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The annual award is meant to recognize an individual, group, or business that has made an outstanding contribution to the promotion of understanding and cooperation between people of different backgrounds. Ruth Aulick, who founded the Paynesville Area Community Service Center, received the first award, named for her, in 1998.

The award especially seeks to recognize efforts to improve understanding in the areas of race, religion, gender, national origin, marital status, disability, age, sexual orientation, or family status.

Last year, PAHS teacher and coach Brad Skoglund won the award for his work with students, especially for making special needs students feel like part of his baseball teams. Other winners of the award have been: Maurice Dosdall (2003), Marlys Pearson (2002), Katherine Halvorson (2001), Don Torbenson (2000), and Marie Lauer (1999).

Nomination forms can be picked up at the Paynesville City Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. They are due on Friday, May 27.

Letters of nomination - no longer than two pages in length - may also be submitted to the Paynesville Area Human Rights Commission at 221 Washburne Avenue, Paynesville, MN 56362.