DUES INCREASE APPROVED

English: Rotary International emblem (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Representatives at the 2013 Council on Legislation on Wednesday approved a US$1-a-year increase in per capita dues that clubs pay to Rotary International, starting in 2014-15.
The increase was proposed by the RI Board of Directors based on a five-year financial forecast presented to the Board last week and shared with delegates on Sunday. According to the forecast, if there were no dues increase, RI’s deficit would grow to $9 million in 2018 and reduce the General Surplus Fund below the level required in the RI Bylaws. (click below to read more)



With the dues increase, the deficit will fall to $5 million in 2018, according to the forecast, and the surplus fund will then stand at $88 million, above the mandated level.
Supporters of the dues increase maintain that it will be sufficient to keep pace with inflation without necessitating cutbacks in service. Dues are the primary source of funding for Rotary’s operations.
The Council action raises Rotary clubs’ annual per capita dues paid to RI to $54 in 2014-15, $55 in 2015-16, and $56 in 2016-17. Dues for 2013-14 are $53, and they have increased $1 a year for the past three years.
Delegates from Rotary’s 532 districts are meeting in Chicago 21-26 April to consider 174 proposals submitted by Rotary clubs, districts, and the Board of Directors — for changes to the policies that govern Rotary International and its clubs. The council is held every three years.
In other action this week, delegates:
Approved changing the name of Rotary’s Fifth Avenue of Service, currently called New Generations, to Youth Service. The 2010 Council on Legislation approved this avenue of service for youth, which joined Rotary’s Four Avenues of Service (Club, Vocational, Community, and International). The name New Generations was meant to reflect the need to build up the next generation of Rotarians, but proponents of the name change argued on Wednesday that the word “youth” is more universally understood, both inside and outside Rotary, and clarifies the fact that these programs encourage Rotarians to empower youth.
Approved a measure to allow an unlimited number of e-clubs, removing a previous restriction of two e-clubs per district. E-clubs meet electronically, conduct service projects, and sometimes also hold in-person meetings. Proponents argued the removal of limits on e-clubs will increase Rotary’s appeal and bring in new members.
Approved a measure, aimed at increasing membership, that provides for satellite clubs, whose members meet at a different time and location from their parent club but who are also considered members of the parent club.
Approved a measure allowing participation in club projects to count toward club attendance requirements. The measure amends the Standard Rotary Club Constitution to provide that a member must attend or make up at least 50 percent of club regular meetings or engage in club projects for at least 12 hours in each half of the year, or a combination of both.
Removed the travel reimbursement policy from the RI Bylaws. This will enable the RI Board of Directors to develop a policy that is flexible, able to address emergency travel situations, and able to take advantage of cost-saving opportunities.
Defeated two measures that would have allowed clubs to meet less frequently. The delegates also rejected a measure that would have allowed a club to cancel six regular meetings a year instead of four, for holidays, the death of a club member, disasters, or other emergencies.