Blee” (Jones) (husband, Noell) Nighbert; son, Daniel W. (Susan) Bradford; daughter, Beth E. (Andrews) (husband, Phil) Kimble; five grandchildren, Julie Bradford (Charles) Dunlap, Michael W. (Rachel) Jones, Matthew W. (Leah) Jones, Steven (Robin) Bradford, Derek Andrews; and nine great grandchildren, Sarah and Sam Dunlap, Lily and Violet Jones, Griffin and Ethan Jones, and Elijah, Makayla, and Mason Andrews. He was preceded in passing by a grandson, Clint Andrews.

    Jim was a WWII veteran, having served with the 8th Air Force as a lead navigator, including on the 2000-plane B17 Armada mission supporting the Battle of the Bulge. As a civilian, he pursued his artistic interests as a teacher and as a commercial artist, partnering with Frank Vietor to form Bradford and Vietor Advertising. He retired in 1992 and in 1995, he created The Toy Workshop with his four brothers and his work partner to make “playable toys from recycled wood”. Jim continued this endeavor until his death. The toys were donated each Christmas to underprivileged children.

    Jim was community minded throughout his life, serving his church in many capacities and served as President of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis and as a District Governor of Rotary District 6560.

    Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday, August 17, 2017 at Flanner and Buchanan – Carmel, 325 East Carmel Drive, where services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 18, 2017. Burial will follow at Carmel Cemetery.

    Memorial contributions may be directed to East 91st Street Christian Church or to Rotary International Foundation. Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.flannerbuchanan.com.
    Published in the The Indianapolis Star on Aug. 15, 2017

  • “The Big Cheese”

    “The Big Cheese”

    Big thanks to Rotarian Bill Batt who had the winning bid on this beautiful hunk of cheddar artwork that was donated by the American Dairy Association of Indiana, carved by world renowned cheese carver Sarah Kaufmann and auctioned off by our own Matt Will at our state-fair themed lunch on August 8. All proceeds will benefit the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation. Bill plans on sharing this unique creation with his Rotary friends. We think you’re mooooovelous, Bill!

  • August 15: Senator Joe Donnelly

    August 15: Senator Joe Donnelly

    On Tuesday, August 15, the Rotary Club of Indianapolis is excited to welcome Senator Joe Donnelly as our guest speaker. Previously, Senator Donnelly served the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana in the House of Representatives, and was first elected in 2006. After being reelected to the House in 2008 and 2010, he was elected to the Senate in 2012. In the Senate, he serves on the Armed Services Committee, Banking Committee, Agriculture Committee, and Aging Committee.

    Senator Donnelly’s remarks on Tuesday will focus on his bipartisan record of getting things done for Hoosiers (including on service member mental health and combating the opioid epidemic), his efforts to protect Hoosier jobs, and his work as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. He will also be including a question and answer portion for Rotarians in attendance.

    Prior to serving in Congress, Joe helped run a small business in Mishawaka and practiced law in South Bend. Joe previously worked with both Democrats and Republicans to ensure fair and accurate election results by serving on the Indiana State Election Board from 1988 to 1989. Additionally, he was a member of the School Board for Mishawaka Marian High School from 1997 to 2001, serving as President during the 2000 to 2001 term.

    Joe lives with his wife Jill in north central Indiana. Joe met Jill in South Bend while students at the University of Notre Dame and they have two children, Molly and Joe Jr. From coaching his kids’ basketball and baseball teams years ago to being a member of St. Anthony de Padua Parish, Joe has fully invested himself in his community and is proud to call Indiana home.

  • Chunk Of Cheese For A Chunk Of Change!

    Chunk Of Cheese For A Chunk Of Change!

    Rotary offers members a variety of unique opportunities, but this might be the most unique of all! At our meeting on Tuesday, August 8, Sarah Kaufmann “The Cheese Lady” will be carving a familiar design into a block of cheese and you just might be able to take it home with you. That is, if you’re the highest bidder!

    Auctioneer Matt Will will lead the fun and we look forward to raising a nice chunk of change for the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation! Don’t miss it!

  • August 8: Celebrate the Indiana State Fair!

    Join Rotary on Tuesday, August 8 as we celebrate the Indiana State Fair! This lunch will be sure to go down as a favorite and will include high energy presentations from State Fair Queen Becca Lax, Entertainment & Events Manager Bobbi Bates and nationally known cheese sculptor Sarah Kauffman. In addition to learning about the exciting opportunities that exist at the fair this year, you’ll learn more about the economic and educational impact this annual tradition has on Central Indiana. Lunch will also feature some state-fair themed surprises and there will be fair tickets given away during the 50/50! You will not want to miss Rotary next Tuesday!

