Rotary’s 2016 Council on Legislation

11 April 2016

Dear Friends

I am currently in Chicago attending Rotary’ 16^th tri-annual Council on Legislation (COL). The Council on Legislation is Rotary’s legislature. Meeting in Chicago every three years, it considers changes to the policies that govern Rotary International and its member clubs, and holds the authority to amend Rotary’s constitutional documents. The Council is made up of one representative from every Rotary district. These representatives are the voting members of the Council. I feel truly blessed to have been given this opportunity.

The room is full of delegates milling around as we begin to take our seats. There is a high buzz around the room as friends from all over the world gather together, some meeting after several years. There are many, many, familiar faces. People with whom we are in regular contact. It is also a fantastic opportunity for photos and as you will see later I too took up that opportunity.

Day 1 was on Sunday 10^th April with our International President, KR Ravindran opening proceedings by welcoming all delegates and encouraging them into good healthy debates for the better of the Rotary world. The COL chair and vice chair were introduced and so were the rest of the Parliamentary team. We then entered into a mock session on what the procedure for the COL would be and “all things being equal” we experienced some faulty equipment. One must remember that this is the first time that electronic voting takes place at the COL. Later in the session, we were provided with an update on the RI Strategic Plan and a forward look at the next 5 year’s financial plan and forecast which I must confess, does not look healthy unless we increase fees drastically. It is a resolution that will be discussed and debated on Wednesday afternoon. After much clarity on procedures and rules we adjourned to enjoy some welcome drinks before heading off to supper and some much needed rest from the travelling.

Day 2 began early and after a quick breakfast we settled into our specially assigned seating (RI insists on specially assigned seating for two reasons – one to allow for greater interaction amongst members from different parts of the world and secondly as a monitoring mechanism for those delegates whom “escape” for sessions or don’t pitch at all). Big-bother is watching !

After retesting and ensuring that the electronic voting system was working properly the first proposed enactment was announced to be tabled and so began the discussions, debates and voting process.

Readers must please understand that the sum total of votes on each of the proposals may be different due to the fact that some delegates may not vote on a proposal and that the system has no mechanism for recording abstentions. Of the 534 Rotary districts around the world, 510 were represented at the COL.

A summary of the voting is provided below. Note that the VOTES column should be read as “123-345” where “123” will represent the YES votes and “345” will represent the NO votes.

 

No	Proposal	Notes	Result	Votes
16-01	To provide for written board meeting minutes	To allow for access and transparency	Adopted	318-136
16-02	To provide that the club treasurer shall be a member of the board	Provides for greater accountability and reporting	Adopted	379-72
16-03	To provide for the secretary elect to be a member of the board	To provide for training and continuity	Rejected	144-312
16-04	To revise the provisions for club officers	To allow for the President Nominee to become a member of the board	Rejected	123-332
16-05	To provide for committee in clubs	There was an amendment to this proposal by changing the word “Public Relations” to Public Image. This proposal suggested the formation of committees to align itself to RI’s strategic plan.	Adopted	238-213
16-06	To define the purpose of Rotary clubs	This proposal is superfluous as the purpose of our organisation and hence our clubs is expressed in the Object of Rotary	Adopted	236-217
16-07	To remove admission fees for club members	I was really surprised with this one as I was unaware that clubs around the world charged an admission fee. Not sure what the practice is in SA!	Adopted	232-228
16-08	To revise the provisions for club admission fees	This proposal was withdrawn after 16-07 was approved	Withdrawn	0-0
16-09	To revise the provisions for club admission fees	This proposal was withdrawn after 16-07 was approved	Withdrawn	0-0
16-10	To amend the second Avenue of Service	Amending the definition of Vocational Service	Adopted	254-210
16-11	To amend the third Avenue of Service	To include the words “quality of life and cultural level”	Rejected	173-280
16-12	To remove the fifth Avenue of Service	We need to show the youth that we are indeed serious about their involvement in Rotary and the removal of this Avenue of Service would be a step backwards	Rejected	104-365
16-13	To amend the fifth Avenue of Service	Change the word “Youth” to “New Generations”	Rejected	148-308
16-14	To add a 5th part to the Object of Rotary to encourage a new generation of global leaders	This proposal was withdrawn	Withdrawn	0-0
16-15	To add a 5th part to the Object of Rotary to include the development of service and leadership in youth and young adults	After much debate PRIP Cliff Dochterman pleaded to the delegates not to confuse the Object of Rotary with the Avenues of Service. The Object of Rotary clearly states who we are and the Avenues of Service states what we do.	Rejected	49-435
16-16	To amend the 5th Avenue of Service	This proposal was withdrawn	Withdrawn	0-0
16-17	To amend the Object of Rotary	This proposal was referred to the RI Board	RI Board
16-18	To amend the Object of Rotary	This proposal was referred to the RI Board	RI Board
16-19	To amend the Object of Rotary	This proposal was withdrawn	Withdrawn
16-20	To amend the Object of Rotary	This proposal was referred to the RI Board	RI Board
16-21	To allow for flexibility in club meetings and attendance	This proposal endorses the idea of giving clubs the ability to craft rules and requirements regarding when the club meets and whether or not to track attendance that are relevant and in the best interest of their membership. It was amended from the floor with a proviso that all clubs must meet at least twice a month. It’s a new Rotary going forward !!!	Adopted	392-82
16-22	To allow clubs flexibility in structuring their weekly meetings	This proposal seeks to provide clubs flexibility in changing their time and day for meetings to suit their members	Withdrawn
16-23	To allow clubs flexibility in choosing a regular meeting schedule	This proposal was withdrawn. Refer 16-21	Withdrawn
16-24/25	To provide that clubs shall meet twice a month	This proposal was withdrawn. Refer 16-21	Withdrawn
16-26	To amend the provisions for cancelling a meeting	This proposal seeks to allow clubs to cancel a meeting where a public holiday falls during the week and is close to its meeting date	Adopted	272-222
16-36	To allow for flexibility in membership and classification	This proposal endorses the idea of giving clubs the ability to craft rules and requirements regarding the composition of their membership and how a club may wish to manage their membership. Another step in the right direction !!!	Adopted	386-75

 

Please note that both 16-21 and 16-36 were RI Board proposals and were part of the “Orders of the Day” schedule and were therefore discussed and voted on out of sequence. Tomorrow we begin with proposal 16-27 regarding attendance requirements and given that 16-21 was overwhelming favored, I think that 16-27 to 16-35 will be withdrawn. We wait to see what happens.

Until the next round….take care

 

Warm regards from a chilly Chicago

Natty Moodley