Join Lyle Staab, Rotary Foundation; in presenting of Major Donor Recognition to John Howard
Message from Elke regarding the Apr 29, 2025 Meeting
Dear Fellow Rotarian,
Do hope to see you on Tuesday - the Chef has a Fajita Buffet for us. It's simple: you can pick from the buffet whatever your heart desires:
Chef's Choice Soup
Caesar's Salad
Fruit Platter with Cottage Cheese
Beef Fajitas / Chicken Fajitas
with Peppers, Red Onions
Green/Red Salsa, Cheddar Cheese, Sour Cream,
Lettuce, Tomatoes, Onions
Flour and Corn Tortillas
Chef's Choice Dessert
Please help me to make my job easier and RSVP to Elke by latest Monday morning. - I have to give them a head count. Thank you :)
Yours in Rotary
Elke
NOTE - RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED! WHY? An accurate count allows the hotel staff to set up the tables properly. When you “pop in” it means the staff having to pull out more chairs, and settings while they are trying to serve.
Tuesday’s meeting will feature several guests so please confirm by Monday at 9:30 AM so you are not left out.
Embark on an exhilarating journey of connection and inspiration at the 2025 Rotary International Convention in Calgary! Engage in riveting discussions, learn from distinguished speakers, and explore enlightening breakout sessions against the backdrop of Calgary's picturesque beauty nestled amid the Canadian Rockies.
Fueled by friendship and a spirit of collaboration, exchange best practices, ignite innovative projects, and form lifelong connections with fellow changemakers from around the world.
Take part in this transformative, one-of-a-kind event and experience the Magic All Around at the 2025 Rotary International Convention in Calgary, Canada 21-25 June 2025.
Three Take-A-Ways from RICK REIGNER, District Governor Nominee
The Rotary “Conducting Community Assessments” is an excellent tool to guide your process and assist in enhancing your existing projects or determining necessary environmental projects in your community. You can download this document from the “Action Plan” tab under the “District Info.” dropdown menu on our website.
Additionally, I would like to express my appreciation to Andy Ullman of the Rotary Club of River Cities for inviting me to speak to his club about the Rotary Action Plan. Andy’s club was the first to receive a personal presentation and discuss ways in which the Action Plan can support and enhance their work. I am available to visit any club interested in a presentation on the Action Plan over the next year.
I would like to acknowledge Aimee Resnick of the Northwestern Rotaract Club for her efforts in recruiting prospects for our new Youth Advisory Council (YAC) at RYLA this year. This past week, we approved the first six young individuals to the Council, with many more applications pending. I was particularly impressed with the diverse experiences these young people have, as well as their motivations to serve. Among them:
Two have founded their own non-profits
One initiated a mental health podcast
One serves as a cadet commander in the Civil Air Patrol
One established a school business club
One is both a teacher and coach
Their motivations to serve include:
Increasing the impact of Rotary in their school and community
Giving a voice to underrepresented youth
Leading community outreach to positively affect lives
Ensuring that children have a voice in the future
This initial group for our YAC is quite impressive.
Save the Date! New Governor Installation
Join us on Friday, June 27th for a special evening celebrating the installation of Marlene A. Frisbie as District 6440 Governor.
The celebration dinner will take place at the beautiful Old Courthouse Events Center in Woodstock.
Tickets will be available soon—don’t miss this milestone moment!
Honolulu, Hawaii, no longer host city for 2027 Rotary International Convention
Regrettably, the 2027 Rotary International Convention will no longer be held in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, as planned. This is due to a recent decision by the Hawaii Convention Center to extend the schedule for a series of critical upgrades and repairs across the facility. Rotary is now actively scouting a new city with the necessary infrastructure to host an event of our convention size and scope. We will provide timely updates to our members about the progress.
Honolulu was selected as the site of the 2020 Rotary convention, but it was ultimately canceled because of the COVID pandemic. Local Rotary members and partners worked diligently to return the convention to their beloved city. While this is unfortunate, we sincerely appreciate their tremendous efforts and commitment.
Rotary’s legislative body meets every three years to vote on proposals to move the organization forward
By Arnold R. Grahl
Representatives from Rotary districts around the world gathered for the 2025 Council on Legislation, voting after much debate to approve a dues increase and also deciding to allow clubs to be chartered with fewer members.
The Council, held 13-17 April in Chicago, Illinois, USA, is where Rotary members meet every three years to discuss and vote on proposals to move the organization forward.
By far the most-debated items this session were the dues increase, designed to keep up with rising costs, and a proposal to make annual district conferences optional.
Rotary International President Stephanie A. Urchick set the tone for the Council on the opening day, stressing the cross-cultural and cooperative nature of Rotary.
