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BRANCH RICKEY AWARD COMMITTEE Warren Donder, 2010 Chair ~ SAVE THE DATE ~ November 13, 2010 Meet our 2009 Branch Rickey Award Winner  at www.BranchRickeyAward.org

Purpose
The role of the Branch Rickey Award Committee is to stage an annual fundraising event for Club 31 that receives national recognition for its mission and its notable honorees. The event provides funding for Denver Rotary’s flagship project, Denver Kids, Inc., that it founded in 1946 and has sponsored now for 63 years. The event also supports Denver Rotary’s other projects as the funds raised and decicated to DKI provide for more foundation dollars to be distributed to the other projects.

The award increases awareness of the responsibility and actions of professional athletes who understand their role in service to their communities. For the past seventeen years the award has been given to a Major League baseball player or someone in Major League management to honor their commitment to their communities.

Date and Venue
The 2009 event will be held on November 14, 2009 at the Marriott City Center Hotel in downtown Denver. The evening will consist of a Silent Auction, Dinner and Award Presentation.

Committee
The logistics of the event are handled by an Executive Committee comprised of members of Club 31. Each year new members join the committee but some have remained involved since the first year of the dinner. The Executive Director sits on the committee and assists with many of the details and provides great continuity. The club also contracts with an Event Manager each year who works with the teams, the venue. the winner and assures that the timeline is being met.

Many volunteers are involved in assuring the success of the event and Rotarian volunteers help with obtaining auction items, selling tables and tickets, event set-up, mailings etc. Over 100 Denver Rotarians will be involved in the event in some fashion for 2009.

Time Frame
The committee works year round though a majority of the preparation for the event takes place from June- November. The ballots are mailed in July and the winner is announced in early September at a press conference held at a Rotary meeting. 

Winner Selection
Each of the thirty Major League teams nominates a player or manager noted for his community service. These nominations are received by late May. Ballots are then mailed to sportswriters, team owners and Rotary District Governors who have the privilege of casting one vote. A local accounting firm tabulates the votes.

To learn more about our Branch Rickey Award, please visit our website at www.BranchRickeyAward.org.

Click here to volunteer for the 2010 Branch Rickey Award dinner.
Click here to download a reservation for the dinner.
Click here to dowload a Silent Auction Donation Form.