The Council on Legislation Fourth Day Concluded

The Council on Legislation – Fourth Day Concluded

14/04/2016 18:41 Starting a new club

For it's first action of the morning, the council approved adding to the bylaws a provision that new clubs need 20 members for a charter. Proponents said that number was needed for a healthy club to get up and running. The Board had a policy for the minimum needed, but the bylaws had previously been silent on the subject.

14/04/2016 18:58 Mergers and splits

There are 535 Rotary districts, and eight of those districts have fewer than 1,000 members. The council approved a measure giving the Board more flexibility in merging smaller districts, dividing larger districts, and reassigning clubs from small districts that border larger districts. While there is little financial impact to RI of smaller districts, proponents believe very small districts are at a disadvantage in leadership and resources for service projects.

14/04/2016 19:14 Vanity names for districts

Each Rotary district may now add a geographic name, such as country, state, or region, as an identifier to their district number, with the RI Board's consent. Some districts already do this, but the council's vote confirms and legitimizes the practice.

14/04/2016 19:31 Jumbo-tron Council members can follow along with speakers via two large screens on either side of the chamber.

14/04/2016 19:36 Separate council for resolutions?

The council considers both enactments and resolutions. This year, there are about 40 resolutions. The council is now discussing a measure that would significantly alter the deliberations of future councils. It would create a Council on Resolutions that would meet online every year just to consider resolutions, while the Council on Legislation would be free to focus all of its time on enactments.

14/04/2016 19:58 A Council on Resolutions is created

The council has just voted to create a new Council on Resolutions that will meet once a year by electronic means to considers resolutions, i.e. recommendations, to the Board. Proponents estimate removing resolutions from the regular council could save a day of meeting, and up to $340,000 in cost. A separate annual online council for resolutions could also improve the connection between clubs and the Board.

14/04/2016 20:20 Size of the council

Lively debate going on about changing the number of representatives to the council and how they are selected. Vote coming soon.

14/04/2016 20:34 Who gets to go to council?

The council rejects changing the size of the council by having each zone send nine representatives, instead of a representative going from each district. The vote followed animated debate.

14/04/2016 21:14 Council profiles Gayle Knepper, a member of the Rotary Club of Anchorage East, Alaska, USA, representing District 5010 (Alaska, Yukon Territory, and parts of Siberia, Russia) feels yesterday's dues vote will move Rotary forward. "I think it's necessary. We are at a pivotal point in Rotary's future and with all the legislation that's passed, we have to be able to look forward and bring our organization into the future."

14/04/2016 21:34 Alternating attendance plan voting down

The council rejects another measure to slim the size of the council. This one would have paired districts together, with each district alternating sending their representative to the council. Representatives would have served six years.

14/04/2016 21:56 Rotaractors can be Rotary members too

The council overwhelmingly approved allowing members of Rotaract to simultaneously be a member of a Rotary club. Proponents argue this will pave the way for more Rotaractors with proven leadership skills to make the transition into Rotary. Some Rotaractors are reluctant to leave their Rotaract club before they reach age 30, the maximum age, because they don't want to sever ties with friends. Similarly, some former Rotaractors find it difficult to get a Rotary club to invite them as a member. Only around 5 percent currently make the transition. Proponents say this will move that number closer to 50 percent

14/04/2016 22:38 Membership priority one

In recognition that membership is the organization's highest (internal) priority, the council approved creating a Membership Committee that would be appointed by the board, with eight members serving a term of at least three years, with ability for reappointment. The RI Board argues the standing committee will demonstrate a commitment to long-term membership sustainability and growth.

14/04/2016 22:45 Laughter is the best medicine

At any legislative process such as this, humor is essential to alleviate tension and fatigue. Occasional comments from the chair and vice chair can elicit laughter. For example, yellow cards (points of order) have a way of piling up and slowing debate. So, coupled with the right facial expression, a comment from the vice chair "oh, look, another yellow card," can crack up the chamber. Council members also inject humor: "I will be speaking in what passes for English in my part of the world." or "I'd like to speak in Welsh. But I will be speaking in English."

14/04/2016 22:51 Joint subscriptions to regional magazines

The council approved a measure allowing two Rotary members living at the same address to subscribe jointly to a regional magazine. That option already exists for The Rotarian.

14/04/2016 23:06 Magazine subscriptions

The council voted to keep the requirement that members subscribe to The Rotarian magazine or the official magazine of their region.

15/04/2016 00:35 Getting casual

Returning from lunch, the chair has made two critical announcements. One, the council needs to pick up pace to meet its closing time tomorrow. The second, in recognition that many council members will be flying home shortly after the proceedings, business casual will be acceptable.

15/04/2016 01:50 Get your copy online

The council voted to remove the requirement that 10 print copies of proposed legislation be sent to district governors and council members. Proponents noted the legislation is available online now, and not having to mail out multiple copies, except where requested, will save money. This year, governors were asked if they wanted to receive a print or electronic copy, and only 11 requested a print copy.

15/04/2016 02:28 Council profiles

Lawrence Tsai, a member of the Rotary Club of Kahsiung Elite, Taiwan, (right) is attending as an observer while his father is serving as a representative. Says Lawrence, "I think the new rules that have been approved allowing flexibility will be very attractive to young potential members. I was particulary happy to see the distinction between regular and e-clubs removed."

15/04/2016 03:18 Moving along, enactments done

The council has now completed all enactments. And the chair reminds the council that a motion to amend a resolution is not in order. And there was much rejoicing.

15/04/2016 03:23 Polio eradication still our highest goal

The council, tackling its first resolution, affirms that the eradication of polio is a goal of the highest order of Rotary International. By unanimous decision.

15/04/2016 03:52 Warp speed

Warp speed, Mr. Sulu. The council, with the assistance of the chair, has just agreed to tighter time limits on discussion, beginning tomorrow morning.

15/04/2016 04:29 In the home stretch

The chair concludes action for the day. One more day left. DAILY RECAPS

13 APRIL 2016

Citing a need to provide programs and services that allow Rotary clubs to flourish, the Council on Legislation approved three $4 increases in the annual per capita dues that clubs pay to Rotary International. RI Treasurer Per Høyen, speaking in favor of the request, said, "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." The increase sets the dues at $60 in 2017-18, $64 in 2018-19, and $68 in 2019-20. See Wednesday's vote totals.

12 APRIL 2016

Continuing yesterday's theme of flexibility, the Council on Legislation agreed on Tuesday to simplify the qualifications for membership in a Rotary club. The measure removes six membership criteria from the RI Constitution, replacing them with the 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. Proponents argued that the change will give power back to clubs to "choose their own members without a checklist" and encourage membership growth. The Council also deferred until Thursday the consideration of proposals to create a new membership type, associate membership, and to allow Rotaractors to join a Rotary club, too. See Tuesday's vote totals.

11 APRIL 2016

The Council on Legislation approved on Monday two key measures that would give clubs greater flexibility in their meetings and membership. Both were backed by the RI Board of Directors and passed overwhelmingly after lively debate. The first measure gives clubs greater leeway in when and how often they meet, how often they cancel meetings, and what constitutes a meeting, as long as they meet at least twice a month. The second measure grants clubs flexibility to experiment with membership models. Proponents argued that clubs need the enhanced freedom in order to determine what works best in their communities, noting that "one size does not fit all." See the vote totals from Monday’s action.