ROTARY CHANGES

A new Rotary year is set to begin, and with it several programs aimed at supporting and strengthening clubs and districts. In addition, a fresh slate of leaders will take over at the club, district, and international level.  (click below to read more)

 

Kalyan Banerjee, of the Rotary Club of Vapi, Gujarat, India, will become Rotary's 101st president, and the third from India, on 1 July. Read a profile of Banerjee from The Rotarian. William B. Boyd, of the Rotary Club of Pakuranga, Auckland, New Zealand, will take over as Rotary Foundation trustee chair. 

John Hewko will become Rotary International’s 12th general secretary on 1 July. He has said his priorities include improving Rotarians’ connections with the Secretariat and increasing awareness about what the Secretariat can offer. Download Hewko's speech from the 2011 RI Convention. 

Other changes include: 

• Four pilot programs will begin 1 July, designed to improve recruitment and retention, allow for flexibility in club operations and structure, and give clubs an opportunity to explore new and innovative ways to promote member diversity -- all goals of the RI Strategic Plan. For each of three pilot programs – corporate member, associate member, and innovative and flexible Rotary club -- 200 clubs have been selected to participate, and about 125 will take part in a satellite club pilot program. Learn more.
• The Changemaker Award will accompany the Presidential Citation during the 2011-12 Rotary year. The award will encourage Rotarians to focus on change and will recognize clubs that make an extraordinary impact through their work in the Avenues of Service. Learn more.
• The World Community Service and Rotary Volunteers programs will be phased out as of 30 June, replaced by a new model designed to expand the resources available to clubs for connecting and partnering with one another. The RI Board approved a shift to a resource and support model for RI programs to reinforce the priorities and goals of the RI Strategic Plan.
• Efforts to enhance Rotary’s public image will be undertaken by 49 Rotary public image coordinators (RPICs) working in partnership with their zone’s RI director, regional Rotary Foundation coordinator, Rotary coordinator, and district governors. RPICs, who are selected by the RI president or Rotary Foundation trustee chair, have professional expertise in public relations, journalism, or communications and will help support the RI Strategic Plan by conveying effective public relations practices to district leaders.
• The Rotarian magazine launches its digital edition with the July issue. Subscribers can now choose to receive either the print or digital edition, or both. This would be a good time to buy a subscription for your Interact or Rotaract club, to inspire them with Rotary’s breadth. Learn more.
• Rotary clubs’ annual per capita dues to Rotary International will increase to US$51 in 2011-12. The 2010 Council on Legislation also set dues at $52 for 2012-13 and $53 for 2013-14.