Awards and Recognition

Each year, City of Lakes Rotary recognizes club members for their monetary contributions, dedicated service, and leadership to our club and the wider community. We also recognize select non-members for the difference they are making within the Twin Cities.

Paul Harris Fellow Award

Donors of $1,000 or more to the Rotary International Foundation Annual Programs Fund, PolioPlus, or the Humanitarian Grants Program, or people who have that amount contributed in their name, can be recognized as Paul Harris Fellows. Each new Paul Harris Fellow receives a commemorative certificate, a pin, and a medallion.

Dick Devore Fellow Award

Donors of $1,000 or more to the City of Lakes Foundation, or people who have that amount contributed in their name, can be recognized as Dick Devore Fellows. Each new Dick Devore Fellow receives a commemorative City of Lakes’ pin.

Don Backstrom Service Above Self Award

This Award is named in honor of the first member of City of Lakes to serve as District Governor of Rotary District 5950. Don Backstrom was District Governor from 2000-2001. Prior to serving as District Governor Done served for several years in various capacities with District 5950. He served as President of City of Lakes from 1995-1996. This award is not awarded annually. Instead it is given to a select few Rotarians who have demonstrated by their actions the Rotary motto of Service Above Self by serving in significant capacities for several years with District 5950. In October, 2001, Don became the first recipient of this Award shortly before he died of pancreatic cancer.

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2020: Russ Michaletz
2015: Jim Nelson
2014: Gayle Noakes
2012: Steve Olson
2005: Mary Balzer
2004: Tom Tamura
2001: Don Backstrom

Merle Else Heart of Rotary Award

The Merle Else Heart of Rotary Award is awarded to a member of the City of Lakes Rotary Club who is very dedicated to the cause/mission of Rotary, has made (and continues to make) a significant difference in the lives of many people and gives them hope for the future, and deserves recognition for his or her significant efforts on behalf of the City of Lakes Rotary Club, and on behalf of Rotary International. The winner is selected by prior Heart of Rotary winners from nominations submitted by City of Lakes Rotary Club members.

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2021: Jonathan Hobbs
2020: Gayle Noakes
2019: Jean Johnson
2018: John Vandermyde
2017: Jim Nelson
2016: Ken Stone
2015: Jim Vos
2014: Christine Taylor
2013: Russ Michaletz
2012: Olaf Minge
2011: Gary Mosiman
2010: Kurt Nelson
2009: Mary Daniels
2008: Steve Olson
2007: Doug Schmitt
2006: Karin Treiber
2005: Keith Johnson
2004: Lois Sonstegard
2003: Harrison Nelson
2002: Bob Minish
2001: Cliff Erickson
2000: Walt Jacobson
1999: Tom Tamura
1998: King Bavender
1997: Jon Groth
1996: James Ullyot
1995: Don Ittner
1994: Mary Balzer
1993: Larry Sharpe
1992: Alexander Ritter
1991: Richard Parrish
1990: James Storm
1989: Gregory Ritter
1988: Henry Haverstock
1987: Merle S. Else
1986: Scott Jeffers

John Fischer Rotary Hope Award

The John Fischer Rotary Hope Award is named after the founder of City of Lakes Rotary and is awarded annually to a person who is not a member of the City of Lakes Rotary Club who is very dedicated to the cause/mission that he/she represents, has made (and continues to make) a significant difference in the lives of many people and gives them hope for the future, whose efforts are underrecognized, and who is not all that well known in the Twin Cities area. The winner is selected by the Past Presidents Council from nominations submitted by City of Lakes Rotary Club members.

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2021: Markus Flynn, Black Men Teach
2020: Gabrielle Clowdus, Settled
2019: Jessica Bartholomew, ACT United
2018: Deborah Mallin, Literacy Matters
2017: Katie Lindenfelser, Crescent Cove
2016: Haiti Outreach
2015:  
2014: The Sheridan Story
2013: Traci Chur, TXT4LIFE at Crisis Connection
2012: Bill Roddy, The Osiris Organization
2011: Monica Nilsson, Street Outreach and Community Education Program, St. Stephen's Human Services
2010: Michelle Hensley, The Ten Thousand Things Theatre
2009: Kathleen Vitalis, Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans
2008: Wonderful World of Music
2007: Inez Grace with Family Solutions
2006: Jackie Olefson with St. Louis Park Emergency Program (STEP)
2005: Susan Gunderson Life Source
2004: Fill a Mind and Heart
2003: Nancy Nelson with Minnesota Organization On Adolescent Pregnancy, Prevention And Parenting
2002: Congregation at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church
2001: Judy Jones with People's Exchange
2000: Robert W. Fulton, Boy Scoutmaster extraordinaire
1999: Fred Peterson with Family Hope Services
1998: Eric Mahmoud with Harvest Academy & Prep School
1997: Leon Rankin with Dunwoody's Youth Career Awareness Program
1995: Richard Gardner, Police Officer
1994: Sr. Jean Thuerauf with Cookie Cart
1992: Henry Steeves with Hidden Ranch & Angel House
1991: Michael Bongo with American Indian OIC
1990: John Troyer, champion of the homeless
1989: Walter Rockenstein with City Council & his community work
1988: James Crotty with Boys & Girls Clubs
1987: Mary Jo Copeland with Caring & Sharing Hands

Richard Parrish Emerging Leadership Award

The Emerging Leadership Award is designed to recognize a City of Lakes Rotarian who has joined our Club within the last two years and who has rapidly engaged in the spirit of service within the Club. By providing leadership and demonstrating commitment to service, the Emerging Leadership Award recipient has made a significant contribution to City of Lakes in the name of “service above self”. The recipient of this Award each year is selected by the current year’s Club President and the Immediate Past President.