Welcome to The Rotary Club of Louisville

With over 350 members, the Rotary Club of Louisville is the 14th largest club of Rotary International’s 46,000+ clubs around the world. Our Club has been serving others in this community and worldwide since 1912.

We welcome guests and visiting Rotarians from all over the world at our weekly Thursday luncheon meetings. Our programs involve prominent leaders in every field, and our membership represents the business and civic leaders of our community and our state.

We are connected with each other, our community and with other Rotarians worldwide.

Rotary Club of Louisville Create Hope in the World

OUR MEETINGS

University Club Louisville

Thursdays at 12:00 PM (networking/lunch begins at 11:30am)

See upcoming speakers here: https://www.louisvillerotary.org/our-meetings/

University Club Louisville

200 E Brandeis Ave
Louisville, KY 40208

Mail:
Rotary Club of Louisville
657 S Hurstbourne Pkwy, Ste D-226
Louisville, KY 40222

CLUB NEWS

March 28th Meeting: Seema Sheth, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Seema ShethNext week's meeting at noon on March 28, at the University Club, will feature Seema Sheth, senior vice president and regional executive of the Louisville Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

"Federal Reserve Bank Overview and the Fed’s Role in the Economy"

The menu will be Texas Chili w/cornbread; a salad with grilled chicken or a vegetarian/vegan and/or gluten-free option is available upon advance request.

The RSVP deadline has passes for this event. Please email admit@louisvillerotary.org to see if seats remain.

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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April 4th Meeting: Teddy Abrams, Louisville Orchestra

Teddy AbrahmsThe April 4th meeting at noon at the University Club, will feature Teddy Abrams, Music Director, Louisville Orchestra.

"Bridging the Divide"

How the Louisville Orchestra’s In Harmony Commonwealth Tour is fostering a sense of understanding and community between all Kentucky residents.

The menu will be 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, April 1st 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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Rotary University

By: Jay Mallory
Thank you to all who participated in our first Rotary University session last week. If you are a long-time member but would just like a refresher, feel free to watch the recording, available HERE. You may need to enter this passcode to access: @5ZatVk0 

New members, once you have completed watching the recording, please complete the feedback survey HERE and include the 3 code words provided during the session in order to receive credit. 

Here are the links to some of the sites covered in the session:
  
Our District and Club Database (DaCdb) - please log in using your email address and make sure your profile is up to date

MyRotary - please log in / create an account using your email address

Link to the New Member Basics course in the Learning Center (must log in to MyRotary to access)

Our club website louisvillerotary.org

Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation

notebook with rotary university session topics writtenPlease save the dates for the next sessions, all at NOON via Zoom (watch Sparks / email for registration links). Completion of Rotary University is required for new members, so prioritize these sessions!

If you have any questions, reach out to me, or Jay Mallory, Co-Chair of the Membership Development & Engagement Committee, jmallory@imagequest.com.

 
March 19 Session 1 - What is Rotary?
April 16 Session 2 - Committees
May 21 Session 3 - Rotary Honors Scholars
June 11 Session 4 - Service Projects
July 9 Session 5 - Rotary International
July New Member Celebration / Mixer (location TBD)

Women in Rotary

By: Delene E Taylor
In honor of Women's History Month, we are spotlighting our female presidents and sharing a little Rotary history. Merrily Orsini served as our FIRST female Club President from 1998-1999 and as Fund President from 1999-2000. Please visit our Faceboook, LinkedIn and Instagram feeds and "like" or comment on the post to help with visibility. 

Women in Rotary Merrily Orsini

Read the history of women in the Rotary Club of Louisville HERE (scroll about halfway through to the "Seven Decades Overdue" section). Many thanks to Rotarian Tony Newberry for untold hours of work compiling this priceless information.

Today, 107 - or 30% - of our 351 active (excluding Honorary) members are women. Joyce Seymour, who joined in May 1988, is the woman with the longest continuous active membership in the Club, and we are so fortunate to have her smiling face greeting folks each week! Former Executive Director and Honorary Lifetime Member Patricia Hart was the Club's first female member in August 1987. See the timeline of women in Rotary International HERE.