    Bobbi Bates- Bobbi Bates is the Entertainment & Events Manager at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Events Center and a 22-year employee of the organization. Responsible for booking entertainment and performance attractions during the annual State Fair, she also oversees a variety of Fair events, including Band Day, the Cheerleading and Baton Twirling Competitions, and the Youth Talent Contest.

    Becca Lax- Becca Lax was crowned the 59th Indiana State Fair Queen in January 2017. She currently attends Purdue University studying Professional Flight and is an active member of Women in Aviation and Aviation Ambassadors. A 10-year 4-H member and 5-year member of Junior Leaders, she remains active in Vanderburgh County 4-H and Vanderburgh County Homemakers.

    Sarah Kauffman- Affectionately known as “The Cheese Lady,” Sarah is one of only three artists in the US who work almost exclusively with cheese! In 2011, she set the Guinness World Record for World’s Largest Cheese Sculpture- 925 lbs.! At our meeting, she may showcase a bit smaller piece of art with a very familiar image… stay tuned!

  • August 1: Bryan Mills, CEO of Community Health Network

    Join Rotary on Tuesday, August 1 as we welcome Community Health Network CEO Bryan Mills presenting “Community’s Eastside Commitment.” Community Health Network was created on the east side of Indianapolis in 1956 by neighbors, for neighbors. Community proudly traces its roots to the community leaders, civic organizations and countless friendly faces who went door-to-door raising funds to build a hospital close to home at the corner of 16th and Ritter.

    Since the opening of Community Hospital East more than six decades ago, Community Health Network has expanded throughout central Indiana. Yet, Community remains wholly committed to its beginnings as it continues to invest time, talent and resources in the eastside community.

    Bryan Mills was appointed president and chief executive officer of Community Health Network on May 1, 2009. He had served as CEO of Visionary Enterprises Inc. (VEI), a for-profit affiliate within Community, from 1992 to 2009. Mills began his career with Community Health Network in 1985 as controller for Community Hospital North.

    Besides his role with Community Health Network, Mills is very active in the local community. He serves on the boards of directors of United Way of Central Indiana, Indiana Hospital Association, Suburban Health Organization, the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership and serves as Chairman of the Board for the Indiana Health Information Exchange, and Primaria Health.

  • Chin Community of Indiana Receives 600 Backpacks

    Chin Community of Indiana Receives 600 Backpacks

    Last week, the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation Legacy Grant recipient, the Chin Community of Indiana (CCI), was the recipient of 200 back to school backpacks and supplies for distribution to families in need. The demand was so great, CCI ran out of backpacks before the distribution was scheduled to begin, leaving hundreds of students without school supplies.

    Rotarian Jeff Lake, who chairs the Chin Support Committee, worked quickly to connect CCI with local nonprofit, and former Rotary Foundation of Indianapolis grant recipient, Teachers’ Treasures.  CCI accepted 800 backpacks from Teachers’ Treasures, with 400 going directly to CCI families and another 400 being distributed to Perry Township Schools. On Monday, all 400 backpacks were distributed at CCI in less than an hour.

    Lake’s quick action and using this Rotary connection allowed him to support CCI in a way that goes far beyond just giving a grant. “The Rotary Club is about building and connecting leaders through service. Jeff was able to leverage the networks we’ve created within Rotary to live out our motto, Service Above Self, so it is especially rewarding to see this success,” says Club President Ramona Adams.

    Margaret Sheehan, Executive Director of Teachers’ Treasures was also happy to be part of this effort. “Teachers’ Treasures is thrilled to have been able to help with this urgent need. Our mission is to provide free supplies to teachers and their classrooms so students can access the tools they need to succeed academically,” Sheehan said. “Partnering with the Rotary Club of Indianapolis and the Chin Community of Indiana to get supplies to those students and classrooms is powerful. We are all focused on that student and school’s success.”

  • August 5:31 Club, Blind Owl Brewery

    Join the Rotary 5:31 Club at Blind Owl Brewery on Wednesday, August 2, 2017. Blind Owl Brewery is located at 5014 E 62nd St, Indianapolis, IN 46220

    We will be playing Bocce Ball, Corn Hole, and other lawn games

    Reservations and punctuality not required! Show up any time between 5:31 PM and 7:00 PM. Optional trivia games will start after 7:00 PM

    5:31 meet-and-greets are our most popular event get-togethers. Just “show-up! Or, for more details contact the Rotary at 317-631-3733! They are a fun way to get to know folks outside of our regular Tuesday programs. We always meet at a new location somewhere in the city and it is never dull!