COL Report
The 2016 Council on Legislation was attended by Dennis Huffman as a delegate and Bob Pattison as alternate (and delegate to the 2019 Council). Either Dennis or Bob (or both) are available for discussions of the proceedings with your board or club. Several major changes in the flexibility of meeting schedules and membership were enacted, as well as a necessary increase in dues over the next several years.
The RI Board initiated two proposals that increased flexibility for individual clubs. The first measure allows clubs to decide to vary their meeting times, meet online or in person, and when to cancel a meeting, as long as they meet at least twice a month. Service projects or social events may be counted as meeting attendance. The second allows clubs more flexibility in defining their membership rules and requirements. Clubs may offer additional membership types that are desired in their community, such as associate, corporate or family. (Both passed by 4 to 1 margins).
The existing six membership criteria were removed and replaced with a simple requirement that a member be a person of good character who has a good reputation in their business or community and is willing to serve the community (passed 5 to 1)
These decisions do not modify the current rules of the standard Rotary Club Constitution. Clubs that want to adopt these changes will need to amend their bylaws. Clubs that wish to adhere to the traditional requirements regarding meetings, attendance, structure, or categories of membership may do so.
The $4 per year increase in dues was based on a five year financial forecast that predicted that if Rotary didn’t either raise dues or make drastic cuts, its reserves would dip below mandated level by 2020. The yearly per capita dues that clubs will pay to RI will be $60 in 2017/18, $64 in 2018/19 and $68 in 2019/20 (passed by over 100 votes). The 2019 Council will establish rates after 2019/20.
A Council on Resolutions will be held online annually (recommendations to the RI Board) to shorten the time and expense of the COL, which will now concentrate on enactments.