We began today with a discussion about the financial stability and the sustainability of Rotary – the organization which inspires so many of us to ‘do good in the world.’
 
Just as we are finding in our own District, there just isn’t enough money to do what clubs want.  It’s the same at RI.  In order to nurture and grow clubs and districts, we need to understand why the Rotary semi-annual dues must be increased…and more than just the ‘nickel and diming’ that the 50 cents semi-annually can give us.
 
We viewed the graphics of what the impact of $1 per year would yield and then what $4 will yield.  The comparison is dramatic.  A $4 increase is less than 8 cents a week – is Rotary worth it?
 
What are our greatest expenses as Rotarians?  Our weekly meal.  And that’s why many clubs worldwide no longer have a meal at their gatherings.  Ask a club like Kingston Waterfront…any member there will tell you that they have fun and fellowship and plan great events and fundraisers without the cost of a meal each week.
 
As I was listening to the debate, I thought about one of the Values of Rotary: Integrity.  How can we discuss NOT raising our dues when so many of Rotarians still get a printed magazine each month?  It starts with each of us:  get a digital subscription, download electronic copies of Rotary materials rather than ordering a printed copy.  So many are provided at no cost to us or at 10 cents per piece.  Each of us can cut costs for ‘Rotary’ by assuring we work more electronically.
 
Of course, it is also the ‘cost’ versus the perceived value.  You know your club has value, you know the Rotary ‘brand’ has value…otherwise, why would you stay in Rotary and keep coming to meetings?  You can look at how nominal this increase is by just having to give up one coffee or tea per year.  Our move today was to position Rotary with financial strength and leave a sustainable organization for the future.  It was our fiduciary responsibility.
 
After that prolonged discussion, we also passed 2 items regarding the position of Vice Governor and another on the selection of Council on Legislation delegates.  The fourth item which was passed dealt with authorizing the RI Board to suspend or terminate a club for multiple litigation-related actions.
 
Recognizing that clubs already meet in a variety of ways, our last item this morning was to remove the distinction between traditional and e-clubs. There are currently 275 clubs labeled e-clubs with 5,900 members. Those clubs are now just clubs that meet more frequently online than others. Rotary has come a long way since the 2010 Council decided to allow clubs that meet principally online. This may bode well for our District’s proposed Resolution coming on Friday morning.