Welcome to The Rotary Club of Louisville
With 350+ members, the Rotary Club of Louisville is the 13th 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.
OUR MEETINGS
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
This Week's Meeting: Soozie Eastman, President, 502 Film
Our October 31st meeting at the University Club Louisville will feature Soozie Eastman, President, 502 Film.
"Spotlight on Growth: The Rise of Louisville and Kentucky's Film Industry"
Join Soozie Eastman, Filmmaker and President of 502 Film, as she delves into the exciting evolution of the film industry in Louisville and across Kentucky. Soozie will share insights into the region's expanding role in the global film scene, explore the economic impact of film production in the area, and highlight opportunities for local talent, businesses, and communities. Discover how strategic partnerships, local policies, and a supportive creative ecosystem are propelling Kentucky into the cinematic spotlight.
RSVP by NOON on Monday, October 28th HERE.
The menu is Texas Chili with cornbread; a salad with grilled chicken or a vegetarian/vegan and/or gluten-free option is available upon advance request.
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:
After working in Los Angeles for a decade+, she "temporarily" returned to her hometown of Louisville to shoot her first feature film and take advantage of Kentucky's film tax incentives. Through her locally-crewed production and previous tenure as Executive Director of the Louisville Film Society which included producing the Flyover Film Festival, Soozie created deep relationships within the creative community and has no plans to leave. In 2019k, she released her most recent feature documentary, Overload: America’s Toxic Love Story. She continues to work alongside the 502 Film team, the local creative community, Metro Louisville and Louisville Tourism to further the efforts of building Kentucky's film industry and infrastructure.
Next Week's Meeting: Angela Billings, Author, Command the Crisis
The November 7th meeting at the University Club will feature Angela Billings, Author, Command the Crisis.
Angela will present her signature talk, “Under Attack”, where she will walk us through crises she’s experienced and provide her compelling take on how businesses can and should step into your crises.
We will have a special program to honor our veterans, so please plan to join us.
RSVP by NOON on Monday, November 4th HERE.
The menu is spaghetti and meatballs; a salad with grilled chicken or a vegetarian/vegan and/or gluten-free option is available upon advance request.
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:
She is currently the director of communication for the Kentucky Senate Majority and was named one of The Kentucky Gazette’s 2023 Most Notable Women In Kentucky Politics and Government.
She started her business, The Virago Circle, in October 2020, and speaks to leaders about effective crisis management. Her first book, Command the Crisis: Navigate Chaos with Battle-Tested Public Relations and Communication Strategies was an Amazon #1 New Release in May 2024. Angela lives in Louisville with her husband, Greg, and two daughters, Annaliese and Isabel.
October 24th Meeting Recap
The October 24th meeting at the University Club highlighted World Polio Day and featured Dr. Daniel Blatt. Steve Jester provided the invocation and Chris Manzo led the pledge and 4-way test. The Rotary Foundation Chair Amy Luttrell shared an update on the importance of supporting the Polio Plus fund in our final stretch to eradicate polio once and for all. Adam Fields introduced Dr. Blatt.
You can view the recording on our YouTube channel. You can view the slides HERE. Provide feedback about the meeting HERE.
Welcome New Member
At last week's meeting, we inducted and welcomed new member Graham Parker. Click Read More to see his introduction.
Congrats to our Polio Plus Gift Basket Winner Craig Mooney!
Thank you to everyone that contributed to our Polio Plus fund for World Polio Day. Donations totaled over $3,000 and are still coming in.
Craig Mooney was the lucky winner of the gift basket donated by Susan Zepeda.
You can still donate HERE. Donations will count toward Paul Harris Fellow points and will be matched 2 to 1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
A special shout out to these Charter Members of the Polio Plus Society:
Roland Blahnik
David Burkholder
Rick Harned
Mike Kull
Amy Luttrell
Woody Northup
Kevin Wardell
Susan Zepeda
This program recognizes gifts and pledges to support Polio Plus at a minimum of $100 per year. Those who make this pledge to join the PolioPlus Society will receive a special membership lapel pin. Contributions also qualify for Paul Harris Fellows Recognition Points credit and will be matched 2 to 1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Click HERE if you are interested in becoming a member of the Polio Plus Society.
Celebrating United Nations Day
Our club, along with the United Nations Association of the USA, Kentucky Division, UofL, Kentucky Waterways Alliance, Rotary District 6710 and more, recognized United Nations Day, October 24, with a special event focused on PFAS Awareness.
Larry Sloan spoke on behalf of the Club and was presented with an award for his work on PFAS Awareness. Also representing the Club at the event were Alex Novak, Max Bridges, Vinay Polepalli and Delene Taylor.
