COL delegates more powers to Rotary clubs The Council on Legislation (COL) has formulated new guidelines that provide flexibility and local control for the clubs in determining their membership and related policies.

Rotary was founded in 1905. For decades, its rules required that clubs conduct weekly meetings, and established minimum attendance requirements for individual Rotarians.

Changing patterns of employment, residency and technology, combined with an increased emphasis on Rotary service projects, dictated an adjustment to the original rules.

There are 35,000 Rotary clubs in over 250 countries.
After recent discussion and input from membership, Rotary International Council on Legislation (COL) formulated new policies that provide flexibility and local control for Rotary clubs in determining their membership, meeting and attendance policies.

In the late 1980s, Rotary changed its membership requirements to allow for the participation of women as members.

Past District Governor Norma Madayag-Reilly recently presented a programme to Victor-Farmington Rotary Club (New York, US — D 7120) that explained the changes.

These provisions provide greater flexibility for clubs in accepting new members who share the same profession or vocation.

The only mandatory requirement for membership is that Rotarians are adults who demonstrate good character, integrity and leadership; have a good reputation in their business, profession and community; and are willing to serve in their community and around the world. Retirees are welcome.

The new rules provide flexibility in meeting frequency, format and attendance.

The Council on Legislation provided more local control for clubs, recognising that a club’s health is not determined by attendance alone.

The new provisions allow individual clubs to determine the best day and time for their meetings, count service projects or social events as meetings, choose whether to meet in person or online, change attendance requirements and allow Rotary clubs to reduce their meeting frequency as long as they meet in some way at least twice a month.

Victor-Farmington Rotary will continue to maintain a regular weekly meeting schedule.

The club has Wednesday luncheon meetings at Ravenwood Golf Club.

The third Wednesdays of the month are usually dinner meetings at Finn’s Tap Room and Party House.

The club is involved with service projects in the local community.

This provides members the opportunity to fulfill attendance requirements in lieu of a meeting.

Most members continue to be involved with club meetings.

The flexibility of lunch and dinner meetings, as well as credit for service projects, makes it easier for local Rotarians to meet the required twice monthly club involvement rule.

Involvement with the local Rotary club provides local residents the opportunity to participate in Rotary’s various international service projects.

Victor-Farmington Rotary initiated projects in Nicaragua and Paraguay to help impoverished residents in rural areas.

Members are committed to Rotary’s worldwide efforts to eradicate polio.

Rotary provides a social opportunity to meet others in the community committed to serving others.

If interested in Rotary membership, contact a local Rotarian or visit one of their weekly club meetings.

Source: Daily Messenger