The August 1st meeting at the University Club will feature Dave Christopher, President & Founder of AMPED.

The menu is spaghetti with meatballs; a salad with grilled chicken or a vegetarian/vegan and/or gluten-free option is available upon advance request.

RSVP by NOON on Monday, July 29 HERE.

There is a $5 meeting fee for those who choose not to purchase a meal - this will include a dessert and tea/coffee/water and, of course, a fantastic program. You can pay $5 cash, check or scan the QR code at check-in to pay with a credit card.

Click Read More to view Speaker Bio:
 

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Join us on Tuesday, August 13th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at SOS for our new member service project. All are welcome - this is an excellent opportunity to serve alongside and get acquainted with some of our newer members.

We will be sorting and packing supplies to be redistributed to those in need. SOS meets critical health care needs in medically impoverished communities in 106 countries around the world by collecting and distributing surplus medical supplies and equipment. Partnering with hospitals, clinics, and manufacturers to recover and redistribute what would otherwise go into local landfills, SOS promotes environmental stewardship.

Please RSVP HERE.

Rotarian Alisa Gray is hosting our next Business Synergy event on August 20th from 5:30-7:30pm at the Kentucky Humane Society East Campus, 1000 Lyndon Ln. This informal networking event will include bites, beverages and furry friends!

Register for this free Business Synergy event HERE and invite a friends or two.

It is that time again when Honor Flight Bluegrass needs your help. There will be 80+ veterans flying to DC September 24th. "Mail call" is always a time of great joy when the vets receive all the cards and letters. Let's put the pen to paper and get the cards and letters to HFB by September 20th:

6215 Bay Pine Drive
Louisville KY 40219

The Rotary Leadership Fellows kicked off the new Rotary year last week. Started by Baylor Landrum, the program is a 3-year professional development journey aimed at keeping the next generation of leaders in Louisville and engaged in our club. 

Fellows met with their mentors and discussed their intentions for the coming year. Say hello to our Fellows next time you see them at a meeting or club activity: 

• Antigone Mehani-Asghari (Mentor: Susan Zepeda)
• Eric Gurevich (Mentor: Jan Grayson)
• Kelley Spillson (Mentor: Mitch Rue)
• Amalia Gamez Guerra (Mentor: Barbara Sexton Smith)
• Tonya Shive Augustine (Mentor: Julie Schmidt)
• Maggie Roth (Mentor: Rick Harned)
• Woo Smith (Mentor: Chris Nation) 
• Danielle Lavender (Mentor: Amy Luttrell)
• Matthew Molter (Mentor: Vernon Foster)

Earlier this year, we hosted the Louisville Metro Police Department’s Victims Unit, a team of 15, at Willow Hope Farm, thanks to a grant from the Rotary Fund. Director Nicole Carroll told me they were very much in need of some time to decompress, recharge and work on team building. We provided lunch and Equine Assisted Learning and Therapy with this incredible group and our horses. One of the exercises was a relay race while walking a horse and balancing a ball. If they dropped it, they had to sing. There were a lot of laughs, breathing and fun. They are a special, lifesaving team, and it was wonderful to spend time with them. Thank you to Rotary for supporting this much-needed day!

"The Louisville Metro Police Department’s Victim Services Unit had the unique opportunity to partner with the Kentucky Humane Society and the Rotary Club to engage in mindfulness to address the vicarious trauma and burnout experienced by those in the unit. The trust developed between the horses and the victim services professionals helped to enhance emotional awareness, confidence, strength, and endurance.” - Nicole Carroll, M.S. Director of LMPD Victims Unit

Check out these videos from recent Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Camps, and share with a high school sophomore in your life who could benefit. Learn more about RYLA and apply HERE or click Read More below the flyer.

2023 RYLA

2022 RYLA

When: September 26th-29th

Where: Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center, 4675 KY-181 N, Greenville, KY 42345

Cost: $300; email director@louisvillerotary.org for sponsorship information



 

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Congratulations to Rotarians Eric Gurevich and Anne Monell on being selected to the Leadership Louisville Class of 2025.  They will spend ten months immersed in an experiential learning program, diving into our community’s history, assets, and challenges, emerging ready to create positive change alongside a network of fellow community influencers and decision-makers.

Read more. 

I was delighted to be able to present the 2023-2024 Rotarian of the Year award to Karen Morrison! 

In reviewing the criteria for this award (click Read More below) in preparation for an Awards & Recognitions Committee meeting, Karen came to mind immediately. The problem: she chairs the committee, and I knew she would never agree to be the recipient. With some sneaky behind-the-scenes maneuvering and collaboration, we planned a surprise presentation to Karen (who thought she would be presenting the award to another Rotarian) at the June 27th meeting. With a last minute venue change for her daughter's wedding TWO DAYS LATER to Gilda's Club, Karen wasn't sure she could even make it to the meeting, so I had to reveal the plan. What resulted was a wonderful opportunity for Karen's family and team to join us for the award presentation.

