The nominee of the Service Above Self Award must have demonstrated exemplary humanitarian service, in any form and at any level, with an emphasis on personal volunteer efforts and active involvement in helping others through Rotary. Service rendered by the nominee through Rotary must have been on a continuing basis. The award will not be given solely in recognition of one’s performance in an elected or appointed Rotary assignment. Personal financial contributions to The Rotary Foundation or any individual project are not relevant considerations for this award.

The Rotary International Service Above Self Award is an internationally competitive award granted to a maximum of 150 Rotarians per year who are examples of Service Above Self.  1/10th of 1% of Rotarians are so recognized or no more than one per district per year.

Dave Newman exemplifies Service Above Self.  He is a 30 year Rotarian, past AG, past AG Team Leader, past District Trainer, past chair of DGSC (3 years), Fast for Hope chair for more than 4 years, which included 5 trips to Nicaragua. In addition, Dave is Treasurer of the Hope Community in South Minneapolis.