Ruritan Officers Handbook 2026

Ruritan Club and District Officers’ Handbook Table of Contents (Continued)

Organizing a Ruri-Teen Club............................... 51 Ruri-Teen: Sponsoring Club................................ 51 Ruritan Publications............................................ 52 Ruritan Student Program.................................... 52 Ruritan Anniversary/Founders’ Day.................... 52 Foundation Ruritan National Foundation............................... 53 Permanent Funds............................................... 54 Foundation Forms............................................... 54 Tom Downing Fellow........................................... 54 Build Your Dollars Scholarship............................ 55 Awards President’s Golden Key Award............................ 56 JJ Gwaltney Award............................................. 56 DRM: Adult Club................................................. 57 DRM: Ruri-Teen Club.......................................... 57 District Governor Growth Award......................... 57 DRM Coat........................................................... 58 Youth Leaders Award.......................................... 58 Membership Committee Award........................... 58 Ruritan Forever Legacy Club.............................. 58 Sponsoring Club Awards..................................... 59 District Growth Recognition Award..................... 59 Club Membership Increase Award...................... 60 Dues Rebate for Clubs........................................ 60 Ruritan of the Year Point System........................ 61 Ruritan of the Year Application............................ 62 Rudy Youth of the Year Point System................. 63 Rudy Youth of the Year Application..................... 64 Ruri-Teen of the Year Point System.................... 65 Ruri-Teen of the Year Application........................ 66 Outstanding Zone Governor Award.................... 67 Outstanding District Governor............................. 67 Ruritan Length of Service Award........................ 67 Perfect Attendance Recognition.......................... 67 Name Badges..................................................... 68 National Communication Awards........................ 68 Awards at a Glance....................................... 69-70 Blue Ribbon Award Application........................... 71 Outstanding Club President Award..................... 73 Outstanding Club Treasurer................................ 74 Outstanding Club Secretary................................ 75 Foundation Birthday Fund Award........................ 75

District Foundation Chair Award......................... 75 Tom Downing Fellowship.................................... 75 Community Service Merit System Guide...... 76-78 Appeals Procedure............................................. 79 Sample Community Service Reports............ 80-84 Club Anniversary Commemoration..................... 85 PR Guidelines Understanding Public Relations.......................... 86 Policies and Guidelines................................. 87-88 Beginning with a Message.................................. 89 Publicity and Media....................................... 89-90 Building an Image............................................... 91 Handouts and Flyers..................................... 91-92 Print Media.................................................... 92-93 Television and Radio ..................................... 94-95 The Web . ............................................................ 96 Sample PR Documents/Releases................. 97-99 Consent to be Photographed............................ 100 Youth Protection Policy............................. 101-102 Harassment Policy.................................... 103-104 Ethics Policy...................................................... 104 Whistleblower Policy ........................................105 Governing Documents Ruritan National Bylaws.................................... 123 Ruritan District Bylaws...................................... 123 Ruritan Club Bylaws.......................................... 123 Other Audit Committee Guidelines, Club............ 106-108 Audit Committee Guidelines, District......... 109-111 Inspections/Audits of Districts or Clubs............. 112 Document Retention & Destruction ............ 113-114 Loss Prevention Worksheets..................... 115-119 Index ......................................................... 121-122

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Revised 8/2025