News: Rotary Club of Louisville
RECENT UPDATES
April 10th Meeting: Deborah Bilitski, President & Executive Director, Waterfront Park
The April 10th meeting at noon at the University Club will feature Deborah Bilitski, President and Executive Director of Waterfront Park.
"Expanding Westward: Continuing the Legacy of Louisville's Waterfront with Phase IV"
Phase IV continues the evolution of Louisville’s beloved Waterfront Park, extending its legacy westward along the Ohio River. Discover how this transformative expansion will create new opportunities for connection, recreation, and community growth.
The buffet opens at 11:30am and the program begins at noon. The menu is southern fried chicken with mac and cheese and collard greens; a salad with grilled chicken or a vegetarian/vegan and/or gluten-free option is available upon advance request.
Please register by Monday, April 7th 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:
April 17th Meeting: Deputy Mayor David James and Misty Wright
The April 17th meeting at noon at the University Club will feature Deputy Mayor David James along with Misty Wright, Executive Director of Community Safety
"Building a Safer Louisville: Collaborative Efforts to Reduce Gun Violence"
Learn about the city's comprehensive approach to reducing gun violence including current initiatives, community partnerships and actionable strategies aimed at creating a safer, more secure Louisville for all residents. Collaboration between government, law enforcement and community organizations is critical in addressing one of the most pressing issues facing our city today.
The buffet opens at 11:30am and the program begins at noon. The menu is lemon pepper trout with brown rice, green beans and a brown butter sauce; a salad with grilled chicken or a vegetarian/vegan and/or gluten-free option is available upon advance request.
Please register by Monday, April 14th 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:
March 20th Unsung Heroes Luncheon Recap
The 25th annual Rotary Unsung Heroes Luncheon was held on March 20, 2025. We recognized 45 high school seniors for living out our motto of Service Above Self in their school and community. You can read the remarks and amazing accomplishments shared by nominees for each young hero HERE and view the slides with photos HERE. Each student received a Certificate of Achievement, a $400 cash award, an opportunity to apply for $52,000 in scholarships in Jefferson County, and many admission tickets to activities and attractions around Louisville. All semi-finalists also received $100 and the same package of goodies.
Thank you to Ray Strothman, Treasurer of Metro Louisville Rotary Clubs Charities, Inc., who shared the invocation and Karen Morrison, CEO of Gilda's Club Kentuckiana, who led the pledge and 4-Way Test. Corey Miller, Executive Director, The Cabbage Patch Settlement House, served as Master of Ceremonies and Maggie Harlow, CEO of Signarama and Executive Director of the Jack Harlow Foundation, inspired students and guests with her talk titled "The Unsung Hero's Mission".
Thank you also to Barry Sears for helping with the video, Michelle Black White for photos, and Tracy Peck's husband John for helping with the setup while Delene was at a Rotary conference in Chattanooga.
You can view the recording on our YouTube channel. Provide feedback about the meeting HERE.
Rotary Spring Fling at the Zoo: April 8
The Rotary Social Activities Committee is planning a special outing at the Louisville Zoo on Tuesday, April 8th, from 4:00-6:00 pm at the Cub House, which adjoins Snow Leopard Pass. Enjoy snacks (pepperoni/salami, cheeses and fruit), wine/beer**, great fellowship with Rotarians, and animal encounters! Golf carts will be available for driving tours through the zoo and to/from your vehicle (park in Outpost Parking Lot). Thanks to sponsor Robert Chatham, we are able to offer this at a price per person of $20 (if you know anything about catering events at the zoo, then you know this is a GREAT deal!).
Register HERE.
**One drink ticket per person included; then cash bar:
Wine ($9): Z. Alexander Red Blend, Decoy Chardonnay
Domestic Beer ($7): Miller Lite
Craft Beer ($8): West 6th, Yuengling
Rotary Day at the Downs: April 30
We have a few tickets left for our Rotary Day at the Downs on Wednesday, April 30. We have reserved the Silks Balcony and Loge with an elevated view of the Paddock in a covered open-air setting, and easy access to a dedicated race viewing location in the 3rd floor Clubhouse in Section 320.
Tickets are $149 per person and include admission, racing program, 4-hour Chef's Table Buffet, coffee, tea and soft drinks, and a 4-hour OPEN BAR. Click HERE to register.