 

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PETS - Preparing for Next Rotary Year

By: Frederic T. Harned
Here’s another important Rotary acronym! PETS – the President-Elect Training Seminar – is always a fun and exciting opportunity for incoming Club Presidents and District Leaders to connect, share ideas, and plan to strengthen their clubs!

Mid-South PETS Seminar in Chattanooga 2024

PETS for the six Districts of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama is called MS-PETS, or Mid-South PETS, and was held earlier this month in Chattanooga. PE’s met with their peers in large and small clubs to exchange thoughts on fund-raising, membership retention, and support for the Rotary Foundation. Inspiring leaders such as past Rotary International Presidents John Germ and Mark Maloney were there to raise everyone’s excitement level!

President-Elect Lori Flanery shared the photos above and told me she thought the event was truly valuable – and I, as an incoming Assistant Governor, readily agreed. MS-PETS will be held again next March – if you want to consider being involved, the best way to start is by taking part in our District Conference here in Louisville this May 10-11. See how much fun it can be to help our Club by connecting with Rotarians elsewhere!

 

Final Rotary Honors Scholars Mentoring Session at Western High School

By: Linda Bartrom-Moore
Great mentoring at the final wrapup session for the school year at Western High School. A small gift was presented which will carry our scholars forward - ties for the young men and scarves for the young ladies. Everything matters, and it takes a village! Shout out to our Rotarians who kindly guide these young folks on their life journey.

Rotary Honors Scholars Mentors at Western High School
Showing Rotary Honors Scholars how to tie ties and scarves

 

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INTERACT Impact!

Thank you to our Iroquois High School INTERACT Club for donating 96 lbs. of shoes to WaterStep. That equates to providing safe water for life for 32 people! 

Iroquois HS Interact Club

KHS CARE-a-van Day: April 5

By: Alisa O Gray
Our Club's Lifeline Committee is sponsoring a Kentucky Humane Society CARE-a-van Day at Louisville Central Community Center (1300 W Muhammad Ali Blvd) on April 5th from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The CARE-a-van mobile veterinary clinic visits neighborhoods throughout Kentucky to provide affordable pet care. Services currently include vaccines, heartworm tests, microchips, flea/tick and heartworm preventatives, and nail trims, pet wellness exams and spay/neuter surgery.

KHS CARE-a-van day at LCCC

KHS will also be doing a pet food giveaway at LCCC for clients or anyone in the area. We would love two volunteers to help with this on April 5 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. (or when food runs out)! Please email aburridge@kyhumane.org if interested.

We'd also love to have you join us for "Date with a Dog" at the Kentucky Humane Society’s Sam Swope TLC Campus, 241 Steedly Drive. Behavior staff will get you set up for success with one of their adorable adoptable pups. You can take them out on a walk, to a dog-friendly store or to a home/ workplace to relax and play. Five dogs will be ready to go on April 5 at 11:00 a.m. You can do the date by yourself or in pairs if interested. Please sign up by emailing volunteer@kyhumane.org.

 

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Middle School Literacy Project at West End School Starts April 11

By: Walt L. Kunau
Join us for our Middle School Literacy Project as we read and discuss a book with 8th grade students at the West End School. You will be amazed and enriched by the accomplishments of these students and this school!

We meet Thursdays, April 11 - May 9, from 10:05 - 10:55 a.m.

Email Walt at wkunau@bellsouth.net or call 502.262.2792 to sign up or for more information.


Rotary members read with 8th graders at West End School

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Louisville Knot Sign Cleanup: April 13

By: Gregory Patrick Braun
Rotary Louisville Knot Sign Cleanup TeamThe Louisville Knot has been used thousands of times by tourists to commemorate their visit to our city. Thanks to Greg Braun who conceived of the idea, our club is memorialized with a small sign at the location. Kids love to climb all over the jungle gym and use the swing.

