March 2, 2022
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Prior Lake Rotarian Kyle Haugen Receives International Award
 
Prior Lake, MN – On Wednesday, March 2, Prior Lake Rotarian Kyle Haugen was awarded the International Service Award for a Polio-Free World for 2021-2022 by Rotary International in recognition of significant active personal service toward the goal of polio eradication. He was 1 of only 8 Rotarians or Rotaractors worldwide to receive this competitive award.
 
Haugen, a Prior Lake Rotarian since October 2003, has been a passionate champion and supporter of polio eradication, Rotary International’s signature project. Since 1988, Rotary and its partners have reduced the number of wild poliovirus cases by over 99.99%. Back in 1988, there were 350,000 global cases in 125 countries. Last year, there were 5 total wild poliovirus cases in just two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
 
Haugen joined Rotary District 5960's Polio Plus Team once he joined Rotary. His passion for Rotary's signature project was seen at the Club level as his Club perennially leads all District Clubs in funds raised for Polio Plus. As District Governor in the 2017-2018 year, the District had one of its best fundraising years for Polio Plus, coming in at just over $116k. Following his term as District Governor, Haugen moved into the Rotary Foundation Team Lead role for his District in 2019. In that year, District 5960 saw its highest year for Polio Plus giving ever at over $135K.
Haugen has been sought after as a polio presenter due to his knowledge and passion for polio eradication. He has presented to numerous clubs in his years as a Rotarian. In 2019, Kyle and his wife Carrie went on a National Immunization Day in India. It was the fulfillment of something he had wanted to do ever since he became a Rotarian. His message to Clubs when he returned gave a first-hand account of how The Rotary Foundation promotes positive peace, and how disease prevention and polio eradication are a big part of that.
 
About the award, Haugen said, “This is special and it’s a testament to the foundation that’s been laid by our club as well because our club encourages people to get involved and to understand what Rotary is all about and to make a difference. And there’s no bigger difference that we make as Rotarians than in the eradication of polio.”