Thursday, January 17, 2013

Rotary Awards and Recognition


On January 3rd at the Sugar House Club DG Jerry presented Rich Byrne the Vocational Service Leadership Award signed by RI President Sakuji Tanaka “For Promoting the Advancement of Vocational Service”.
 
Rich deserves this award because for over 20 years he has organized “Rotation Day” each October (Vocational Service month) in the Sugar House Club.  President Rick Augustine reports, “This is a very popular and successful event which is always eagerly anticipated by our membership.”  They split into three groups to meet at members’ businesses—this year meeting at the U of U Marriott Library, a barbeque sauce plant, and the office of a financial planner.  Interacters and Rotaracters are also invited to join in.

The Second Object of Rotary is “to encourage and foster the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society.”

Quoting “An Introduction to Vocational Service” available on www.rotary.org, “Classification talks are a great way to promote vocational awareness in your club.”  “Organizing tours of members’ workplaces is another way to recognize the value of each member’s vocation.”  Great job, Rich!

Although there is only one Vocational Service Award per year, we recognize there are many clubs in the Utah District doing excellent vocational projects, including promulgating The Four Way Test.  For great ideas consult “Vocational Service Project Opportunities” in the manual mentioned above . . . and to recognize your members in other ways, here are more awards available from Rotary International:

Presidential Citation.   Has your club already done what is necessary to qualify for this citation?
Deadlines:  31 March 2013 -- Clubs to submit completed forms to their district governor for certification.               The 2012-13 Presidential Citation will recognize Rotary clubs that achieve an array of accomplishments that help them become stronger, deliver effective service, and enhance their public image.

As you read about the following awards, some will jump out: “Our club deserves that”, or “Julie deserves that one.”  Recommend an award for those Rotarians or for your club to DG Jerry.  PDG Wally Brown is helping with awards.  Don’t you agree we need to thank Rotarians more for their service?
 
District Peace Award
Deadline: 15 March.  District governors are encouraged to confer District Peace Awards on all clubs undertaking successful peace activities during 2012-13. 

Significant Achievement Award  
Deadline: 15 March -- Presidential recognition of a club activity which addresses a significant problem or need in the community.  A district selects one project and submits nomination to RI. 

Recognition of Smaller Club Membership Growth  
Deadline: 15 May -- This district-level award offers an incentive to clubs below the charter requirement of 20 members by recognizing the challenges and achievements of small clubs.

RI Membership Development and Extension Award
Deadline: Beginning 15 May -- This district-level certificate program recognizes membership growth in existing clubs, retention of current club members, and the sponsorship of new clubs.

RI Recognition of Membership Development Initiatives
Deadline: 15 May. This district-level certificate recognizes clubs for the development and implementation of a creative plan to support one of the three primary foundations of membership growth and development: retention, recruitment, or organization of new Rotary clubs.

Avenues of Service Citation  
Deadline: Ongoing. This citation program provides a way for Rotary clubs to personally recognize one club member for his or her outstanding efforts in each of the five Avenues of Service: Club, Vocational, Community, International, and New Generations. 

Club Builder Award
Deadline: Ongoing.  This award recognizes Rotarians who have made a significant impact in supporting and strengthening their Rotary clubs. District governors may grant this award to up to 10 deserving Rotarians each year.

Each Rotarian: Reach One, Keep One Award
Deadline: Ongoing.  This award allows Rotary club presidents to nominate and recognize individuals for sponsoring new members while focusing on retention. Award categories: Rotarians bringing 25 members into any Rotary club, with 20 still active after six years.  Rotarians bringing 10 members into any Rotary club, with 8 still active after four years. Rotarians bringing five members into any Rotary club, with four still active after two years

The Rotary Foundation District Service Award
Deadline: Ongoing. Because so many Rotarians serve humanity through Foundation programs, The Rotary Foundation created the District Service Award to recognize their efforts. Each recipient up to 20 per district is given a certificate.

Family and Community Service Award  
Deadline: Ongoing. This award is a certificate that Rotary clubs may confer on individuals or organizations for outstanding service to families and communities, or in recognition of the positive contributions to individual Rotary clubs made by spouses or family members of Rotarians