Ellen Munds, a pioneering figure in Indianapolis’s arts and nonprofit sectors, has been elected president of the Indy Progressive Rotary Club, marking a new chapter in her distinguished career of community leadership.

Munds is best known as the co-founder and longtime executive director of Storytelling Arts of Indiana (SAI), an organization she helped launch in 1987 to elevate storytelling as a recognized art form. Under her leadership, SAI produced signature programs such as the Hoosier Storytelling Festival, “Sharing Hoosier History Through Stories” in partnership with the Indiana Historical Society, and “If These Walls Could Tell” with Indiana Landmarks. She also initiated storytelling programs in summer camps and hospitals, and established the Annual Liar’s Contest at the Indiana State Fair.

Before dedicating herself fully to SAI, Munds worked as a children’s librarian at the Carmel Clay Public Library. She served as SAI’s program director from 1987 to 1996 before becoming executive director, a role she held until her retirement about a year ago.

Munds’ contributions have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the National Storytelling Network’s Distinguished National Service Award and two Creative Renewal Fellowships from the Indy Arts Council. Check out more at storytellingarts.org

As president of the Indy Progressive Rotary Club, Munds brings her decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, arts advocacy, and community engagement to a new platform, continuing her commitment to enriching Indianapolis through service and storytelling.

The Indy Progressive Rotary named its leadership team for the 2024-25 Rotary year:

Tim Nation, President

Jeremy Efroymson, Vice President

Ophelia Wellington, Secretary

Brian Senninger, Treasurer

Indy Progressive Rotary meets every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at the Downtown Rathskeller 401 East Michigan Street in the ballroom which is to the right of the host stand.

Indy Progressive Rotary members elect Faustin Ntala as new Club President.

Experienced Elementary School Teacher with a demonstrated history of working in the primary/secondary education industry. Skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Educational Consulting, Lesson Planning, Event Management, and Educational Technology. Strong education professional with a Master of Science (M.Sc.) focused in International and Comparative Education from Indiana University Bloomington. N’Tala is excited to work with other members for a year of growth and impact.

Faustin Ntala – President
Jeremy Efroymson – Vice President
Paula Goldberg – Secretary
Brian Senninger – Treasurer

Indy Progressive Rotary works to help our nonprofit community. With many members in the nonprofit world and others who serve on boards, we are committed to share our experiences and our expertise to help others.

Object of Rotary

The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

FIRST: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;

SECOND: High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society;

THIRD: The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life;

FOURTH: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

The Four-Way Test

The Four-Way Test is a nonpartisan and nonsectarian ethical guide for Rotarians to use for their personal and professional relationships. The test has been translated into more than 100 languages, and Rotarians recite it at club meetings:

Of the things we think, say or do

Is it the TRUTH?

Is it FAIR to all concerned?

Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Avenues of Service

We channel our commitment to service at home and abroad through five Avenues of Service, which are the foundation of club activity.

Club Service focuses on making clubs strong. A thriving club is anchored by strong relationships and an active membership development plan.

Vocational Service calls on every Rotarian to work with integrity and contribute their expertise to the problems and needs of society. Learn more in An Introduction to Vocational Service and the Code of Conduct.

Community Service encourages every Rotarian to find ways to improve the quality of life for people in their communities and to serve the public interest. Learn more in Communities in Action: A Guide to Effective Projects.

International Service exemplifies our global reach in promoting peace and understanding. We support this service avenue by sponsoring or volunteering on international projects, seeking partners abroad, and more.

Youth Service recognizes the importance of empowering youth and young professionals through leadership development programs such as Interact, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, and Rotary Youth Exchange.

On November 23, 2015, Indy Progressive Rotary hosted multiple Rotary Clubs.  We enjoyed a fun night of Rotary Triva… Can’t wait to have another night like this one 🙂

On October 12, 2015, District Governor Mark Blade visited The Indy Progressive Rotary Club.  Mark shared his goals during his term as district governor.

Picture includes: Rotarian Bonnie Mill, District Governor Mark Blade, Rotarian Lois Kay, and President Joél Muñoz.

 

Thanks to our newest member Darren Slack allowing us to join his group’s activities we can be of service at least 4 times a month.  If you are not familiar with Pro(ACT) Community Partnerships you should go check it out. Here is a link to the calendar we will try to let you know about these as they come up, but please try to make as many as you can.

This is a great chance for us to make a difference here in Indy.

Our name change is official. The Rotary Club of Indianapolis Progressive, or “Indy Progressive Rotary”. We won’t have to explain why the Sunrise club meets at 6pm any more.