This would be much too long were I to list all of the ways Karen earned this award, but here are some of the highlights:
 

Read More

Congratulations to Ernie Camentz on achieving Major Donor status! Ernie is 93 years old and lives in Florida now, but maintains his membership in our club and continues to donate every year to The Rotary Foundation. He was not able to join us in person, but CLICK HERE to watch the virtual presentation of his award.


 

On June 27th, President Kevin Lynch recognized these new Paul Harris Fellow achievements:

• Claire Arnold, PHF

• Henry Kuehn, PHF +1

• Cheryl Kersey, PHF +2

• Mitch Rue, PHF +2

• Jerry Martin, PHF +5

• Thom Crimans, PHF +6

• Alex Novak, PHF +7

On July 11th, President Lori Hudson Flanery recognized another:

• Chris Buerck, PHF +2

Paul Harris Fellow recognition is given in appreciation to any Rotarian who contributes $1,000 or more to the Annual Fund or Polio Plus Fund of The Rotary Foundation. 

Congratulations to these members who were recognized for having achieved significant membership milestones with the Club. We will be recognizing others in the coming weeks.

25 – 30 years

• Barry Barker - Jan 1996
• Charles Mattingly - Nov 1996
• Rick Harned - Feb 1999
   

30 – 40 years

• Joyce Seymour - May 1988
• Kelly Burke - April 1994
• John Bush - Sept 1993
• Gordon Costley - Aug 1991
• John Gregory - Dec 1986
• George Brakmeier - July 1986

40 – 50 years

• Buddy Stewart - joined our club Feb 1996, prior years with another club
• Tom Nugent - Dec 1981
• Mike Kull - Dec 1982
• Jack Guthrie - Oct 1975
• Dade Luckett - Feb 1984

50+ years

• Ernie Camentz (not pictured) – May 1973
• Craig Scherman – May 1974

We welcomed new member Bridgette Johnson at our June 27th meeting. Bridgette is Chief Operating Officer of New Directions Housing Corporation. She leads an award-winning team providing housing and resources to nearly 1,000 Louisville families who are some of our community’s most under-resourced. Bridgette earned her B.S. in Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan University and her M.B.A. from the University of Louisville. Bridgette is a graduate of Focus Louisville, Leadership Louisville, Bingham Fellows, and the NeighborWorks Achieving Excellence program at the Harvard Kennedy School.



At our July 11th meeting, we welcomed two new members:

Heather Cash joined the Community Foundation of Louisville in January 2016 and is now the Senior Vice President of Development and Philanthropic Service. Before joining the Community Foundation, Heather completed a Judicial clerkship with Justice Lisabeth Hughes on the Kentucky Supreme Court and practiced civil defense litigation at the law firm of Thompson Miller and Simpson, PLC, in Louisville. Heather is a graduate of Centre College and Vanderbilt Divinity School. She received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Louisville’s Brandeis School of Law in 2007. Heather volunteers at the Legal Aid Society and is also a certified yoga teacher. She is married to Tommy Gleason, and they have three children ages 5, 3, and 1.

John Cunningham is a fifth generation Kentuckian and a lifelong Louisvillian. A product of Waggener High School and the University of Louisville, he has built a successful private wealth management practice. Beginning in 1982 with Merrill Lynch, then a partner with J.C. Bradford & Company and for the last twenty-four years with UBS. He has served on several local boards including the Kentucky Opera Association, Kentucky Derby Festival, St. Matthews Little League and the Louisville Boat Club and currently serves on the Investment Committee at Assumption High School. John and his wife Sallie have been married for thirty-nine years and have two adult children.

Alice Bridges presented a $2,500 grant to Sandra Dodge, Parks Alliance of Louisville Board Chair, for the planting of trees in honor of those in our Rotary family who left us in the past year.

• James Robert Hill, joined June 1980, deceased Sept 2023

• Robert Maddox, joined October 1971, deceased Sept 2023

• William Bellis Sr., past Club president and past District Governor, joined November 1981, deceased Oct 2023

• Graham Rapp, joined September 1975, deceased Nov 2023

• Benjamin Richmond, joined August 1988, deceased Jan 2024

• Bosworth Todd Jr., past Club President and Lifetime Service Award honoree, joined June 1968, deceased Jan 2024

• Clyde Warner Jr., joined December 1973, deceased Feb 2024

Looking for ways to get more involved in Rotary? Consider joining a Rotary Fellowship. 