It is not maintained by the city and we are meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, to give it a quick wash and wipe down, pull a few weeds, etc. 

Everyone is welcome to join in the fun, and we are inviting our INTERACT and Rotary Honors Scholars students to join us. There will be ice cream and coffee afterward!

A 600-gallon water truck will be there, and everything else we need is provided. All we need is you!

Please RSVP HERE to let us know that you can join us!

 

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Business Synergy Mixer with Canopy | YPAL | Republic Bank: April 16

Save the date - Tuesday, April 16th at 5:00pm - for what is going to be a fabulous Business Synergy networking event in collaboration with Canopy and YPAL (Young Professionals Association of Louisville), hosted by Republic Bank Executive Chair Steve Trager and CEO Logan Pichel at the newly renovated Plaza headquarters on 7th Street.

Register HERE.


Rotary Business Synergy Networking Mixer Canopy YPAL Republic Bank

Rotary Tour of GE Appliances: April 23

By: Kent Oyler
GE Appliances Refrigerators
Rotary has secured an exclusive executive briefing and tour of GE Appliances' dishwasher factory on April 23rd. This is a great opportunity to see a state-of-the-art assembly facility and meet with senior GEA executives. In fact, GEA is encouraging potential suppliers who are Rotary members to join this tour. So, if you need a good GEA contact, or just want to see lots of cool automation, this outing is for you. The briefing and tour will run from 10:00 a.m. – Noon. Space is limited so register quickly HERE. Please note that, per GEA’s safety protocols, no canes, walkers or wheelchairs are allowed and attendees must wear closed toe and heel shoes with heels no more than 1” high.
 

New Member Service Project at SOS: April 23

By: Jay Mallory
Join us on April 23rd from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at SOS for our new member service project. 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.

Rotary Day at the Downs: May 1

Churchill Downs Silks Balcony

Join us for Rotary Day at the Downs for Champions Day on Wednesday, May 1. 

We have reserved the brand-new Silks Balcony and Loge for Champions Day. Our group will have an elevated view of the Paddock in a covered open-air setting. This area offers both dining tables and box seats. Enjoy easy access to a dedicated race viewing location in the 3rd floor Clubhouse in Section 320.

Email director@louisvillerotary.org to see if tickets are still available.



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Honor Flight: May 21

By: Gerald Martin
Save the date for the next Honor Flight on May 21st - we will need volunteers for the ground crew as well as people to cheer for our veterans at the airport as they return home from their day in Washington DC. If you are interested in being a Guardian for a veteran on the flight, let us know.

Honor Flight May 21

Meanwhile, volunteers are needed to write some letters for Mail Call! Click Read More for info.

 

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Final Call for Rotary Lifetime Service Award Nominations

By: Karen Morrison

The Rotary Lifetime Service Award award honors a member who has exhibited a personal dedication to the pursuit of Rotary’s values in one or more of Rotary’s avenues of service. It recognizes a Rotarian’s full body of service both to Rotary and to other organizations in the community, region and beyond. Download the nomination form HERE

We will begin accepting nominations for the Rotararian of the Year Award as we get closer to the end of our Rotary year in June.

Click below for more info and a list of criteria for nominations.



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District 6710 Matching Gifts Campaign Extended

By: Michael J. Kull
The Rotary Foundation LogoThe Matching Gifts Campaign has been extended until Wednesday, April 3.

Donate $125 to $2,000 to The Rotary Foundation Annual Fund-SHARE that supports District Matching Grants, Global Grant, and Global Grant Scholars and receive matching PHF points. 

Make your personal check payable to "The Rotary Foundation" and note Annual Fund-SHARE on the memo line. Please mail them to the person and address below to arrive before April 3, 2024.

 
Sheila Stoke
Rotary District 6710 Matching Program
7906 Westover Drive
Prospect, KY 40059

Contact Annual Fund Chair Mike Kull at 502-802-4485 or mjk502@aol.com with questions.
 