Click Read More below for highlights of the program. If you are interested in joining our Environmental committee, contact Chair Alex Novak at [email protected].
Rob Bilott, a partner at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, discussed his 34-year career handling complex environmental and litigation cases, particularly involving PFAs. He highlighted the health impacts of PFAs, including cancer and reproductive issues, and criticized the slow regulatory response. Bilott emphasized the need for public awareness and policy changes. He is the author of Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle against DuPont and was played by actor Mark Ruffalo in the documentary film Dark Waters.
Film director and producer Elijah Yetter-Bowman, who is also the founder of Ethereal Films as well as an Affiliate Researcher at UNC School of Public Health, spoke about the film GenX: The Saga of Forever Chemicals, a first-hand account of a community faced with decades of contamination and how their unification with other communities is systematically fixing the worst pollution crisis in world history.
Dr. Clara Sears and Dr. Frederick Acuban presented research linking PFAs to maternal and child health issues and the exacerbation of liver damage by alcohol consumption. The meeting concluded with a call to action, urging attendees to contact legislators and demand PFAs testing and regulation.
Joint Thanksgiving Meeting with Kiwanis Club: November 26
We are partnering again this year with the Kiwanis Club to share a Thanksgiving meal and fellowship on Tuesday, November 26th at Audubon Country Club, in lieu of our regular Thursday meeting that week.
The speaker will be John Boel and we will also be kicking off our annual Salvation Army "Battle of the Bells" competition.
Plan to arrive at 11:30am for a traditional Thanksgiving feast. The cost is $35 and we have been given a cutoff of NOON on Monday, November 18th to submit the final headcount. You can RSVP HERE. If you wish to attend without eating...
October New Member Service Project at SOS
Thanks to all who came out for our October new member service partnership with SOS. We had the great pleasure of meeting Dr. Seth Wanye, Founder & Medical Director of Friends Eye Care Center in Tamale, Ghana, serving the Northern & Volta regions. Dr. Wanye & Denise Sears began their partnership 10 years ago and the lives they've made a difference in are in the thousands! These two are Global Change Agents. Three skids on the dock for shipping, just awaiting power in the shipping hub from LG&E and KU Energy LLC & then away they go.
Please Support Our INTERACT Blood Drive: October 31
Our Club is proud to sponsor the Interact Clubs at Iroquois and Western HS, and to guide these young scholars in Service Above Self.
This is our 3rd year hosting blood drives, and we got off to a great start this week at the first one! Our Interact Club members both gave blood and manned the check-in table.
We reached our quota while creating a way to serve that can become a lifelong habit in a world where the need for blood is crucial.
Next up is our blood drive at Iroquois HS on...wait for it... October 31st! So much you can do with that, right??
Thanks for your support, and if you're able, come out to 4615 Taylor Blvd between 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and help with a shift or by giving blood (click HERE to sign up).
Watch the video from previous events HERE.
Louisville Sustainability Summit: November 8
Save the date and plan to join us for the 11th Annual Louisville Sustainability Summit Hungry for Change: Climate, Equity & the Future of Food on Friday, November 8th at Sullivan University.
Re:Center Ministries Meal Service: November 13
Thanks to Delene and Laurie Bottiger (and friend) for serving this month.
Our next Re:Center Ministries meal service will be Wednesday, November 13th at 5:30 p.m. at 757 S Brook St.
This will be an opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving with our friends going through the rehab program at Re:Center. The Holiday Season is a tough time for many, including those with addictions. Joining these men for an early Thanksgiving meal makes me grateful for all the gifts of God's grace.
Our Club provides the main meal prepared by Kingsley Catering. We need volunteers to bring drinks, salad, rolls, and desserts, which are usually fruit pies from Kroger. But ABOVE ALL, we just need a few more Rotarians to participate in serving the meal and sitting down with the men to break bread.
Please email me at [email protected] if you would like to join us or to learn more.
Yours In Rotary Service,
Larry Sloan, Lifeline Committee
Rotary Honors Scholars Mentoring: November 13 & 19
Join us for our next two Rotary Honors Scholars mentoring sessions at Iroquois High School (11/13) Western High School (11/19). Thanks to Craig Mooney and Melissa Cobb for capturing these photos last month!
Thank you to all who are investing time in the success of these young people! Click Read More below to see upcoming dates; mark your calendar and plan to join us! Contact me for more information or to sign up: [email protected]
Western High School, 2501 Rockford Ln
- Tuesday, Nov. 19: 8:30 a.m.
- Tuesday, Jan. 28: 8:30 a.m.
- Tuesday, Feb. 25: 8:30 a.m.
- Tuesday, March 25: 8:30 a.m.
