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What is new for
Rotary clubs and districts?
A new Rotary year is underway,
and with it a number of changes to the way clubs and districts do
business.
The annual per capita dues that
Rotary clubs pay to Rotary International will increase to US$50 in
2010-11, as established by the 2007 Council on Legislation. The 2010
Council approved a $1 increase for the three subsequent years,
setting per capita dues at $51 for 2011-12, $52 for 2012-13, and $53
for 2013-14.
The 2010 Council, which met in
April, took several other actions that will go into effect 1 July:
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Rotary e-clubs will become a
permanent part of Rotary International after years of participating
in a pilot project. Districts will be allowed up to two e-clubs,
which are defined as Rotary clubs that meet through electronic
communications. Some of the pilot e-clubs have been meeting solely
through online forums, while others have combined electronic with
in-person meetings.
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New Generations Service will join
the other Avenues of Service -- 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.
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Rotarians in North America will
have the choice of receiving either an electronic or print version
of The Rotarian magazine.
Rotarians living at the same address may qualify for a joint
subscription.
Here are some changes that will
primarily affect Rotary districts:
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District assemblies must be held
in March, April, or May, and presidents-elect training seminars in
February or March.
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The chair of the nominating
committee for district governor must notify the current governor of
the committee’s candidate within 24 hours, and the governor must
inform clubs within 72 hours.
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When a governor-elect position is
vacant less than three months before the International Assembly, the
successor will automatically fill the vacancy, if he or she is
willing.
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If two or more governor election
complaints are filed in a district in a five-year period and the
Board believes that the RI Bylaws or election complaint procedures
have been violated, it may disqualify the nominee, select a past
governor to serve, and remove any governor, governor-elect, or past
governor who is improperly influencing or interfering with the
election process. The Board may dissolve any district and reassign
its clubs to other districts if three or more election complaints
are filed in a five-year period.
Here are some changes that will
primary affect Rotary clubs:
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No club may limit membership based
on sexual orientation.
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Clubs must inform their district
governor of a proposed change to the club name or locality at least
10 days before voting on the proposal.
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The immediate past club president
will be considered a club officer and a member of the board.
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The RI Board may suspend or
terminate the membership of any club that retains any member who has
misused funds from The Rotary Foundation or who otherwise has
breached the stewardship policies of the Foundation.
Clubs accepting a transferring or former Rotarian must first secure
a certificate from the former member’s club confirming that person’s
membership. The former club is obligated to verify that the member
does not owe any debts to the club. A prospective member cannot join
a new club until all debts have been paid.
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