Jane Millar, a Rotarian from Petoskey who will be attending the Rotary Council on Legislation, shared with us some excellent insight on that upcoming meeting.

 

The Rotary International event in April, brings 534 Rotary district representatives to Chicago. These Rotarians from around the world, gather to decide on resolutions and proposals that may impact every Rotary club.

Proposals for changes in Rotary International’s bylaws and resolutions will be considered, and voted on, Jane said. 

 

A grand total of 181 proposals doesn’t make for light reading, but she shared great examples on how they’re important to members. 

 

Flexibility in attendance to meetings by members was one issue discussed.  When and how often a club meets (once a month, once a week, etc.) will be one of the proposals on the docket at the Council on Legislation.  One example she shared was the question of lowering the requirements for attending Rotary meetings, or not having a requirement at all.

 

Other changes discussed included removing Youth Service as a fifth avenue of service, adding “homemaker” as a vocational category for new members, and a resolution to ask the Rotary International Board to support the prevention of sexual mutilation.

 

Jane then asked for comments and votes from the audience on how we would weigh in on these topics, if we had to decide.

 

Overall, opinions leaned towards continuing Rotary’s mostly neutral stance on social issues.  Others in the meeting expressed the importance of understanding the complexities of Rotary’s role in doing good works within many diverse cultures.

This was an eye-opening exercise, and Jane’s excellent, interactive presentation showed how important it is to have a voice in what Rotary’s group culture and rules will be, for the growth and continued strength of the clubs.