News: Rotary Club of Louisville
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November 5 Meeting Featuring Donna Barton Brothers

Join us at noon on Thursday, November 5th, at the University Club to hear from Donna Barton Brothers.
We will also be honoring our veterans with a special performance by members of the Kentucky Opera.
Please register by noon on Monday, November 2nd, HERE.
The buffet opens at 11:30am and the program begins at noon. The menu is Beef Stroganoff with roasted vegetables; 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.
Donna Barton Brothers is a former jockey who retired from riding professionally in 1998 after accumulating 1,130 wins. She retired as the second-leading female jockey in the United States by money earned.
From 2000 to 2026, she covered horse racing and other equestrian events for NBC Sports. During that time, she covered 26 Kentucky Derbies and, memorably, the Triple Crown wins captured by American Pharoah in 2015 and Justify in 2018.
Brothers is also the author of "Inside Track: Insider’s Guide to Horse Racing", a beginner’s guide to horse racing.
November 12 Meeting Featuring Adam Edelen, Edelen Renewables

Join us at noon on Thursday, November 12th, at the University Club to hear from Adam Edelen, Founder & CEO of Edelen Renewables.
"Kentucky and the Renewable Energy Revolution"
Please register by noon on Monday, November 9, HERE.
The buffet opens at 11:30am and the program begins at noon. The menu is Chicken Florentine with grilled asparagus and wild rice; 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.
Rotary Honors Scholars 2026-2027 Mentoring Schedule
Please consider joining us for these upcoming Rotary Honors Scholars mentoring sessions:
Western High School, 2501 Rockford Ln
Tuesdays from 9:05–10:35 am
- December 1
- January 26
- March 2
- April 6
Iroquois High School, 4615 Taylor Blvd
Wednesdays from 8:50–10:10 am
- November 11
- December 9
- February 3
- March 10
- April 14

Please contact me for more information or to sign up: wkunau@bellsouth.net
Re:Center Ministries Meal Service: November 18
For over 10 years, our Rotary Club has served dinner once a month at Re:Center Ministries to a group of men in the addiction recovery program. If you have not volunteered, you will find it a rewarding time well spent helping out some people that are trying to get their lives back in order. If you have volunteered before, we would love to have you join us again.
Our next meal service will be on November 18th at 5:30 p.m. at 757 S Brook St. We normally serve on the 4th Wednesday of each month, but due to the holidays, our November and December dates are earlier.
Let me (Larry.Sloan@yahoo.com or 502-552-3990) or Ginger Wallace (glw2169@gmail.com) know if you can help. Click Read More below for additional details.

We arrive at 5:30 pm to set up the serving tables, and finish by 6:30-6:45 pm. It gives us a chance to meet some of the people that are going through this rehab and just break bread and have a meal with them. We pick up the main meal at Kingsley Meats on Taylorsville Road, which includes meatloaf, a potato dish, and a vegetable dish. Volunteers bring the following items: a salad, soft drinks, bread, or rolls and fruit pies.
We meet at 757 S. Brook Street. The historic building is a former synagogue and church that has been repurposed for the Re:Center Ministries program and is distinctive in that it has a dome. Visit the sanctuary and you can view a Star of David in the center of the dome. Park on the street in front of the building. If you decide to help, we will send you a door code to enter the building. You will be glad you helped out!
University Club Staff Appreciation
Let's show our appreciation to the staff at the University Club for all they do to help with our room setup/cleanup and meal service each week!
You can donate online HERE. Click the arrow to increase the quantity in increments of $1. Please make your contribution by Monday, December 14th, so we have time to cash it out.
You can also bring cash to our November 19 and December 3rd meetings — there will be envelopes on the tables and at check-in for you to contribute to our gift, which will be presented to the staff at our meeting on December 17th.
Joint Thanksgiving Celebration with Kiwanis Club: November 24
Join us for our annual joint Thanksgiving Celebration with the Kiwanis Club, who will be hosting this year on Tuesday, November 24, at the Audubon Country Club, 3265 Robin Rd. We will NOT have a regular meeting on Thursday that week.
The speaker will be LMPD Chief Paul Humphrey.
We will also kick off our annual "Battle of the Bells" Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign.
Click HERE to register.
The buffet meal is $35 per person and will be a traditional Thanksgiving feast with roast turkey with dressing and gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn pudding, roll & butter, drinks and dessert. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, please email admin@louisvillerotary.org and we will see if they can accommodate. If you prefer not to eat, you can attend for a $10 meeting fee, which will include coffee and dessert.
You must be registered IN ADVANCE BY Friday, November 13th, to attend, whether for a meal or just the $10 meeting fee. There will be no walk-ins. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer a refund or credit after the November 13th deadline, but you are welcome to send someone in your place.
2026 Battle of the Bells: December 5, 12, 19
Join us for our annual "Battle of the Bells" competition with the Kiwanis Club on Saturdays in December at the Holiday Manor Kroger on US 42. Shifts are from 9:00 to 10:30, 10:30 to noon, noon to 1:30, 1:30 to 3:00; guests/children are welcome.
Register for December 5th HERE
Register for December 12th HERE
Register for December 19th HERE
If you can't take a shift but want to help us win the challenge, swing by, drop some coins or bills, and cheer us on! Or, you can make a donation HERE.
Contact me at 502-552-2002 or gbrakmeier@centralelectronic.com with questions or if you need assistance with signup.

Click Read More to see more photos and the list of bell ringers from last year!

Rotary Annual Meeting & Holiday Party: Dec 10
Our Rotary Annual Meeting & Holiday Party will be held at the Hurstbourne Country Club on Thursday, December 10th, from 5:30-9:00 pm. Join us in your most festive holiday attire for cocktails (cash bar) at 5:30 pm.
We will have a brief Annual Meeting at 6:30 pm to announce the outcome of the election for the proposed slate of 2027-2028 officers and directors, followed by dinner, entertainment, dancing, games, costume contest and prizes!
Tickets are $69 per person; click HERE to purchase.

The menu is being finalized; here is last year's menu:
Grilled Garlic Herb Marinated Organic Chicken
Teriyaki Chilean Salmon with green onion, sesame seeds
Spinach Salad with blueberries, strawberries, candied pecans, balsamic vinaigrette
Roasted Baby Potatoes
Roasted Green Beans
Rolls
Cheesecake with mixed berry compote or Bourbon Bread Pudding
Submit your song requests for the DJ playlist HERE.
We are collecting fantastic raffle prizes; if you or your organization would like to contribute, please email mackenzie.white@pnc.com.

Rotary Day at the Downs: WINSday, April 28
Tickets are now on sale for our Rotary Day at the Downs on WINSday, April 28, 2027. We have reserved the Silks Balcony 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 $199 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 purchase.


Events & Opportunities: Park Community Credit Union Foundation
What: 2026 Friendsgiving Gala
Organization: Park Community Credit Union Foundation
Date/Time: Friday, November 6, doors open 6:00pm, program/dinner at 7:00 pm
Location: the Jeffersonian, 10617 Taylorsville Rd
Description: Eat, drink, and be thankful at the 2026 Friendsgiving Gala, an evening of gratitude, generosity, and local impact where 12 small, grassroots nonprofits will receive Pathways to Prosperity grants. Enjoy dinner, live music, inspiring stories of community impact, and live and silent auctions, all while helping advance the Foundation’s work in education, financial wellbeing, and thriving communities.
More information: https://onecau.se/park2026
Member to contact: Shannon Kisselbaugh, foundation@parkcommunity.com
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.
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.