No Foolin! Today we welcomed Don Knebel, President, Board of Directors for ReCenter Indiana, a bipartisan organization focused on moving Indiana politics closer to the center and to bring more civility to political discussions.
The Challenge: Divisive Indiana politicians don’t represent Hoosier values.
For too long, the loudest and most extreme voices have drowned out sensible solutions. With faith in government at an all-time low, it's time to restore trust, respect, and accountability to our political system—by elevating candidates who represent the center, where most Hoosiers are.
Don shared that American's confidence in democracy has never been lower...
He shared several startling figures... including the fact Indiana ranks near the bottom of the states in voting participation. In fact, in the 2022 general election, Indiana ranked #50 of 51 states (including the District of Columbia) - -only West Virginia had a smaller percentage of their voters turnout.
With overwhelming polling evidence showing a majority of Americans leaning one way on political issues but their elected representatives voting the other way, Indiana Representative Sue Errington, D-Muncie, recently stated:
“Is it any wonder that the people in this state are losing confidence in us to make laws that reflect their views?” she asked. “Is it any wonder that they are losing interest in voting when their legislators don’t listen to them after they have been elected? And when their legislators actually do the opposite?”
ReCenter Indiana aims to change this. ReCenter's Core beliefs:
- People over parties: Like candidates for any job, politicians should be judged on their record, character, and impact on those they serve, regardless of whether they lean left or right.
- Results over rhetoric: Voters deserve to know where candidates stand on issues that matter and how we all can make a difference.
- Patriotism over politics: Our democracy is a precious gift that must be preserved for our children and grandchildren, and we must work together, despite our differences, to protect it.
ReCenter believes that every Hoosier deserves:
- To be heard.
- To have an equal voice.
- To choose, not be chosen by, their elected leaders.
- To have real choices between at least two candidates who will work for everyday Hoosiers.
- To not feel like they’re settling for “the least bad option” or given no choice at all.
- To be able to choose leaders who have integrity and who will work to earn and be worthy of our votes.
The path to a better democracy is in our hands. Change starts with creating alternatives to party extremes that drive most voters away. Together we can restore fair competition, voter confidence, and choice to Indiana political races.
About
Donald E. (Don) Knebel earned a degree in electrical engineering from Purdue and a law degree from Harvard. Don retired from Barnes & Thornburg LLP at the end of 2013 after 39 years as an intellectual property litigator. Since 2011, he has been an Adjunct Professor and Senior Advisor at the Center for Intellectual Property Research at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law, teaching antitrust law and patent litigation. He was recently recognized as the 2024 Adjunct Professor of the Year.
Don has been active in many civic and charitable organizations. He has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre since 1986 and is now Chair Emeritus. He served as Civic’s Board Chair from 2017 to 2019, the third time he has held this position, and served as Civic’s interim Executive Director from 2015 to 2016. He was the 2010 Campaign Chair for United Way of Central Indiana, where he is an emeritus Board member. He was the co-chair of the 2013 Classical Fellowship Awards for the American Pianist Association and served on its Board. He was the moderator for the 2013 Ardath Burkhart Leadership Series and was on the Steering Committees for the first Festival of Faiths held in Indianapolis in October 2013 and for the visit of the Dalai Lama to Indianapolis in 2016. He was the founding Board Chair of Center for Interfaith Cooperation. He was the Board Chair of the Triangle Education Foundation between 2017 and 2019 and continues to serve on that Board. He is also currently a member of the Board of Directors of Christel House International and the John E. Christian Family Memorial Trust Inc., which operates Samara, a Frank Lloyd Wright house in West Lafayette, Indiana. He is on the Advisory Committee of the Faith and Action initiative of the Christian Theological Seminary, on whose Board he also serves. He served as the inaugural president of the S. Jay Plager Intellectual Property American Inn of Court and is currently serving as the inaugural president of ReCenter Indiana, an organization seeking to bring the politics of Indiana closer to the center.
Don is passionate about the need for members of all religious traditions to have a better understanding of each other and speaks often to churches and community groups on comparative religion and religious history. He is a frequent international travelers and he speaks widely on topics related to that travel. He writes a weekly column on travel for the Current newspapers. His book, Flushed with Curiosity, includes 101 stories about his travel experiences.
Don has received a number of awards for his civic activities, including “Outstanding Electrical Engineer” from Purdue University, “Interfaith Ambassador of the Year” from Center for Interfaith Cooperation, and the “Cap Henning Altruism Award” from Triangle Fraternity. On November 14, 2019, he was named Indiana Philanthropist of the Year by the Indiana Association of Fund Raising Professionals.
For more about ReCenter Indiana visit:
https://www.recenterindiana.org/
Elkhart Rotary Club Foundation Chair Howard Edwards and President Julie Cotton presented three Paul Harris Fellow awards to:
- John Hill, Paul Harris Fellow +2
- Tom Eisele, Paul Harris Fellow +3
- Moe Jacobson, Paul Harris Fellow +7
Thanks to all for your continued support of the Rotary Foundation, doing good around our world.
Rotarians are an integral and engaged part of our active community! Here’s a list of upcoming events represented by Rotarians from the Elkhart Rotary Club. If you’d like more information, contact the Rotarian listed for the event or email elkhartnoonrotary@gmail.com and your message will be forwarded to them. Are you a Rotarian with an event to share? Put it in the format below and email to Eric Garton, he’ll add it to the list.
Thursday, April 18 at 5 p.m. Thirsty Thursday - come enjoy a drink and fellowship with fellow Rotarians and guests. Come on, come all, drop in 5-6 p.m. Location: TBD. Contact: Peter Norton
Saturday, April 20 beginning 8 a.m. Join us for our twice-annual County Road 6 Clean-up. Normally each section takes less than an hour. You’ll earn a meeting make-up credit and we’ll leave our world a little cleaner than when we found it. Meet in the parking lot of the Northland Corporation @ 3410 E. CR 6 to be given your trash bags, gloves, your road section assignment and a donut for fuel! Contact Bob Homan to signup.
Wednesday, April 24, 4-7 p.m. Goodwill's Little Black Dress Signature Event. An exciting evening of fashion, fun, and philanthropy at the Four Winds Event Center. All proceeds from the event will benefit Goodwill's programs to empower people to achieve their most abundant life. Ticket info here. Contact: Monica Abair
May 10-18. Rotary International Service Trip. TENTATIVE ITINERARY HERE (v3-27-2024) Two service aspects: distribute eye glasses from an eye clinic now happening in San Isidro and also to work with Peace Corps volunteers to distribute books in connection with Dickerson Literacy Initiative in an area along the coast. The group will be limited to 12 participants, not all from Elkhart Rotary. Contact: Doug Risser for more details as the trip and costs develop.
Saturday, May 11, 9:30 a.m. Girls on the Run 5k. Location: Trinity United Methodist Church, 2715 East Jackson Blvd., Elkhart. Volunteers help ensure our end-of-season 5K Celebration is possible. If you’re interested check out the details at https://www.girlsontherunmichiana.org/5k-elkhart and sign up today. Contact: Julie Cotton.
Saturday, June 1, 7 p.m. Stand-Up for Church Community Services. Join us at the historic Bristol Opera House for an evening of crazy funny comedians -- headlined by Mike Armstrong! Mike has appeared on HBO, Fox, and CMT and will be forever known as the Ex-Cop on the Bob & Tom radio show. Hosted by Corey Mann, the event also features comedians Michael Downing, Elise Davies, and Scott Callahan. Doors open at 6 p.m. Visit https://ci.ovationtix.com/36247/production/1192983 for details and tickets Contact: Keith Sarber.
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