By Ben Polk, Muncie Sunrise Rotary Club—
MUNCIE, Ind. — The ViVA (Very Important Volunteer Award) Awards were developed as a gift to the community in 1993 by the Muncie Noon Rotary Club and are now held in conjunction with the Muncie Sunrise Rotary Club to recognize Delaware County’s proud volunteer heritage.
Up to four individuals and one organization will be recognized with ViVA Awards for their volunteer efforts to the community within the past 12 months. In addition, The Edmund F. Ball Lifetime Achievement Award will be given for outstanding long-term, lifetime volunteer commitment. Each ViVA Award Recipient will receive a plaque.
Eligibility
- Nominees must live or work in Delaware County; or the impact of his/her volunteer service must be felt in Delaware County. The same parameters apply to organizational nominees.
- Nominees must provide the volunteer service without expectation of financial remuneration, although reimbursement of expenses will not disqualify a nominee. Nomination of student volunteers is encouraged.
- Except for the Lifetime Achievement Award, all individual and organizational nominees must have rendered volunteer services within the last 12 months (no carryover from years previous). Lifetime achievement award nominations not selected in 2026 will be carried over for 3 years.
To Nominate a Volunteer
- This should include names of organizations and/or individuals that benefitted from the nominee’s volunteering and the capacity of the volunteer’s efforts. Using specific examples of volunteer service, demonstrate the nominee’s commitment to volunteer activities within the last year or lifetime, depending on category selected.
- Why is the nominee worthy of this special recognition beyond other equally qualified volunteers?
- What type of impact did the nominee have on individuals and/or organizations within the last year?
- How would those individuals and/or organizations have been impacted had the nominee not provided dedicated leadership?
To nominate a volunteer, use the form located on the Muncie Rotary website: https://www.muncierotary.org/viva-awards.php
Nominations must be received by March 01, 2026.
Nominators will be notified by March 15, 2026, if their nominee is selected.
Selection Process
A Selection Committee consisting of Rotarians and former ViVA Award winners will review all nominations, and select up to four individual and one organizational ViVA Award Winners as well as one Lifetime Achievement Award Winner.
All ViVA Award winners will be announced on Tuesday, April 14th, 2026, at the 32nd annual ViVA Award Luncheon held at Westminster Village.
For more information on how to nominate and attend the event, please visit: https://www.muncierotary.org/viva-awards.php
About Rotary
Rotary International is a global network of people working to improve our world. Its mission is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. Muncie, Indiana is the proud home to two Rotary Clubs: the Rotary Club of Muncie and the Muncie Sunrise Rotary Club.
