• April 26, High School Honors Day with Former Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann

    High School Honors Day

    Each year, Rotary recognizes the top high school students in Marion County. Please do not miss this annual event coordinated by the Education Committee of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis.

    Former Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann
    LISTEN

    Sue Ellspermann served as Indiana’s 50th Lieutenant Governor including statutory responsibilities as the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development and President of the Indiana Senate. She managed six state agencies including:

    • Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship
    • Indiana Office of Tourism
    • Indiana State Department of Agriculture
    • Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority
    • Office of Community and Rural Affairs
    • Office of Defense Development

    Sue chaired the Blue Ribbon Panel on Transportation Infrastructure prioritizing transportation projects over the next decade and co-chaired the Rural Broadband Working Group focused on increasing bandwidth to rural areas of Indiana. Sue was also vice-chair of the Indiana Career Council and chaired the Implementation Committee for a strategic plan which aligns K-12, Higher Education and workforce development efforts to employer needs including a statewide goal of 60% of Hoosier workers having post-secondary credentials by 2025.

  • April 19, Professor Tom Turpin, Purdue University

    April 19, Professor Tom Turpin, Purdue University

    Back for a return speaking engagement with the Rotary Club of Indianapolis is Professor Tom Turpin from Purdue University’s Entomology Department. Professor Turpin will be sharing his insight into Honey Bees and pollinators. How important could it be for us to learn about a bunch of bees? Well, consider that Honey Bees add over $15 billion to US agricultural production and do almost 80% of all crop pollination. It’s been reported by the Nature Conservancy that “the number of honey bee colonies has dropped to about 2.5 million from more than 4 million in the 1970s.” and “ It cannot be denied that the honey bee is the greatest pollinating machine when it comes to agriculture.” Whether pesticides are to blame or Colony Collapse Disorder or something else, Professor Turpin will be sure to raise our Bee IQ regarding this situation and potential causes which are being hotly debated in the scientific and environmental communities.

  • Rotary Video Spotlight – Kate Hayward and Paul McClure

    Rotary Video Spotlight – Kate Hayward and Paul McClure

    The Rotary Club of Indianapolis membership is a diverse and treasured group. Check out this video spotlight on Rotarians, Kate Hayward and Paul McClure. Are you interested in becoming a member of our club? Get started here!

    Check out the 3 Minute Video!

    See the FULL 16 minute Conversation

  • May 4, Inaugural 5:31 Beverage Tour and Trivia

    Rotary is excited bring the Inaugural 5:31 Club Beverage Tour & Trivia Contest on May 4 (rain or shine)

    Start Point: Daredevil Brewery  1151 Main St. in Speedway

    • Sample libations from 4 establishments along Main Street in Speedway.
    • Test your trivia skills by participating in our first ever trivia contest!
    • Kick off the month of May & the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500.

    What To Know Before You Go
    If you can’t make it to Daredevil Brewery for the start of the tour….NO WORRIES!!  After all, it’s 531 Club so get there when you can!

    From Daredevil we will head to the following locations, in the following order:

    • Foyt Wine Vault
    • Barbeque and Bourbon
    • Dawson’s on Main

    We are not on a specific schedule or timeframe (again, it’s 531 so RELAX AND ENJOY). HOWEVER, if you are planning to participate in the trivia contest you’ll need to be at Daredevil Brewery by 5:45pm!

    • Questions are venue specific so you will need to stop at ALL FOUR tour locations!
    • YOU MUST ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS in order to be eligible for the contest and the chance to become the “King and Queen of Speedway/Rotary Trivia.”
    • Your results need to be submitted by 6:50p to Norm or Jenny.  Winners will be announced around 7pm at Dawson’s on Main.

    Should you arrive late and want to know where we are, please feel free to text Jenny Conder at (317) 937-9867 or Norm Melzer (317) 513 4916. They will be more than happy to assist!

    Plan to join us and let’s make the Inaugural beverage tour a success!

    Reservations and punctuality not required! 5:31 meet-and-greets are our most popular event get-togethers. 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!

  • April 12, Clay Robinson, Sun King Co-Founder and Brewer

    On Tuesday, April 12, The Rotary Club of Indianapolis invites Sun King Co-Founder and Brewer Clay Robinson to speak. Over seven years, Sun King Brewing Company created over 100 jobs, expanded its plant and contributed significantly to the economy of greater Indianapolis. “If you want to be a community leader, you’ve got to support those who share your vision,” points out co-founder/brewer Clay Robinson. “Sun King is proud to continually work with hundreds of organizations that help achieve our mission of enriching Hoosier lives one pint at a time.”

    Rotarian Brian Willsey of Hotel Tango Artisan Distillery will have a special one-on-one discussion with Clay Robinson at this very unique Tuesday Rotary program!

    Don’t forget to bring $3 for a guided beer sampling of Sun King products during the Program.