Rotary Fellowships are international groups that share a common passion. Being part of a fellowship is a fun way to make friends around the world, explore a hobby or profession, and enhance your Rotary experience.

Several members of our club are members of the International Travel & Hosting Fellowship.

There are dozens of other options including pickleball, whisk(e)y, and golf. 

Click HERE or Read More below to learn more about Rotary Fellowships.

Read More

Rotary Action Groups are independent, Rotary-affiliated groups made up of people from around the world who are experts in a particular field, such as economic development, peace, addiction prevention, the environment, or water. The concept was introduced to Rotary International as a way to harness the expertise and dedication of Rotarians to address complex global challenges. The topics are wide-ranging and a great way to utilize your knowledge for the greater good. 

Click HERE to learn more about the Rotary Action Groups.


Promoting peace
Peace
Refugees
Slavery Prevention

Fighting disease
Addiction Prevention
Alzheimer's/Dementia
Blindness Prevention
Blood and Organ Donation
Diabetes
Family Health/AIDS Prevention
Health Education and Wellness
Hearing
Hepatitis Eradication
Malaria
Mental Health Initiatives
Multiple Sclerosis

Providing clean water and sanitation
Menstrual Health and Hygiene
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

Saving mothers and children
Clubfoot
Reproductive Maternal and Child Health

Supporting education
Basic Education and Literacy

Growing local economies
Community Economic Development
Disaster Assistance

Protecting the environment
Endangered Species
Environmental Sustainability

Action groups that work in more than one area of focus
Food Plant Solutions
 

Read More

A TRULY FUN SERVICE OPPORTUNITY
 
For several years, our Club has supported Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, reaching more new parents to provide free age-appropriate books for their little ones and encouraging them to read to their children. This year, we have added service by helping the organization host a table at educational events to reach additional families. Two Rotarians can really help at these upcoming events; you would be with a board member of the organization to help you know what to say!

• Sunday, August 4, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., St Stephens Church
• Saturday, September 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Kentucky Science Center

What: 4th Annual Ben Koier Memorial Golf Outing
Organization: First Hour Grief Response
Date/Time: August 19, 8 a.m.
Location: Polo Fields Golf & Country Club

Description: First Hour Grief Response is there for those who experience a sudden or traumatic loss...able to provide much-needed services because many of you are there for us! This golf outing is in memory of Ben Koier, who tragically died after his car was hit by a drunk driver. Ben was 19. He is the son of one of our founders, Lisa Schardein.

More information: https://www.firsthourgrief.org/events/
Member to contact: Karen Meyer, karen@firsthourgrief.org


Note: This section features upcoming events and opportunities to serve with our nonprofit member organizations. Submissions must be from a member (or spouse/partner) of our Club who is either an employee or board member of the organization for which the event/opportunity is being shared. Click HERE to submit.

What: Canopy Presents...Talent Talks: Young Voices on Ideal Employers
Organization: Canopy
Date/Time: August 22, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Location: Horn Auditorium, UofL College of Business, 110 W Brandeis Ave
Description: Join us for an insightful and dynamic panel discussion featuring bright millennial and Gen Z voices as they share their perspectives on what they seek from current and future employers. This event will provide a unique opportunity to hear directly from young professionals about their career aspirations, workplace values, and expectations in today's rapidly evolving job market. Following the panel, there will be opportunities to engage with Canopy Member Companies at exhibits in the College of Business Atrium. Meet with companies committed to reinvesting in their communities and learn how they differentiate themselves from other employers on the job market.



More information: Click HERE
Member to contact: Stephanie Kelley


Note: This section features upcoming events and opportunities to serve with our nonprofit member organizations. Submissions must be from a member (or spouse/partner) of our Club who is either an employee or board member of the organization for which the event/opportunity is being shared. Click HERE to submit.

What: 2024 Leadership Louisville Luncheon
Organization: Leadership Louisville Center
Date/Time: August 28, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location: Kentucky International Convention Center

Description: The annual Leadership Louisville Luncheon is a must-attend civic event that gathers over 1,000 of the region’s most influential leaders to build connections and together tackle the major issues of our time. The 2024 Luncheon promises a unique perspective on leadership, featuring two of the state's newest and most prominent faces in sports: Pat Kelsey, Head Coach of the University of Louisville Men's Basketball team and Mark Pope, Head Coach of the University of Kentucky Men's Basketball team.

More information: https://join.leadershiplouisville.org/event/2024-leadership-louisville-luncheon/e593193
Member to contact: Paul Bolton, pbolton@leadershiplouisville.org


Note: This section features upcoming events and opportunities to serve with our nonprofit member organizations. Submissions must be from a member (or spouse/partner) of our Club who is either an employee or board member of the organization for which the event/opportunity is being shared. Click HERE to submit.