- Wednesday, Nov. 13: 8:45 a.m.
- Wednesday, Jan. 22: 8:45 a.m.
- Wednesday, Feb.12: 8:45 a.m.
- Wednesday, March 19: 8:45 a.m.
Celebration Luncheon - Thursday, May 8th is the tentative date.
Imagination Library Volunteer Opportunity: November 16
Our Youth & Education Committee has already helped the Imagination Library Louisville recruit multiple new families to receive free books! Participants have reported that the task is really easy and fun, as talking with parents of very young children is inspiring.
We have more dates scheduled, for which two Rotarians are requested to join Imagination Library Director, Maria Gurren, to talk to young parents who may not know they are eligible:
- Saturday, 11/16, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at 3rd Street Neighborhood (Building our Block event with Councilwoman Jennifer Chappell)
- Saturday, 11/16, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Johnson Traditional Middle School, 2509 Wilson Ave.
IN MEMORIAM: Dr. James
Long-time Rotarian Dr. James "Jim" Bruce Appleberry died peacefully at Nazareth Home on Monday, October 21, at age 86 from complications of pancreatic cancer.
He served as Vice President of the Pittsburg, KS Club, and was a member of the Marquette, MI Club prior to transferring to our Club in August 2000. He was a Paul Harris Fellow.
His service will be at Second Presbyterian Church at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 26th with an open house reception to follow in the party room at 5800 Coach Gate Wynde in St. Matthews.
Read more about this amazing servant leader HERE.
Rotarians in the Spotlight: Canopy & Junior Achievement
Two member organizations have teamed up to further the good business movement in Kentucky by teaching students the importance of good business practices! Rotarians Scott Koloms, Ben Smock, and Stephanie Kelley with Corporate member Canopy and Rotarian Jennifer Helgeson with Junior Achievement cut the ribbon on a new JA BizTown company recently. On hand to celebrate were Canopy board members and Rotarians Kent Oyler and Brian Schneider as well as Rotarian Matt Riggle with LPX Group.
Read more HERE.
Rotarian in the Spotlight: Nachand Trabue
Congrats to Nachand Trabue on the grand opening / ribbon cutting of the new MELANnaire Marketplace in the Mall St. Matthews across from JCPenney, open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday during mall hours and the entire week of Dec. 16-20.
Rotarians in the Spotlight: Goodwill Industries
Congratulations to Corporate Member Goodwill Industries of Kentucky and Amy Luttrell on the recent ribbon cutting on the new The Spot Young Adult Opportunity Center. The center is now open to young adults ages 16-24 who have barriers to employment and self-sufficiency created by justice involvement, homelessness, abuse and/or other challenges. It offers a variety of free career and educational resources, including “The Spot” programming, which was developed in partnership with KentuckianaWorks.
Rotarian in the Spotlight: DeVone Holt
Congratulations to DeVone Holt on being inducted into the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Bluegrass Chapter Hall of Fame.
Rotarian in the Spotlight: Tawana Bain
Tawana Bain will be the featured speaker at the LIBA ElevateBiz Speaker Series on November 13 from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. at Louisville Water Tower, 3005 River Rd. Read more HERE.
Rotarians in the Spotlight: SOS
Congrats to Denise Sears and Demetrius Wingate on the launch of the SOS Global Student Ambassador program. Watch this news story featuring Manual High School freshman Prisha Hedau.
UPCOMING SPEAKERS
Louisville Weekly Club Meeting: Soozie Eastman
Speaker: Soozie Eastman
Soozie Eastman, President, 502 Film
More info
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Angela Billings
Speaker: Angela Billings
Crisis Communications
More info
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: DeVone Holt
Speaker: DeVone Holt, Muhammad Ali Center
More info
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Jon Carloftis
Speaker: Jon Carloftis
More info
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Lance Burton
Speaker: Lance Burton, Master Magician
More info
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Dr. Kevin Cosby
Speaker: Dr. Kevin Cosby, Simmons College
More info
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Beverly Yanez
Speaker: Beverly Yanez, Head Coach, Racing Louisville
More info
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Beth Stubbs
Speaker: Beth Stubbs, Rotary International Treasurer
More info
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Dr. Ty Handy
Speaker: Dr. Ty Handy, President, JCTC
More info
Mayor's State of the City Address
Speaker: Mayor Craig Greenberg
More info
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Jake Cannon
Speaker: Jake Cannon, President, Kroger - Louisville Division
More info
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Condrad Daniels
Speaker: Condrad Daniels, President, HJI Supply Chain Solutions
More info
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Dawne Gee
Speaker: Dawne Gee, WAVE Anchor, A Recipe to End Hunger Co-founder
More info
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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
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.