District Recognition Program

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Distinguished Recognition Program (Area, Division, District)

Marcheta Gardner
Program Quality Director

District Recognition Program Booklet – Form 1490

Recognition Program Revisions
Effective July 1, 2012
District Recognition Modified 2018-2019

In August 2010, the Board of Directors approved revisions to the area, division and district level recognition programs to increase the focus on quality and distinguished clubs, while creating strong vertical alignment. These revisions were effective July 1, 2012.

District Recognition Program (pdf)
Recognition Program Revisions-Program at a Glance

Area Program 
Qualifying requirements:

Submit semiannual Area Director Visit Reports for at least 75% of club base by the due date.

  • Submit semiannual Area Director Visit Reports for at least 75% of club base by the due date.
  • No net club loss.

Distinguished Area:

  • Distinguished clubs equal to at least 50% of club base.
    • An area with a base of 3 or 4 clubs will require 2 distinguished clubs.
    • An area with a base of 5 or 6 clubs will require 3 distinguished clubs.
    • An area with a base of 7 or 8 clubs will require 4 distinguished clubs.

Select Distinguished Area:

  • The same requirements as Distinguished Area, plus one more distinguished club.
    • An area with a base of 3 or 4 clubs will require 3 distinguished clubs.
    • An area with a base of 5 or 6 clubs will require 4 distinguished clubs.
    • An area with a base of 7 or 8 clubs will require 5 distinguished clubs.

President’s Distinguished Area:

  • The same requirements as Select Distinguished Area, plus net growth of one club.

Division Program
Qualifying requirement: No net club loss.

Distinguished Division:

  • Distinguished clubs equal to at least 40% of club base.

Select Distinguished Division:

  • Distinguished clubs equal to at least 45% of club base.

President’s Distinguished Division:

  • Distinguished clubs equal to at least 50% of club base, plus net growth of one club.


District Program (Changes made 2018-2019 – adding Smedley Distinguished)
Qualifying requirements:
Submit by due date:

  • District Success Plan – submitted by 9/30
  • Report verifying 85% of area/division governors trained by 9/30

Distinguished District:

  • Distinguished clubs equal to at least 40% of club base.
  • Net membership payments increase of 1.5%.
  • Net club increase of 1.5%.

Select Distinguished District:

  • Distinguished clubs equal to at least 45% of club base.
  • Net membership payments increase of 3%.
  • Net club increase of 3%.

President’s Distinguished District:

  • Distinguished clubs equal to at least 50% of club base.
  • Net membership payments increase of 5%.
  • Net club increase of 5%.

Smedley Distinguished District:

  • Distinguished clubs equal to at least 55% of club base.
  • Net membership payments increase of 8%.
  • Net club increase of 8%.

There will be no limit to the number of areas, divisions and districts that can achieve Distinguished, Select Distinguished and President’s Distinguished Status.