NAYEN Awards
Celebrating innovation and achievement in Rotary Youth Exchange across our districts.
Dr. Abe Kuttothara Outstanding District Innovation Award
The Dr. Abe Kuttothara District Innovation Award is given to NAYEN Rotary Districts whose innovations are unique, truly exceptional, transformative, and have a positive impact on the Youth Exchange program.
The award recognizes and celebrates an outstanding District that contributes to the success of the Youth Exchange program by helping shape the future of the program and inspiring the next generation.
The USA-Canada Youth Exchange Network was founded by Dr. Abe Kuttothara and Rick Russell in 2000. In 2008, Mexico joined the network, and it was renamed the North American Youth Exchange Network (NAYEN).
Prior to the 2023-24 Rotary year, the Dr. Abe Kuttothara Outstanding District Award was given to a single district whose achievements stood above their peers. The applicants all fully explained their Rotary Youth Exchange programs — both short and long term — as well as ROTEX involvement and New Generations Exchange Programs.
The awards process underwent an extensive review and was revised during the 2019-2022 program suspension. No awards were given for the 2020-2021 or 2021-2022 years due to the COVID pandemic and the pause of RYE programs at that time.
The Dr. Abe Kuttothara District Innovation Award may not be awarded every year.
Dr. Abe Kuttothara Outstanding District
To be eligible to apply for this award, you must have paid your NAYEN dues for the current year and the prior year. The 2024-2025 Exchange Year award applications will be due January 25, 2026.
How to Apply
- 1.Download the instructions and application.
- 2.Make sure you get the appropriate signatures.
- 3.Email the completed application and any Dr. Abe Kuttothara supporting PDF documents to the awards chair.
Remember to include answers for both the long and short-term programs. Applications submitted without supporting documents will be disqualified, as will hand written applications. Attachments should be in a PDF.
Please follow the 4-way test when completing this application.
Awards will be presented annually at the NAYEN Conference. They reflect a full year's work. For example, for the Rotary year 2022-23 the awards will be presented at the 2024 conference.
You will receive a confirmation email that your application has been received. If you do not receive this within one week please send a separate email asking about the status. It may be that your attachments are too large.
Contact Becky Fontaine, NAYEN Achievement Awards Chair, with any questions about NAYEN Achievement Awards.
Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards
The North American Youth Exchange Network (NAYEN) Recognition Program recognizes individual Districts participating in a variety of activities which cumulatively help create strong programs. Districts can obtain 1 of 3 levels: Gold, Silver, or Bronze.
The application for Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards is combined with the Dr. Abe Kuttothara Outstanding District application. Applications for the 2024-2025 Rotary year are due January 25, 2026.
Dennis K. White Excellence in Education Award
The first Dennis K. White Excellence in Education Award was presented to Pauline Perreault at the 2023 DC conference.
Check back soon for more information about the nomination process for the 2026 Houston conference!
