Rotary Southern Connecticut 2024-2025 District Awards

Celebrating Excellence in Service and Leadership

The District Awards recognize clubs for their outstanding impact across various service areas. The selection process follows a structured, objective framework to ensure fairness, transparency, and efficiency. The goals of the awards process are:

  • Logical: A clear, step-by-step framework for nominations and selections.
  • Easy to administer: A standardized rating system for efficiency.
  • Fair to all concerned: An unbiased, objective selection process.
  • Encourages outstanding future performance: Recognition of excellence to motivate clubs.
  • Encourages attendance at District Conference: Announcements of winners at the conference to promote engagement.

Clubs must meet the defined criteria to be eligible for each award.

GENERAL PROCESS

1. Nomination by Assistant Governors (AGs)

    • Each AG must review all clubs in their area and determine if a club qualifies for an award.
    • AGs are not required to submit a nominee for every award unless a club meets the criteria.
    • Each AG submits one nomination per award where applicable.
    • Nominations must be submitted to the District Governor by Friday, April 4, 2025

2. Selection Meeting (April 2025)

    • AGs present their nominated clubs during the District Awards Selection Meeting in April.
    • AGs evaluate nominees using a standardized 1-10 rating scale for each award category.
    • The top three clubs per award category are announced immediately following the selection.

3. Final Voting and Determination of Winners

    • AGs vote on their top two choices per category.
    • The District Governor (DG) does not vote except in the case of a tie.
    • If an AG cannot attend, they must appoint an alternate to present their nominees.
    • The DG Track will serve as the final selection committee for all AG Awards.
    • Winners are revealed at the District Conference to encourage attendance.

4. Award Restrictions

    • Osterman and Pettengill Award winners are ineligible for other club awards in the same year.
    • Clubs may only win the Pettengill Award once every three years.

AWARD CATEGORIES AND EVALUATION CRITERIA

Each nominee is assessed on a 1 to 10 rating scale (1 = Poor, 5 = Average, 10 = Outstanding).

1. PETTENGILL AWARD – Large Clubs with 33 Members or More (AG Selected)

Recognizes the most outstanding large club based on:

    • Club Service
    • Community Service
    • Vocational Service
    • International Service
    • Youth Service
    • Public Image
    • Membership Growth & Retention
    • Support of The Rotary Foundation

2. OSTERMAN AWARD – Small Clubs up to 32 Members (AG Selected)

Recognizes the most outstanding small club based on:

    • Club Service
    • Community Service
    • Vocational Service
    • International Service
    • Youth Service
    • Public Image
    • Membership Growth & Retention
    • Support of The Rotary Foundation

3. ABRAHAM I. GORDAN AWARD (Selected by the District Governor)

Recognizes a Rotarian who has made a significant impact in their community or internationally. Preference is given to international service that advances Rotary International’s goal of world understanding and peace.

Criteria:

    • Demonstrated leadership in international service
    • Significant contributions to global humanitarian efforts
    • Advancement of Rotary’s mission of peace and understanding
    • Long-term impact on local or international communities

Selection Process:

    • Nominations are accepted from the Rotary Community until April 4, 2025.
    • Selected by the District Governor.
    • The recipient is announced at the District Conference.

4. DON ADAMS OUTSTANDING ROTARIAN AWARD (Selected by Special Committee)

Named after Past District Governor Donald A. Adams (1922-23) and 15th President of Rotary International (1925-26), this award recognizes one outstanding Rotarian from the district who is not a Past District Governor.

Criteria:

    • Exceptional service to both their club and the district
    • Significant contributions to all Five Avenues of Rotary Service
    • Demonstrated leadership and impact in service initiatives
    • Commitment to Rotary values and ethics

Selection Process:

    • Each club nominates a candidate by April 1, 2025.
    • The selection committee consists of the five most recent recipients able to serve.
    • The most senior past recipient acts as Chair of the selection committee.
    • The award is presented at the District Conference.

5. OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD – All Clubs (AG Selected)

Recognizes clubs that excel in community engagement through:

    • Sponsorship or participation in community projects
    • Leadership in multi-club/area service activities
    • Sponsorship or participation in a District Managed Grant (DMG)
    • Member involvement in projects
    • Number and variety of service activities

6. OUTSTANDING CLUB/VOCATIONAL SERVICE AWARD – All Clubs (AG Selected)

Recognizes clubs demonstrating professional development and fellowship through:

    • Innovative and creative programs and project activities that promote vocational growth and expansion in the community.
    • Number and variety of fellowship activities
    • Mentorship programs in high schools or colleges
    • Participation in Rotary Builds Business (RBB)
    • Active involvement in district events
    • Collaboration with other clubs on vocational initiatives

7. OUTSTANDING INTERNATIONAL SERVICE AWARD – All Clubs  (AG Selected)

Recognizes clubs making a global impact through:

    • Participation in a Global Grant
    • Partnerships with international Rotary clubs
    • Member participation in international projects
    • Active support of District international initiatives (e.g., Polio Plus)
    • Hosting a Rotary Exchange Student

8. OUTSTANDING PUBLIC IMAGE IMPACT AWARD – All Clubs  (AG Selected)

Recognizes clubs that effectively promote Rotary’s brand and impact through public image and media outreach:

    • Consistent, high-quality social media and digital presence
    • Effective use of branding and storytelling to communicate Rotary’s impact
    • Strong engagement with local media and community outreach
    • Innovative public relations campaigns that increase Rotary visibility
    • Demonstrated increase in community awareness and engagement

9. OUTSTANDING OPUS FOR PEACE SERVICE AWARD – All Clubs (AG Selected)

Recognizes clubs that embody the Opus for Peace program and create outstanding impact by elevating Rotary’s role in peace, conflict resolution, and positive peace in their communities.

Criteria:

    • Leadership in peace-building initiatives
    • Strong advocacy and implementation of conflict resolution programs
    • Impactful Public Image efforts to elevate Rotary Engagement through Peace Storytelling
    • Significant involvement in Opus for Peace activities
    • Demonstrated impact on community and global peace efforts

10. OUTSTANDING YOUTH SERVICE AWARD – All Clubs (AG Selected)

Recognizes clubs supporting youth development through:

    • Sponsoring an active Interact Club
    • Sponsoring students in the 4-Way Test Speech Contest
    • Sponsoring students for RYLA, Next Generations, or similar programs
    • Implementing school-related projects (e.g., Student of the Month, Dictionary Project)
    • Maintaining an annual scholarship program

11. PHOENIX RISING STAR AWARD – All Clubs (AG Selected)

Recognizes the club with the most growth and improvement throughout the year based on:

    • Increase in membership
    • Improvement in service project engagement
    • Enhanced public image efforts
    • Expanded participation in district initiatives
    • Demonstrated revitalization of club activities

12. UNSUNG HERO AWARD – Individual Recognition – One Per Area (AG Selected)

Recognizes one Rotarian in each Area (12 total awards) who exemplifies selflessness and unwavering support for Rotary, awarded based on:

    • Dedication to service without expectation of recognition
    • Consistent efforts to support fellow Rotarians and club projects
    • Positive impact on club morale and operations
    • Demonstration of the Rotary spirit in everyday actions

Selection Process:

    • Each club should submit one candidate to the AG in their Area
    • Each AG evaluates and submits a single name to receive the Award at the District Conference
    • There will be 12 Unsung Hero Awards, one for each Area.

GOVERNOR’S 2024-2025 CLUB OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Recognizes clubs that achieve excellence across key Rotary focus areas through a structured evaluation process.

Criteria:

  • Membership growth and engagement
  • Contributions & Service to The Rotary Foundation
  • Leadership development and governance
  • Service projects and community impact
  • Youth service initiatives
  • Public image and outreach
  • Peacebuilding efforts

Evaluation Process:

  • Clubs are assessed using a rubric with 70 criteria totaling 900 points.
  • A club must score at least 450 points (50%) to achieve this recognition.
  • Assistant Governors (AGs) and club presidents (or designated members) jointly evaluate the club’s performance.
  • Achieving clubs receive their certificate at the District Conference.
  • Club Assessments must be completed by Friday, April 25, 2025

IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE

  • February – April: AGs evaluate clubs for nominations.
  • April: District Awards Selection Meeting; top three clubs per category announced.
  • May 30, 31, June 1 (Magical Mystery Tour 2025 District Conference): Winners revealed and awards presented.

This streamlined process ensures fair and measurable recognition for clubs that drive impactful service in Rotary Southern Connecticut District 7980.