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://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 - Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel, LMPD

Chief Jaquelyn Gwinn-VillaroelThis week's meeting on Thursday, November 30th at the University Club, will feature LMPD Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel.

The menu will be simmered pork loin (slow cooked in a horseradish mustard cream with wilted spinach, apples and pickled mustard seeds), smashed red potatoes, rolls, and a dessert; a salad with grilled chicken or a vegetarian/vegan and/or gluten-free option is available upon advance request.

Please register by noon on Monday, November 27th 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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Next Week's Meeting - Jamal Muashsher, President and CEO of Valvoline Global

Jamal MuashsherNext week's meeting on Thursday, December 7th at the University Club, will feature Jamal Muashsher, President and CEO of Valvoline Global.

"Purpose Driven Journey from American Icon to Global Brand"

Learn how Valvoline Global’s bold purpose and mission is driving the transformation of this 157-year-old company from an iconic American brand to becoming a global leader.

The menu will be oven roasted salmon with spinach orzo and a lemon cream sauce, rolls, and a dessert; a salad with grilled chicken or a vegetarian/vegan and/or gluten-free option is available upon advance request.

Please register by noon on Monday, December 4th 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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Salvation Army Bell Ringers Needed

By: George A. Brakmeier III
We will be ringing the bell for the Salvation Army at the Holiday Manor Kroger on US Highway 42 again this year, competing with the Kiwanis Club to see who can collect the most. There will be 4 90-minute shifts each Saturday, and we need 4 people per shift. Below is the current signup list...as you can see, we still have a few shifts we need to fill - please contact me at 502-552-2002 if you can help.
 
Sat Dec 02, 2023   
Brauer, Ashley Shift 1
Kull, Michael J. Shift 1
Mallory, Jay Shift 1
Marvel, Melissa A. Shift 1
--Natalino, Sam Shift 1
Handmaker, Judy Shift 2
Seeger V, Harry Shift 2
Stephenson, M.D., Harry C Shift 2
Singleton, Alan N. Shift 2
Harned, Frederic T. Shift 2
Davidson, Jay P. Shift 3
Martin, Gerald Shift 3
Newberry, Anthony L. Shift 3
OPEN Shift 3
OPEN Shift 4
OPEN Shift 4
OPEN Shift 4
OPEN Shift 4
   
Sat Dec 09, 2023   
Allen, Barry Glen Shift 1
Snyder, David Shift 1
King, Richard D. Shift 1
Sloan, Larry T. Shift 1
Burke, William K. Shift 2
Dick, David C. Shift 2
Gray, Alisa O Shift 2
--Gray, Weller Shift 2
Seeger V, Harry Shift 2
Harned, Frederic T. Shift 3
Nesmith, Robert B. Shift 3
OPEN Shift 3
OPEN Shift 3
OPEN Shift 4
OPEN Shift 4
OPEN Shift 4
OPEN Shift 4
   
Sat Dec 16, 2023   
Bohnert, Thomas H. Shift 1
Bush, John M. Shift 1
Elgin, Clifford T. Shift 1
Slider, Robert M. Shift 1
Dick, David C. Shift 2
English, Robert S. Shift 2
Seeger V, Harry Shift 2
OPEN Shift 2
OPEN Shift 3
OPEN Shift 3
OPEN Shift 3
OPEN Shift 3
Schmidt, Luke B. Shift 4
Taylor, Delene E Shift 4
OPEN Shift 4
OPEN Shift 4


If you can't take a shift but want to help us win the challenge, swing by one of these Saturdays between 9:00am-3:00pm, drop some coins, and cheer us on! Or, you can make a donation HERE.

Rotary Bell Ringers Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign

Rotary Holiday Party: December 14, Big Spring Country Club

From the Rotary Elf Elwe,

This year’s holiday party will be at Big Spring Country Club on Dutchman’s Lane. You and your guest(s) will enjoy a huge buffet, with a holiday cash bar. The program will include a word from President Kevin and lots of fun and games for prizes before live music to dance the night away. Wear your craziest holiday attire, as prizes will be given to the Best Dressed from the wise Elf of holiday fashion, Craig Winkleschoss!

Tickets are $65 per person and advance registration is required:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RCLHolidayParty2023

Rotary Holiday Party Invitation 2023

Bring a Kid to Rotary Day: January 4

Rotary Loves Kids
What do your kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, mentees or other youth know about Rotary? Here is a chance to let them experience it first hand, in a fun and interesting way, while they are on winter break!

