RI Council on Legislation Recap

Every three years, members from Rotary districts across the globe gather in Chicago for the Council on Legislation to deliberate and act upon all proposed enactments and resolutions. Enactments seek to change Rotary’s constitutional documents while resolutions express an opinion or make a recommendation to the RI Board which reviews and acts on resolutions adopted and other items referred by the Council. Here is the recapitulation of the results of the recent assembly:

11 April 2016

The Council on Legislation approved two key measures that were both backed by the RI Board of Directors and passed overwhelmingly after a lively debate. The first measure gives clubs greater flexibility in setting guidelines and procedures in conducting their meetings which must be at least twice a month. The second measure grants clubs the freedom to experiment with membership models. Proponents argued that clubs need the enhanced leeway in order to determine what works best in their communities, emphasizing that one template may not apply to all.

12 April 2016

Continuing the theme on flexibility, the Council on Legislation agreed to simplify the qualifications for membership in a Rotary Club. The measure replaces six membership criteria set by the RI Constitution, with encompassing yet simple requirements of good character, unblemished reputation both in business and in the community, as well as willingness to serve. Proponents argued that the amendment will restore to clubs the power to choose members without relying on a “checklist,” thus, encouraging membership growth.

The Council deferred for two days the deliberation for the following proposals: 1) creation of a new type of membership to be termed as “associate members,” and 2) allowing Rotaractors to join a Rotary club.

13 April 2016

Citing the need to provide programs and services, the Council on Legislation approved an increase of $4 per year, for three consecutive years, in the annual per capita dues that clubs remit to Rotary International. “Hearing that 9 out of 10 Rotarians have asked Rotary to provide more services, the Board does not want to decrease the services to the clubs and districts. Now is the time to invest in our future and make it possible to move forward and achieve a strong future for Rotary,” RI Treasurer Per Hoyen said in favor of the request. The increase sets the dues at $60 in 2017-18, $64 in 2018-19, and $68 in 2019-20.

14 April 2016

Council members approved the creation of a Council on Resolutions, a separate governing body that will be in-charge of proposing and submission of resolutions to the RI Board, leaving the triennial meeting of the Council on Legislation to deal exclusively with enactments. The newly created Council will meet annually, online. Proponents argued that the change shall shorten the sessions of the Council on Legislation by a day, saving up to $300,000. They also pointed out that the new Council would establish a channel of communication between clubs and the RI Board, Representatives also voted to allow Rotaractors to simultaneously be members of Rotary clubs.

To know more about the results of the Council on Legislation, visit the website: https://www.rotary.org/myrotary/en/exchange-ideas/events/council-legislation