Register Now for the District 6710 Conference
Registration for District Conference is OPEN
District 6710 will be heading to HOPKINSVILLE for District Conference 2025 on May 16 and 17 at the Bruce Convention Center to celebrate the Magic of Rotary! Be prepared to be inspired, entertained and motivated. There's something for everyone! Click HERE for the schedule.
- Keynote Speakers: include Past Rotary International President Mark Maloney, and Stephanie Stuckey, CEO of Stuckey's Corporation.
- Entertainment: Professional magicians, live music, and basket auction Hoptown-style to raise funds for the Rotary Foundation!
- Special Event: Friday evening, we will be hosted by DG Dale Leatherman's home club, the Rotary Club of Hopkinsville, at Casey Jones Distillery. The event features an outdoor barbeque, special cocktails, distillery tours, live music, and more.
- Service Project: Love the Hungry-Saturday morning
- Favorites: Speech Contest and 10 dynamic breakout sessions.
Hotel Room Block: Holiday Inn Convention Center - Book your hotel room NOW!
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Reading with 8th Graders at West End School Begins April 15th
Join us for our Middle School Literacy Service Project as we read and discuss Malcolm X: By Any Means Necessary with 8th grade students at the West End School.
We will meet on Tuesdays beginning April 15, from 9:50-10:35 a.m. You will be amazed and enriched by the accomplishments of these students and this school! Books are provided.
Email Walt at [email protected] or call 502.262.2792 to sign up or for more information.
Rotary University Session #2: March 25
Our next Rotary University session will be Tuesday, April 29th at NOON via Zoom. Completion of Rotary University is required for new members, so prioritize these sessions! We will discuss the various ways our club invests in Youth & Education and how to get involved. If you have been a member for a while but would like to learn more or just meet some of our newer members, feel free to join us as well.
Register HERE.
If you were unable to attend Session #1 last month, please watch the recording HERE (passcode q%E9&28Y). You will need to note the 3 code words mentioned during the session and enter them in Question 7 of the survey HERE in order to get credit for attending.
If you were not able to join for Session #2, please watch the recording HERE (passcode AZlS*0tw) and then complete the survey HERE for credit.
Mark your calendars for the upcoming sessions at NOON via Zoom.
May 27 - Service Above Self - Register HERE.
June 16 (Monday) - Rotary Beyond the Club - Register HERE.
and
July 22 Service Project at SOS, 5:30-7:30pm | Register HERE.
If you have any questions, reach out to me or to Jay Mallory, Chair of the Membership Development & Engagement Committee, [email protected].
Rotary / Brightside Cleanup Service Project
During Mayor Greenberg’s State of the City address to Rotary on January 30th, he mentioned the new partnership between Rotary and Brightside to help make Louisville cleaner and safer. The goal of the partnership is to have at least 25 Rotarians serve as a Team Lead to create a cleanup event around their business or in an area with a litter problem.
Brightside will provide trash bags and gloves for your cleanup event and coordinate pickup of the filled bags after your event with the Clean Collaborative. While Brightside’s Community Wide Cleanup day is scheduled on Saturday, April 19th, you are welcome to hold your cleanup event any time during the month of April.
How do you get involved?
- Register at https://louisvilleky.gov/government/brightside/brightside-wm-community-wide-cleanup
- Determine your cleanup area or ask Brightside to help you find an area of need
- Recruit your coworkers, friends, and/or family members to help volunteer
- On the day of your cleanup, remember to take a group photo so we can share and celebrate on social media
Paul Harris Fellow Matching Points Campaign: Deadline Extended
The Matching Points program has been extended through April 6 or until the district allocates the points donated by members for the campaign, whichever comes first.
Thank you to all who have already contributed!
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 6, 2025.
Rotary District 6710 Matching Program
7906 Westover Drive
Prospect, KY 40059
Contact Annual Fund Chair Mike Kull at 502-802-4485 or [email protected] with questions.
Rotarian in the Spotlight: Dr. Paula Grisanti
Congratulations to Dr. Paula Grisanti, CEO of the National Stem Cell Foundation, a leading funder of space-based research on brain cells to fight neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s, progressive multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s. The organization received a $3.1 million award from NASA to continue its breakthrough studies on brain cell behavior in microgravity. Read more HERE.
