2026-2027 Awards

Difference Maker Award 

Honoring the unsung Rotary heroes who create lasting impact.  The Rotary Difference Maker Award honors everyday Rotarians who consistently live the ideal of Service Above Self. These unsung heroes show up, roll up their sleeves, and make things happen—often behind the scenes—strengthening their clubs, communities, and the world through steady, heartfelt service.

We encourage every Rotary Club in District 6400 to identify and recognize the unsung heroes within their own club—the members who quietly and consistently go above and beyond in service to their club and community, often without recognition or fanfare.

         Difference maker description and fillable form

 

The Rotary Club Excellence Award (formerly the Rotary Citation) is the highest honor a club can achieve. To qualify for the 2026-2027 year, clubs must remain in good standing, select at least half of the available organizational goals, and report their achievements in Rotary Club Central by June 30,

Key Criteria to Earn the Award
To earn the Club Excellence Award, your Rotary or Rotaract club must meet several fundamental benchmarks: [1, 2, 3]
    • Good Standing: Your club must be active and in good financial standing, meaning all Rotary International invoice balances are paid in full within 60 days of being issued. [1]
    • Goal Selection: Club leaders must review the goals available in Rotary Club Central and select at least half of them.
    • Self-Reporting: As your club completes its chosen initiatives, designated officers must log into Rotary Club Central and mark those goals as “achieved”.

📅 Important Deadlines
    • July 2026: Semiannual dues and club invoices are posted to My Rotary.
    • June 30, 2027: The final deadline to achieve the required goals and report them within Rotary Club Central.

💡 Tips for Success
  • Set Goals Early: Review the planning resources in the 2026-27 Club Planning Calendar as soon as the Rotary year begins.
  • Confirm Eligibility: Regularly check your Club Invoice on My Rotary to verify your outstanding balance remains at $0.00.

 

 

Hugh Archer  HUGH ARCHER AWARD 2026-2027 

The Hugh Archer Award honors a wonderful and kind Dearborn Rotarian who served as our District Governor in 1969 – 70.  Hugh served as Rotary International President in 1989 – 90 with the  International theme of  “Enjoy Rotary”.  Hugh’s theme is used as the basis for this annual district award, that encourages clubs to have fun while providing a new, important service project.   Hugh’s greatest belief was that Rotary members enjoyed their meetings, service, informality and getting to know each other.

There are two divisions of the Hugh Archer Award; one for individual club projects and one for club collaborative projects.     The awards are given to club(s) in District 6400 that initiate a new project that encourages teamwork among club members and that best exemplifies Hugh’s RI theme of “Enjoy Rotary”.  The project must be implemented between May 1, 2026 and March 15, 2027.

Deadline for application is March 22, 2027

These projects are outstanding examples of how Rotary makes an impressive, long-term impact both here in our district communities and in the world, serving as a great legacy to Hugh Archer.

Hugh Archer Award Applications Download here:     Single Club Archer application_2026-2027

Archer_2026-27_Collaborative application 

Hedke Awards      2026-27  Rotary Year    

DICK HEDKE AWARD 2025-26      APPLICATIONS DUE March 29th 2027.

Dick Hedke joined as a member of the Rotary Club of Detroit in 1920 and served as Rotary International President 1946 – 47.  He also served as a member of The Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees. Dick’s firm belief was that Rotary clubs should be strong in Club and Community Service, along with Vocational and International Service as an equal balance.Dick Hedke Service Division Recognition is provided to the club that has the best overall score in each of the five categories:    Club Administration,  Membership,  Public Image, Service Project, Foundation      

The Dick Hedke Overall Award is presented to the club with the best combined score in all categories.   In addition to the point scoring, the application provides the opportunity for clubs to submit a narrative to “tell their success story”. .  A total of 20 points will be available, with each topic in the narrative awarded 1-5 points each.

Application:

COG Awards 

The Council of Governor’s (COG) award

Rotarians may nominate a Rotarian member to the Governor.      Please tell us who you would like to nominate, why and things they have done in the club and district that make them well qualified for this distinction.

________________________________________________________________________________

To see who has already won a COG Award, list of cog winners 

 

The Jennifer Jones Champion of Inclusion Award is a new award to District 6400 recognizes the role of diverse thinking and inclusion as being essential elements for the growth, impact, and continued success and growth of clubs in our district.

In honor of Rotary International President Jennifer Jones, Rotary District 6400 has created an annual award that recognizes club and individual efforts to achieve diverse, equitable and inclusionary practices.
The award shall be named the Jennifer Jones Champion of Inclusion Award and shall be awarded annually to one or more clubs and/or individuals at the District Conference event.
This award shall be selected by the District Governor and Committee.
Application is due March 31, 2027.