Rotary International Council on Legislation Report

Posted by Ingrid Brown 
on Apr 29, 2016
 
Ingrid Brown, the elected representative from D7930  recently attended the 2016 Council on Legislation in Chicago. She is proud to report that the 2016 Council on Legislation may well be remembered as one of the most progressive in Rotary history!

The Council is an essential element of Rotary’s governance. Every three years, members from all the 534 districts around the world gather in Chicago to consider and vote on proposed changes to policies that govern the organization and its member clubs. Measures that are adopted take effect July 1, 2016.

Not only did this Council grant clubs more freedom in determining their meeting schedule, allowing clubs to decide to vary their meeting times, whether to meet online or in person, and when to cancel a meeting, as long as they meet at least twice a month, but also allowing flexibility in choosing their membership rules and requirements.

The Council also approved an increase in per capita dues of $4 a year for three years. The increase will be used to enhance Rotary’s website, improve online tools, and add programs and services to help clubs increase membership. The dues increase was based on a five-year financial forecast that predicted that is Rotary didn’t either raise dues or make drastic cuts, its reserves would dip below mandated levels by 2020. As RI Vice-President Greg Podd put it, “We are at a moment in time when we must think beyond the status quo. We must think about our future.”

Also because of this Council’s decisions:
  • A Council on Resolutions will meet annually online to consider resolutions – recommendations to the RI Board. The Council on Resolutions will free the Council on Legislation to concentrate on enactments – changes to Rotary’s governing documents.
  • Rotaractors will be allowed to become members of Rotary Clubs while still in Rotaract. Too few Rotaractors join Rotary, and it’s hoped that giving them more options will boost the members of qualified young leaders in Rotary.
  • The distinction between e-clubs and traditional clubs will be eliminated, now that clubs have been given more flexibility.
  • The reference to “admission fees” will be removed from the bylaws, as the words do not advance a modern image of Rotary.
  • A Standing Committee on membership was established, in recognition that membership is a top priority of the organization, and polio was reaffirmed to be a goal of the highest order. 
The global aspect of the Council is inspiring, you really have the opportunity to get out of your “district comfort zone thinking”, and broaden your appreciation of the rest of the Rotary world. Ingrid thanks you for the privilege of, once again, representing D7930.