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Rotarians in the Spotlight: Dr. Babar, Whitney Austin & Steve Jester

Rotarians Dr. Muhammad BabarWhitney Austin and Steve Jester were in the spotlight this week at the 14th Annual Interfaith Iftar event on March 19 and Second Presbyterian. Several other members attended as well for the program themed "Standing Together Against Gun Violence." You can see videos and pictures HERE and media coverage HERE.

14th Annual Interfaith Iftar

Dr. Babar also spoke at the Governor's Prayer Breakfast on March 12. Watch HERE


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Rotarian in the Spotlight: Michelle Black White

Congratulations to Rotarian Michelle Black White and a hugely successful 20th Anniversary Gallopalooza event!

Congratulations, as well, to Rotarian Amalia Gamez Guerra and her husband Humberto Lahera - his horse, Diseño, won the best Kentucky Derby statue design!

Gallopalooza 2024

Rotarian in the Spotlight: Lori Hudson Flanery

Congratulations to President-Elect Lori Hudson Flanery, CEO of Louisville-based nonprofit New Directions Housing Corporation. The non-profit was awarded a $6.36 million federal grant to improve more than 100 affordable housing units.

Read the story HERE.


lori Flanery grat

UPCOMING SPEAKERS

March 28th 2024 at 11:30 am
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Seema Sheth
Speaker: Seema Sheth, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

More info

April 4th 2024 at 11:30 am
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Teddy Abrams
Speaker: Teddy Abrams, Louisville Orchestra

More info

April 11th 2024 at 11:30 am
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Gene McLean
Speaker: Gene McLean, President & Publisher, The Pressbox
Kentucky Derby 150
More info

April 18th 2024 at 11:30 am
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Alli Truttman
Speaker: Alli Truttmann, CEO / Founder, Wicked Technologies

More info

April 25th 2024 at 11:30 am
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Brigadier General Robert Givens
Speaker: Brigadier General Robert Givens

More info

May 9th 2024 at 11:30 am
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Rotary Honors Scholars Luncheon
Speaker: Scotty Davenport

More info

May 16th 2024 at 11:30 am
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Sec. Lindy Casebier
Speaker: Sec. Lindy Casebier, KY Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet

More info

May 23rd 2024 at 11:30 am
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Lt. Col. Whitney Allen
Speaker: Lt. Col. Whitney Allen, Commissioner, KY Dept of Veteran Affairs

More info

May 30th 2024 at 11:30 am
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Purna Veer
Speaker: Purna Veer, V-Soft Consulting Group

More info

June 6th 2024 at 11:30 am
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Carolyn Tandy
Speaker: Carolyn Tandy, SVP - Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Humana

More info

June 13th 2024 at 11:30 am
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Rebecca Fleischaker
Speaker: Rebecca Fleischaker, Louisville Downtown Partnership

More info

June 20th 2024 at 11:30 am
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Omar Ayyash
Speaker: Omar Ayyash, World Trade Center Kentucky

More info

SPARKS NEWSLETTER

People of Action

Rotary is where neighbors, friends, and problem-solvers share ideas, join leaders, and take action to create lasting change

The Rotary Club of Louisville has supported over 40 International Youth Exchanges.

Youth
Service

The Rotary Club of Louisville is a strong supporter of people with special needs.

Community
Service

The Rotary Club of Louisville has supported the End Polio Now campaign since 1979.

International
Service

The Rotary Club of Louisville is a leader in supporting the community.

Vocational
Service

Imagine Rotary - 2022-23 Theme

WE CONNECT PEOPLE

Rotary unites more than a million people

Through Rotary clubs, people from all continents and cultures come together to exchange ideas, and form friendships and professional connections while making a difference in their backyards and around the world.

WE TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES

We take action locally and globally

Each day, our members pour their passion, integrity, and intelligence into completing projects that have a lasting impact. We persevere until we deliver real, lasting solutions.

WE SOLVE PROBLEMS

No challenge is too big for us

For more than 110 years, we’ve bridged cultures and connected continents to champion peace, fight illiteracy and poverty, promote clean water and sanitation, and fight disease.

Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.