There were several significant enactments that will help shape the future of Rotary, one of which elevates Rotaract clubs as members of RI. It does not change Rotaract clubs in many ways, but does expand the definition of membership in Rotary International to include both Rotary and Rotaract clubs.
The council did approve dues increases of $1 per member per year for each of the three years beginning in 2020-21. The council also reduced the number of nonvoting members at future COLs by removing past RI presidents and allowing only one RI Board director to attend but not vote. This was done as a budget issue to save over $100,000 per COL.
The COL left in place the ability of clubs to use innovative and flexible club formats to attract new members and meet their current members’ needs.
Several enactments to change the RI constitution failed to be passed because it required 2/3rds positive votes and that level was not achieved. There was strong support to modernize and stream-line the By-Laws of Rotary International without making any substantive changes and to modernize and stream-line the Standard Rotary Club Constitution without making any substantive changes. RI will print a new Manual of Procedure for 2019 and local clubs and districts will have an opportunity to update their organizational documents to be consistent with these documents.
I am willing to meet with anyone who would like to have more information on the COL experience and the actions that were taken by the delegates.
Respectfully submitted,
PDG Bob Pattison