According to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, there are more than 1.5 million nonprofits in the United States. With so many other service-oriented organizations out there, it's easy to understand how Rotary is sometimes overlooked. But increasing Rotary awareness isn't as hard as you might think.

 By working together with another organization, clubs can:

  • Increase awareness of club activities
  • Multiply the impact of a project locally and internationally
  • Inspire community leaders to join Rotary
  • Provide access to technical or financial resources

To encourage and recognize outstanding club projects done in cooperation with other organizations, Rotary's Public and External Relations department created the Best Cooperative Projects Award in 2004. The award honors clubs that have increased awareness of Rotary by working with other organizations.

Take a look at a few of last year's winners:

South Africa: Interactors, Youth Exchange students, and Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Umhlanga combined efforts with the Feedback Food Redistribution organization to collect food, purchase vehicles, and conduct fundraising activities.

Canada: The Rotary Club of Port McNeill, B.C., and the Rick Hansen Man in Motion Foundation, along with the Town of Port McNeill, developed a pool lift to make a local pool accessible to people with disabilities.

India: The Rotary Club of Baroda Jawaharnagar, Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Limited, Vadodara Municipal Corporation, Shri Jalaram Sevashram Trust, and a local parliament member worked together to remodel the city crematorium.

Philippines: The Rotary Club of Navotas combined efforts with Soroptimist International, the municipal government of Navotas, and the Department of Education Division of City Schools to raise awareness about waste management and recycling.

United States: Members of the Rotary Club of Goochland County, Va., conducted home repairs for low-income seniors with the nonprofit Senior Connections.

Apply for next year's award at the Best Cooperative Award Web page; send questions to ers@rotary.org. All applications for projects completed in 2006 must be approved by your district governor by 15 March 2007.

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