“This Council represents the heart of Rotary’s democratic process and the best of our international spirit,” Urchick said to about 480 representatives and the Council observers.
“The gathering is one of Rotary’s most powerful expressions of multiculturalism. Here, voices from every corner of the globe come together – not to compete, but to collaborate.”
Representatives approved a US$3.50 increase in the dues that every Rotary member pays to Rotary International, which means that dues will increase from US$82 for 2025-26 to US$85.50 for 2026-27. The dues would increase by another US$3.75 in each of the following two years.
A five-year financial forecast, presented to representatives at the beginning of each Council, projected that without any increase, RI would have a US$42 million deficit by 2029-30. The organization’s policies require it to have a balanced budget.
“Dues are the primary funding source for everything we do,” Trichur Narayan “Raju” Subramanian, a member of the RI Board of Directors, told the Council. “It provides essential services to your clubs, members, and districts. As inflation continues to drive costs up, we must make sure dues keep pace.”
“The world needs Rotary more than ever,” Subramanian concluded. “It’s in your hands to protect the future of our organization.”
Supporters of the dues increase also insisted that RI has and will continue to cut costs as the organization finds new ways to be efficient. The dues increase, which amounts to about 4% each year, is below the 2024 global rate of inflation.
But opponents said that dues increases discourage membership, which itself is the lifeblood of Rotary. Several also argued that the information RI has provided to representatives has not been detailed enough and said they want greater transparency.
“For the past 10 years, membership has been decreasing,” said Shobee Tone, representing District 2650 (Japan), who noted that a loss of members resulting from dues increases hurts smaller clubs the most. He said RI needs better efficiency, with fewer people on staff.
The dues increase prevailed after 45 minutes of debate and a failed attempt to postpone the decision for up to three months.
The Council also approved a measure that will allow clubs to be chartered with as few as 15 members, instead of 20. Supporters said the change will remove barriers to starting new clubs and help Rotary grow and expand its reach by trying innovative club models.
Ken Schuppert, the Council chair, thanked the representatives for their hard work, saying the measures they approved will make Rotary stronger.
“They reviewed and voted on legislation that will change and lead Rotary into the future,” he said.”
In other action, the Council:
Voted, after extensive debate, to make holding an annual district conference optional.
Defeated a pair of measures to set an age limit for Rotaractors. Opponents cited the low number of current Rotaractors over the age of 40 in arguing that limits were unnecessary and said such restrictions could force members out of Rotary.
Rejected limiting the number of honorary members a club can have to 5% of the club’s active membership. Opponents noted that many clubs use honorary membership to stay in contact with former members, such as longtime Rotarians with valuable expertise to offer.
Approved a measure allowing the Board to test additional new governance models beyond those that were approved three years ago. Those are currently in progress in Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland, as well as in New Zealand and Australia. Supporters noted that the system of governors overseeing districts dates back to the early days of Rotary. They say that trying new governance models can help Rotary adapt to future needs and train and develop new leaders.
Agreed to allow the Board to consider culture and language in addition to the number of Rotarians in deciding zone boundaries.
Voted to require that the five-year financial forecast presented at the beginning of each Council include updates on specific process improvements and cost-reduction measures made by RI. In a similar measure, the Council approved commissioning a regular professional analysis of processes and cost structures in RI’s administration.
Approved renaming the presidents-elect training seminar as the presidents-elect learning seminar and the district training assembly as the club leadership learning seminar. The measure is part of a shift in culture from training to learning to engage and empower people. Related names are being updated.
A Report of Action summarizing the legislation will be sent to clubs, which will have at least two months to submit any opposition to the Council action. The Council’s adoption of legislation is suspended if there is opposition from clubs representing at least 5% of the possible club votes.
Welcome to Rotary 360, formerly Rotary Voices, the official blog of Rotary International. If you are a member, someone we partner with, or participant in one of our programs, we invite you to share your stories of how you are people of action, creating lasting change in the world, in local communities, and in ourselves.
Our differing occupations, cultures, and countries give us a unique perspective. Our shared passion for service helps us accomplish the remarkable.
These stories show how we are taking action to do good in the world, building connections in our communities, and creating great experiences in our clubs.
Share your story
Every Rotary member has a story. It’s probably the reason you joined Rotary, or at least why you stay. I remember a fellow Rotarian, Debbie, sharing the impact Helen's vaccine experience had on her. Your stories matter, and can change outlooks.
We started this blog to give people like you a place to share your stories. By doing so, you help us increase the public’s understanding of what we stand for and the impact we make. We welcome posts from members, program alums, and anyone who has worked with us or participated in a service project. We’re also looking for think pieces from thought leaders who are active in our partner organizations or working in fields related to one of our areas of focus. If you have a story or short essay, send it as a Word document to blog@rotary.org.
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