Celebrating a quarter century: Rotary club recognized for tenure in Fishers

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By Anna Skinner

Fishers Rotary Club President Mark McSweeney said a lot has changed in the club during his time as a member.

McSweeney joined the club in 1999, when membership was less than half of what it is today. This year, the club is celebrating 25 years since its charter.

“I think we’ve done a good job of steadily expanding,” McSweeney said. “We have grown right alongside the city. Where Fishers was in 1992 compared to where it is today, when we chartered in 1992 we had 40 charter members, and we have well over 100 members now. We’ve grown, and we take pride in the fact that we’ve tried to remain relevant along the way. We hope that we will for the next 25 years as well.”

The Fishers Rotary Club annually raises approximately $8,000-$12,000, distributed to multiple charities twice a year. Donations are split between local and international groups.

Locally, the club volunteers with Servants at Work, an organization that builds wheelchair ramps for those in need in Marion County.

Previously, the club volunteered at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during different races to raise money for the club. When it became too difficult to organize volunteers for IMS, the  club partnered with the City of Fishers to complete parking services during various city events.

“Obviously, we are a service-based organization,” McSweeney said. “In a nutshell, we have contributed in excess of a million dollars to date to well over 100 unique different recipients over the past 25 years. We are going to do things sprinkled through the year to recognize that 2017 represents 25 years.”

Mayor Scott Fadness recognized the group at a recent meeting, issuing a proclamation that declares March 25 as Fishers Rotary Club day.

Incoming president Mekey McAllen will take office July 1. Her goal during her term is to build on the club’s vibrant work in the city.

“I always want rotary to remain relevant to our community, so I don’t want us to become stale or one of those clubs that just meets on Friday and doesn’t make a difference,” she said. “I want to make a difference in the city and attract people that want to make a difference. Our mayor is very vibrant in what he’s doing, very forward-thinking, and I just want us as Rotarians to be right along with him. What can we do to help that and assist our city? That’s why we are here, to make that kind of a difference. I want us to always be right there along with everybody else to figure out how we can help drive some of the initiatives the mayor has.”

McAllen has been a Rotarian for four years.

For more, visit portal.clubrunner.ca/4352/.

Club meetings

The Fishers Rotary Club meets at 7 a.m. each Friday at Fishers City Hall, 1 Municipal Dr. Attend a meeting to learn more about the club.

HOW ROTARY IS CELEBRATING 25 YEARS:

  • Declared March 25, 2017, as Fishers Rotary Club Day
  • Hold an open house in May with Servants at Work to showcase the work SAWs does with Rotarian help
  • Recognize the club by bringing back the Tin Man Bike during Fishers Freedom Festival
  • Recognize the club at the summer Fishers On Tap event Aug. 18.
  • Parking staff for Boo Bash, Woofstock and the Summer Concert Series
  • Recognize the club’s tenure at the annual Water is Life charity ball in December

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