CMIRC Wins International Award for Best Rotary Public Image Campaign 2025–2026

Chiang Mai International Rotary Club is proud to announce that CMIRC has been named Grand Winner for Best Rotary Public Image Campaign 2025–2026 at the Rotary Public Image Awards for Zones 10B & 10C.

This is CMIRC’s first international public image award and our third public image recognition in four years. The award recognizes the public image campaign created around CMIRC’s WASH Project, an extraordinary Rotary Global Grant bringing clean water, sanitation infrastructure, hygiene education, and community training to 21 hilltribe villages in Northern Thailand.

With a total value of US$330,000, the WASH Project brought together more than 40 supporting Rotary clubs and partners from around the world, along with six Rotary districts and CMIRC’s long-standing project partner, the Integrated Tribal Development Foundation. Their support made it possible to launch one of the largest and most ambitious service projects in CMIRC’s history.

This award belongs first to the people and clubs who made the project possible. Without the commitment of our supporting Rotary clubs, districts, donors, and partners, the Global Grant could not have been launched, the work in the villages could not have moved forward, and CMIRC would not have had this powerful story to share.

The winning campaign showed Rotary in action: international cooperation, practical service, and a project reaching families in remote communities where access to safe water and proper sanitation can change daily life. It also showed why public image matters. When Rotary service stories are told clearly, people can see the real work, partnerships, and impact behind Rotary’s name.

CMIRC extends sincere thanks to the many members and partners who contributed photos, stories, project updates, technical information, and encouragement throughout the campaign. Special thanks go to Documentary Photographer John Hulme, Rotarian Gary Herman, President Owen Hodgson, Co-President-Elects Usar Suragarn and Foundation Chair Glenn Pfaff, and all who helped present the WASH Project to the wider Rotary community.

CMIRC also congratulates Public Image Chair and Past President Viki Thomason for developing and putting together the winning campaign, helping bring international recognition to the club’s service work and to the extraordinary scale of the WASH Project.

We are grateful to District 3360 Governor Jar Techawut for his continued encouragement and support of Rotary public image work.

Congratulations to everyone involved in the CMIRC WASH Project and to all who helped tell its story. This international recognition is a proud moment for Chiang Mai International Rotary Club and for every Rotary club, district, donor, and partner who helped bring this project to life.