Thanks to an excellent response to our recent survey, our regular Thursday lunch meeting on January 4th will be held at the Kentucky Science Center. Save the date and stay tuned for more details and a registration link. If you don't have young family members in town, think about a young person you might be willing to sponsor as your guest.


 

Furniture for Sale

We still have some furniture for sale as a result of closing our Rotary office downtown. All proceeds will go to our local 501c3 Rotary Fund. If you are interested in bidding on any of these items or know someone who might be, please email rotary@rotary45.org. All are in storage on Frankfort Avenue (thank you, Greg Braun!) and must be picked up by appointment; we are unable to deliver.

Credenza and Hutch

Above: JSI Brogan 24 D x 72 L Walnut Flat Cut Veneer Lateral File Credenza with 15 7/8 D x 72 L x 42 H open storage overhead cabinet. Purchased new May 2019 for $2,225 from Office Environment Company - can provide invoice. Valued at $1,150.

Click Read More to see additional items.



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Save the Date: Cooking@Millie's on February 20

By: Alisa O Gray
Please join us on Tuesday, February 20 at 6:00 pm for date night or just an enjoyable evening with your Rotary friends.

Where: Cooking@Millie's, 340 W Chestnut St

Menu: Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Zucchini, Bourbon Glazed Salmon, and Tiramisu; wine included

$60 per person or $120 per couple; RSVP deadline: Feb 10 (watch for registration link soon)

The event usually lasts 1.5 to 2 hours. Participants will be in a class setting with the inherent risks of a culinary setting. Any dietary restrictions will need to be discussed far in advance of the menu selection to see if we can accommodate any requests. 

 

2023-2024 Rotary Award Nominations

By: Karen Morrison

The Rotary Service Above Self award recognizes members of the Rotary Club of Louisville who have demonstrated recent significant service to the Club, going above and beyond, through excellent work on a project or committee service. The award is given periodically throughout the year. Please consider members who should be publicly thanked for their notable service on Club projects and submit recommendations. There is no timeline; applications are received throughout the year. You can email nomination forms to Awards & Recognition Chair Karen Morrison at Karen@gck.org or mail to 657 S Hurstbourne Pkwy, Ste D-226, Louisville, KY 40222.

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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Rotary Speech Contest

By: Karen Morrison

Each year our club hosts a speech contest open to all Louisville area high school students (private, public, independent and home taught). The winner will advance to the sectional competition followed by a regional competition. Finalists from each region in the district will compete at the annual Rotary District 6710 Conference to be held here in Louisville on May 10-11, 2024.

This year's club contest will be held Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 4:15pm at Gilda's Club Kentuckiana, 2440 Grinstead Dr.

The contest offers students an opportunity to speak on a meaningful topic, to sharpen their speaking skills, and to gain recognition in addition to monetary rewards. By participating, they will learn about Rotary, our history, and our worldwide mission. Students will also have the potential of establishing a more meaningful relationship with members of our club.

Theme: Create Hope in the World

Length: 5-8 minutes

Delivery: Notes may be used at the first level, but memorization preferred, and no notes allowed at subsequent levels (use will result in significant deductions).

Prize Money: A total of $2,200 possible for the student who wins District wide. ($300, $200, and $100 at the club level for first, second, and third place winners). First place winners at each level proceed to sectionals, regionals, and finally district level. Prize money is increased at each level.

Deadline for submission of entry form: March 1, 2024

Click here for more info and to download an entry form:
https://louisvillerotary.org/speech-contest/

Please share this flyer with students in your circles.

Questions:
Karen Morrison, Karen@gck.org

Re:Center Ministries Dinner: December 13

By: Larry T. Sloan
Thanks to those who came out to serve a meal and spend time with the men at Re:Center Ministries this week!

ReCenter Ministries Meal 11.8.2023

Pictured: Huly Farr, Ginger Wallace, David Snyder, Larry Sloan, Kenya Wade 

Please join us on December 13th to serve and have dinner with the men at Re:Center Ministries, 733 E. Jefferson Street. The Holiday Season is a tough time for many, including those with addictions. 
We set up the meal at 5:00 pm. Typically, I bring meat loaf, scalloped potatoes and steamed vegetables. Others supply the soft drinks, bread/rolls, salad and desserts of fruit pies. The men we serve are going through the LifeChange program recovering from addiction. Those of us who do this regularly always feel like we get more out of it than the effort we put into it. Our club has supported this program with funds and volunteers since 2015. We would love to see some new faces! Contact me at larry.sloan@yahoo.com or David Snyder at davids@ndhc.org for more information or to sign up.
 