Click Read More for the full press release:
Rotarians in the Spotlight: Henry Heuser, Jr.
Congrats to Henry Heuser, Jr. on another successful Vogt Educational & Leadership Scholarship Luncheon which recognized 19 outstanding JCPS recipients with $12,000 scholarships, which can be used for tuition, books, and academic fees at any nonprofit accredited four-year undergraduate program that leads to a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree. See coverage HERE and learn more about the program HERE.
Events & Opportunities: Leadership Louisville Center
What: 2025 LeadingBetter Summit
Organization: Leadership Louisville Center
Date/Time: Wednesday, April 9, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts (or VIRTUAL)
Description: The 2025 LeadingBetter™ Summit on April 9th is a one-day leadership experience designed to equip leaders at all levels with fresh ideas and actionable strategies to tackle today’s toughest challenges. Gain new energy, strengthen communication, navigate difficult conversations, and learn how to lead high-performing teams—all from nationally recognized experts. Save $100 on tickets with promo code: ROTARY
More information: https://join.leadershiplouisville.org/summit25
Member to contact: Paul Bolton or [email protected]
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.
Celebrating Women in Rotary
Today is International Women's Day - a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Thank you to our past presidents Merrily Orsini, Alice Bridges, Julie Schmidt and Jean West, our current President Lori Hudson Flanery, and our President Nominee Barbara Sexton Smith!
Re:Center Ministries Meal Service: March 26
Our next Re:Center Ministries meal service will be Wednesday, March 26th at 5:30 p.m. at 757 S Brook St.
OUR VISION:
To be Louisville’s premier fellowship of business, professional and civic leaders dedicated to selfless humanitarian and civic service, improving lives in our ever-changing community and the world.
OUR MISSION:
To provide a fellowship of inspired business, professional and civic leaders with exceptional opportunities for humanitarian and civic service, while promoting integrity, understanding and goodwill on a local, national and worldwide basis. We achieve our mission by:
- Developing a strong, growing and active membership that reflects the diversity of vocations and people in our community.
- Strengthening finances to support the club and to carry out the civic, vocational and international service projects that meet the needs of the community and the world.
- Building a dedicated, well-trained and energized leadership team to guide the club and to support the District and Rotary International.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION:
The Rotary Club of Louisville’s mission is to provide a fellowship of inspired business, professional and civic leaders with exceptional opportunities for humanitarian and civic service, while promoting integrity, understanding and goodwill on a local, national, and worldwide basis.
We, as a club, cannot achieve our mission without acknowledging the inequalities in our country and our community, specifically for Black and minority Americans.
We celebrate diversity and equality. We continue to foster supportive programs for our community. We will be tenacious in creating new, innovative solutions to address community needs.
We strongly believe everyone should be heard, be respected, and be supported.
Yes, we still have much work to do. But our club is passionate in addressing these issues. Together, we can continue to foster peace, justice, and #EquityForAll.
Adopted January 2021
CORE VALUES & GUIDING PRINCIPLES
These core values are reflected in the Object of Rotary and The Four Way Test which we use in our daily lives. Adopted June 2012
SERVICE
We believe that our service activities and programs improve lives and communities and bring about greater understanding and peace. Through the plans and actions of our Club, we create a culture of service that not only benefits the recipients but also provides unparalleled satisfaction for those who serve.
FELLOWSHIP
Fellowship leads to tolerance and transcends racial, national and other limiting boundaries. This broadens our lives and perspectives and strengthens our ability to serve.
DIVERSITY
We believe Rotary unifies all people behind the ideal of service. We encourage diversity of vocations within our membership and in our activities and service work. Our membership reflects our business and professional community and is a key to our Club’s success.
INTEGRITY
We are committed to and expect accountability from our leaders and fellow members, both in the results of our efforts and in the processes we use to accomplish our goals. We adhere to high ethical and professional standards in our work and personal relationships. We are fair and respectful in our interactions, and we conscientiously steward the resources entrusted to us.
LEADERSHIP
We are a fellowship of leaders and believe in offering our members lifelong opportunities to develop their leadership capabilities in service to others. As Rotarians, we are leaders in implementing our core values.