Nominations Open for Prestigious Rotary Community Recognition

By Scott Arnold

The Rotary Clubs of Peterborough and Peterborough-Kawartha are now accepting nominations for the 2026 Paul Harris Fellow Recognition, honouring people whose leadership and service have made a meaningful difference in the community and beyond.

rotary members along with the 2025 recipients of the paul harris fellow recognition
(Back row)Kelli Grady, Betty Halman-Plumley, Margaret Hamilton, Catherine Hanrahan, Wendy Swain, Elwood Jones, Don Watkins, Maureen Crowley, Mary Smith
(Front Row) Linda Calverley, Ashley Bonner, Lorne Hamilton, Marcus Ferguson, Steve Paul, Len Lifchus and Brendan Moher (Photo courtesy of the Rotary Club of Peterborough)

The Paul Harris Fellow Recognition is one of Rotary's highest honours and has been presented to community leaders around the world for more than 45 years. Named after Rotary International founder Paul Harris, the recognition celebrates individuals who embody the organization's motto of Service Above Self.

This year's nominations are open in six categories:

• Community Service

• International Service

• Vocational Service

• Youth Services

• Environmental Service

• Club Service

Nominees may be Rotarians or non-Rotarians. For each recipient selected, the Rotary Clubs of Peterborough and Peterborough-Kawartha will make a donation equivalent to $1,000 USD to The Rotary Foundation.

Nominations will be accepted until September 1, 2026, with recipients to be notified before the end of September. The recognition ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, November 26 at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club.

The Rotary Club of Peterborough and the Rotary Club of Peterborough-Kawartha have a long history of supporting projects locally and internationally. Over the years, they have contributed to initiatives including accessible playgrounds, splash pads, school breakfast programs, Little Free Libraries, Hospice Peterborough, Camp Kawartha, Five Counties Children's Centre, clean water projects, literacy programs and global polio eradication efforts.

Anyone wishing to nominate someone for a 2026 Paul Harris Fellow Recognition can find more information and submit a nomination through the Rotary Clubs' website.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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