Rotary Honors Scholars Mentoring

By: Craig Mooney
Consider adding one or more of the dates below to your calendar to come out and help mentor our Rotary Honors Scholars. Connect with me at cmooney@bosseconstruction.com if you would like to participate...it's a lot of fun!

The schedule for Iroquois HS, 4615 Taylor Blvd, Louisville, KY 40215:
  • December 6
  • January 31
  • February 14
  • March 27
The schedule for Western HS, 2501 Rockford Ln, Shively, KY 40216
  • January 23
  • February 27
  • March 19
** Thursday May 9th is the tentative date for our Rotary Honors Scholars Celebration luncheon. 

Click Read More to see photos.


 

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Events & Opportunities: Bridgehaven

By: Jay Mallory
What: Bridgehaven Bridge Builder Annual Breakfast
Organization: Bridgehaven Mental Health Services
Date/Time: Wednesday, 11/29/23, 7:30 am- 9:00 am
Location: U of L Conference Center (Shelbyhurst Campus), 450 North Whittington Parkway
Description: Come out and have a hot breakfast, hear from some incredible speakers and support Bridgehaven. The proceeds from this event help this incredible organization continue to provide hope and recovery through innovative, comprehensive, community-based mental health services to adults living with mental illness.

More information: Contact member Jay Mallory at 502-419-7274 or jmallory@imagequest for more information and to register.

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.

Events & Opportunities: MELANnaire Marketplace @ Mall St. Matthews

By: Nachand Trabue
What: MELANnaire Marketplace @ Mall St Matthews
Date/Time: Now through January 2nd
Location: Mall St. Matthews, next to Dillard's Women
Description: Invite your family, friends and colleagues to come out and shop with 30+ black-owned businesses. This is our 2nd year at the Mall St. Matthews and we're growing as a business community.

Check out some of the items for sale in this video.

MELANnaire Marketplace Store Hours

Member to contact: Nachand Trabue, blackbusinessesmatter502@gmail.com

 

UPCOMING SPEAKERS

November 30th 2023 at 11:30 am
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: LMPD Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel
Speaker: LMPD Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel

More info

December 7th 2023 at 11:30 am
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Jamal Muashsher
Speaker: Jamal Muashsher, President & CEO, Valvoline Global

More info

December 14th 2023 at 6:00 pm
Rotary Holiday Celebration at Big Spring Country Club
Speaker: N/A

More info

December 21st 2023 at 11:30 am
Happy Holidays - NO MEETING
Speaker: N/A

More info

December 28th 2023 at 11:30 am
Happy Holidays - NO MEETING
Speaker: N/A

More info

January 4th 2024 at 11:30 am
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: "Bring a Kid to Rotary" Day
Speaker: Kentucky Science Center

More info

January 11th 2024 at 11:30 am
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Raphaela Platow
Speaker: Raphaela Platow, Speed Art Museum

More info

January 18th 2024 at 11:30 am
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Alan Lenahan
Speaker: Alan Lenahan, CEO of Fund Evaluation Group

More info

January 25th 2024 at 11:30 am
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Shelly Zegart
Speaker: Shelly Zegart, Kentucky to the World

More info

February 1st 2024 at 11:30 am
Mayor's State of the City Address
Speaker: Mayor Craig Greenberg
Annual State of the City Address
More info

February 8th 2024 at 11:30 am
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Dr. Debbie Ford
Speaker: Dr. Debbie Ford, Chancellor, IU Southeast

More info

February 15th 2024 at 11:30 am
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Cleo Battle
Speaker: Cleo Battle, Louisville Tourism

More info

February 22nd 2024 at 11:30 am
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Houston Mills
Speaker: Houston Mills, UPS President of Flight Operations & Safety

More info

March 21st 2024 at 11:30 am
RCoL Weekly Club Meeting: Unsung Heroes Celebration
Speaker: Unsung Heroes Celebration Luncheon

More info

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

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.