Committees & Programs

PUBLIC FORUM

Chair: Pete Hillenbrand (phillenbrand@blueandco.com)

With an average attendance of around 100, the Rotary Club of Evansville has a speaker at each weekly meeting, making it the ideal public forum in our community.  Rotarians are encouraged to suggest topics and submit contact information for speakers they would like scheduled.

EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT

Educational Enrichment – Chair: Christy Walker CWalker@myfirst.bank

Each school year, we grant over $20,000 to public, parochial and private schools to fund many teachers’ innovative classroom programs that wouldn’t otherwise be funded. Our members also provide one-on-one mentoring support to students each year; providing guidance and practical knowledge in vocations and areas of mutual interest. To supplement these programs, we offer Rotary Ambassadors to schools to cultivate a closer relationship with the school community. 

ROTARY AMBASSADORS

Chair: Fred Emory  (femory@doubleeagleinsurance.com)

The Ambassador Program assigns one Rotarian to each school (public, private and parochial) within the community to serve as a liaison between the club and the schools and to assist the schools and the students within the schools with their individual needs.  

ROTARACT

Chair: Patrick C. Thomas (pthomas@kddk.com)

Rotaract is an international organization of service clubs for men and women aged 18-32 that fosters leadership and responsible citizenship, encourages high ethical standards in business and promotes international understanding and peace. 

INTERACT

Chair: Jean Hitchcock (Jean.Hitchcock@signature.edu)

Interact club brings together young people ages 12-18 to develop leadership skills while discovering the power of Service Above Self.  Rotary Club of Evansville sponsors the Signature Interact Club encouraging students to take action in their school, community and the world.

ROTARY CIVIC AWARD

Chair: Kari Akin kakin@evansvillempo.com

The Evansville Rotary Club Civic Award, one of the community’s most prestigious awards, has been awarded annually since 1927. The award recognizes the person or persons who, in the opinion of the club, made the greatest contribution of service to the community in the current year or who has made an outstanding contribution of service over a period of years. 

READING ROTARIANS

Chair: Taylor Gogel (tjgogel@usi.edu)

The Rotary Club of Evansville and Berger Wealth Services have joined together to read to every 1st grade class in the public and parochial schools in our community.  The Rotaract Club and Rotary Club provides the volunteers and Berger Wealth Services provides the funding for the books that are then left in the classroom for future enjoyment.

INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE MENTORING AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE

Chair: Kari Akin kakin@evansvillempo.com

The Rotary Club of Evansville assists with mentoring college students attending University of Evansville, University of Southern Indiana and Ivy Tech Community College as they prepare to obtain degrees and careers.

ROTARY YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARDS (RYLA)

Chair: Jill Griffin (jg121@evansville.edu) Leadership is an essential aspect of Rotary.  We offer programs to help emerging leaders develop their skills.  Our Club sponsors students participating in the annual RYLA program at Bradford Woods, owned and operated by IU and in rural Morgan County. The RYLA program takes full advantage of the beautiful wooded setting. Under the guidance of trained facilitators, RYLA participants gain valuable leadership skills through a variety of “learn by doing” opportunities.

ROTARY SANTA RUN

Chair: Cathy Renner (rennercathy70@gmail.com)

Beginning in 2014, the Rotary Club of Evansville has held the annual Rotary 5k run and 1 mile walk in December, beginning at the Buffalo Trace Council, Eykamp Boy Scout Center.  Runners of all ages and abilities participate. It is an event that is fun for spectators and participants alike. Each participant receives a complete Santa suit that is worn during the event.  Proceeds benefit the Rotary Foundation of Evansville.

ROTARY FOUNDATION OF EVANSVILLE 

Chair: Jeffrey Berger jberger@rwbaird.com)

The Rotary Foundation of Evansville, formed in 1990, is the focal point of our community and international service activities. Some of the Club’s projects and programs that have been funded over the last several years include the Rotary Canoe Kayak Launch, North Woods Trails, YMCA Fitness Center, Howell Wetlands Education Center, $100,000.00 Centennial Gift to the City for Mickey’s Kingdom, Evansville Police Department’s My Goals Camp.

INTERNATIONAL SERVICE PROJECT COMMITTEE 

Chair: Jeffrey Berger jberger@rwbaird.com

Rotary Club of Evansville is committed to service at home and abroad.  Rotary Club of Tizimin is our sister Club and together we have supported various projects in the Yucatan which include computers and desks for schools, medical supplies, ambulances, and just recently a fully equipped kitchen to help special needs children create a sustainable business.  Over the years we have supported many clean water projects, supported education abroad, provided shelter boxes, fed the hungry, and continue to help with the fight against polio.

GREETERS

Chair: Steve Keck (skeck@mulberrycapitalmgmt.com)

 Rotarians are scheduled every week to greet guests and Rotarians as they arrive for the luncheon.  The greeter that day introduces the guests and visiting Rotarians in attendance that day.

INVOKERS

Chair: Steve Keck (skeck@mulberrycapitalmgmt.com)

Members are asked to volunteer to give the invocation at one of weekly luncheons and asked to follow the international guidelines set forth by Rotary International.

MARKETING COMMITTEE

Christy Walker (CWalker@firstbank.bz) / Amber Embry (aembrey@iupui.edu)

Formed to develop brand and marketing strategies to increase awareness of Rotary in the community along with potential members and potential speakers.

ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Scott Hurt (sahurt19@gmail.com)

Formed to develop, provide and encourage multiple path-ways of engagement for existing members and within the extended Rotary family.

REVENUE COMMITTEE

Steve Keck (skeck@mulberry capitalmgmt.com)

Formed to develop multiple revenue streams to support Rotary and its programs and projects.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Chair: Ashley Vezzoso Schaefer ashleyvezzoso@gmail.com

Formed to establish annual membership and retention goals with supporting strategies that reflects the diversity of our community. Develop and implement plans for membership recruitment.