Council on Legislation Report

Council on Legislation Report

(12 May 2010)

The Council on Legislation is Rotary International's parliament which meets every three years to consider changes to the RI Constitution, RI Bylaws, and the Standard Rotary Club Constitution. Representatives from Rotary's 531 districts considered 220 pieces of legislation submitted by Rotary clubs, districts, and the RI Board of Directors.

In summary, the 220 pieces of proposed legislation included 128 enactments (proposals to amend the constitutional documents of RI) and 92 resolutions (proposals which do not seek to amend the constitutional documents of RI). Of these, the Council adopted 47 enactments and 19 resolutions. The Council referred 3 pieces to the RI Board for further study. The Council rejected 101 proposals, and 50 proposals were withdrawn or considered withdrawn. Of the 66 adopted proposals, the Council adopted 51 exactly as they were proposed, while 15 were adopted with amendments. More detailed information may be found on the RI website.

Some of the highlights included:

COL Representatives have enacted a number of measures that will make eClubs a permanent part of Rotary International, create a 5th Avenue of Service for New Generations, increase dues clubs pay to RI by US$1 annually, and give Rotarians in Canada and USA the option to receive The Rotarian magazine electronically.

The COL approved a $1 increase in annual per capita dues starting in 2011-12 that will allow RI's budget to remain balanced through 2013, but with a forecasted deficit of about $3 million by 2015. Clubs will pay per capita dues to RI of $51 per year in 2011-12, $52 per year in 2012-13, and $53 per year in 2013-14. Per capita dues were already set at $50 for 2010-11.
A defeated request would have allowed the Board to raise dues thereafter to a maximum of 2% annually. RI's General Surplus Fund is well above the Council-mandated minimum reserves. Market performance has improved, and the Secretariat has made significant cuts in expenses.
After years as a pilot project, eClubs found a permanent home in Rotary. It was approved to allow up to 2 eClubs per district. Some originally argued to limit the number to 50 while others felt there should be no limit in having more members. It was felt that 2 per district would accommodate situations where more than one language was desired.
eClub members can be from any geographical area in the world and are not required to be within any District boundaries. But it is felt they need to have a District home for administrative purposes. The general intent is to welcome handicapped people who cannot get out easily and embrace those with difficult schedules or in remote locations with little Rotary Club access. They do community and international projects and you can even do a make-up at an eClub.
This measure defines eClubs as Rotary Clubs that meet through electronic communications. A handful of eClubs have been operating as part of the pilot project set to end 30 June and many are personal Rotary friends of mine. Some pilot clubs meet solely through online forums, while others combine electronic with in-person meetings.

Representatives also voted to add a 5th Avenue of Service, New Generations, to the four that already exist: Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service, and International Service. Before starting a project, Rotarians are asked to think broadly about how their club and its members can contribute within each avenue.
This idea has come before the COL previously and has caused much discussion but never passed. Supporters of the 5 Avenue feel it will encourage and recognize the positive changes in Rotary, implemented by youth and young adults involved in leadership development efforts, service projects, and exchange programs.

I was pleased that our proposal from the Saskatoon North Club for a global Rotary Peace Community program was adopted. It remains to be seen what action the RI Board will take on the development of this program.

It was adopted to have the RI Board consider a new type of "Satellite Club Membership" when new clubs are in the process of being chartered. With this concept, prospective members of the provisional club can become temporary members of the sponsoring club until the new club is chartered. In this way new prospects will be embraced and become active in Rotary to avoid risk of them losing interest. In the event a provisional club does not materialize, the hope is they will remain members in the sponsor club.

After much discussion Council voted to give Rotarians in Canada and the USA an option to receive their Rotarian magazine in electronic format. Unfortunately a similar motion for non-North American Rotarians was defeated, due to poor and confusing wording in the original proposal and concerns for the affect on 31 regional publications many receive in lieu of the Rotarian.
The Council rejected a proposal to completely do away with the subscription requirement for members, but it did allow for joint subscriptions when two Rotarians reside at the same address.

The Council tackled a variety of other issues, including decreasing the number of members, from 34 to 17, on the RI President's Nominating Committee; giving the Board authority to better deal with election complaints from districts; giving the Board authority to eliminate or change district boundaries if a district falls below 33 clubs or 1,200 members;precluding clubs from limiting membership based on sexual orientation; and terminating clubs where members have not demonstrated adequate stewardship of Rotary Foundation funds.

The opportunity to make suggested revisions or additions in the form of proposed legislation may be made by individuals or clubs through the District for consideration at the next COL in 2013.
Clubs will receive an updated 2010 MOP reflecting these decisions in a few weeks. It is also available on line.

It has been my pleasure to serve as your District 5550 representative in this important role.

Rick Felstead PDG