Information from the Rotary International Council on Legislation

Q: Are there changes in attendance requirements?

A: The Council maintained the 60 percent attendance rule but liberalized absence and Make-up policies (Article VIII, 200l Standard Rotary Club Constitution). New reasonsfor which a member may be excused include if he or she

• "is called away unexpectedly from a club meeting and subsequently produces evidence to the satisfaction of the board that such action was reasonable;"
• is, at the time of the meeting, "serving as the special representative of the district governor in the formation of a new club:" or
• "is a current officer of RI."

In addition, "the board may excuse a member’s absence for reasons which it considers to be good and sufficient."The council approved two make-up opportunities, beyond those previously authorized:

• participation in a "club-sponsored community event or meeting authorized by the board;" and
• "attendance at a board meeting or, if authorized by the board, a meeting of a service committee to which the member is assigned."

Q: The new Standard Rotary Club Constitution (SRCC) makes no mention of notice of make-ups. How does a member notify the club of his/her make-up?

A: In writing, verbally, or e-mail via club web site. Also, the club secretary should ask if the member made up within 14 days of the absence. Click here for form.Q: A member is traveling in a foreign country with no Rotary clubs and could not make up a Board-approved absence. Should that absence be used to compute the club’s attendance?A: YesQ: I used to be a senior active member. Now there are only active and honorary members.  What does that mean for my attendance exemption?A: The policy of excused absences still applies (Article VIII, Section 2, SRCC). A member may be excused if his or her years of age plus years as a Rotarian add up to 85 or greater. But it is not automatic. The member has to notify the club secretary in writing and the board must agree to excuse the member from attendance. This is the only exemption allowed in calculating the club’s attendance percentage.Q: Under what circumstances may a club cancel its meetings?A: If the meeting falls on a legal holiday or in the case of the death of a club member, an epidemic, a disaster affecting the whole community, or an armed conflict which endangers the lives of club members. (For the full policy, refer to Article 5, SRCC.)

Classifications

Q: What does the changes in the classification system mean for my club?

A: Members retain classifications (Article VII, SRCC), but the number of members allowed under single classification has changed, reflecting the reduction in types of membership from five (active, additional active, past service, senior active, and honorary) to two (active and honorary).In a club with 50 or fewer members, up to five members may have one classification;in a club with 50 or more members, 10 percent may. [Note: The Council did not specify how to calculate if 10 percent produces a fraction like 5.5 members. Club andDistrict Administration representatives suggest rounding to the nearest number.]Q: Now that senior actives have become actives, what happens if too many members have the same classification?A: First, former senior active members should only be counted in a classification if they are truly retired – a definition that is up to the club.Second, the Council stipulated that no member as of 1 July 2001 is to lose membership because of changes to membership categories. If, as a result of that Council stipulation, a club has too may members in one classification now, it may admit not further members with that classification the club should reduce the number in that classification over time through attrition.Note: Termination of membership is covered under Article XI, SRCC.  Incidentally, classifications describe Rotarians’ principal business or professional Activity or that of their firm, company, or institution (for example, architecture) – not themselves (architect) nor their position in the company (vice-president) Q: Do members keep their classification until their membership is terminated?

A: Not necessarily. The board may correct or adjust any member’s classification, after notifying the member and allowing a hearing on it. If members change theircompanies or careers, the club may continue their membership under new classifications.

Membership

Q: Do Rotary clubs have to have female members?

A: According to the RI Bylaws (4.070), no club, regardless of the date of its admission to membership in RI, may, by provisions in its constitution or otherwise, limit membership in the club on the basis of gender, race, color, creed, or national origin.  "Furthermore, any provision in a club constitution in conflict with this "is null, void,and without effect. Q: How does the change to two membership categories—active and honorary—affect our Club?A: It simplifies things and gives club increased flexibility in membership development.Please refer to "Attendance" and "Classifications" questions as well as Aeticle VI, SRCC.  Clubs that did not require full dues payments from senior and past service members may want to amend their bylaws, now that these members are active. If the club wants to retain a two-tiered system of payments, it might use such terms as "members who have served a Rotarians for 15 years or more" or " Rotarians who meet the exempt status of 85 years of both service and age. This is a matter to be determined by the individual clubs; it is not covered in RI constitutional documents.Note that someone can be an active member in one club and an honorary members of another, as long as they are two different clubs. As the result of another change, theboard determines the term of honorary membership, which is no longer limited to one year. Still another change entitles honorary members to visit other clubs without being the guest of a Rotarian: the club president may issue a document (but not a membership identification card) to prove honorary membership.Q: I am relocating and want to join another club. Is transfer of membership to another club automatic?A: No. You must terminate membership in one club and be admitted to another club, which must follow new member admission procedures. The new club is not required to accept you as a member. But, if accepted into membership of the new club, you will not be required to pay a second admission fee. Your former club may act as your sponsor: ask your club to write a letter to this effect.

Please note that, under Article XI, Section 2 (a), SRCC, "the board may grant a member moving from the locality of this club or the surrounding area a special leave of absence not to exceed one (1) year to enable the member to visit and become known to a Rotary club in the new community it the member is still active in the same classification and continues to meet all other conditions of club membership.