  • Ralph Taylor, a Community Builder

    Ralph Taylor, a Community Builder

    taylor-miscCourtesy of Life 360 and Publication of Purdue University, College of Health and Human Sciences, Written by By William Meiners

    Alumnus Ralph Taylor (HK ’69) played on one of the greatest teams in Purdue basketball history. In his senior year, the Boilermakers beat their Indiana University Hoosier rivals 120-76 in the season finale and made it all the way to the NCAA Tournament championship game, losing to a UCLA team led by Lew Alcindor (the future Kareem Abdul-Jabbar).

    Although basketball opened numerous doors for him, Taylor also wants to be remembered for being a difference maker in his professional life and through volunteer work and civic engagement. Based on the many awards he’s received, he has accomplished that goal.

    Basketball taught Taylor a valuable lesson. “Basketball teaches you not only the importance of recognizing the strength in individual differences and skill sets, but it also teaches the importance of having a common vision,” Taylor says. “Everyone may not like each other, but with the same common goal, much can be accomplished.”

    Read the full article.

  • April 6, Rotary 5:31 Club, Nada

    April 6, Rotary 5:31 Club, Nada

    Rotary is excited that nada will be hosting our next 5:31 Club on April 6, 5:31 to 7:30pm!
    All are welcome – please join us!

    For more details, contact the
    Rotary office at 317-631-3733.

    nada is located at
    11 W Maryland St, Indianapolis, IN 46204

    Reservations and punctuality not required! 5:31 meet-and-greets are our most popular event get-togethers. 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!

  • April 5, Dale Ogden, Chief Curator of Cultural History, Indiana State Museum & Historic Sites

    April 5, Dale Ogden, Chief Curator of Cultural History, Indiana State Museum & Historic Sites

    2016  is the bicentennial of Indiana’s statehood and the Indiana State Museum (ISM) is producing a major exhibition in recognition of this anniversary.  Indiana in 200 Objects; A Bicentennial Celebration will introduce significant moments, events, artifacts and people from Indiana’s past and present, as well as present our state’s amazing  natural history.  The experience will showcase the breadth and depth of Indiana’s history including its contributions to the nation and the world. The exhibition will run from April 30, 2016 –  January 29, 2017 at the ISM.

    In addition to nearly 140 artifacts from the museum’s permanent collection, contributions from institutions, museums, libraries, corporations and private collections from throughout the nation are to be utilized to tell Indiana’s story.  The National Archives, NASA, Indiana Historical Society, Rolls-Royce, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Cummins Inc., the National Museum of the American Indian, the Cranbrook Institute, and Butler, Indiana, Notre Dame and Purdue universities are among our some 40 partners on this project.

  • April 12 Sun King Co-Founder Clay Robinson

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    On Tuesday, April 12, The Rotary Club of Indianapolis invites Sun King Co-Founder and Brewer Clay Robinson to speak. Over seven years, Sun King Brewing Company created over 100 jobs, expanded its plant and contributed significantly to the economy of greater Indianapolis. “If you want to be a community leader, you’ve got to support those who share your vision,” points out co-founder/brewer Clay Robinson. “Sun King is proud to continually work with hundreds of organizations that help achieve our mission of enriching Hoosier lives one pint at a time.”

    Sun King Brewing Company is an Indianapolis-based craft brewery with a focus on continually creating traditional seasonal and unique specialty beer. Sun King rolled their first keg of beer out of the door in July 2009 and since that time has grown into one of Indiana’s largest and most award-winning breweries.

    Sun King also makes a huge commitment to the community.   They are proud to provide product, support and promotion to hundreds of organizations that help achieve their mission of enriching Hoosier lives one pint at a time.

    Sun King beer can be enjoyed at over 1,000 fine bars/restaurants and liquor stores throughout Indiana, at the downtown brewery at 135 N. College Ave. Indianapolis, or at the Small Batch Brewery and Tasting Room at 7848 E. 96th Street in Fishers, Indiana.

  • Longtime Rotarian Fred Lesh Passes Away

    Longtime Rotarian Fred Lesh Passes Away

    leshRotarian, Frederick Hoke Lesh died peacefully at his home Easter morning, Sunday, March 27th, at the age of 90. He was born February 3rd, 1926 in Indianapolis to Perry Wilkins Lesh and Mary Lesh (Hoke). Fred joined the Rotary Club of Indianapolis in 1979. During his membership he was a Club Director, James Whitcomb Riley Fellow and Paul Harris Fellow. Fred gave his time, talent and treasure to the Rotary Club of Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Rotary Foundation.

    Fred was also well-known for his participation and organization of the annual Salvation Army Bell Ringing contest each year between the Kiwanis and the Rotary club. His promotion for getting Rotarians involved showcased Fred making his way up to the podium each November, pausing to look at the crowd, then bellowing “CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?” We heard you Fred and you WILL be missed! It will not soon be forgotten by members that have known Fred during his membership in our club.

    He attended Shortridge High School and upon graduation, enlisted in the Navy as a gunner on a merchant marine ship. After the war, he attended Wabash College where he joined the Phi Beta Kappa chapter and studied business. Upon graduation he went to work for the C.P. Lesh Paper Company, eventually taking over the presidency in 1963. – Read full obituary.